Eleven years to the day after opening Two Fat Ladies Over a Simmering Pot, owner Nicole Clay will close the doors Thursday on her beloved Southern restaurant.
 
Clay, who operated the restaurant with her friend and business partner Gayleane White until White’s death in 2015, said that the building at 1601 Dawson St. is for sale.
 
Clay said the Cameron family, which owns the building, gave her the option of purchasing the building, as well as staying in it until the sale was finalized, but she said her heart told her it was time for a break.
 
“I’m still deciding what I’ll do,” Clay said. “I don’t plan on relocating the business right away. I’d like to take the rest of the year off to have a break and figure out which direction to go in next.”
 
Clay said she began telling her customers about the restaurant's closure about three weeks ago and since that time, they have been coming in with the addresses of available properties for her to consider moving to. Many have also already asked her about catering for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
 
“They really don’t want to hear that I’m closing,” Clay said. “And I appreciate their support, but I just need to wait and see.”
 
Many considered Two Fat Ladies one of Wilmington’s best-kept secrets. But among those in the know, the restaurant was well known for its generous portions, with many customers posting online reviews hailing the portions as large enough to eat off of for three days.
 
While menu options changed somewhat from day to day, customers could always count on homemade Southern staples such as macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, fried fish and pork chops.
 
Clay said she’s been thinking of something special to do for her customers on Thursday but as of earlier this week, she was still undecided about how to best mark the restaurant's closure.
 
“I want to thank our customers so very much,” Clay said. “This wouldn’t have been possible with out them.”
 
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