SALISBURY — The Blue Vine will reopen with a different owner and possibly a different name, according to a downtown restaurant owner who plans to expand into the vacant space at 209 S. Main St.
Ted Aurora, who owns Cartucci’s Restaurant on East Fisher Street, said he has purchased all remaining equipment from former Blue Vine owner Rose Meeks Jones and signed a lease with Piedmont Players Theatre, which owns the building.
Aurora said he will reopen the venue three nights a week — Thursday, Friday and Saturday — and offer beer, wine, appetizers and desserts, as well as live music.
Aurora, who is also in the process of re-opening Cartucci’s after a fire, said he hasn’t decided whether to change the name of the Vine and is working on transferring permits and other regulations. He said he hopes to open the new business later this fall.
Cartucci’s, however, will have a grand re-opening celebration Nov. 1. All food served at the new business will come from Cartucci’s.
“I love being on Fisher Street, but I’ve always wanted a Main Street presence,” Aurora said. “Now I will have the playhouse right next door.”
When the Meroney Theater closes, Cartucci’s is already closed, Aurora said. With his expanded business, he said he will cater to theater-goers, offering cappuccino, wine and desserts after the plays.
“This will give me an opportunity to serve those customers,” he said.
Aurora said he also will be a bigger part of parades and other downtown festivals and events on Main Street. People regularly ask if he has a private meeting room at Cartucci’s, so the expansion will offer that option as well, he said.
Aurora purchased all of the Blue Vine’s light and sound equipment, as well as tables, chairs, refrigerators and whatever else was left, he said.
Aurora said Meeks Jones shared with him all of her contacts with bands and musicians, and he hopes to book many of the same acts that played the Vine.
“I plan to continue the live music and relaxed atmosphere,” he said. “We are anxious to open back up.”
Meeks Jones closed the Vine last week after running the business on her own for a year. Her husband and business partner died last year of heart failure.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.