Owner Shuts Down Their Popular Restaurant To Pursue Competitive Pickleball

While many restaurants are acclimating to a post-Covid reality, Wendy Mitchell, owner of Aspen, Colorado’s popular Meat & Cheese Restaurant and Farm Shop, has decided to voluntarily shut business down in order to focus on…wait for it…competitive pickleball.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S. — the Sports & Fitness Industry Association says the number of players increased a staggering 159% over a three-year period to 8.9 million in 2022. 

According to Aspen Daily News, the announcement came last week. “I’ve had a good run. I’ve been working in food & beverage since I was 15 when I forged my birth certificate to get a job at the Wendy’s drive-thru,” Mitchell shared. “Since moving to Aspen, I began to make connections in the community first through my cheesemaking business and then ultimately, my restaurant and farm shop. This is not a decision I take lightly, I’m just getting older and trying to prioritize what I need to accomplish in this life. Next up, over-70 USA PickleBall Doubles Champ.”

A community staple, Meat & Cheese has been serving locals craft drinks and international cuisine since 2014. The popular restaurant is known for its waitlist, which long-time customers eagerly sign up for. 

In the statement, Mitchell further expressed, “I really do want to thank this community for making this the most fun and rewarding endeavor of my career. I love this town, and feel lucky to get to spend my retirement here.”