Paula Deen, the former Food Network star, has abruptly closed The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box in Savannah, Georgia, the restaurants that catapulted her to fame. The 78-year-old announced the closures on Friday, stating that July 31st was the final day of service for both establishments.
Deen ran The Lady & Sons with her sons Jamie and Bobby for nearly three decades. The restaurant was known for its Southern comfort food, including fried chicken and banana pudding. Despite the cancellation of her show 'Paula's Home Cooking' in 2013, loyal fans continued to queue for the buffet.
A statement posted on Deen's website and social media did not provide a reason for the closures. 'Hey, y’all, my sons and I made the heartfelt decision that Thursday, July 31st, was the last day of service,' the statement read. 'Thank you for all the great memories and for your loyalty over the past 36 years.'
Windows at The Lady & Sons were covered with brown paper, and signs at the entrance read: 'It is with heavy hearts and tremendous gratitude that we announce that we have retired and closed.' Customers like Adrienne Morton, visiting from Cincinnati, had their dinner reservations cancelled via text message on Friday morning.
Deen's four other restaurants in Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Myrtle Beach, and Branson remain open. The closures come years after Deen's career was affected by a 2013 scandal, when a legal deposition transcript revealed she had used racial slurs. She later returned to television on shows like 'Dancing With the Stars' and 'MasterChef: Legends'.
