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A Glimmer of Hope for Ruth’s Restaurant To Stay Open

My favorite meal is breakfast, so the news that one of my favorite Augusta restaurants that served breakfast all day will be closing by the end of the year was…

Ruth's Family Restaurant Is Closing
Chris O'Kelley/BMG Augusta

My favorite meal is breakfast, so the news that one of my favorite Augusta restaurants that served breakfast all day will be closing by the end of the year was sad news to say the least. Ruth's Family Restaurant is practically an institution in Martinez. Located at 3843 Washington Road, it was almost directly across from my first job in radio and one of the few places I could get breakfast after 10am in the early days.

A West Side Tradition

And the breakfast at Ruth's is legendary. Ask an Augusta native, they will tell you it's worth the wait in line, however long the line may be. And it is definitely a long line on Saturdays and Sundays. They certainly earned the slogan "Where the locals go" after over close to six decades of serving up great southern cooking. The legend began in 1965 with Ruth Goodbread offering breakfast all day and good southern cooking. Current owners Peter and Dee Garland purchased Ruth's in 2011 and said it had long been their dream to own a restaurant and they appreciated the legacy that came along with Ruth's. Even after she sold it, Miss Ruth continued to dine there until her passing in 2013.

A Familiar Story

Over recent months, Ruth's has suffered many of the same problems many of our local restaurants have faced, including staffing shortages and the increasing costs of maintaining the building. While the new owners reportedly decided that now is the best time to retire, it seemed like this Augusta staple would be closing it's doors for good at the end of the year. But perhaps, all is not lost. Austin Rhodes has some news on this forefront to share this afternoon that might just brighten your day! Listen to AM580/95.1FM at 3 o'clock with Austin Rhodes see how there may be a glimmer of hope for an Augusta favorite.

Michelle is the producer for the Austin Rhodes show afternoons from 3pm-6pm on WGAC. She's known and been friends with Austin since they were both starting out in their 20's. She's been in the Augusta market on News Talk, Top40, Country and Rock radio on morning shows, middays and afternoons for many years. You also may have heard her in Charleston SC, Columbia SC, Savannah GA and even Des Moines Iowa! Michelle likes to focus her stories on local history, local happenings and local animals in need. She loves spending time with her rescue dogs, her horses and listening to fun new music.