M ost attempts at restaurants last around five to seven years, with only about a third lasting longer than 10 years.
The Colonial Steak House has been around for 51 years, several years longer than most people have been alive. To say that the Colonial is a Pine Bluff staple would be an understatement. To read that it is closing is cause for another sad moment for the city, which has few home-grown quality restaurants left.
Some old institutions fold up because they run out of people to run them. The founders say it’s time to retire and have no offspring interested in taking the mantle forward. Those types of endings are understandable, but still disappointing. The cause of the closing of the Colonial, however, was blamed, at least partly, on a lack of business.
“Unfortunately, so many of our customers have left the Pine Bluff area,” said Allison Hall, one of the operators. “Couple that with rising costs for everything from products to utilities and it makes it nearly impossible to survive in this economic climate.”
Two other institutions that closed in recent years come to mind. Lavender’s Barn, an eatery at the edge of town on Hwy. 65, closed a few years ago, and Havertys Furniture closed last year. The restaurant had been around 45 years, and Havertys had been in business here for 50 years. Add the two supermarkets to the closure list and it starts to leave a mark. All of which can be blamed primarily on Pine Bluff’s dramatic loss in population. To dine at the Colonial was a special event, even if there was nothing on the calendar saying as much. The space is broken up into rooms, and each one could have its own party underway. At Christmas, getting a table was difficult because so many businesses had their annual get-togethers there. The staff, however, would routinely say come on, we’ll put you somewhere. The folks there were also generous, donating to good causes around town in various ways.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
For the Colonial to close, from one perspective, is a courageous move. They had one way of doing business — providing quality steaks and seafood entrees — and they were not going to cheapen what they sold just to stay in business.
That doesn’t mean the place won’t be missed by a lot of folks who had birthday and anniversary celebrations, family reunions, first dates and 100th dates at the restaurant and by those who simply wanted a delicious meal with great service in a pleasant atmosphere
As Hall said: “But all things have a beginning and an end. Unfortunately time has come to permanently close Colonial.”
Sigh.
There’s still (barely) time for one last filet. The Colonial’s final night of business is Tuesday, July 15.