The Old Stone Inn & Tavern “has ceased operations in its current restaurant format.” Chef owner David Danielson broke the news this morning at Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/oldstoneinntavern/photos/a.2320039524736601/3545088308898377/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARC7TxPAGoWd77W-wlnUjBAx6wlEPqDS8lVMp6_6E5HkwmcfYPAkCvkvMtKWPA-NYaXSEHQ3sGeoxBirmqtaE3vKQp1u1ieh0HhoyUhHeRZWB3dx7nJFujsSKxDOcejzhN0RLKD5mvMg8qijdPDlSuTVN_xoAe4Uig0RQMHTucan-qX3nq4HAohBrDE1PyDU7CrvYgNXPCBgVdbO_BehuBs7bbxcvswsHovwJLAhCUeVHymceg1edyXF4Vlsag9zR4AQ64G2TN6y6Ax95jS0DsZQQRWK9w5ZA-Dmw3FpHiU8sA7647eJftA5taVDPf6Jx_pm9Rx1FMPIyt9YLwxRukV2lj91&__tn__=-R
Danielson, who resurrected the restaurant in 2018, ended his explanation somewhat intriguingly.
“It is with great disappointment that we must announce the Old Stone Inn & Tavern has ceased operations in its current restaurant format,” he wrote. “We would like to thank all of our loyal supporters and the amazing staff and investors who worked so hard to make the restaurant work. Each day we shared the joy of cooking and serving you as a family, and I couldn’t be prouder of the entire team. I would also like to thank the Purnell family for their generosity and support. They shared our vision of returning the restaurant to its old glory and providing something of value to the community. At the end of the day, this is a tough business and in today’s market restaurants must come out the gate and become wildly successful or prepared to withstand a long challenging road. We have worked to place our staff in new positions, and continue to work to find a solution to return the Old Stone to a prosperous gathering place in our community.“
In 2018, Food & Dining Magazine profiled Danielson and the Old Stone Inn.
The Old Stone Inn sits at 6905 Shelbyville Rd., in Simpsonville, a waypost to those throughout history who have pioneered their way to something new. Like the many people who have passed through its doors, the building itself has passed through many roles — and it looks pretty good for being over 200-years-old.
“Several years ago, I moved to the area and fell in love with the building,” Executive Chef David Danielson said. “I wanted to take the restaurant back to what it was and tell the history of the Old Stone Inn and Shelby County and this part of the country.”
