Opened in 1984 by Howard Thomas, nicknamed “Hot,” Hot Thomas BBQ, on Greensboro Highway in Oconee County, will close next week, with the last day for dine-in and take-out being Aug. 8. Thomas died in 2011, and his family has run the business since then, expanding into an events venue called the Cotton Gin.
A letter from the owners said they would try to use the Cotton Gin to host occasional barbecue-related events and will get the word out through their website and social media. They said that closing the restaurant would allow them to spend more time with family and friends on the weekends, and thanked their customers profusely for “all the memories, friendships and traditions established during our time managing the restaurant.”
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