Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil at a Hooters store in Charleston, West Virginia, to commemorate the building’s demolition to make way for a gas station.
Former employees and residents gathered to mourn the loss of the building by candlelight, hugging each other and crying. This location was a local landmark before it closed.
A sizable group of young men also gathered at the construction site, jeering, shouting and even crowd surfing.
“Long live the Hooters!” the crowd chanted as young people enthusiastically shouted at local news cameras.
The incident, which reportedly started as a joke between friends, gained attention on social media, became a meme of sorts, and garnered international attention and widespread coverage. mass media.
In fact, the event garnered so much attention that Hooters heard the impact and had Hooters calendars shipped overnight to hand out to mourners.
The building’s closure was called the end of an era by local news outlets. WCHSTV. Even South Carolinians reportedly drove through the night to attend what was described as a “once in a lifetime event.” The drive probably took at least four hours.
“To all the naysayers, skeptics, condescenders, etc., this building here was a legitimate icon of the Kanawha Valley,” co-organizer Leo Browning told attendees.
Former Hooters employees also attended the event and were photographed crying and hugging each other during their final reunion.
“I started out trying to find a job, but it turned out to be so much more because I met so many lifelong friends and colleagues,” said former Hooters Girl Danielle Hugart.
“Yes, this is it. [West Virginia]” one participant wrote. Instagram. “Why aren’t we holding a candlelight vigil when our Hooters is torn down? Hooters will give us another vigil,” she wrote.
“There are so many memories in that building,” added local resident Noah Collins.
The vigil also served as a fundraiser for the child, who is believed to be suffering from a very rare disease. Organizers made announcements and solicited donations from participants.
“One of our close friends’ daughters has just been diagnosed with a very rare disease, and it’s very serious. If we don’t get help, she won’t be with us for long. “Yes,” Browning told the audience.
The demolished Hooters building will be replaced by a Sheetz gas station. Founded in 1952, Sheetz Inc. is an American-owned gas station with more than 700 locations.
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