Beloved BBQ Spot Neicy’s to Close After 10 Years: Owner Cites Road Closures and Lost Business

After serving up mouthwatering ribs, smoked chicken and Southern comfort favorites for a decade, Neicy’s BBQ, a beloved community staple located at 359 23rd Avenue, will close its doors at the end of this month.

Owner Gerald Hatcher told The Courier Eco Latino that the decision was painful but unavoidable, following months of financial strain caused by nearby road closures that severely disrupted customer access.

“The main reason is the road closure,” Hatcher said. “The first two or three days they shut it down, business just dropped. People couldn’t figure out how to get here — especially customers who drive in from Macon and surrounding areas. It hurt us bad.”

A Decade of Dedication

For 10 years, Neicy’s BBQ has been a go-to spot for tender ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and signature sides made fresh daily. Known for his quiet humility and focus on quality, Hatcher rarely sought attention or publicity.

“I don’t like all the noise,” he said with a smile. “I’ve always been about the food, not the fame. But this situation brought me out of my comfort zone.”

The restaurant’s decline began when ongoing roadwork diverted traffic away from 23rd Avenue, causing weekday sales to plummet.

“Monday through Friday just dried up,” Hatcher explained. “We did better on weekends, but it wasn’t enough to keep up.”

Seeking Help, Finding Silence

Hatcher said he met with city officials, including then–City Manager Isaiah Hugley and Councilor Bruce Huff, to discuss possible relief or temporary accommodations.

“They came out, listened and said they’d see what could be done,” he recalled. “But I haven’t heard anything back since.”

He expressed frustration that he had to speak publicly to get attention.

“Why do I have to go to the news just to be heard?” he asked. “We already sat down and talked about it.”

Brick-and-Mortar No More

Although Hatcher still operates a mobile food setup, he said losing the permanent building means losing stability — and a home for his loyal customer base.

“I’ve already invested three or four more months just trying to hold on,” he said. “But I can’t afford it anymore.”

Recently The Food Mill completed construction on a shared commercial kitchen intended to help small food entrepreneurs — a potential solution Hatcher had not been informed about.

City Response and Future Options

Councilor Bruce Huff acknowledged Hatcher’s frustration, noting that the ongoing construction project was originally scheduled to be completed during the COVID-19 pandemic but was delayed as other infrastructure priorities took precedence.

Huff said he plans to reach out to The Food Mill regarding its Shared Kitchen program and explore whether displaced food business owners, such as Neicy’s, could be granted access.

Currently, about 200 food entrepreneurs are on a waiting list for the Food Mill Shared Kitchen, which opened last year. The Food Mill — a nonprofit organization focused on combating food insecurity — partnered with the Community Reinvestment Department, Open Door Community House, Columbus Parks and Recreation, and other organizations to create the shared commercial kitchen.

The facility, located at the Fox Community Center next to Fox Elementary School, serves as an “incubation station” for local restaurateurs and culinary entrepreneurs. According to Robert Scott, director of the Community Reinvestment Department, it can also serve as a base of operations for food trucks, as required by the Georgia Department of Public Health.

A Community Favorite

Word of Neicy’s closing spread quickly after Hatcher posted a simple sign on his door.

“I didn’t make a big announcement,” he said. “But once people saw that sign, they started calling and posting online. The community’s been amazing.”

As he prepares to close his doors for the final time, Hatcher remains grateful to the customers who have supported him since day one.

“I just want to thank everybody who’s ever come through,” he said. “We’ve had a good run. I just wish it didn’t have to end like this.”

Editor’s Note: The Courier Eco Latino will continue to follow this story and speak with city officials about potential options for small-business relief related to ongoing road construction in Columbus.