Hooters moving out of Channelside after 15 years

The Hooters Restaurant at the conspicuous corner of Channelside Plaza is moving out.

After 15 years, the restaurant chain, which first launched in Clearwater, announced Thursday that they will be searching for a new location to move into. The news arrived in the middle of demolition and changes for the ongoing Water Street Project.

"Our lease term is up on January 31st, 2019, and our landlord CBP Development, LLC has some different plans for the space," said CEO Neil Kiefer in a statement. "We have had a great 15 year run at this location and truly appreciate all the support from our neighbors and customers, especially the city of Tampa and all the organizations we so successfully partnered with to promote downtown Tampa and the waterfront."

Channelside Bay Plaza opened in 2001, and Hooters opened in the downtown Tampa location about three years later. 

“While we will miss the excitement we enjoyed on our corner for so many years,” Keifer added, “we look forward to finding an equally suitable location in the neighborhood to continue to serve our great fans and customers."