There are very few places in Little Rock that have survived as long as Terri Lynn’s BBQ and Delicatessen on Rodney Parham. The bbq and sandwich shop turns 65 next year and looks well poised for the foreseeable future with an ownership change to a longtime customer and lover of the restaurant.
Aaron and Kristin Hether took over the business in 2005 and have worked hard to build the restaurant and customer base to the strongest in the long history. We wrote several years ago about the quality work the Hethers have done with the business. Life changes have brought a move to north Arkansas and they found the perfect steward of the Terri Lynn’s legacy in long time customers Tim and Tracy Jackson.
“We love this place, and it is really bittersweet letting it go,” Aaron Hether says. “We know it will be in good hands with Tim and Tracy, they love it as much as we do and I know they will continue to put out great food and grow the business. We will continue to visit Terri Lynn’s every chance we get as customers.”
Terri Lynn’s was founded in 1959 on Cantrell Rd by Harry Giberson and began as a local grocery store and small deli section. Over time, the deli and smoked meats became the main focus of the business. Giberson sold the business in the 1980’s to Jim and Sharon Brooks who sold in 2005 to the Hethers.
For the new owners, they plan to focus initially on continuing to do what the restaurant does well and change very little.
“I’ve been eating Terri Lynn’s for longer than I care to admit, I used to visit all the time when it was on Cantrell and stayed a regular customer,” new owner Tim Jackson says. “I wasn’t looking to buy a restaurant, but I love this place and couldn’t pass up the chance. I am so glad we have the quality staff staying with us because they are what makes this place consistently great.”
Jackson says his plans are to continue to run the business as is with no major changes for the foreseeable future. The consistency, quality, and strong customer service were a major part of deciding to purchase the business, and Jackson wants to continue to provide the same experience for customers. He says he hopes to continue to build a foundation that will help the restaurant see another 65 years.
The transition was complete Wednesday, May 31st, after closing hours for an undisclosed amount. Rock City Eats served as the business broker on the transaction.
