Losing a parent is one of the hardest things a child can go through, but to literally have to follow in the footsteps of a parent who is a beloved icon in the community is nearly unfathomable.

That’s certainly been the case for Regan Nosser, whose father Rowdy Nosser was as loved as anyone could possibly be in Vicksburg before his unexpected death nearly a year ago.

Regan not only had to take over the family business and its flagship restaurant, Rowdy’s, but also had to immediately replace his father — an impossible task — while his every move has been watched.

One business move that has generated a great deal of criticism was the decision this week to close Rowdy’s Family Restaurant. Regan admits he expected the criticism, but said closing the restaurant was something his father often talked about.

“Over the course of the last year or two, he would talk about it but never put it in action,” Regan Nosser said of the change. “But I think if he hadn’t passed, this would have happened sooner instead of me coming in and opening a whole new restaurant.”

Many loyal patrons took to social media to express their displeasure and dismay with Rowdy’s Restaurant closing and plans to re-open as a modern version of the other Nosser-owned restaurant, Taco Casa, in the fall.

“I know it’s the right move,” said Regan, the fourth generation of the Nosser family to be involved in the local food industry. “Turning over a whole new leaf is the right thing to do.”

We wish him the best.

Regan Nosser believes now is the right time to make this move and we support him. We hope the rest of our community will support a family-owned business that has been around for decades.