Summary (tl;dr)

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is closing its Brooklyn location this spring after 15 years due to an expired lease and the building's demolition for new apartments, marking the loss of half its restaurants across the Northeast.

Essential Background

Founded in 1983 as a mobile concession at motorcycle rallies, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que opened its first permanent restaurant in Syracuse, New York, in 1988, building a reputation for Southern-style barbecue and a lively atmosphere. The chain expanded to 10 locations at its peak, but began a contraction phase with the closure of its Stamford, Connecticut, and Newark, New Jersey, locations in 2023. The founder, John Stage, bought back controlling interest in 2019, shifting the company's focus from expansion to strengthening its existing operations.

The Full Story

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que announced via its Facebook page that its Brooklyn restaurant, located in the Gowanus neighborhood, will cease operations later this spring. The closure, after 15 years, is attributed to the end of its lease and the planned demolition of the building at 604 Union Street to make way for new apartment complexes. This decision was not due to a lack of customer business, but rather a consequence of urban development. With this closure, the chain will be reduced to five remaining locations, all situated within New York State: Harlem, Syracuse, Rochester, Troy, and Buffalo.

Why It Matters

The closing of the Brooklyn Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is significant as it represents the departure of a beloved establishment that helped anchor and transform the Gowanus neighborhood over 15 years. This event highlights the broader trend of gentrification and rising property values in urban areas, which can displace long-standing businesses in favor of new development. For many patrons, the loss of this "local go-to spot" is a disheartening consequence of rapid neighborhood changes. Furthermore, the closure marks a substantial contraction for Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, reducing its footprint by half from its peak and impacting its presence as a prominent regional barbecue chain.

Geographic Location

• 604 Union St, Gowanus, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, United States (closure of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que location)
• Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States (previous closure of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que location in 2023)
• Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, United States (previous closure of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que location in 2023)