Sundaes No More: Rhode Island's Last Friendly's Closes For Good

NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Islanders now need to go out of state to get their Fribble fix. As of Monday, the state's last Friendly's restaurant was closed, ending an ice cream era.

The last restaurant was located on Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence. A sign posted on the door announced the sudden closure, WJAR reported.

"We are sorry for disappointing you on this visit, but this location is now closed for business," the sign read. "We appreciate your patronage over the years and for allowing us to make the world friendly, one scoop at a time!"

The note went on to say that the company is providing short-term financial assistance to employees affected by the closure, as well as working to relocate as many employees as possible to other locations.

The once-ubiquitous New England chain has been waning in recent years, filing for bankruptcy in 2011 and closing 23 locations across the Northeast — including three in Massachusetts in April.

The two closest locations are both in Massachusetts, one in Attleboro on Washington Street and the other in Swansea on Route 6. A full list of locations is available on the company's website.
Don't want to drive that far? You can always pick up a half-gallon of Friendly's ice cream at your local supermarket.