Business
Sibley’s BBQ takes a break to re-locate.
By L. Fausz
Jun 4, 2008 - 1:00:16 PM

Charlie Sibley, owner of Sibley’s BBQ, enjoys stopping at tables of his guests and visiting for a bit to catch up on the news.

For eight years, Charlie Sibley and his crew at Sibley’s BBQ have been serving up the restaurant’s specialties of BBQ, ribs, and brisket as well as other favorites for lunch and dinner to many folks in the community.  Many had their routine day of enjoying lunch or dinner, and some indulged in the fare three to four times a week.  Last Friday, Sibley’s BBQ, located in the Chester Shopping Center on West Hundred Rd., served their last meal to their guests – at least at this location.  They are moving to a bigger and more accessible location at the corner of Winfree and West Hundred Rd.

Sibley’s guests are friends he went to high school with; they are businessmen and businesswomen; they are attorneys and judges from the courthouse; they are new folks who just moved in and enjoy the quaint atmosphere and the chance to meet new friends; and many are just folks looking for a place to eat good BBQ.

Bill and Barbara Bagent have been coming to Sibley’s for a long time.  “We love it here,” says Barbara Bagent.  Bagent, who went to school with Charlie, always gets a chance to catch up with old times when she and her husband come in for their regular of BBQ, fries, and slaw.  “I am glad we made it for the last day,” she says.  “I guess until he re-opens, we will have to go someplace else, but it will not be as good as it is here.”

Some of the courthouse crew was there for the last day.  Friday was always the day for Jim Evans, Phil Roberts, and Kelly Miller to come to Sibley’s to have their BBQ platter.  “I guess we will just have to wait till he re-opens,” Miller said, scooping up the last bit of his peach cobbler.

Christine and Kenneth Burton, married for 55 years, are regulars.  “We eat here quite a bit,” says Christine Burton.  “We like their BBQ.  They have other good food, too.  We pretty much eat anything.  I just pray that he opens a little quicker.  I’ll have to cook more.”  Kenneth Burton says he varies his meals when they eat at Sibley’s.  “I like the brisket and also the vegetable plate.”

“I didn’t know it was the last day,” says Hank Dvorak.  “That stinks.  He serves the Kiwanis each Monday night.  Is he still going to do that?”  Dvorak says he always makes it a point to come in when he is working in town.  Sometimes he comes in with his granddaughter, who enjoys the club sandwich.   “I guess I am just going to have to go away for the summer,” he says jokingly. 

Coming in for the catfish or the BBQ three to four times a week, Wayne and Joyce Rogers will miss coming to Sibley’s, but on a lighter note, Wayne Rogers says, “I will probably lose about 40 pounds.”

Sibley is a little nervous about the move, but says he has needed a larger place for awhile.  “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t have to,” he says.  “Signing a five-year lease on an aging building wasn’t something I wanted to do.”  Shutting down for two months will hurt his part-time crew of 10 and four full-time employees.  “I hope they all will return.  I have a good crew,” says Sibley.  Two of his full-time employees will be helping with getting the new location ready.  Russ Hoffman works two jobs, so taking a little break will be good, he says.  Kari Hughes, full-time waitstaff, is excited about the break.  “I am taking three weeks at the beach with all five grandchildren,” she says.  “But my husband also has a large list of things that I can do while I am off.”

Sibley also hopes his customers will return.  With the former place seating 32 guests, there were many times that guests waited to be seated.  The new restaurant will have room for 75 guests, with room to grow to 95 guests.

Sibley is also pleased to have his son Mike to serve as his general contractor for the new place.  Of Mike, he says, “He’s my architect, engineer, draftsman, and cabinetmaker for the new place.”

Sibley’s BBQ is scheduled to re-open in the former Country Store location at the corner of Winfree St. and W. Hundred Rd. in August.

lfausz@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

© Copyright by Village Publishing LLC