John's Barbeque and Seafood Restaurant has reduced its operating hours.

The restaurant, which used to operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday through Saturday, is now open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. It will remain closed Sunday and Monday.

"We're trying to keep our overhead as low as possible while staying open," said Amber Thomas, one of the owners of the restaurant, which is at 10985 U.S. 15-501 in Southern Pines.

Thomas said they had tried closing on Mondays. Tuesdays and Wednesdays but received so many requests from customers to stay open for lunch that they decided on the current schedule.

"With the economy the way it is, everyone's trying to figure out what works for them," she says. John's Barbeque opened in 1977.