Darryl Brown and Lewis Hines Jr. are bringing a mix of Southern classics and jazz music to 141 N. Front St., the space formerly occupied by Sunny Sushi & Lounge.
 
Brown describes the 141 North Restaurant & Lounge as a family friendly supper-club atmosphere, where jazz will be as much a part of the scene as Southern cuisine. He said 141 North will specialize in the food he grew up on in Scotts Hill: Southern classics such as fried chicken, mac and cheese, collards and black-eyed peas in addition to steaks and seafood.
 
The three-story restaurant includes a third-floor lounge with a Cape Fear River-view balcony and space for live jazz acts to perform. The lounge can be reserved for private parties of up to 25.
 
This will be the first restaurant venture for Brown and Hines, both of whom are semi-retired but were interested in pursuing a business of their own.
 
“We found out from a friend that the space was coming available and we started putting together our team,” Brown said.
 
Brown said he knew the prime downtown location wouldn’t be available for long, and saw it as the perfect venue for both a restaurant and jazz lounge.
 
“We have a lot of pub food in the downtown area but not a lot of full-course meals at a reasonable price,” Brown said. “I think 141 North will be a welcome addition to the downtown dining scene.”
 
141 North Restaurant & Lounge will serve lunch and dinner, and the lounge will be open later in the evening. Renovations are currently under way and a May 1 opening is anticipated.
 
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