By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SPENCER ó Smittyís restaurant has changed names and locations and will open Saturday in the former Chicken and Oyster Shack in Spencer.
Now called Smittyís North Rowan Bar-b-que, the family-owned and operated business will host a grand re-opening celebration from 11 a.m. to dusk with homemade ice cream, free drinks and entertainment.
Formerly located at 1106 Mooresville Road, Smittyís began serving burgers, pork chops, barbecue and more Feb. 24 at the old Chicken & Oyster Shack, located one mile past Food Lion on North Salisbury Avenue.
Smittyís offers a salad bar, karaoke night and other features at the new location. The restaurant had a brush with fame in September 2010 when Smittyís three-foot chicken mascot mysteriously took up residence on the roof of Hurley Elementary School for one night.
A Spencer dining institution for more than 50 years, the Chicken and Oyster Shack stood vacant for a year and half until a former bricklayer reopened it last summer. The restaurant closed a few months later.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.