East Austin community rallies behind restaurant owner in Save Sam's Saturday's

An East Austin businessman is standing his ground after developers pressured him to sale his property. The owner of Sam’s BBQ says he isn't selling and Saturday the community gathered in support.

A long line formed outside Sam’s BBQ for “Save Sam’s Saturday’s” a community led effort to support the restaurant. Recently, the owner Brian Mays has turned down a number of offers from developers wanting to buy his property.

Mays said he’s seen mom and pop shops in East Austin come and go.

The latest amount he was offered was $3 million dollars.

“The neighborhood tells me, you can’t sell, you the last man standing,” said Mays. “"If I get big support like I got now and everybody showing me love oh we going to be here."

Sam's BBQ opened its door in 1957 by Sam Campbell and in 1976 it was handed over to the Mays family. Brian Mays said he wants to keep it that way.

His son Shawn Hays echoed his father’s sentiment.

"Because we are one of the last black on businesses still here and we not trying to sell it,” said Shawn.

"We want to keep it and keep it going and have people support good BBQ and good service."