After more than 80 years, Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue is planning to move from its longtime home at 327 S Wilmington St. in downtown Raleigh to a new location. Though an exact location is not finalized, owner Debbie Wray confirmed in a phone interview that they are in discussions for a lease at Seaboard Station. The space would be 3,153 square feet, according to Triangle Business Journal.
“Downtown Raleigh is not what it used to be. Seaboard, to me, is going to have security and it’s just a cleaner environment,” Wray said.
Wray said they have other options if Seaboard Station falls through, though she was not open to disclosing them at this time.
Currently, Clyde Cooper’s is still operating at its downtown Raleigh space and will continue to do so until the new space is ready. Once a lease is signed, Wray predicts that it will take three to six months to prepare the space for opening.
Clyde Cooper’s serves a variety of barbecue dishes, ranging from pulled pork and baby back ribs to BBQ chicken and beef brisket. Since its inception in 1938, it has been recognized as one of the top barbecue restaurants in America, according to its website.
