{"id":50,"date":"2026-05-18T19:07:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T19:07:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=50"},"modified":"2026-05-18T19:07:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T19:07:24","slug":"loyd-ardrey-owner-of-rock-hills-ebenezer-grill-and-its-giant-weenie-sign-dies-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=50","title":{"rendered":"Loyd Ardrey, owner of Rock Hill\u2019s Ebenezer Grill and its \u2018giant weenie\u2019 sign, dies"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When somebody stole Loyd Ardrey\u2019s giant smiling weenie sign 21 years ago from his Rock Hill\u2019s Ebenezer Grill, he did not scream and yell.<\/p>\n

Read more SC\u2019s Robert Smalls monument breaks ground. It needs money to rise from it<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u201cI just want my weenie back,\u201d Ardrey chuckled in 2005 as he gave what probably was his first-ever news interview.<\/p>\n

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Ardrey smiled in that story, which went worldwide with The Associated Press, when it was clear that a stolen 10-foot weenie sign was news. Then he sold more hot dogs.<\/p>\n

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A longtime Rock Hill police officer named Jerry Waldrop who heard about the theft and was a lieutenant in the detective division told The Herald about the crime of the century \u2014 which police would certainly investigate \u2014 and then quipped: \u201cIt\u2019s tough to hide a 10-foot weenie.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The giant weenie became famous and so did Ardrey, who gave phone interviews across oceans as far away as Europe.<\/p>\n

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His hot dogs won The Herald\u2019s \u2018Best of Rock Hill\u201d contest 19 years in a row, so Ardrey chuckled some more and had thousands and thousands of yellow bumper stickers printed that read \u201cEat At Ebenezer Grill.\u201d There was a smaller version of the smiling weenie on them.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAward Winning,\u201d the stickers said, and still do.<\/p>\n

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Ardrey died Friday at age 77 after an illness and hospice care, according to the restaurant and longtime friend Gary Simrill. His death hit the community like a sucker punch to an empty gut.<\/p>\n

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Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys said Ardrey was a Rock Hill institution just as much as the Ebenezer Grill is. Ardrey was famous for having kids at the restaurant on special occasions or just any day. Ardrey ran the business since 2003.<\/p>\n

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\u201cLoyd was a friend to all, especially the young people of Rock Hill,\u201d Gettys said. \u2018Loyd loved the people of Rock Hill almost as much as the people of Rock Hill loved Loyd.\u201d<\/p>\n

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His Ebenezer Grill employees, many of whom have been there for years, posted on Facebook: \u201cWe are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved owner Loyd Ardrey. We are more than co-workers, we are a family.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Hundreds of people commented on social media about the hole in their lives left by this smiling guy who welcomed all inside. They ranged from Doug Echols, Rock Hill\u2019s former mayor, to people who took their kids there for hot dogs and got not just fed but charmed by the owner.<\/p>\n

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All praised Ardrey, with his trademark generosity and smile.<\/p>\n

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\u201cLoyd shared his friendship with so many. … a true gentleman and always welcoming,\u201d one Facebook posting said. Hundreds of others said similar glowing things.<\/p>\n

Read more Loyd Ardrey, owner of Rock Hill\u2019s Ebenezer Grill and its \u2018giant weenie\u2019 sign, dies<\/a><\/p>\n

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