Mr. Powdrell's Barbecue is closing its doors in a few weeks – how did the restaurant become the hit it is today, and what does the future hold?
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A 70-year story. An Albuquerque barbecue icon.
Katherine and Pete Powdrell founded Mr. Powdrell's Barbecue in 1962, four years after they'd left what their family described as a non-integrated West Texas environment and moved to Albuquerque.
“Back then, there was a lot of segregation and our opportunities were limited,” said Joe Powdrell, current CEO of Mister Powdrell's Barbecue. “My dad, my mom, young parents, a bunch of kids, we had family in New Mexico that they had been inviting us to come here since the early 1930s, so we came here and started barbecue.”
Joe attended the University of New Mexico, where he met his wife, Rita, served in the Vietnam War, and worked as a teacher in California before returning to Albuquerque in the 1970s to take over the family business.
“We opened our store downtown in 1979. I was the owner/manager at the time and was there for four years. We then moved to the intersection of Montgomery and San Pedro and came here in 1984,” Joe said.
For 40 years, the family has been sharing love and barbecue with locals like Charlie Spooner.
“I met him. [Joe’s] “My older brothers, Mike and Mike, went to Highland High School and Joe went to Albuquerque High School and they both ran track, just like me,” Charlie said.
Locals like Charlie have dined with some pretty famous patrons.
“You know Spike Lee,” Joe Powdrell said, pointing to a photo of Lee behind him, “If you know Spike, you know the film industry. Danny Glover is one of them. Yolanda King is Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter. Malcolm X's daughter. So they were here at the same time.”
Joe added, “You get to see a personal side to them. They probably helped define who we are to the community.”
The community in which they grew up.
“They grow up with their kids and their grandkids and they come up and say, 'Oh my kid won a medal in the 100-yard sprint,' and a 5-year-old comes in with a medal and they're so happy,” Rita Powdrell said.
The Fourth Street storefront, which Rita and Joe have run since 1984, is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Soon, another version of this final Powdrell location will be revealed: June 29th will be the last day of regular business hours.
“COVID-19 has looked at everything we needed to know: the rise and change in society, the increase in prices. It's been difficult for us, but also for other businesses. It's a difficult business anyway,” Joe said.
“It's sad because I miss my relationship with Joe as well as the food I loved eating there,” Charlie said.
When the final day arrives, Powdrell's business won't be over – they have a vision for the future of their business.
“An event venue is as doable as it looks. We've had weddings here since the indoor shutdown and we've also had a car show company set up with 90 staff and cars lined up out the front – unbelievable!” Joe said. “So it's an event centre with catering and some sort of delivery.”
This journey and the lessons learned will guide them to their next destination.
“Yes, there are trials and tribulations, but you have to overcome them because the victory of what you represent should be worth all those trials and tribulations,” Rita said.
Powdrell's Barbeque will also be hosting a farewell event on the Fourth of July.
more:
