Why the highly anticipated new Little Miss BBQ location in midtown Phoenix isn't happening

Little Miss BBQ's new location in midtown Phoenix will not proceed as planned.

Little Miss BBQ owner and pitmaster Scott Holmes is best known for central Texas-style brisket and is a popular barbecue figure in the Valley. He currently operates two outposts of Little Miss BBQ, the original location in south Phoenix and a newer location in the Sunnyslope neighborhood in north Phoenix.

He and Bekke Holmes purchased Honey Bear’s BBQ's former space on Central Avenue in February 2022 with plans to open a third location there.

The Little Miss BBQ sign has hung above the A-frame building for over a year. But as of Aug. 11, plans for the space have changed. In a social media post, the owners wrote: "This project hasn’t really gone according to plan... it just doesn't pencil out."

The post cited increased interest rates, rising meat costs and a staggering increase in the construction budget as reasons they are pulling the plug.

“While we were incredibly excited and spent a lot of money with architects, engineers and for permits, we believe it is in the best interest to halt the project at this time," the owners told Phoenix Business Journal.

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Fans reacted to the news with suggestions for new locations

Fans offered up their own towns as options for the Little Miss owners to explore.

"Space available in Gilbert," commented Michael Dickson.

"Surprise Arizona need you in our area badly," wrote Sherlina Ramsey.

For now, Holmes plans to expand the hours at their other two locations and invest in upgrades to the University Drive restaurant.

At the time of this writing, Holmes did not respond to The Arizona Republic's request for details about future plans for the midtown space.

Little Miss BBQ locations that remain open

Details: University: 4301 E. University Dr., Phoenix. 602-437-1177, littlemissbbq.com.

Sunnyslope: 8901 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-314-6922.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Little Miss BBQ scraps central Phoenix restaurant. What's next?