The owners of the much-anticipated Sir Loin’s Inn II resurrection in North Little Rock confirmed rumors and speculation Thursday that the restaurant has permanently closed, not quite eight months after an unexpected week-long closure.
Following the announcement last year that Sir Loin’s Inn, a renowned steakhouse in North Little Rock that debuted in the 1970s and closed in 2007, was making a resurgence, people flocked to social media to express their enthusiasm.
Last year, we had over 700 shares, 557 comments, and thousands of likes on our two Facebook postings prior to the December launch.
Aaron and Janie Ross launched the first Sir Loin’s Inn, an English-style steakhouse, at 801 W. 29th St. in 1971. The restaurant gained notoriety for its prime rib, butter-soaked bread, baby shrimp salad bar, and servers wearing red underwear.
After a hopeful beginning, the closing announcement represents an abrupt finish. Mickey Conrad, a co-owner, told the Arkansas Times last year that her husband Stanley was looking to open his own restaurant. However, he had no intention of reviving Sir Loin’s Inn until he entered the old Aydelotte’s, a model home constructed in the 1930s by the late North Little Rock real estate developer Justin Matthews Sr., which was later transformed into a fine dining establishment by Judy Waller, the founder of U.S. Pizza, in 2005.
On Thursday, the proprietors wrote a statement on Facebook thanking the community, employees, and customers for their support.
Our sincere gratitude goes out to everyone who gave us a chance, including those who joined us for dinner, offered encouraging remarks, and helped us realize our vision. There were many significant milestones along the way, and we are honored to have contributed in any way to the history of North Little Rock.
Online reviews have often been conflicting. Overall, we had a good experience at the restaurant.
The closure, according to the proprietors, is intended to start a larger discussion about how small businesses are encouraged and occasionally held to unrealistic expectations. Additional information from their statement:
While we want small, local businesses to be perfect from the start, there is a regrettable tendency where we frequently give national chains the benefit of the doubt, accepting long wait times, mediocre service, or unoriginal experiences, the owners added. In actuality, risk, passion, and community are the foundations of small businesses. Without tolerance, comprehension, and constant assistance, they cannot flourish.
We must support local entrepreneurs if we want our cities to be more than just replicas of one another. Give a little extra tip. Say something kind. They added, “Be prepared to grow with them.” Every small company that thrives adds value to our community. Even those who don’t leave something significant behind.
It’s dragon-slaying time!
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