You’ve officially killed off one of the best things this miserable city had going for it. Shipyard BBQ is done. Closed. Shut down. Not because we failed—far from it. Our products sold out, were picked up by a major BBQ brand, and drew attention far beyond the city limits.

We succeeded in spite of this place.

And we’re leaving because of it.

We came in with heart. We came in with passion. We believed Evansville might actually want something different. Something bold. Something handcrafted and honest. Instead, we were met with:

Jealous, small-minded locals too bitter to support their own.

Backstabbing "friends" who smiled to our face and ran their mouths behind our backs.

Keyboard warriors, toxic gossip, and passive-aggressive cliques who made it their hobby to tear down anything new.

Deadbeat officials and empty-chested city pride, where mediocrity is defended and ambition is mocked.

Let’s call it what it is: Evansville doesn’t want to grow. It wants to rot in peace.

This place breeds negativity like it’s a competition. And it’s damn good at it.

We didn't run a bad business—we just tried to do something worth a damn in a city that would rather stay stuck in the mud. We were spit on, lied about, ghosted, and stonewalled. And the worst part? Y’all acted like it was funny.

But here's the twist: we won.

We sold out. We took the deal.

Our brand, our flavor, our soul—gone to people who actually give a damn. People with vision. People with decency.

You didn’t bury us—you launched us.

Now, we’re off to cleaner air, real support, and a future we’re proud of. Evansville? You can keep your potholes, your petty politics, your fake smiles, and your outdated mindset.

You didn’t break us.

You just made it clear we were never meant to stay.

To the handful of real ones who supported us—we see you. Thank you. You deserved better, too.

To the rest of you?

Enjoy your lukewarm chain restaurant BBQ and your echo chamber of mediocrity. We’re out.

Burned the ships.

Left the harbor in flames.

SHIPYARD BBQ

2023 – 2025

Never again.