Disgraced Food Network star announces closure of her flagship restaurant 12 years after racism scandal

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Former Food Network star Paula Deen unexpectedly shuttered her two Savannah, Georgia restaurants on Friday.
The 78-year-old disgraced TV personality and chef announced the closures of The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box via Facebook and her website, PaulaDeen.com
Deen — whose career took a hit when she admitted to using a racial slur in 2013 — wrote to fans, 'Hey, y'all, my sons and I made the heartfelt decision that Thursday, July 31st, was the last day of service for The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box.'
She continued in the note, which was also signed by her sons Jamie, 58, and Bobby, 55, 'Thank you for all the great memories and for your loyalty over the past 36 years.
'We have endless love and gratitude for every customer who has walked through our doors. We are equally grateful to our incredible staff — past and present — whose hard work, care, and hospitality made The Lady & Sons what it was.
'Savannah will always be our home, and we'll always be here to support our wonderful community.'
Amid the shock shutdowns, the family is attending to their other businesses.
'We will now focus our attention on the four Paula Deen's Family Kitchen locations across the country—in Pigeon Forge, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, and Branson,' the letter read.
In just a few days the trio will be on-site at one of their remaining eateries.
'We're excited to continue visiting these restaurants regularly, starting with Branson on August 8th,' said the correspondence.
They directed patrons to a phone number and email for future reservations, events, and catering inquiries.
The message was signed off with 'Love & Best Dishes.'
It comes 12 years after Food Network axed the celebrity chef's TV show, Paula's Home Cooking series.
The cancellation was due to backlash from a deposition in which Deen confessed to using a racial slur.
By Friday the doors were shuttered and a written explanation was plastered on the windows
In an interview with CBS News, Savannah resident Martin Rowe said about the now-defunct restaurants: 'Nobody knew anything was wrong.'
He added: 'I walk by there two or three times a week at lunch, and it was always packed.'
The Lady & Sons was Deen's 'flagship restaurant' and was established in June 1989.
Meanwhile, The Chicken Box was much newer, having opened just two years ago in 2023.
In late May the restaurant was forced to briefly suspend service in the wake of electrical issues caused by inclement weather.
An Instagram post dated May 28 included the caption: 'Still having electrical issues after the flooding y'all- elevator is janky now as well. Hopefully back tomorrow. Stay tuned. Thank y'all.'
It included a photo of a sign outside the business that read: 'We hope to re-open tomorrow for lunch service. This flood did a real number on us. Sorry y'all - Jamie.'