17th Street Barbecue announced on Tuesday they have closed their doors in Marion after 19 years in business.
“After almost 19 years of operating our Marion location, we’ve closed the doors on that operation,” announced owner Amy Mills. “We’ve had a tremendous run and are so proud to have been one of the pioneering businesses when the hill was developed in the early aughts.”
Mills continued, “Closing a restaurant is an emotional event. Our top priority is our staff and we are committed to helping them find new job placements,” said Amy Mills, owner.
She said they will still serve customers throughout the area.
“We’ll continue to service Marion and the entire Southern Illinois region with our catering, concession, and food truck operations,” said Mills. “Our landmark Murphysboro restaurant, in operation for 100 years, attracts people not only from the Southern Illinois region, but from all over the world. We’ll be here to satisfy those barbecue cravings.”
Mills said the company will continue focusing on growing the business out of Murphysboro, which is the original 17th Street location. The barbeque they offer has been labeled the “best barbecue” on nationwide lists.
The said in a release, “the Warehouse event center, nationwide catering, and mail order, in addition to their newest ventures: The Factory at 17th Street, a bottling and co-packing facility, and Faye, their coffee/breakfast/lunch/gourmet grocery restaurant. Mills was recognized as a Landmarks Illinois Influencer for her restoration work on the building that houses The Factory and Faye.”
“Mike Mills opened 17th Street in 1985 and we’re proud to live, work, and conduct business in Southern Illinois,” said Mills. “We continue to grow the 17th Street brand with nationwide distribution of our products and we’re eyeing international expansion.”
