Flip the Bird will close its Vinnin Square location on June 21, citing rising operating costs, higher rent and the impact of ongoing construction in the area.
The chicken-focused restaurant will close up shop at 450 Paradise Road. Flip the Bird announced the closure in a Facebook post Tuesday, five years after opening in Vinnin Square. The restaurant has additional locations in Beverly and Danvers.
“As our lease in Swampscott comes to an end, we have made the decision not to renew and to close this Flip the Bird location,” the post reads. “This will be our final week in business at 450 Paradise Road. We’ll be open Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. We’d love to see you.”
Flip the Bird’s management said it is working to find a new location “in and around the Swampscott area.” The group said it has explored several potential sites, but “nothing has checked off all the boxes yet.”
“Until we can secure the right location, we feel that consolidating Flip the Bird’s operations is the best immediate path forward,” the group said. “By focusing our resources and strengthening our core business, we believe this decision will ultimately make Flip the Bird stronger and position us for long-term success in an increasingly challenging environment for independent businesses.”
The restaurant cited rising food costs, higher operating expenses and increasing rent as factors in the decision. Flip the Bird also pointed to ongoing construction in the area, which it said has made access difficult for customers.
Sarah Klaman, an associate with Centercorp Retail Properties, did not respond to request for comment from the Swampscott Tides.
Vinnin Square is undergoing some significant visible changes. Fast and Beauty has closed and been replaced by Fit Ritual, a new fitness center. The former Bertucci’s space is now home to Sam Walker’s American Tavern.
In addition to filling vacant storefronts, Centercorp is adding three new outparcel buildings.
“We are working with First Watch. That’s going to be an amazing addition. It’ll be a real breakfast place,” Klaman previously said, adding that another one of the parcels will be a “Mediterranean concept with bowls.”
The next phase will bring a 160-unit apartment building located behind the Stop & Shop grocery store.
The redevelopment project is expected to take a while to complete. Andrew Rose, a principal at Centercorp and the property’s owner, previously estimated completion by the end of 2027.
“We are deeply grateful to our staff, customers and the Swampscott community for your support throughout our journey,” Flip the Bird wrote. “The memories we made here will always be part of the Flip the Bird story, and we look forward to welcoming you at our remaining locations as we begin this next chapter…Thank you for believing in us, Swampscott.”
