ROYAL OAK – Seventy years of Sunday dinners, post-zoo lunches and Dream Cruise traditions are coming to an end.
Sign of the Beefcarver, Royal Oak’s iconic family-owned restaurant, announced it will permanently close Sunday, Oct. 25, citing historically high roast beef prices, COVID-19 recovery struggles and mounting financial pressure it can no longer absorb.
“It is with very heavy hearts that we must inform you that we will be closing the last Sign of the Beefcarver restaurant on Sunday, October 25 after 70 years of continuous family-run operation,” the restaurant wrote in a Facebook post.
The owner explained that rising food costs made it impossible to maintain affordable menu prices while staying financially afloat.
“If we raised our prices to the point that covered our all-time high costs, they would be prohibitively expensive for a lot of people, and we would not be providing the excellent food for the value we have always strove for,” the post read.
COVID shadow, government policies cited in closure
The post pointed to the government-mandated COVID shutdown as a turning point from which the restaurant never fully recovered. The owner also cited what the business called “onerous government policies” as added financial burdens.
“This was not a decision made lightly and is the result of a wide variety of reasons, influences, and pressures,” the post stated. “If you think you can pin it down to a single thing, you are mistaken.”
The closure reflects a broader struggle facing Michigan’s restaurant industry. In April, the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association released a survey showing Michigan restaurants fared worse than the national average amid ongoing economic pressures.
The survey found that 55 percent of Michigan restaurants saw customer traffic declines, compared to 46 percent nationally. Additionally, 51 percent of Michigan restaurants reported same-store sales declines, versus 39 percent nationally.
The association cited inflation-driven pullback in discretionary spending – including dining out – as a key factor squeezing operators statewide.
Outpouring of memories, packed dining room
News of the closure quickly went viral, drawing more than 1,500 comments on Facebook and prompting customers to pack the restaurant.
“This is sad to hear,” wrote commenter Joshua Briggs. “My family made it a tradition to go there every year for the dream cruise and we used to visit frequently on Sundays when I was a kid with my grandparents.”
Another commenter, Nathan Elam, shared a similar sentiment.
“Have been meaning to go back and visit again for a while now that I have my own son, but haven’t had many opportunities to be down that way,” Elam wrote. “A little heartbroken to know that I won’t get the chance to share that with him.”
The restaurant thanked its staff, calling them “the main reason we stayed open this long,” and encouraged local business owners to reach out to employees directly.
“Any business would be lucky to have one of our employees,” the post read.
Last chance to visit
Sign of the Beefcarver is closed Mondays but will reopen Tuesday at 11 a.m.
The restaurant’s final day of service is Sunday, Oct. 25.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early, as the restaurant has said it will close for the day once it runs out of food.
The owner also noted that fixtures, furniture, appliances and décor may be available for sale after closing and that any merchandise updates would be shared on social media.
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Dining and Cooking