ST. LOUIS — The south St. Louis business owners who just announced they're shutting down their three restaurants is opening up to 5 On Your Side. They're closing, in part due to what they call a change in dining habits. Customers are showing up this weekend to support and say their final goodbyes.
The drinks are flowing at what will soon be the final pour at Black Sheep Restaurant in Tower Grove South.
"We’re 70% heartbroken, 30% relieved,” Zach Rice said.
It's been a labor of love for Zach and Mary Rice for six years now. They own Mama 2's Biscuits, which transforms into Black Sheep by night.
"A date night spot with great wine, great cocktails, and good shareable plates,” Mary described.
Last year, they renovated a space across the street to open Three Little Monkeys. It's a pizza spot on Morganford Road. But recently, things have changed.
"You’re not seeing the late night business that you used to see,” Zach said.
"Coming out of Covid, everything tripled in cost. Our to-go boxes suddenly became three times as much as they were,” his wife added.
Over time, it really adds up.
"If we’re ever to a point where we’re like 'Are we going to make payroll this week?’, we're like, ‘let's get out’. We have to get out,” Zach continued.
The surprise announcement came over social media Wednesday. All three businesses will close for good Sunday.
"This has been the biggest part of our lives for so long,” Mary said.
As customers show up to dine in one last time, the business owners are sharing their story to save other local businesses.
"If you got dollars to spend, spend them to people that are in the community…You don't want to see these local spots close, that's the heart of our community,” Zach said.
As for what's next?
"We’re going to take probably a couple of years and go bartend and not be bosses for a while,” he said.
But since hospitality is in their hearts, they don't hope to be gone forever.
"We'll return in some way shape or form,” Mary Rice said.
And when they do, they will be familiar faces to a community that's welcomed them with open arms.
The businesses are hoping to still offer Three Little Monkeys Pizza around town, although they're trying to figure out the logistics.