Joey’s by the Shore will close promptly due to a loss of a rent agreement with the Westport Parks and Recreation department, according to a press release on the Westport government website.

Joey’s had been serving Compo Beach and the Longshore Country Club with standard American fast food for 32 years. In a post on Dan Woog’s blog, Joey Romeo thanked the Westport community for supporting the joint.

This comes a year after the price of out-of-town parking passes in Compo Beach nearly doubled from $490 to $775. 

“Running Joey’s had been the highlight of my life,” Romeo wrote. “I wish everyone the best and I look forward to seeing our beloved customers, employees and friends around town.”

Jim Marpe stated in the press release that the restaurant will be missed by the Westport community.

 “We appreciate the many years of service Joey has provided to the community, especially at Compo Beach, providing food for our beach goers and jobs for some of our young adults,” Marpe said.

Many Staples students are dismayed because of this closure, including Riley Burke ’23.

“I feel pretty upset,” he said. “I liked to do stuff at the beach and go to Joey’s.”

Marpe said in the press release that the town will work to get a new concessionaire in the spot of Joey’s.