The Lookout Kitchen, chain of Oklahoma State Park restaurants, to close at end of September

The Lookout Kitchen, a chain of restaurants operating in Oklahoma State Parks, will close at the end of September, according to a letter sent to employees and obtained by News 9.

In the letter, all locations will remain open until Sept. 30, after which all locations will close.

Earlier this year, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) announced the closure of the restaurant located in six Oklahoma national parks.

SEE ALSO: Oklahoma State Parks close Lookout Kitchen over contract, payment issues

At the time, OTRD said the restaurant failed to "make outstanding payments and fulfill other contractual obligations to the State."

In the letter sent to The Lookout Kitchen employees, owner Paul Wilson says those claims are "simply not true."

"The offsets we submitted for outside catering and for bills we paid on behalf of the State are greater than what is owed," the letter stated.

The letter says the State of Oklahoma has acknowledged receipt of those documents and is reviewing them.

Read the full letter below:

This is a message just between us. Please know this letter is not for public release or to be shared outside of our company. A joint press release with OTRD will be issued soon, and that will serve as the official statement for customers and the public. If you are asked any questions, please refer people to that release.

With that said, I want to speak to you directly and honestly. After years of effort, investment, and dedication, The Lookout Kitchen restaurants in the State Parks will close on Sep. 30. We will remain open through the end of the month. We will continue to honor and contract for catering events.

There has also been noise in the press recently, including the FOX25 article. That report was not accurate. I offered an interview on the condition that it be live—so that our words could not be edited or taken out of context—but that offer was refused. As for OTRD’s public statement suggesting we owe missing payments, that is simply not true. The offsets we submitted for outside catering and for bills we paid on behalf of the State are greater than what is owed. The State acknowledged receipt of those documents and is reviewing them now.

While there has been frustration along the way, I want to stress this: we must maintain a positive attitude during the remainder of our time in these facilities. That includes showing full respect and professionalism to Lodge staff, guests, and each other. We want to close this chapter on good terms.

Looking forward, I want to reassure you that our work is not ending. We will continue to operate Falcone’s Pizza at our other locations, including Edmond, OKC, Tinker AFB, and our brand-new Ardmore location. We will also continue our catering operations—not only are current catering contracts secure and will be executed as planned in the coming month at several State Park locations, but we are also moving forward with all future catering commitments. Our catering team has built a strong reputation, and that part of our company will continue to grow.

Paul, Marcos, Blacee, and I all share in this decision, and we share in the deep appreciation we have for each one of you. We know this is hard news to take, and I want to be clear: we are here for you. We will support you with job opportunities at our other restaurants and catering operations, with recommendations, and with whatever else you need in this transition as we are able.

Above all else, thank you—for your effort and your professionalism. Let’s finish strong, with heads high, and with the dignity that this team has always carried.