Paula Deen shuts down her iconic Savannah restaurant for good
- Paula Deen announced the closure of The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box after nearly three decades of operation.
- Both restaurants attracted a loyal customer base, even after her television career experienced significant challenges.
- The closure marks the end of an era for Deen, but her four other restaurants in different locations will remain open.
In Savannah, Georgia, Paula Deen, the former Food Network star, announced the closure of her long-standing restaurant, The Lady & Sons, along with her second establishment, The Chicken Box. This significant change took place on July 31st, marking the end of nearly three decades of operation. Despite facing challenges after her show 'Paula's Home Cooking' was canceled in 2013, Deen's restaurants remained popular among loyal clientele. Her statement thanked customers for their lasting support and fond memories over the years. She reassured fans that the four additional restaurants outside Savannah would continue to operate, located in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Missouri. Deen's journey began in 1989 when she moved to Savannah, nearly broke and divorced, and started a catering business known as The Bag Lady. The first restaurant opened within a hotel, and soon thereafter, The Lady & Sons was launched in 1996, quickly gaining fame for its hearty Southern menu that featured fried chicken and banana pudding. Over its peak, the restaurant enjoyed immense success, serving about 1,100 diners daily, and was hailed as having the 'meal of the year' in 1999 by a USA Today food critic. Following the rise to fame from her cooking show, Deen expanded her restaurant to a larger venue in 2003. It became a notable tourist destination in Savannah, and loyal fans continued to visit even following the controversy surrounding her television career that led to its cancellation. A deposition from a lawsuit drew public attention for Deen's comments regarding race, which significantly impacted her reputation at the time. However, she managed to return to the screens on various programs, including 'Dancing With the Stars' and 'MasterChef: Legends,' as well as creating online content. The abrupt decision to close The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box has left many shocked, but Deen expressed gratitude for the community's support throughout the years. As she ventures forward, her other restaurants remain open, ensuring her culinary legacy continues in other locations. This closure signifies not only the end of an era for Deen but also leaves an impact on Southern culinary traditions which she has played a key part in popularizing.