A popular restaurant in Ellijay, known for hosting politicians over the decades, has reopened after its longtime owners retired four weeks ago.

Poole’s BBQ, with its infamous “Pig Hill of Fame”, now has new owners--Marcelo and Candice Sandrini, who also own Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza and Kasei Sushi and Sake in the downtown square.

“When we found out that Darvin wanted to retire, we were probably his first phone call,” Sandrini tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

Darvin Poole’s parents, Col. Oscar and Edna Poole, first opened the BBQ joint in 1989 out of a trailer. The since-built bright yellow building that sits along Hwy 515 is hard to miss.

Sandrini, who says Poole’s was the first restaurant the couple ate at when they moved to town ten years ago, doesn’t plan to change much, including the name, the recipes, or the memorabilia on the walls.

“We wanted to continue the tradition of Col. Poole’s”, he says. “It’s an icon in Ellijay and we want it to remain an icon in Ellijay.”

As far as the “Pig Hill of Fame” behind it, that too will stay.

“It’s going to keep growing,” he says.

The restaurant will keep the same days and hours for now: Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 7pm and Sundays from 11am to 6pm.

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