Black Angus Founder Closes Desert Restaurant
The founder of one of America’s most popular restaurant chains, is closing the doors, on his only location in the desert. We met with Stuart Anderson, the man behind the legend of Black Angus, at his Rancho Mirage home, where he pointed to an area in his hallway, devoted to sharing memories. He tells us, “That’s Stuart’s Ego Wall.” It’s a collage of newspaper clippings and photos, illustrating 60 years in the restaurant business. Anderson says, “If I go way back, I hate to say it’s that far back, 1960.
The first Black Angus opened in Seattle and over the years, 140 more followed, in places like Texas, Chicago, even singapore and here in California. Eventually Anderson decided the desert was the place to retire…for a short time. Anderson says, “I should have stayed retired, but I retired in the late 80’s and came back to work a few years ago.”
He and his wife Helen, opened “Stuart’s”, in Rancho Mirage, 2 years ago. Coming out of retirement was a no-brainer, when he saw an opportunity to create jobs in the Coachella Valley. Anderson says, “That’s so important. Everybody wants to see jobs. So, that’s the reason we went back into it and I found out I had a lot of experience but I forgot a lot of it, so I had to let it go to my wife and she had to do all the work.”
Helen says, “You know, it’s tough, because our heart has been in that restaurant and it’s going to be missed.”
The couple recently accepted an offer from the owners of The Stadium Club Sports Bistro. They’ll take over, with a whole new concept, being revealed in September. Anderson says, “We’re glad to see the new guys. They know what they’re doing. It’s a fabulous idea and we’re all behind it.”
That leaves Stuart and Helen more time to spend with friends, family, making jewelry and hitting the road, like they used to. Anderson says, “New Zealand, and South Ireland, with a little RV and campers.
It doesn’t sound like Anderson will be slowing down much, during this attempt at retirement, even at 89. Helen tells us, “You’d think at his age, he’d start to think about it.” She turns to Stuart and asks, “Settling down?” He answers, “Maybe.” Helen shakes her head and says, “I don’t think so either.”
