UPDATE (July 2, 2019): The Harp Is Aiming For an August Debut on Memorial Drive, Could Open Late-July
The redevelopment of the former Harp Transmission building into a $16-million mixed-use complex with offices, retail, and restaurant components, is not moving forward as planned.
Instead, the space, at 350 Memorial Drive, will be redeveloped into a single restaurant concept called The Harp.
Jarrett Gray and his sister Joy Gray Prince have inked a deal to open the restaurant and bar in the former 3,000 square foot automotive space.
Gray, a Charlotte-based private chef with more than two decades in restaurant management, is moving to Atlanta to open The Harp with Prince, a resident of the area for 17 years.
The Harp will serve American cuisine with “a twist,” and is currently awaiting permits from the City of Atlanta to begin its buildout, Gray in a telephone interview Tuesday told What Now Atlanta.
“As an ode to the neighborhood, we wanted to keep the name,” Gray said.
The Harp will serve lunch and dinner, and a brunch buffet on the weekends with a build-your-own Mimosas and Bloody Mary bar.
On the menu will be an ever-changing rotation of shared plates with traditional American flare but done a little differently like a lobster roll prepared like a corndog.
A wall with 40 taps will offer self-serve beer, wine, and Champagne that can be purchased in one-ounce increments using an RFID-enabled bracelet.
Eight to ten signature craft cocktails will also be on the menu.
Inside, The Harp’s “semi-industrial” space with light and dark wood, and metal accents throughout, will be able to seat 100.
A chef’s table experience will be inside the kitchen area offering “an elegant custom meal with beverage pairing,” accessible through a private entrance for “intimate settings, birthday events, etc.”
Two outdoor patios will have seating for 200 with some oversized yard games like giant-sized Jenga, Tic-Tac-Toe, and Cornhole.
The floor will be tangerine in color with an epoxy to “give it that shine.”
Existing bay doors will be converted into windows with functional doors.
Several TVs throughout will display home-town sports with a “nice view from anywhere.”
But The Harp will not be a sports bar, Gray emphasized.
“We’re affordable, fun, and family-friendly, and the quality of service, food, and our beverage program, sets us apart from sports bars.”
On the weekends, Gray and Prince are looking to create neighborhood activations like yoga and retail pop-ups that support local charities.
The Harp could open as early as Thanksgiving 2018.
4 Responses
Where are these people going to park? Street parking only? In front of neighbors homes? Parking is already a nightmare
There’s nothing wrong with being a cool, local “sports bar” with good food and service. There’s nothing like that around here.
We don’t need that building in the middle of the green corridor that will be running from Oakland Cemetery to the Capitol. Let’s tear that building down!
I can’t wait. My dad owned that shop for over 40 years. I want him to be able to come there and sit down and relax!