Food & Drink

This Columbus restaurant has a new name after receiving a cease-and-desist order

After hearing from the community — and after receiving a cease-and-desist order — Scott Marshall, owner of the former Moonswiners BBQ, 547 Veterans Parkway in Columbus, has picked a new name for his restaurant.

The restaurant will be renamed to Marshall’s Smokehouse. Marshall announced the decision on Facebook.

“We want to thank everyone for their suggestions.” Marshall wrote in the post. “We really appreciate it. We look forward to a few other changes that the new name will bring us.”

Marshall did not respond to the Ledger-Enquirer’s request for comment.

In a an interview last month with the Ledger-Enquirer, Marshall said he wanted the new name for his restaurant to signal a new era.

“I’ve talked with my son, and I think we’re at a crossroads now, where, with a name change, people won’t expect just barbecue,” Marshall said. “When the name goes through, it’ll be [the new name and] ‘and grill’ or ‘and more.’ We’re going to add something to it that, if I’m serving a fish sandwich today, it doesn’t look so odd coming from just a straight barbecue house. It’ll give us more options in our menu to display our talents in the kitchen.”

About the Moonswiners cease-and-desist order

On Nov. 14, Marshall announced on Facebook that his restaurant had received a cease-and-desist order. The order came from a restaurant named Moonswiners Bar-B-Q in Fort Pierce, Florida.

“While we respectfully understand trademark protections exist for good reasons, this means we need to find a new name for the BBQ joint you’ve come to know and love,” Marshall wrote in the post. “Here’s the good news: WE’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. Same pitmasters, same recipes, same ‘cue you crave. We’re just getting a new name.”

Scott Marshall, the owner of Moonswiners BBQ in Columbus, announced on Facebook that his restaurant has received a cease-and-desist order. The order came from a restaurant named Moonswiners Bar-B-Q in Fort Pierce, Florida. This is a photo of the letter Marshall received.
Scott Marshall, the owner of Moonswiners BBQ in Columbus, announced on Facebook that his restaurant has received a cease-and-desist order. The order came from a restaurant named Moonswiners Bar-B-Q in Fort Pierce, Florida. This is a photo of the letter Marshall received. Jordyn Paul-Slater jpaulslater@ledger-enquirer.com

Moonswiners Bar-B-Q in Fort Pierce has a trademark on the name “Moonswiners” for restaurants, sauces and merchandise, according to the cease-and-desist order. The order required Marshall to change the name of his restaurant by Dec. 1.

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Jordyn Paul-Slater
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Jordyn Paul-Slater is the business and engagement reporter at the Ledger-Enquirer. Her work has appeared in publications such as Reuters, Fast Company and The New York Observer. She completed her master’s degree in specialized journalism at the University of Southern California and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from George Washington University. 
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