Time runs out for Rock Hill’s Minute Grill

Customers at Minute Grill in Rock Hill on Saturday packed the line in front of the piping hot pans of macaroni and cheese, fish, collards, okra and fries. Most took their food to-go. Some came from as far away as Spartanburg and Columbia.

Business has been brisk recently as the grill and bar – the oldest black-owned restaurant in York County – recently announced that Saturday’s afternoon lunch and happy hour would be the last. Owner Margaret Roseborough is closing the grill after 57 years.

“Say it isn’t so,” owner Margaret Roseborough said customers told her last week. “I hate it, I really hate it.”

“We have had so much to feed,” she said. Her regulars have begged to her stay open.

Roseborough, who took over the restaurant from her father George Thompson Sr., said she is closing the grill on South Wilson Street because of health issues. It’s last day was the day before Valentine’s Day – the 11th anniversary of her father’s death.

She said she has big plans, which don’t include sitting down for long.

“I’m going to be able to spend more time with my great-grandson and I’ve got to take a vacation,” said the Roseborough, 67.

The Minute Grill opened in 1959 on Black Street and closed when the city tore down the block of businesses in 1972. The current location is close to downtown in Sunset Park.

Rosenborough and her husband James plan on heading to the coast to explore Charleston, a place Margaret has always wanted to see.

Husband and wife have worked hard, and things have been so “hectic,” the two rarely see each other. James Roseborough comes home at 11 p.m., says hello and instantly falls asleep, she said. “I’ll be talking to him and he’s over there snoring,” she said.

On the other side of the grill, away from the soul food, James listens as patrons discussed politics. Others hang out by a jukebox, having a cold beer.

John M. Douglas and John Gladden, who have gathered at the bar for years, say they will have to find another place to socialize.

“This is just a hangout for us guys and it will be greatly missed,” saidDouglas, 69, who said he started coming to the restaurant as a teenager.

The thought of not being able to pop in and say hello to her friends brought Sheryl Brown to tears, thinking about the great memories she’s had over the years.

“It’s not going to be the same,” she said. “I can’t even come here for Valentine’s Day.”

Saturday’s menu included a choice of four meats, three vegetables, sweet tea or lemonade, a fruit cup and a piece of cake — all for $8.

Margaret said she priced the menu fairly so everyone could enjoy a meal.

“We don’t make a lot of money,” she said. “We make something so everyone can be full.”

After the pots and pans have been scrubbed and the floors mopped Saturday night, the hard work will continue until they have finished selling their rental homes and finding a buyer for the grill.

Come Easter, the couple will begin the fun part of their retirement with their trip to Charleston.

“We will be taking a vacation,” she said with a smile. “It’s due. We’re due.”

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 8:57 PM with the headline "Time runs out for Rock Hill’s Minute Grill."