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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

CALERA – DC’s Smokehouse in Calera announced that it will not reopen for 2025 due to a recent death in the owner’s family as well as personal health issues.

DC’s Smokehouse opened at the corner of U.S. 31 and Eighth Ave. in Calera on Aug. 2, 2022. The full-service restaurant was family run and focused on delivering a variety of traditional southern menu items—including open-faced hamburgers.

On Monday, Dec. 30, the business took to social media to announce that it would not be reopening for the new year due to personal circumstances.

“This breaks our hearts to say but DC’s Smokehouse will not reopen for the 2025 year,” read an official Facebook post. “With the death of my mother and some health issues that have arose that I have to address, and being family owned, this affects all of us, not just one. We hope you understand. To try and continue with the restaurant is not feasible at this time.”

The restaurant expressed its gratitude for all of its customers heading into the new year.

“We want to say, ‘Thank you’ to all that let us serve you and your family, the friends we have made,” read the Facebook post. “We thank you all and hope the new year brings many blessings to you and yours.”

DC’s Smokehouse served a wide variety of food, including barbecue platters, barbecue potatoes, chicken fingers, ribs, nachos, salads, hotdogs and a selection of appetizers. The restaurant’s main dishes were complimented by a list of homemade desserts including banana pudding, Oreo cheesecake parfait, and banana pudding cake.

DC’s Smokehouse was run by co-owner Leslie Paschal and retired Calera Fire Department Deputy Chief Hilton Shirey. The restaurant earned its namesake from Shirey who was affectionately referred to as “DC” by fellow members of the fire department.

While also serving the residents of Calera a variety of flavorful southern dishes, DC’s Smokehouse also aimed to be a place that honored first responders who had passed away. The restaurant featured a hero wall at its outside dining area which honored the men and women who had served their communities.