Longtime Charlotte-area barbecue joint is closing. ‘My foodie heart is broken.’
A longtime barbecue chain is closing another of its Charlotte-area restaurants after nearly two decades.
Sonny’s BBQ will permanently close on Aug. 16 after 19 years at 328 West Plaza Drive in Mooresville, the company confirmed Tuesday. The closing comes less than four months after Sonny’s BBQ on Tyvola Road closed in April after four decades, the Observer previously reported.
“The franchise owner decided to permanently close this location effective Monday,” Sonny’s BBQ corporate office in Florida said in a statement to the Observer about the Mooresville location.
“My foodie heart is broken today... After many years of supporting Sonny’s BBQ Mooresville I just learned they are closing for good ... Sad sad day!” one person posted to the company’s Facebook page. He said he and friends would make the 50-minute drive to Mooresville because they liked the staff and food there.
The closing represents the latest blow to some popular restaurants around the region.
Charlotte also has lost other decades-old iconic staples in recent months including Mr. K’s Soft Ice Cream and Price’s Chicken Coop, both in South End, and Zack’s Burgers in LoSo area.
2 Sonny’s left in Charlotte area
Sonny’s had other Charlotte-area locations that closed in recent years too, including a spot at Arboretum Shopping Center on Pineville-Matthews Road and on Monroe Road.
Sonny’s has two other locations near Charlotte, on Lyles Lane in Concord near Concord Mills and Cherry Road in Rock Hill. All Mooresville employees have been offered jobs at the Concord restaurant at 7820 Lyles Lane NW, according to Sonny’s corporate office.
Corporate officials did not respond to questions about the future of its other two Carolina locations.
Sonny’s Mooresville restaurant declined comment, referring to the corporate office.
Based in Maitland, Florida, Sonny’s is known for its St. Louis-style slow-smoked pork, brisket, chicken and ribs barbecue. There are more than 100 locations in eight Southeast states, according to the 53-year-old company’s website.