TAMPA, Fla. — At the end of last week, a Twitter post by restaurant Tampa Tap Room began to spread among the social media accounts of Bay area music, food and beer fans:

“Skippers Smokehouse has been in business here in Tampa for over 35 years is closing for good [sic]. Sad to see a Tampa institution closing up.”

Skipper’s, an iconic venue and restaurant that’s served up Southern and island-styled meals along with a seemingly endless variety of live music along the North Tampa road that shares its name since 1980, was quick to correct the rumor: They’re not going anywhere soon.

According to its Facebook page, Skipper’s Smokehouse has been closed since June 20, when an employee reported having been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Subsequent posts have stated that no one on staff has tested positive for the coronavirus; even so, aside from a few shows livestreamed without an audience by Skipper’s favorite Grateful Dead tribute act, Uncle John’s Band, the venue remains committed to remaining closed until the pandemic is better under control.

Once that happens, Skipper’s will reopen. (A rep for Skipper’s Smokehouse has not yet returned calls requesting comment.)

When the posts started flying, the crew at Tampa Tap Room immediately issued an apology via social media:

When contacted via Facebook, Tampa Tap Room declined to say where the rumor of Skipper’s permanent closure originated, reiterating its apology and writing that “the matter is closed. We want nothing but the best for a Tampa institution.”

It just goes to show how quickly misinformation, however well-intentioned, can proliferate among today’s social media landscape.