Thank you for your compliments and we are listening. Here is a news release that will come out this week.
Howard Black, owner of the BrightStar Grill in Mt. Holly announced today that the 47-year old restaurant would start remodeling within the next few weeks. The BrightStar Restaurant is a local landmark that has severed many generations of area residents. R. J. Terry opened the BrightStar Grill in 1961 and Howard and Deborah Black took over management of the restaurant in 1997.
Our goal is to touch everything and make it right, but still retain the unique atmosphere. He explained, “We want to take something that has been great for a lot of years and make it a little bit better without changing what people have come to expect.”
Mr. Black pointed out that, “In the past we have wanted to update and modernize the restaurant, but were limited in what we could do.” The property was recently sold to Carlton Broome who plans extensive renovations of the property.
Mr. Broome said, “We considered building a new facility, but realized that if we did, it just wouldn’t be the BrightStar.” He adds, “Although it would be more expensive we decided to take the present facility and give it a complete face lift and remodel. We believe area residents and the regular customers want that.”
Included in the remodel will be a new entrance from Rankin Avenue and expanded parking for customers. Mr. Black said, “we feel that the new entrance and marquee will make the BrightStar more visible and accessible for our customers.” The old entrance from Madora Street will continue to be open.
Other improvements will include an expanded dining room, new bathrooms, a pickup window and an addition for a new kitchen. New equipment will be installed to be more energy efficient and increase service capabilities.
The restaurant will utilize modern eco-friendly technologies, including Rinnai on-demand hot water heaters, computer controlled thermostats and hybrid heating & cooling systems that will save on utility expense in the future. Other environmentally friendly items will include low-flush toilets, water saver faucets and energy efficient lighting.
The exterior will receive a badly needed facelift with a new roof, paint and guttering. The bathrooms will be relocated within the building and brought up to current standards. Mr. Black adds, “We’re even going to have baby-changing station in the bathrooms.”
The new interior décor will include new tables and chairs with walls being adorned with past pictures of the BrightStar and the community. All pictures will be black and white and framed to match the new color scheme of the interior. Deborah Black, the owner’s wife asks that anyone having old pictures of the restaurant or any picture that they desire to be displayed may bring it by the restaurant during the next few weeks. She said, “We would love to have pictures of people that came here while they dated.”
Mr. Broome explained that the large rocks on the south side of the building would remain intact. Mr. Broome says, “Those rocks have been played on by generations of children and that is what a lot of people remember about this place. We think it’s best to leave them.”
The menu will remain the same with selections of Lottaburgers, hamburgers, hotdogs, BBQ and other items. Mr. Black added, “Our plans after the remodel is to keep doing what we’re doing now, but just a little bit better.” Future plans include offering breakfast and a larger selection of items, but the basic menu and recipes will never change.
The restaurant will be open for business while most of the construction is going on. Mr. Broome said, “At some point the restaurant will have to close or have limited service during the renovation, but we hope that will be a short period of time.” Mr. Black added that everyone is invited to come by and see the plans for the restaurant and to take one last look at how it was.”