SWAMPSCOTT — Flip The Bird says it isn’t ready to leave Swampscott for good, but it will say goodbye to its Vinnin Square location this weekend. 

The popular chicken restaurant announced in a social media post on Tuesday that it would not be renewing the lease for its store at 450 Paradise Road. The post cited challenges common to small businesses, including rising operating costs, increasing rents, and higher food prices, as contributing to the decision to close the location. 

“We are currently looking for a new location in and around the Swampscott area to reopen, as we’ve had great success here over the past 5 years,” the company wrote. “We’ve toured a few spots, but nothing has checked off all the boxes yet. Until we can secure the right location, we feel that consolidating Flip The Bird’s operations is the best immediate path forward.” 

The post also said that long-term construction around the Vinnin Square location had been a factor in their decision. The closure comes as the Vinnin Plaza continues to undergo a major redevelopment. Plans for the shopping center include a new green space, standalone restaurant buildings, and a 163-unit apartment complex as the area transitions toward a more mixed-use destination. 

“While closing this location is not the outcome we had hoped for, we believe this decision will ultimately make Flip The Bird stronger and position us for long-term success in an increasingly challenging environment for independent businesses,” the company wrote. 

The restaurant said it planned to transfer employees from Swampscott to its remaining locations in Beverly and Danvers and looked forward to continuing to serve customers elsewhere on the North Shore.

“We are deeply grateful to our staff, customers, and the Swampscott community for your support throughout our journey,” the company wrote. “We look forward to welcoming you at our remaining locations as we begin this next chapter.”