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Couple Comes Home to Reopen Legendary Ribs Restaurant
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Like a beloved child left in the care of relatives, Charlie and Marge Staples left the restaurant they founded in 1974, C. Staples BBQ, in the care of experienced restaurateurs when they moved to Houston in 1981.Twenty-three years later, after Carl and Emma Young of Young's BBQ, who had taken over Staples' restaurant, both died, the Staples came home."There was no question what we had to do," Charlie said. "We had to come back. This was the restaurant we'd founded. We couldn't let it close.""The restaurant has always been my baby," Marge said, echoing her husband's sentiment. "Even when we were in Texas, I wanted a restaurant."Charlie Staples Famous Bar-B-Que re-opened May 2 in a newly renovated building at 372 W. Rayen Ave., two blocks from the northside neighborhood where Charlie grew up. In Youngstown, the Staples name is synonymous with outstanding sauce and ribs.Since its re-opening, the restaurant has been serving between 1,000 and 1,500 customers a day, Marge reported. The restaurant has been so busy, many customers haven't been able to get in the door. Those who did get inside sometimes had to wait for their food. "Thank you for being patient and waiting," she told a crowd gathered in the parking lot to celebrate the official grand opening May 25.Charlie also thanked the plethora of local tradesmen who renovated the building. "We had 13 inches of reinforced concrete and no plumbing," he said, but Stevens Plumbing Service of Youngstown chiseled through. Howgren Heating installed the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, Cooper's Electric Service Co. Inc. brought the building up to code, and L.B. Tate, a retired general contractor, put up the drywall and installed the ceilings and ceramic tile floors.Sky Bank provided financing for the $600,000 project, Charlie added, "the only bank in town who understood my vision."Charlie Staples Bar-B-Que specializes in charcoal wood-fired barbecued ribs, chicken, fish and shrimp available to eat in or carry out.Servers in crisp, tuxedo-style uniforms cater to customers in the dining room, which seats about 50. Red and black upholstered booths line one wall. Ornatewood and iron tables and chairs occupy the main dining area, which is accented with stained glass chandeliers and eclectic artwork.The 2,500-square-foot restaurant will grow to 5,000-square-feet by the end of this summer when the second phase of renovations is completed, Charlie added.At the rear of the building, the Staples operate the beauty-supplies manufacturing business, Magg Products, that they ran in Texas. Magg Products, founded by the Staples 15 years ago, manufactures European Desire relaxer systems, shampoos, conditioners and hair oils available in salons throughout the United States and in some parts of Europe, Marge said. Five are employed at Magg Products, Marge said, and she and her husband are in the process of hiring 10 more. Thirty are employed by Charlie Staples Bar-B-Que."Youngstown is bouncing back," observed First Ward Councilman Artis Gillam Sr. Referring to the restaurant's grand opening celebration, he said, "We go to ribbon cuttings [for new businesses] once or twice a week.""What can I say?" Charlie said. "God bless America. I'm proud of Youngstown."He and his wife both said they are happy to be back home."