Beasley's to close after 14 years in business

Award-winning chef Ashley Christensen is closing one of her downtown Raleigh restaurants.

After more than 14 years in business, Beasley's Chicken + Honey will close its doors on Sunday, Jan. 25. It has been an anchor in downtown since opening in 2011.

"As we approach 15 years in operation, our food is as delicious as ever," Christensen wrote in a blog post from the Beasley's website. "But downtown has evolved in unexpected ways since the pandemic. While we’ve seen encouraging growth, the current Beasley’s model no longer fits into the new landscape."

Christensen said her focus, moving forward, will stay on her other two restaurants: Death & Taxes and Poole's. She wrote that she believes she is no longer the person to lead a new concept, or a reimagined version of Beasley's, in the corner of Wilmington and Martin streets. 

"But I believe someone in our community is, and I’m eager to support them," she added. 

After battling Bobby Flay in an awe-inspiring appearance on Iron Chef, Christensen opened the doors of Beasley's in August 2011.