After serving the Statesboro and Bulloch County community for 35 years, owner Randy Nessmith announced Wednesday that R.J.'s Grill is closing. R.J.'s will be open for normal business hours through the Sunday buffet on Sept. 4.

The iconic restaurant on South Main Street was established in 1981 by Randy Nessmith and James Albert Brannen, hence the name R.J.'s. It quickly became a local favorite, and, in 1986, Nessmith bought Brannen's share and has been the sole owner ever since.

Anyone who has eaten at R.J.'s has seen Nessmith in action as one of the hardest-working men in the local restaurant industry. He greets his customers with energy and enthusiasm. As a businessman, Nessmith has shown he's not afraid to step out when it is necessary to keep his restaurant fresh and inviting.

In fact, Nessmith completely renovated and rebranded the restaurant as R.J.'s Grill in 2015, but that didn't prove to be enough to save it.

Read the full story and a look back at the impact this landmark restaurant and Nessmith have had on the community in Tuesday's Inside Bulloch Business column.