The Courthouse Grill will soon be a thing of the past. Well, the name will be, anyway.
The owners said they’re changing the name of the restaurant to “Old Main Grocery” to establish a new identity with their customers.
Seth O’Nan, 25, and Austin Shafer, 23, purchased the restaurant in the summer of 2003. Chip Cole recently took Shafer’s place as co-owner. Although they changed the menu and interior in August, they said they now want to change the name of the restaurant to stray from any negative connotations with the former ownership.
“We did it to get away from bad business associated with previous ownership and to start a new identity,” Cole said.
Wayne Chesney established the downtown eatery and bar in 2001.
Until recently, the restaurant has lured customers with promises of Black Angus beef and a balcony overlooking downtown Starkville. The view will remain the same, but the restaurant is taking Black Angus off its menu.
The restaurant will now serve cuts of Buckhead beef and seafood on the weekends. The owners are also starting a delivery service for businesses in downtown Starkville.
They’ve added Chef Lorenzo Crawford to their roster in hopes he will spice up the menu a little. Crawford worked at Rosey Baby before moving to The Grocery.
Old Main Grocery will keep having live entertainment and drink specials.
Student John Whitehead said he enjoys hanging out at the restaurant, but would like to see more live music and room for bands to perform.
Old Main Grocery will also be a part of the University’s new nighttime shuttle route.