The food and drink news cycle this week has been gloomy.

Ms. Ghabour covers the beat for the Courier Journal.

But we all persevere, and in the case of Ray Perkins’ retirement, there is at least hopeful news on the back end of the story. His departure closes the book on three decades of his Chubby Ray’s Original Louisville Pizza Co. & Bistro in Jeffersontown (3910 Ruckriegel Pkwy.), which will close after a final day of business on Sunday, January 29.

However the following day remodeling will begin, and in April the fifth area location of Parlour Pizza is expected to open at the former Chubby Ray’s, joining two other Parlour Pizza shops in Louisville, and one each in Jeffersonville and New Albany.

Here is the text of Perkins’ announcement on Facebook.

I’m dealing with mixed emotions today because I am announcing my retirement from the restaurant business.

I started this adventure over 30 years ago. I was a young man with no money but plenty of lofty dreams and aspirations. My goal was to be the next Papa John’s lol 😂. We didn’t exactly achieve the success that I envisioned but all in all I’m happy with what we did accomplish.

I started out in a 900 sqft. rented space in the shopping center next door, with used equipment, three plastic Walmart tables and a TV I brought in from home lol 😂

I recruited my friends to come work with me back then after school or after their day jobs. It was fun !! I’d work 60 hour weeks not necessarily because I wanted to but because I couldn’t afford to pay people lol 😂

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to miss it but it’s the right move for us at this point in our lives. Most of all I’m going to miss the people & friendships that we’ve made.

Many of you are like family. I’ll never be able to thank all of you enough for supporting us the last 30 years. I can’t tell you how many people tell me how they’ve been coming here since they were kids & now bring kids of their own or the 40 year old man that ask if I remember him because this was his first job at 16. Talk about making you feel old lol 😂

The new owners are awesome people with lots of restaurant experience. It’ll be different but I think you’ll love it just as much. I’m reminded of a saying I once heard “ the only thing that’s constant is change”. This isn’t the end just turning the page on a new chapter.
Our last day is next Sunday Jan. 29th. They will be closed for a couple of months as they remodel to bring in some exciting new elements.

I really think you’re going to like it. With that I’ll close by saying much love to all & I’ll always cherish the memories. God bless 🙂

Best wishes to Ray Perkins as his post-pizzeria phase commences. You can read more about this story at Louisville Business First.

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