MACON, Ga. — A Macon restaurant is closing its doors after two years in downtown Macon, the restaurant announced in a Facebook post Monday afternoon.
Across the street from Rosa Park Square, the downtown eatery Pearl Passionate Cuisine & Cocktails was known for its high-end dining, weekend brunch and cocktails. But after some soul searching, the owner said that they decided it was time to close their doors.
"I've learned so much - good and bad," the owner, Ashley Doolin, said on the restaurant's Facebook page. "How to pivot and how to bow out gracefully."
In the post announcing the restaurant's closure, they said that owning a restaurant was the culmination of a lot of dreaming — and hard work.
"Since I was a 4-year-old child, I have dreamt of owning a restaurant. For the past two years, that dream has come true," the post said. "I've fed so many amazing people. Guests who have become more than guests, they're now my friends."
The restaurant did not say explicitly why they were closing. However, they did say the decision came as they considered expanding the Monkey's Paw, which is a tiki and rum bar they also own.
"After many sleepless nights and panning for future expansion of Monkey's Paw locations, we have made the decision to let Pearl go," the owners said in their Facebook post.
They note that their "amazing staff" will be transitioning to different roles with the Monkey's Paw.
While they said their doors were closing, the restaurant is not fully closed yet. They'll be open Thursday through Sunday for fans to "grab your favorite cocktail and dish and say goodbye."
The owner also struck a sentimental tone in her post. She highlighted the opportunities to grow, and the opportunity to share good food with those who matter most.
"You've allowed me to stretch my creativity across the plates at Pearl," they said. "I'm so happy that Daddy got to come and eat and see my dream as a reality. Thank you, Middle Georgia, for allowing me that."
They say they'll have additional updates in a future social media post, but they thanked the community for their support over the past two years.
"Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all your love, loyalty, and support," they said in the post.
Pearl is located at 470 1st Street in downtown Macon. You can read Pearl Passionate Cuisine & Cocktail's full post here.