Austin venue Stubb's changing name due to lawsuit (to Liberty Lunch?)
Stubb’s, one of the most well-known venues (and BBQ restaurants) in Austin, is changing its name to resolve a trademark lawsuit. From The Statesman:
That suit was filed by One World Foods, the company that makes Stubb’s-branded barbecue sauces, marinades and rubs. It was filed shortly after One World was acquired by Maryland-based food industry giant McCormick and Co. as part of a $100 million deal.
The dispute arose when additional Stubb’s restaurants popped up at Graceland Grocery, 8600 W. U.S. 290, and at Lala’s Little Nugget, 2207 Justin Lane. One World claims they weren’t covered by “an oral license” that allowed for the original Stubb’s on Red River Street and a catering operation at Mean Eyed Cat, 1621 W. Fifth St., to operate.
It’s not immediately clear what the Stubb’s restaurants will change their name to or when that change will occur.
“As a result of the sale of One World Foods in 2015, we will now begin a process of phasing out the name ‘Stubb’s,’” Stubb’s Austin Restaurant Co., operator of the Stubb’s music venue and restaurants, told the American-Statesman. “While the name will change, it will still be the same owner/operator, same live music, same cold beer and great food for years and years to come.”
Both the Stubb’s sauces/rubs and the venue/restaurant started in the same place, with the original Stubb’s, started by C.B. ‘Stubb’ Stubblefield who began in Lubbock, TX but relocated to Austin in 1984, selling BBQ at Antone’s. He then opened his own restaurant which closed in the late ’80s. Stubblefield started selling bottled BBQ sauce in 1994 via a new company called Stubb’s Legendary Kitchen. Stubblefield died in 1995 and Stubb’s restaurant/venue reopened at 801 Red River in 1996 with an “oral license” (see the quoted article above) to use the name.
While the venue hasn’t officially announced what its new name will be, Austin 360 reports, documents filed with Texas Secretary of State’s office indicate the new name could be be Liberty Lunch, which was a much-loved Austin venue that shut down in 1999. Stay tuned.
