Brian Mays Owner of Historic Sam's Bar-B-Que in East Austin offered millions to leave

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Historic Barbecue Spot Sam’s Bar-B-Que, In Danger of Closing, Appeals to Locals


Owner of Sam's Bar-B-Que in East Austin offered millions to leave
"If everybody stands behind me, no, I'm not going nowhere."
food_SamsBBQ18_6.jpg

Author: Kalyn Norwood
Published: 6:53 PM CDT June 13, 2018
Updated: 7:46 PM CDT June 13, 2018
AUSTIN – An East Austin business owner is turning down millions to keep his business alive.

Brian Mays owns Sam’s Barbeque on East 12th Street. From big-name visitors such as former president Bill Clinton to local artists, Sam’s Bar-B-Que has been serving the East Austin community for decades.

Mays said it's been around since 1962.

"I love Sam's,” said Ricky Hart, a customer. “I've been coming here all my life. My momma used to tell me go get $5 worth of hot sauce, so here I am. I'm still here."

Its rich history could soon be coming to an end as developers are eyeing his land.

"Last October, I turned down $3 million, before that I turned down $2.5 million,” said Mays.

He said the highest offer was just days ago, when he was offered $3.5 million. He said developers want to tear down his family-ownedbusiness and build a new apartment complex or condos.

Despite the large offers, he's still saying no.

"When the community loves you, you gotta show love back,” said Mays. “I don't want to sell out for the community right now."

Mays said the historically black community once saw hundreds of black-owned businesses, but now his is one of the last few.

“There ain’t no more than 10 now,” said Mays. “It ain’t about money, it's about us being in unity."

“They’re just pushing us further back east you know, so we don't have nowhere else to go after that,” added Hart. “This is it. Once this is gone, there will be no more."

So, for the sake of the community, Mays said he'll work to keep his business running, as long has he has the community's support.

“If everybody stands behind me, no, I’m not going nowhere,” said Mays.

Source:
https://www.kvue.com/mobile/video/n...-offer-sams-bbq-owner-3m-for-land/269-8159127
 

Dr. Acula

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Damn I really like Sam’s. As much as I would like him to stay, that whole area is being gentrified.

It’s bullshyt.
Figured that's what happening .

All this gentrification with the new restaurants and housing is supposed to bring "culture" to any area in their mind yet all these gentrified areas look the god damn same and lack any soul. Bunch of condos surrounded by some shytty coffee shop or gluten free pizza place. A pox on that shyt. :hhh:
 

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Figured that's what happening .

All this gentrification with the new restaurants and housing is supposed to bring "culture" to any area in their mind yet all these gentrified areas look the god damn same and lack any soul. Bunch of condos surrounded by some shytty coffee shop or gluten free pizza place. A pox on that shyt. :hhh:
I agree.

While I wholeheartedly reject the idea of gentrification. I would like to see our ppl/businesses come up financially off this and migrate to other areas of Austin, pflugerville and round rock.

I like East austin, especially Marshall’s and the other shop across the street. But Austin’s History of being the most segregated Texas city at one point and us staying there never say well with me.
 
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