For almost 50 years, Charlie Staples has poured out his 'cup of love' to Youngstown and The Valley. His iconic Louisiana-style restaurant and equally tasty barbeque sauce have become part of our local culture.

But like everything - and to everything - there is a season.

"I knew after the fire I wanted to be an owner and not a renter," said Casey Pitts, owner of Warren's Pitt Boss Barbeque. He suffered a fire at his business last summer. By then, he'd also been crossing paths with Charlie Staples. It must've been fate - and Staples and his wife must've recognized Pitts' vision.

They picked him to carry the torch.

"We will still have the iconic Charlie Staples barbeque sauce," Pitts told 21 News Wednesday. "I will bring my signature side dishes to Charlie Staples, the green beans, cabbage, mac and cheese, collard greens and candied yams."

And with an appealing menu will come the space Pitts needs to grow and cultivate both the Staples brand and his own.

"It has the patio, has the separate dining room, separate takeout area, storage, it just had everything I was looking for," he said. 

As Pitts takes the reins, he simply hopes to make Staples proud.
He seems well on his way to doing that - keeping that 'cup of love' filled to the brim.

"Hopefully we'll be here for another 50 years," Pitts said.