Enoch's to close Tuesday, unless investor comes forward

Enoch's BBQ & Southern Classics said Wednesday that its last day of operation will be Tuesday "unless there is an investor out there who sees the value of what we do, or someone who wants to partner with us to continue our traditions."

"After putting our souls into the food, the service, and the décor, we've had to come to the conclusion that finances trump all of that," the restaurant said in a Facebook post.

The husband-and-wife team of Enoch and Debbie Morris opened a location in Springfield's Chesterfield Village in April 2012 and opened at 307 S. National Ave. in November 2013. There were two locations for about two months, until the Morrises closed the Chesterfield Village location.

"It was too much," Enoch Morris told the News-Leader Wednesday evening.

The restaurant — known for its smoked meats and homestyle specials (pot roast on Wednesdays and chicken pot pie on Thursdays) had come close to being profitable on an annual basis, Morris said. But business costs and taxes continued to be a challenge even once the eatery was established.

"Every week it was like we made it to another week," Morris said.

Still, he said he'll miss the restaurant.

"It's in our blood," he said. "We're a bunch of fat people. We love food. We love seeing people enjoy our food."

Morris said he didn't know what was next for the family, but that he'd focus on paying staff and creditors in the immediate future.

"I may read a book cover to cover. It'll give me a little more time in my life."