After doing business in Detroit’s North End neighborhood for more than six decades, Parks Old Style Bar-B-Que is closing its doors for good.
The small carryout spot whose ribs became famous in the region announced via a handwritten note on its door that its final day of business would be Sunday, Feb. 8, according to the Michigan Chronicle and other outlets.
Until then it is accepting walk-in orders only.
Parks first opened in 1964 by Edward Parks, who passed the business onto his son Roderick Parks Sr., who then passed it onto his son Rod Parks Jr.
In 2014, Metro Times reported that Parks was selling between 2,500 to 3,000 pounds of ribs a week, drawing diners from the suburbs with its ribs and chicken slathered in house-made sauces, including a vinegar-based Southern style.
Even as the city depopulated, Parks held on strong, and Roderick Parks Sr. was optimistic in a rebound.
“Oh, the neighborhood has changed tremendously,” he told Metro Times in 2014. “When we came here, you didn’t have all those vacant lots or dilapidated housing. The area is in transition. They’re building a lot of townhouses down south of us, there’s some north of us. Eventually there will be some housing improvement in Highland Park, Hamtramck. So I’m confident that the North End will survive and will prosper.”
According to Crain’s Detroit Business, Roderick Parks Jr. said that foot traffic had declined in recent times and his father is facing health issues.
Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q is located at 7444 Beaubien St., Detroit; parksoldstylebar-b-q.com.