Paula Deen, the celebrated American chef, author of several cookbooks, and TV personality, has announced the closure of two of her restaurants after 36 years in business.
The 78-year-old’s announcement comes as those two eateries were closed abruptly, with one being her ‘flagship’ restaurant.
She made the announced on 1 August 2025 via Facebook and her official website, with the former Food Network regular saying that The Lady & Sons, the aforementioned flagship based in Savannah, Georgia, has closed.
Another restaurant nearby, The Chicken Box, has also closed.
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"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,” Deen wrote.
“Thank you for all the great memories and for your loyalty over the past 36 years.” The message was co-signed by her sons Jamie and Bobby.
It continued: "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."
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Deen said she will now focus her energies on her Paula Deen’s Family Kitchens locations, of which there are four across Pigeon Forge, Myrtle Beach, Branson, and Nashville.
"We’re excited to continue visiting these restaurants regularly, starting with Branson on August 8th," she said.
The Lady & Sons first opened its doors in 1989, with Deen opening the business out of her own home.
In 1999 it won the ‘International Meal of the Year’ award from USA Today, and the restaurant later gave rise to Deen’s The Bag Lady catering company.
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Beloved locally for its Southern-style menu stacked with ‘famous sides’ and a ‘family-style spread of heart down-home dishes’, fans are in shock over the closure.
"Nobody knew anything was wrong," said Martin Rowe, a local who spoke to CBS News following The Lady & Sons’ closure.
"I walk by there two or three times a week at lunch, and it was always packed."
Adrienne Morton, a visitor whose reservation was cancelled, told the Associated Press: “I thought this must be a mistake or maybe they planned to close and we don’t live here and just weren’t up to speed, but no.
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“We wish them the best. Hopefully everything turns out.”
Deen’s long tenure on Food Network came to an end in 2013 when the broadcaster announced it would not renew Paula’s Home Cooking. The decision was made after a deposition in which Deen admitted to having used a racial slur sometime in the past.
Her career has continued on YouTube where she regularly posts recipe videos.
Rachael Davis