Reports surfaced last night that West End restaurant Bar-B-Q King is for sale, but majority owner Gus Karapanoa, 60, told QCity Metro that the information is inaccurate.
Karapanoa said that while surrounding land parcels are for sale, the restaurant itself is not.
Why it matters: Bar-B-Q King, a drive-in restaurant, opened in 1959 on Wilkinson Boulevard and has become a landmark in Charlotte.
Local news outlets broke the story after a listing for the 1,900-square-foot space appeared on LoopNet.com for $4.2 million.
The listing said the land is “great for new development.”
Wilkinson Boulevard, where the restaurant is located, is a “focus area” for the planned LYNX Silver line. As the Historic West End continues to see investment, Karapanoa said the land has become “too valuable.”
He said Bar-B-Q King’s lease is not up for another eight years.
After that, he says he’s unsure of what will become of the restaurant but mentioned the possibility of someone else taking over — or closing altogether.
But for now, the Historic West End staple plans to remain. “Bar-B-Q King is not for sale. I am Bar-B-Q King,” Karapanoa said.
GREAT NEWS! THAT WAS OUR GO TO PLACE FOR HARDING STUDENTS AFTER SCHOOL WAS OUT FOR THE DAY AND OUR WEEKEND NIGHT OUT
Went to Barbeque King as a teen dating. Then with my husband. Then our children would put their food in car’s back window to eat. I tell everyone that they have the best onion rings!
Glad to hear that you’re not closing
thank you
your one of the finest still around my hometown of charlotte. trout plate please. 🙂
Ate there with my momma. Actually her last meal with me. She got her Angel wings. Owner was a gentleman.
So glad to hear !!!
Thank you for rhis story. i appreciate your effort & news.
We have been going to barbecue king for years and hope they
stay open for many more
best perch plate ever
good! all my favs have closed
Tell You What Been Going To Bar-BQ-King For Year’s MY First experience Their I Was 16 Years Old. They Have The Best BQ chicken Around, And The Po Boy As Well. Went Down almost Every Thursday and Friday. At That Time Pete Was Around But I Move To Yorks, SC.nd Still Go THEIR Whin Up That Way.