This top chef's Southern food destination is closing after nearly a decade in Phoenix

Southern Rail, a restaurant run by chef Justin Beckett, his wife Michelle and partners Scott and Katie Stephens, is closing after nine and a half years.

The restaurant owners made the announcement via Facebook on Dec. 21, letting customers know that the restaurant would shutter on Dec. 23.

"We are honored to have fed you and nourished you. We loved having the opportunity to introduce you to special signature southern recipes, magical bottles of Arizona wine and outstanding bourbons, as well as connecting you to our local purveyors and farmers."

The restaurant opened in 2014 next to Changing Hands bookstore in The Newton complex on Camelback Road. It served Southern classics like fried chicken, Bourbon flights and beignets and hosted events like Jazz and Jambalaya night. Southern Rail was the chef's second restaurant. His first, Beckett's Table, remains open.

According to the post, a new local independent restaurant group is taking over the Southern Rail space and plan to announce details in early 2024.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Popular Phoenix southern food restaurant closing after 9 years