By Adam Dodson | The Selma Times-Journal

After two years of serving up hamburgers and Friday night specials, Charlie’s Place on Water Avenue is closing its doors.

Charlie Morgan, owner of the restaurant, announced Friday he is shutting the doors for good after an economic strain.

The restaurant, open for the past two years, serves an assortment of meals complete with a bar and a weekly special.

Morgan opened the restaurant with his wife and his grilling trailer. After being a two-decade employee of Trustmark Bank, Morgan decided to take a stab at opening a restaurant.

According to Morgan, the grilling trailer is what made him a hit in the first place, grilling for businesses, golf tournaments and other events to spread the word of his good eats.

However, the troubled economy in Selma was too much to sustain moving forward. According to Morgan, it couldn’t be done financially. The decision leaves him up in the air moving forward.

“Business has fallen. We aren’t making enough money to keep it running,” Morgan said. “Eventually we are going to move, but right now I don’t know what it looks like. I have the grilling trailer and I am looking at possibly grilling for businesses and promotions. Stuff like that.”

The closing marks another restaurant leaving Selma, a topic of concern for residents. While Morgan believes in Selma, he notes that there are still some fallbacks as well.

Sheryl Smedley, executive director for the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information, shares this concern with the city regarding restaurants. She says she is doing all she can to bring in more places to eat.

“I am very disappointed to hear about Charlie’s Place. I have been reaching out to people to try to bring in more restaurants for Selma,” Smedley said. “We are in need of full service restaurants.”

She also remarked on the personality of Morgan and benefits of the restaurant, which is part of the popularity of the Charlie’s Place.

“Charlies Place is in a convenient location in downtown. One of his greatest traits was greeting every person who came in through the door. I am sorry to hear this news.”

The closing date of Charlie’s Place is set for May 25 when they close after their last lunch shift at 2:30 p.m. Until then, Morgan would like everyone to still come in and enjoy a meal.

Despite the closing of the restaurant, Morgan is staying positive throughout the process. As someone who never quits, he trusts it will all work out.

“I am still feeling good going forward,” Morgan said. “I tell people that I am not ashamed about it. God put me into the restaurant business and now he is putting me into something else. I just don’t know what it is yet.”