Investors file plan for possible revival of Wilber's Barbecue in Goldsboro

One of North Carolina's most famed barbecue restaurants might reopen its doors thanks to a group of investors who have filed court documents to purchase the assets of the beloved bankrupt BBQ eatery and revive it.

Filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of North Carolina show that an investment group known as Goldpit Partners, LLC, has stepped forward to purchase the assets of the bankrupt restaurant, which is located at 4172 U.S. Highway 70 in Goldsboro, for $350,000.

A bankruptcy court judge must still sign off on the plan, which is scheduled for a hearing on Aug. 15, according to the court filing.

In March, the Department of Revenue seized Wilber's Barbecue in Goldsboro after filing six tax liens against Wilber's, totaling $70,647.98 for tax liabilities that dated back to 2018.

The agreement includes the "private sale of personal property free and clear of liens, encumbrances and interests," according to court documents.

Wilber Shirley and Carl Lyerly purchased Hill's Barbecue in 1962 and renamed it Hwy. 70 Barbecue. Within a year, Lyerly sold his share in the business to Shirley, who changed the name to Wilber's.

The restaurant was a 2015 WRAL.com Voter's Choice Award finalist for best Eastern N.C. barbecue and served many famous figures, including Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Govs. Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford and U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms.

Wilber's closing was not alone, as a string of other historic barbecue restaurants in the area closed, including Allen and Son Barbecue in Chapel Hill and Bill Ellis Barbecue in Wilson.