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Florida-based 4 Rivers Smokehouse barbecue restaurant apparently closed last week after only three years on Marietta Street, according to Tomorrow’s News Today. Customer review site Yelp also lists the restaurant as closed. 4 Rivers opened on the edge of the Georgia Tech campus in July 2017 inside a two-story firehouse dating from 1915.
A message posted to the restaurant’s website thanks customers for their support and indicates a new location could eventually open outside the city of Atlanta.
“We want to thank all of our loyal customers who have supported 4 Rivers Atlanta for the past three years. Unfortunately, we have made the decision to close this restaurant. We have received strong guest and community support in Atlanta from day one, and for that, we are very grateful. Although we have no immediate plans, we remain optimistic that eventually, there will be a Smokehouse in the greater Atlanta area.”
No official reason is given for the closure.
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Owner John Rivers first opened 4 Rivers Smokehouse in Winter Park, Florida, in 2009. There are now 11 locations throughout Florida, with Atlanta marking the barbecue chain’s first restaurant outside of the Sunshine State.
Eater Atlanta reached out for confirmation and more details.
The rapidly redeveloping Marietta Street Artery district, flanked by the railroad and once home to several stockyards, has seen a number of recent restaurant closings, including Pauly’s Crepe Bar and the Local Pizzaiolo. Both restaurants closed after brief stints on Marietta Street. A second location of Buford Highway Malaysian restaurant Food Terminal just opened in the former pizzeria.
Longtime Marietta Street brewpub Five Seasons closed last year after a decade at the Brickworks complex across from Octane. Neighboring Hop City Craft Beer and Wine shop also closed at the end of last year. Some speculate rent hikes at the Brickworks are to blame for the closures.
822 Marietta Street, Atlanta. 4rsmokehouse.com.
