WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - The Hooters location in West Springfield recently closed its doors for good, forcing a number of employees to be out of work. But now, one well-known diner is looking to help some of them get back on their feet.

It has been a long week for those who worked at Hooters on Riverdale Street in West Springfield. The restaurant unexpectedly shut down recently, with a sign on the door saying it was a “difficult decision” and how thankful the franchise was for their team members’ dedication over the years. The news shocked some other restaurants in the area.

“It’s always sad when an establishment goes out of business like that, and then people got nothing to do (for) work,” Michael Alfano owns Charlie’s Diner, a restaurant that has served the public since 1941.

If there’s anyone who knows about going through a tough time, it’s him. That’s because Charlie’s suffered a major fire two summers ago, forcing the restaurant to be closed for a while before reopening this past February.

After gaining lots of support from the community to get back to business, Alfano told Western Mass News IT was his turn to return the favor by offering those who worked at Hooters a job, “we’ve had a couple of applications in already, maybe around eight. We had three of them from Hooters already come over to apply.”

A solemn gesture from a famous eatery that welcomes dozens of people every day, customers who enjoy delicious food while surrounded by good camaraderie and Marilyn Monroe and Betty Boo Memorabilia. Now, Alfano wants those of you who were employed at Hooters to be part of it.

The diner posted on Facebook Wednesday night saying, “we wanted to extend a invitation to any of the cooks needing a position whether it is a prep cook, grill cook, etc.”

Right now, there are up to three positions available. Alfano wants those interested to know Charlie’s a nice place to work at, “people work together. It’s a team here. It’s not like everybody does their own thing.”

As it remains business as usual, Alfano emphasized the vitality of paying it forward, “it’s good to be able to give a little back, and we’re able to now that we’re up and running. Our regulars are back, we have new regulars, we’ve been doing great. So, we can offer a little bit back. It’s overwhelming.”

Alfano hopes to fill the vacant positions as soon as possible. If you worked at Hooters and would like to apply, click on this link to message them on Facebook.

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