VILLAGE OF FAYETTEVILLE- After decades of business, the Kirby’s Grill and Taphouse in Fayetteville has closed its doors.
The barbecue restaurant at 408 E. Genesee St. dates back half a century on the dot, having opened in October 1972 as a Mr. Steak franchise. The name would end up being changed in the early 1990s to Kirby’s according to longtime manager Charles Kauffman, with a prominent gold star featured in the place of its logo’s apostrophe.
During its run, Kirby’s was known for its homemade key lime pie, its baby back ribs, and its selection of burgers and other handhelds.
Kauffman started out as a dishwasher at the dining spot 45 years ago, back when he was a student at Fayetteville-Manlius High School. He became a line cook in the early 1980s and stepped into management a short time later.
“It’s a very enjoyable job as far as meeting people and seeing people grow in the business,” the Canastota resident said. “We had a lot of great employees go through over the years.”
For a few staff members—from greeters to servers—the Fayetteville eatery has been the only workplace they’ve ever known. All of them have been offered jobs at the sole remaining Kirby’s, which is located in Syracuse’s Westvale Plaza.
Known to many as Chuck, Kauffman said he will miss the regular patrons of the popular Fayetteville hangout, some of whom were there five days a week. Others from all over the area saw the Kirby’s in the heart of the village as a dependable choice for birthday celebrations and holiday dinners, he said.
“The guests have become like family to me personally,” Kauffman said.
The restaurant situated directly across from the village hall had its final day on Oct. 9. The effects of the supply chain crisis and the labor shortage were pinned down as reasons for the closure.
“Since the pandemic, everything’s been an issue with getting the quality food products we want to serve and then trying to get employees to work the restaurant,” Kauffman said. “You see ‘Help Wanted’ signs up all over the place.”
He said people were also deterred for a time from arriving to Kirby’s in groups or even going out to eat because of coronavirus-related restrictions and hesitation to gather.