In the latest restaurant closure to hit the west side of the Santa Clarita Valley, Outback Steakhouse in Stevenson Ranch is set to close its doors in just two weeks, ending nearly 30 years in business.

For generations of local diners, the Outback in Stevenson Ranch has been a familiar stop for birthday celebrations, casual date nights and dependable comfort food. But that is set to change, with the final day of business expected to take place on Oct. 25.

The Stevenson Ranch franchised restaurant, located in the 26200 block of The Old Road in Stevenson Ranch Plaza, opened Tuesday, March 4, 1997.

It was the 10th Outback location to open in the Los Angeles area and made its debut with a show of local support, raising $5,000 for the SCV Boys & Girls Club during a special event the evening before its official opening.

The restaurant’s original franchisee, Russ Bendel, was a successful restaurateur and later served as CEO of several national chains, including Mimi’s Cafe, The Cheesecake Factory and The Habit Burger Grill.

Outback Steakhouse opened its first restaurant in Tampa, Florida, on March 15, 1988.

Outback is not the only familiar name disappearing from The Old Road. Several other businesses have closed or announced plans to close in recent weeks, leaving noticeable gaps in the Stevenson Ranch and Valencia dining and fitness scene.

Just across the parking lot from Outback, a now-empty Starbucks at 25164 The Old Road closed in late September. The shutdown was part of a broader plan by the coffee chain to close 250 stores across North America that it identified as “underperforming.

Ananto Sushi, in the Valencia Marketplace shopping center in the 25700 block of The Old Road, announced Sept. 12 as its final day of business.

Farther down The Old Road, the Red Lobster restaurant in the 27500 block closed Sunday, Sept. 20, after its property lease was not renewed. The site is being prepared for a likely Raising Cane’s location. Red Lobster has also continued to reduce its restaurant footprint nationwide.

The changes extend beyond restaurants. The LA Fitness location at 24945 Pico Canyon Road, on the west side of The Old Road in Stevenson Ranch, is scheduled to permanently close Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m., according to an announcement posted on the club’s window.

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