UPDATE! As of March of 2020, STICKY SOUL AND BBQ is open at the 625 Culver Road location. Visit www.stickysoulandbbq.com for menu and more.
Sep 25, 2018
After much consideration and a recent major renovation to try and jump start sales, the Original Sticky Lips Pit BBQ on the corner of Culver Road and Atlantic Ave will be shutting its doors October 9th, the day after Columbus Day.
Howard Nielsen, owner of the restaurant and property said, “This was his hardest business decision I have ever had to make.” Along with the restaurant, Nielsen has been doing a complete makeover of the property in which the restaurant stands. “I love the neighborhood and fully intend to complete the building renovations, but after a great fifteen year run with Culver Road’s Sticky Lips BBQ, it was time to shut down. I took the most pride Employing City residents, many of whom we gave their first jobs to.”
The Henrietta location will remain open, the catering and fundraising operations will also move to Jefferson Road, along with the majority of the Sticky Lips BBQ staff.
The store will always be remembered for the Marquee sign which read “I just spent my life savings, please eat my food” and also the filming of Man Vs. Food Nation with Adam Richman for The Atomic Bomb Challenge.
The restaurant grew to over 10.000 square feet, but will be divided up into smaller sections which could include two restaurants and a catering kitchen which will be for lease.
“It just got too big for the sales that the restaurant was currently producing,” says Nielsen.
“It was an amazing experience, I want to thank my current and former employees and most of all the customers that made this store legendary.” This will be the first time in 36 years that Nielsen has not run a Restaurant in the City of Rochester. His first business was the famed Chester Cab Pizza on Park Ave. “When I first opened The Pizzeria I was a 21 year old kid and introduced Chicago Stuffed Pizza to Rochester.” Chester Cab Pizza is still in operation and owned by Dess Ivanov.
“I am looking forward to concentrating my efforts into our Jefferson Road Location which will remain open.”