Oh dear, Anchorage, I hardly knew you

After 67 years of serving patrons in the Homewood area, the Anchorage is finally being forced to close its doors.  According to the Birmingham News, the lease for the Anchorage is not going to be renewed. 

It is not too hard to read more into the circumstances surrounding the demise of this fine establishment.  The current owner of the restaurant, Denton Scott, bought out his partner in April of this year.  Then in July the owner of the building decided that rent should be increased by $500 and other expensive improvements should be mandated in the kitchens and bathrooms (info is from article linked above).  Do you think the owner of the building took issue to Scott taking full ownership of the Anchorage?  Nothing explicitly says that, but it is not too difficult to speculate.

As a relative newcomer to the Birmingham area, my relationship with the Anchorage was in a very early stage.  This summer it had become a favorite spot for Sunday lunch, even if it meant driving across town to get there.  There was just something special about walking through those front doors and seeing the matchstick boats displayed along the wall.  Then nibbling on the sweet cornbread as you enjoy the company of other locals that share your same desire for quality home style food.  It is not the kind of feeling that can be easily replaced.

On September 21st the owner told my wife and I that he felt like the Anchorage would be able to find a new home in the Edgewood area.  However, the Terminal has reported that this may not be true, so I guess we can only wait and see what happens.  In the meantime, I guess I’ll just have to get my fix for home cooking at home.

See the pictures included in this post and more by following this link to al.com