GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A well-known Grand Rapids restaurant is up for sale for the first time in 15 years. Fat Boy opened on the city's northeast side in 1952, but its future could be up in the air.
When you walk into Fat Boy, underneath its iconic sign out front, you can immediately hear the sizzle of meat on the grill as it seeps out through the kitchen window.
That sound, music to Matthew Urbane's ears.
"It's been fantastic," he said.
Urbane bought the burger joint back in January 2009. Now, he's ready to let go.
"Ready to hand the torch off to somebody a little bit younger," said Urbane.
He took over in 2009, a surreal moment for a regular at the restaurant since his days at the old Creston High School.
"To be 14, 15 years old, hanging out in here drinking, you know, milkshakes and whatever. And then, you know, fast forward 40 years and the next thing you know, I'm serving up the milkshakes," he said.
But as he's gotten older, Urbane feels it's time for new blood to take over the reigns.
"A little bit more energy to take it to the next level," said Urbane.
Greg Rogers, a regular for years, is sad to see Urbane go.
"Pretty wonderful," said Rogers. "Pretty good guy."
He hopes a new owner won't mess with his double cheeseburger deluxe.
"And onion rings," said Rogers. "The onion rings are outstanding."
As for Urbane, he'll miss what he called his favorite accomplishment, working with special needs kids to teach them the ins and outs of a restaurant job.
"It gets them out in the community, gets them into the work mode," said Urbane.
And while he hopes a new owner will keep operating under that same iconic sign outside, Urbane is set to leave grateful for the customers he served along the way.
"Thank you for keeping this dream alive for the last 15 years," he says.
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