It was with deep regret that I learned this week of the closing of The Rainforest Café in The Burlington Mall.  My wife and I had dinner there just last Sunday not knowing it would be the last time before the audio animatronic monkeys  and tigers and elephants would be silenced for good and the plastic foliage rolled up and taken away to make room for a furniture store.

My family has a history with The Rainforest Café.  Birthdays and holidays and good report cards were celebrated there.  Foreign exchange students and friends were introduced to Cha Cha the green jungle frog mascot.  I even led two bus loads of New Bedford kids along with then Mayor Fred Kalisz to The Rainforest as part of an excursion to the Boston Science Museum when I last worked for WBSM more than a decade ago.

Wherever my family goes we seek out The Rainforest Café if there is one nearby.  I addition to the Burlington location I have now visited three in Florida and one in Las Vegas and look forward to seeing the new one in Vegas when I return in September.

The Rainforest Café has become synonymous with happy times. Celebrations.  Our first family trip to Walt Disney World.  Great memories  But like all good things this too must end.  That's progress.

Goodbye old friend and thanks for the memories.

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