Spokesperson: Sumter IHOP is only temporarily closed

IHOP corporate officials say Sumter's location of the restaurant remains only temporarily closed.

A public relations representative at the breakfast chain's corporate headquarters in Glendale, California, responded late Thursday to an email from The Sumter Item addressing rumors the eatery had closed for good.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in South Carolina in mid-March, Sumter's IHOP has been closed. This week when Gov. Henry McMaster authorized dine-in services at restaurants to reopen, the 24/7 breakfast establishment at 2485 Broad St. remained closed.

The spokesperson said the local franchisee/operator looks forward to reopening soon and welcoming back guests.

According to online media reports, IHOP chains in Hickory, North Carolina, and Christianburg, Virginia, have permanently closed in the last two months.