Satterfield’s Restaurant on False River permanently closing due to coronavirus uncertainty

NEW ROADS, La. (WAFB) - Owners of Satterfield’s Upper Deck Restaurant, an iconic eatery on False River in New Roads, say they’re closing the business due to the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restaurant made the announcement on its Facebook page Tuesday, May 26.

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“We thank our customers and employees for your past support,” owners, Johnny and Dana, said in the post.

However, their downstairs Landing Bar will remain open.

Owner, Johnny Ewing, was not available for an interview Wednesday, but his son, Arthur, who owns the Landing Bar, told WAFB his father’s decision to close the restaurant was not an easy one.

"It’s bittersweet, but it’s the reality of the world that we’re in now,” Ewing said. “It’s kind of a lot of uncertainty and trying to figure out what the new normal is going to look like.”

When the stay at home order was first implemented, Satterfields went to a curbside pickup system but that was quickly scrapped.

“I think the first week and the numbers just didn’t support keeping that operation going and then once you shutdown and realize what the costs are and the ongoing costs, I think it’s just a business decision,” Ewing said.

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The owners say they will be putting the restaurant up for sale.

“I think that’s a tough thing to come to terms with, but at the end of the day, it’s been a good run and I think it’s certainly an opportunity for someone if they want to come in and pick up where they left off,” Ewing said.

WAFB’s Austin Kemker will have more on this story on 9News at 4, 5, and 6.

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