By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY – Nashville Nights has booked a band for New Year’s Eve, and sister restaurant Gritz should open within two weeks, owners say.
Country music and Cajun cuisine are coming to downtown Salisbury.
The new businesses in the 100 block of East Innes Street are a family affair. Dick Palmore co-owns Nashville Nights with Karen Littleton, and Palmore’s sister Bev Ryan co-owns Gritz with John Hudson.
City Council on Tuesday approved a pool hall permit for Nashville Nights, bringing the long-awaited nightclub one step closer to opening night.
The bar at 125 and 127 E. Innes St. is accepting applications for 25 to 30 part-time workers including bartenders, wait staff, hostesses and security staff. Kelly Fink is the newly hired full-time manager.
Job applications are available inside on the front bar and should be returned to the club, Littleton said. Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
The band Wayward Reason is scheduled to perform on New Year’s Eve, and Littleton said the club may open sooner than that.
All major interior work is complete, with electricians finishing up details, she said. The nightclub has not had its final inspection.
Capt. Melonie Thompson recommended City Council approve the pool hall permit for Nashville Nights, which will have four pool tables and only allow guests who are 18 years or older. The bar will be open until 2 a.m. seven days a week.
Thompson said Littleton and Palmore have been compliant and cooperative throughout the permitting process and asked her advice on how to make their business better.
In her opinion, the nightclub will attract desirable clientele and enhance the downtown, Thompson said.
Gritz has transformed the former Sweetest Thing bakery location at 121 E. Innes St. and will serve breakfast and lunch, with plans to serve dinner at some point in the future. The restaurant also will prepare the bar menu food for Nashville Nights, Ryan said, including finger foods and basket items.
With the installation of two exit signs over doors on Tuesday afternoon, all code requirements inside the restaurant have been met, Ryan said. The business awaits final inspection.
Gritz’s motto is “Southern hospitality meets Cajun cuisine.”
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.