The owners of two popular bars in New Orleans are preparing to close their doors this weekend.
Tracey’s and BABs join a list of other popular eateries across the city that have ended business this month.
“It was very difficult. This was our second restaurant. It was a great run. We’re leaving with our heads held high,” said Larry Miller, owner of BABs.
Miller and his wife Nina Compton made the tough decision to close BABs in the Bywater after seven years.
“It just got to the point that we’re really planning on concentrating just on that one restaurant, that it was just time to go ahead and pull the plug,” said Miller.
Across town, Jeff Carreras with Tracey’s Original Irish Channel Bar and Restaurant is also serving it up for the last time.
“I think I enjoyed it more than them,” said Carreras.
He said several factors played a role in the closure, including the cancellation of the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, and after 30 years in business, it’s bittersweet.
“The most overwhelming thing is not so much the closing. I think more so missing the people who have supported us for so long,” said Carreras.
President and CEO of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris said, some years, it’s common to see a handful of businesses shut down, but it’s rare to see the closure of business that have been established for years.
“It’s always something like that that makes people take a pause and say, ‘Wow, we’re losing places that may have been a favorite of ours,'” said Harris.
BABs and Tracey’s join Justine, MayPop and MoPho, all restaurants who have called it quits in recent weeks.
“Things that were new and fresh and innovative. That’s what some of those restaurants did, and it’s just difficult,” said Harris.
Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company is urging locals to take part in their summer coolinary initiative to help other businesses from closing up shop.
“It’s a great opportunity for locals to maybe try someplace new or rediscover a place they haven’t been in a while,” said Schulz.
READ MORE:Two popular New Orleans restaurants set to close this weekend