Thursday morning, Pasco County restaurateurs Curtis and Rebecca Beebe announced unfortunate news for fans of their 6-year-old Pearl in the Grove and newer concept, Rebecca's at City Market. The Beebes have closed both Dade City restaurants to concentrate on San Antonio-based Local Public House and Provisions, which Curtis called their "most profitable location" in an email newsletter.
"Focus is a good thing," the newsletter reads. "After a tumultuous few weeks, Rebecca and I have arrived at the difficult decision of closing Pearl in the Grove and Rebecca's at City Market. We are going to focus on making our largest, most profitable location perform as excellently as possible."
Local, which emphasizes local ingredients, will expand its bill of fare with more traditional lunch and dinner grub. Though the award-winning Pearl's Seven Courses of Kevin Bacon dinner has been canceled, an Angry Chair tap takeover on Oct. 21 will showcase the pig at the San Ann restaurant instead. Anyone with tickets to the dinner will receive a Local gift card equal to the amount of their ticket purchase.
"The Pearl was a labor of love (and sometimes desperation!) for us. Over our six years there, we beat the odds by opening a fine dining restaurant in the country in a down economy. We earned our chops, built a reputation, learned a bunch, garnered some recognition, and made some wonderful friends. We also encountered the harsh economic reality that fourteen tables won't feed a family. Rebecca's was simply a case of my reach exceeding my grasp," the newsletter continues. "Thanks so much for the support... we truly appreciate it!"
It didn't take long for comments to roll in after the newsletter was posted to the Facebook pages of Pearl, Local and Rebecca's. Some past diners shared well wishes and fond memories.
"While Kate Ledford and I are very sad as well, we understand and wish you both the best of luck. We had the best meals of our life there, and Pearl was the first place that really made Florida seem like home when we moved. We will always remember holding our perfect wedding rehearsal dinner there and how special Henry always made us feel," wrote Brandon Ledford.
"Some of our best meals were at your table at Pearl in the Grove. Thank you. For Father's Day, we brought our kids who tried new and exciting foods and frequently ask to go back. Thank you for that. We will miss Pearl. So many great meals," according to Elizabeth Counts Villanova.
And others lamented the loss of their favorite dishes.
"The meat loaf sandwich and steaks were amazing! I would sell my first born for that chocolate, chocolate and raspberry cake!" Lisa Sears said of Rebecca's food.
In another, George Dani wrote, "The pub chips at Rebecca's [were] the best we ever had. So now we are left with a memory of flavor. So sad to see you go."
Not to worry, say the Beebes.
"We have those chips at Local!"
