Staying Put: Char's in Lexington not closing contrary to social media rumors
The owners of Char’s Hamburgers in Lexington want everyone to know they are not closing despite the rumors that are circulating on social media.
“We’re fine, everything is good,” said John Harper, owner of Char’s in Lexington.
He said that he was contacted by the owner of the Char’s on Waughtown Road in Winston-Salem a few weeks ago and was told that they were going to be closing their location due to health reason. Harper said he didn’t think much more about it until people started turning up, calling and asking whether it was the Lexington location that was closing.
"It was just a mix up, some people didn't know it was the Waughtown one that is closing" said Harper.
The confusion came when several posts from friends, family and patrons of the Char’s located on Waughtown Street in Winston-Salem stated the restaurant would be closing on Oct. 21.
A statement from an apparent friend of the owner of the Char’s location in Winston-Salem, announced earlier this month on Facebook that the restaurant would be closing this week.
“I come to you with day this moment to share with you all my heavy-hearted message that the Char’s Home of the footlong hotdog on Waughtown Street in my hometown of Southside Winston-Salem...will be permanently closed on 10/21/22 to move onto other food truck ventures but our brother Brian will be continuing business in Southside Winston Salem,’ the post read.
Harper said they are not affiliated with the Char’s in Winston-Salem, although they have the same franchise name.
But because of its recognizable name, parts of the information about the restaurants’ closing began spreading on social media, and many people in Davidson County were understandably confused. A lot of people were worried these posts were about the location in Lexington, further spreading the rumor.
Taken unaware, the owners of the Char’s location in Lexington found themselves continuing to confirm they were not the location that was closing and were continuing business as usual.
“We have had a lot of phone calls and concerned customers,” said Harper. “Some of our employees brought it to my attention that it was all over social media, so I told them to go back and let everyone know it’s not us.”
The Char’s restaurant on North Main Street in Lexington has been owned by the Harper family and has been open since 1985. It is known for its soft-serve ice cream, footlong hot dogs and burgers.
Harper said that although this confusion has been a bit of an annoyance, he is grateful for the outpouring of community support.
“We want to tell everyone not to worry, we’re still here and will continue to be here. But thank you for all the well-wishes and concerns,” said Harper.
This article originally appeared on The Dispatch: Char's in Lexington state they are not closing despite social media rumors
