Sea Gull Square’s Roly Poly and Tutti Frutti close
Employees at the Tutti Frutti and Roly Poly in Sea Gull Square in Salisbury say they received a text message from the business owner on New Year’s Day. The message read, “As of today I have decided to close all stores in preparation for sale. I will be happy to give you a reference upon request. Your final paycheck will be mailed. If I need an updated address please forward.”
An anonymous employee of one of the businesses tells 47 ABC, “Blind-sided it was. Definitely.”
According to that former employee, between Tutti Fruitti and Roly Poly there were about eight employees, which means there’s now about eight people out of a job.”
That former employee continues, “Everybody called each other and said ‘wow’ we just don’t understand it.”
Customers don’t seem to understand it either. 47 ABC found folks looking in the window of Roly Poly. Connie and Ernie Watson were on their way to eat at the quick service restaurant which specialized in wraps on Tuesday.
Connie says, “We’re sad because we enjoyed it.”
The president of Rinnier Development Company, who owns the properties at Sea Gull Square says, “My understanding of those two businesses is that they were operated well as I had heard both stores had been top performers nationally while operating at Sea Gull Square. While I am sorry to see them close from a business perspective and as a patron, I will work on finding new businesses to replace them that will add to the other great retailers at Sea Gull Square.”
The Watson’s have an idea for that. Connie continues, “I think another wrap place, you know if somebody else would come. It doesn’t have to be Roly Poly.”
They also suggested another frozen yogurt place to replace Tutti Frutti. However for the employees, they’re still waiting for an explanation from the business owner. They say he was a good boss.
The anonymous employee says, “Very nice guy, we just don’t understand what happened.”
47 ABC placed several calls and left messages with the owner of the Tutti Fruitti and Roly Poly locations in Sea Gull Square. We’re still waiting for his response.
The president of Roly Poly tells 47 ABC that they as a national franchise were also blindsided by this news of closing and the franchisee has not returned any of their numerous phone calls. However, they say there is a potential applicant for the current location that is interested in reviving the establishment.
According to Maryland Case Search, this franchisee also confessed in the Wicomico County Circuit Court to owing more than two- hundred thousand dollars for three Tutti Frutti locations and this Roly Poly.
