LITTLE MOUNTAIN, S.C. — (WLTX) -- The owners of a popular BBQ spot in Little Mountain are hanging up their aprons and moving on to a new adventure.
Right off the beaten path, a few miles off I-26 sits a staple of Newberry County, Cannons BBQ. The restaurant is owned by the Cannon brothers for 15 years.
"It was going to be just a side job, a past time and then it turned out to be a full time job," Brice Cannon said.
It is a business built on family, secret recipes and faithful customers.
"It's just a little mom and pops place, people coming off the interstate," Brice Cannon said. "We are on the 100 mile BBQ trail."
Deborah Williams drives all the way from Aiken to stop at Cannons.
"It's good, it's worth the drive," Williams said.
But now after 15 years the Cannon brothers will turn off the smoker one last time.
"We're tired, we want to do a little traveling, do a little living while we can," Brice Cannon said.
Many understand why, but patrons said this leaves big shoes to fill.
"Where are we going to go to get BBQ?" Williams said. "We lost, we lost."
Meanwhile when the guys cook, Gayle Cannon works up front.
"People have gotten to see our grandchildren grow up from little tots to college students," Gayle Cannon said.
Their little spot off Nursery Road became so much more than a restaurant. It's a second home even for the brothers, who will all miss the fellowship.
"Talking to the customers, we've met a lot of fine folks since we've been here," Brice Cannon said.
With only a few weeks left, they are ready for what is next.
"We enjoy it, we hate to have to close but it just comes that time where you have to," Gayle Cannon said.
Cannons BBQ is officially closing on July 4th. They plan to have a fun celebration.