The grill and bar's West Fargo store at 1640 13th Ave. E. closed effective Monday, Feb. 13, according to a note on the door. A crew from Indigo Signworks was at the property Monday afternoon removing Applebee's signs from the building.

"We regret any inconvenience it has caused our valued guests," the note said, adding the community's three other locations at 2800 13th Ave. S., 2001 16th St. N. and 2350 45th St. S. in Fargo will remain open.

An employee who answered the phone at the West Fargo eatery referred The Forum to Steve Coe, executive director of communications for DineEquity Inc., which franchises and operates IHOP and Applebee's restaurants. In response, Coe emailed a written statement from an unnamed Applebee's official.

"From time to time, like other brands with large, national footprints, locations close," the written statement said. "Restaurant closures occur for many reasons ranging from changes in trade areas to lease and franchise agreement expirations."

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The statement said the restaurant closed Sunday, Feb. 12, and all employees will be offered positions at the three remaining Applebee's in Fargo.

It also said the south Fargo location at 2350 45th St. S. will get an updated look later this year "to create an even more inviting atmosphere for guests."

Applebee's has been at this spot in West Fargo since it replaced a former Ruby Tuesday restaurant there in September 2012. Before relocating into that space, an Applebee's had operated at 4900 13th Ave. S in Fargo since 2002.