Doors swing shut for final time at Beehive
By Donnie A. Lucas
After a final weekend that well may have broken all records during a 40-year run, the doors on an Albany institution – Fort Griffin General Merchandise Restaurant and Beehive Saloon – swung shut for the final time Saturday.
The local eatery operated by Ali and Patty Esfandiary and family hosted a farewell weekend on Thursday through Saturday as a way to say goodbye to their many customers locally throughout the Big Country.
“Oh, my goodness,” Patty Esfandiary said afterwards. “All of our friends and patrons showed up to have a final meal with us. It was just crazy how many people came.”
The restaurant announced the closure via its Facebook account two weeks ago, citing the recent soaring costs for food and labor needed to keep the legendary facility open.
The couple, along with Ali’s brother Nariman Esfandiary, purchased the restaurant, simply called “Fort Griffin” by some and “The Beehive” by others, in 1982 from local oilman Bill Smalley.
The success of the business prompted two expansions over the years – first a large bar area and then an outdoor covered patio area. The restaurant garnered much recognition over the years for its food and hospitality by the likes of Texas Monthly and Southern Living magazines. It even was honored with an award for the best Chicken Fried Steak in the state at one point.
A second location was opened in downtown Abilene several years ago, which is managed by Nariman. That location will stay in operation, with Ali saying he will help two or three days a week.
Patty, however, says she has retired completely from the restaurant business.
“This was always Ali’s dream to own a restaurant,” she said. “I’m going to do as little as possible and enjoy my grandkids for a while. If I get bored, I’ll find something else to do.”
The couple has listed the compound of four buildings and storage buildings with a realtor. The oldest building served as a general store in Fort Griffin, Texas – hence the name – and was moved to Albany in the late 1970s to be operated as a steak house. A second replica building was connected to serve back then as the bar area for a private club.
“There have been some people interested, and the realtor has sent them information,” Patty said. “It is up for sale, and I hope that some young couple falls in love with it like we did, and it can go another 40 years, fulfilling their dreams and what they want to make out of it.”
The couple said they are also planning to do some traveling that has been on the back burner for a long time.
“We are going to enjoy life, because life is too short,” Ali said.
The couple added their thanks to the community and their customers.
“We really want to thank everyone who came out to say goodbye to us,” Patty said. “It was great seeing everyone again.”
They also thanked those who volunteered to help including John Caldwell, Randall Palmore, and friends who played live music Saturday night, along with Jeff Martin, who played Friday night.
“They just made it the best possible weekend for a sad event,” she concluded.
