Short Pump barbecue joint closes

logoA bustling Short Pump barbecue joint has shut down, for now.

Grandpa Eddie’s Alabama Ribs and BBQ, a staple on Three Chopt Road for six years, closed its doors Aug. 28.

A note on the restaurant’s website from owner Carey Friedman and other staff offered this explanation:

“It is a terrible shame, but had nothing to do with the health of the business.  Thanks to all of you, we were actually having our best year yet!  External factors got in the way.”

The post goes on to say that this might not be the last of their wings, ribs and peanut butter pie.

“We are down for now, but not necessarily out.  I am not sure where we are going to end up, but we are hoping to have some form of Grandpa Eddie’s in the future.”

Many fans of the eatery posted concerns on its Facebook page and inquired as to the exact reason for why it was closing. Grandpa Eddie’s offered this tidbit in response:

“It was renovations and vacation last week. while we were away, a situation cropped up that forced us to close. It was out of our control. We are not sure what is happening next, we are still in shock ourselves.”

The owners ran a deal on Groupon for $20 worth of food for $10 last December and sold 1,184 vouchers.  Friedman posted the success from using Groupon on TechCrunch and said the offer brought in more than 800 new customers.

Grandpa Eddie’s also participated this summer in the first Richmond BBQ Crawl, which brought them 28 guests.

The restaurant hosted local bands on the weekends and offered catering, and they operated a barbecue cart called the Hog Wagon. The restaurant opened in November 2005 in Goochland County. They grew out of the space and had been in their current location since September 2007.

Stay tuned to BizSense for updates.

 

logoA bustling Short Pump barbecue joint has shut down, for now.

Grandpa Eddie’s Alabama Ribs and BBQ, a staple on Three Chopt Road for six years, closed its doors Aug. 28.

A note on the restaurant’s website from owner Carey Friedman and other staff offered this explanation:

“It is a terrible shame, but had nothing to do with the health of the business.  Thanks to all of you, we were actually having our best year yet!  External factors got in the way.”

The post goes on to say that this might not be the last of their wings, ribs and peanut butter pie.

“We are down for now, but not necessarily out.  I am not sure where we are going to end up, but we are hoping to have some form of Grandpa Eddie’s in the future.”

Many fans of the eatery posted concerns on its Facebook page and inquired as to the exact reason for why it was closing. Grandpa Eddie’s offered this tidbit in response:

“It was renovations and vacation last week. while we were away, a situation cropped up that forced us to close. It was out of our control. We are not sure what is happening next, we are still in shock ourselves.”

The owners ran a deal on Groupon for $20 worth of food for $10 last December and sold 1,184 vouchers.  Friedman posted the success from using Groupon on TechCrunch and said the offer brought in more than 800 new customers.

Grandpa Eddie’s also participated this summer in the first Richmond BBQ Crawl, which brought them 28 guests.

The restaurant hosted local bands on the weekends and offered catering, and they operated a barbecue cart called the Hog Wagon. The restaurant opened in November 2005 in Goochland County. They grew out of the space and had been in their current location since September 2007.

Stay tuned to BizSense for updates.

 

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Cindy
Cindy
12 years ago

Their vagueness makes me suspicious. Just say it, stop with the drama. I hate it when people say “I know something but I can’t tell you”. Just say it. For example: Rent was raised, found aestestos during renovation that would be too expensive to remidiate, need to move to take care of sick parent. Just say it dang it. The vagueness makes me think it’s something fishy.

james
james
12 years ago

This sounds a lot like either the landlord decided to terminate the lease or the bank pulled their line of credit or called in a loan early. They are being vague, most likely, because they are trying to work the situation out, and making it public would get their fans (like me) screaming at whomever is giving them a hard time. Whatever is happening, I hope they work it out because they are the best BBQ in town hands down, and it’s too far to have to go to Buz & Ned’s down by the stadium to get BBQ and… Read more »

Dave
Dave
12 years ago

Good thing Buz N Neds is opening out near short pump.

Scott B
Scott B
12 years ago

Given the owner’s comment that they are “down for now, but not necessarily out,” one could assume that they are still recovering from the shock of having to close unexpectedly, haven’t formulated a plan solid enough to mention, but don’t want to sound the death knell just yet. It is REALLY tough to lose a business into which you put your heart and soul. They may be unsure of what to say and how to say it at this point. I can see where the cryptic half-answers are frustrating, but this is a small business, and some patience is in… Read more »

Brett Hunnicutt
Brett Hunnicutt
12 years ago

Isn’t Q opening short pump soon as well?
And Hogshead Cafe is near Gaskins as well and serves some great BBQ too.
The only plate I ever ate at Grandpa Eddie’s was microwaved to rubbery perfection, not impressive.

Brett Hunnicutt
Brett Hunnicutt
12 years ago

Oh, and Halligan’s opening soon too. Don’t worry there is plenty of good BBQ to go around this town. We are spoiled by the bbq gods beyond belief.

Dave
Dave
12 years ago

heard through the grapevine that Grampa Eddie’s sold Groupons over 2400 @ $10= 24,000($20 redeem) less than 2 months ago. those coupons are supposed to be good for 7 months. Could be thats why he’s claiming he didn’t know he’d be closing down, otherwise it would be fraud. The story about vacation/renovation just gave him time to clear out his stuff so nobody would be suspicious. Not saying it’s true but it does smell fishy. Did they ever take vacation before?

Mike D
Mike D
12 years ago

Groupon issued refunds the same day Grandpa Eddie’s Alabama Ribs & BBQ announced they were closing.