Richie Notar Drops Details on Lenox Lounge Reboot

Restaurateur Richie Notar was at the Economic Development Committee for Manhattan's Community Board 10 last week to talk about his plans for the Lenox Lounge. The 70-year-old jazz club and restaurant is shuttering at the end of this year, with Notar taking over from current owner Alvin Reed at that time. Reed has owned the Harlem icon since 1988.

The Daily News files from that meeting, reporting that Notar's reboot will operate under the name used on his liquor license application: Notar Jazz Club. He's adding a bakery to the operation?that's the one he's opening with New Orleans baker and actor Dwight Henry, whose location was previously unknown?and that the food will be South Carolina-inspired Southern. It should open in early March

Against charges of gentrification, Notar says that the name will change but the look will be "not too much different than what it is now," and that he plans to hire from within the Harlem community and do outreach at local schools. Meanwhile, Reed?whom the Daily News describes as "visibly shaken"?was able to talk to Notar for the first time since being forced out of the business, saying that his team has reached out to Notar before with no response.
· Lenox Lounge Will Get a New Name and New Menu, but New Owner Says He'll Keep One of Harlem's Signature Spots Largely Intact [NYDN]
· All Coverage of the Lenox Lounge [~ENY~]
[Bess Adler]