One Winston-Salem fine-dining institution will replace another early this year.
Bernardin's restaurant, located in a strip mall on Jonestown Road for nearly 18 years, will move into the historic brick building in the West End that housed the Zevely House restaurant, owner Terry Lee said yesterday. It will open in February.
Lee and his brother, Freddy, own Bernardin's and two other restaurants in Winston-Salem, Bleu and Tonic. They also own Bluefin Seafood Restaurant and Bar in Columbia, S.C.
Zevely House closed on Dec. 31 after 34 years of business.
But it hasn't always occupied the corner of Summit and Fourth streets. The building was bought by Peter and Barbara Smitherman in 1974. It was the oldest house standing in the former city of Winston -- built in 1815 by cabinetmaker Van Neman Zevely -- when the Smithermans moved it from Oak Street to the West End. The restaurant opened in 1975.
Bill Benton bought the restaurant in 1988. Benton had no intention of buying a restaurant -- but he did so three days after Peter Smitherman closed the Zevely House.
"I had to have a place to eat," Benton said.
Benton and his partners, longtime-chef Tom "Alex" Alexander, and manager Margaret Merrell, will lease the building to the Lees.
Terry Lee said yesterday that the new restaurant will be called Bernardin's at Zevely House.
The menu and renovation plans are still being worked out.
Why do the Lees want to move?
Location. Location. Location.
The Centre Stage shopping center, where Bernardin's is currently located, has seen tenants come and go, including the departure of a Harris Teeter supermarket.
The departures have hurt business, Terry Lee said.
"It was already going south, and after the economy tanked it got worse," Terry Lee said.
"Back in the 1990s when we moved here from New York, this was a booming area. It's time to move, I think."
The Lees were also attracted to the Zevely House's historic character and its West End location, near downtown and close to other restaurants.
"We'd like to catch a piece of the action," Terry Lee said.
Terry Lee did not know when Bernardin's on Jonestown Road will close.
And he not sure when the new restaurant will be open. But he wants to be ready for Valentine's Day.
lgiovanelli@wsjournal.com
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