LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Cajun’s Wharf is a staple in Little Rock but after nearly 40 years of business, it’s closing its doors.
“I’ve been going to Cajun’s Wharf since I was probably about 11-years-old. My parents would always give us children a choice of where to go eat at and it was always Cajun’s Wharf,” Reuah Hilton said.
The Arkansas riverfront business is home to priceless memories.
“I went there probably back in 2014 with my mom dad and son before my dad passed away in 2015 so that’s going to be a memory I hold dear to my heart,” Hilton said.
But, owner Mary Beth Ringgold said on June 1st it will be closing its doors with no current plans of reopening.
“People seem to trend away a little bit for special destination dining and that’s happening more and in the early part then it is for the weekends. We just have super dynamic weekends but it’s hard to keep a 20 thousand square foot building staffed for weekend business,” Ringgold said.
She said in general, the Arkansas River is underutilized and hopes to see it blossom in the future.
“We’re kind of in a node downtown, where we’re not really downtown, we’re not midtown and we’re not west little rock. So, it’s a little bit of a forgotten space sometimes and I think that really does affect some of the Monday through Wednesday, Thursday business,” Ringgold said.
She said in general, the Arkansas River is underutilized and hopes to see it blossom in the future.
“We’re kind of in a node downtown, where we’re not really downtown, we’re not midtown and we’re not west little rock. So, it’s a little bit of a forgotten space sometimes and I think that really does affect some of the Monday through Wednesday, Thursday business,” Ringgold said.
An Arkansas Hospitality Association spokesperson said they’re seeing more housing being developed along the river so that could mean more foot traffic to restaurants in the area sometime in the future.
Ringgold said her other businesses, Capers Restaurant, and Copper Grill, won’t be affected.
“I want to get through this and this process and maybe focus more on the other two, and maybe take a vacation and get a little rest and then think about what’s in the future,” Ringgold said.
Ringgold said she’s thankful for the employees and customers who’ve frequented the restaurant.
"Our customers and our friends are just they're really hurt by this and I hate that,” Ringgold said.
It will continue its regular operations until its closing date.
So, Cajun's Wharf regulars still have some time to relive their best memories in the restaurant.