OPINION - Editorial

EDITORIAL: Still going

Ninety-two years is a long time. If someone lives to be 92, you know they've been living right. If a restaurant lives to be 92, it's got smart owners and the support of a community. That's certainly the case for one barbecue restaurant in Hot Springs, which will continue on toward a century once some new owners take over.

Restaurants can be fickle. Around 60 percent of new restaurants fail within the first year, according to CNBC. And nearly 80 percent shutter before their fifth anniversary. But Hot Springs landmark McClard's Bar-B-Q beat those odds. Here's more on its story from the papers:

"Restaurateur Lee Beasley will be the new owner once Beasley Properties finalizes the purchase, Bobby Dennis, a spokesman for Beasley's business interests, confirmed Thursday. The restaurant at 505 Albert Pike Road is expected to reopen next week after closing March 20 in the wake of the covid-19 crisis. Gladys and Alex McClard founded the restaurant in 1928. Owners Scott McClard and his wife, Shannon McClard, represent the fourth generation in the family business."

Residents in Hot Springs have been eating barbecue at McClard's for generations, including former President Bill Clinton. The restaurant is known for barbecue pork, ribs, tamales and barbecue sauce.

Barbecue is something Arkansas does well. And thanks to the new owners, life will soon continue for this mainstay.

Just think of all the crazy things this restaurant has survived in 92 years, right up to making it through the covid-19 pandemic economy. Now that the state has allowed restaurants to reopen their lobby doors, the new owners will have customers eager to show their support as they have for decades prior.

We wish all the luck to Lee Beasley. Keep making those pigs tasty. You're only eight years away from having a century-old barbecue joint.

Editorial on 05/30/2020

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