BY BILL BRADLEY
One of the most exciting business ventures to come to downtown Sudbury in some time is only about two months away from opening.
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Scott Priolo, co-owner of Sudbury?s 100 Georges restaurant and bar, addressed the annual meeting of Downtown Sudbury. |
Sudbury business owners learned many more details about the city?s new entertainment venue, 100 Georges, the downtown?s new eatery featuring blues and jazz music, last week.
Co-owner Scott Priolo from North Bay spoke at the annual meeting of Downtown Sudbury at Market Square Wednesday evening.
Set to open in late May or early June, 100 Georges, which will be located in the old Canada Trust Bank building, will feature steak, seafood and 10 kinds of pasta on their reasonably priced menu.
?It?s a restaurant primarily so food is very important to us,? said Priolo.
But music fans will also be catered to as every Wednesday through Saturday evening there will be live music, featuring established blues and jazz acts.
100 Georges will feature two large bars with warm, low light and a fully-licensed rooftop patio, which is sure to attract hundreds of patrons on a hot and steamy Sudbury summer night.
Total capacity at 100 Georges will be 410.
?We located downtown because we believe the heart of every city is the downtown core,? said Priolo.
?In fact, in North Bay, our other 100 Georges is also downtown. It?s received strong support and we think the same will hold true for Sudbury.?
The population base here in the City of Greater Sudbury is triple what that of his hometown of North Bay offers.
?My partner, Dan Lindsey and myself jumped in the car and drove here to check locations. Just by chance we parked in front of the old bank building. As soon as we saw the building we knew we had to have it. Within a week we had bought it,? said Priolo.
Whereas the North Bay venue is located in a renovated house, this new Sudbury initiative will take advantage of the size and natural lighting afforded by the large and modern former bank.
Priolo owns a major construction company, Gap Construction, which has been in business for 40 years in North Bay.
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Construction continues at the former Canada Trust building downtown. Co-owners Scott Priolo and partner Dan Lindsey are planning to open the fine restaurant and bar in early June. The restaurant/bar will have a capacity to serve over 400 patrons. |
Once completed, Sudbury?s 100 Georges will employ 50 full and part time staff, according to Priolo.
Lindsey, a lifelong blues fan, also from North Bay, is busy lining up the music, which promises to feature top quality acts every week.
For instance Juno Award nominee, Jack Dekeyser and his band, are already booked to perform June 20 and 21.
While not yet confirmed, the opening act will be well-known to Sudbury blues lovers, said Priolo.
Music fans can keep in touch with the line-up by checking www.100Georges.com/site and they are
already encouraged to e-mail their own suggestions.
Priolo says he and his partner have been greeted with open arms by the City of Greater Sudbury staff.
?All the municipal officials we have dealt with were very supportive,? he said. ?We got our building permit quickly.?
Angie Gainer, owner of Books And Beans on Durham st., says adding another fine restaurant and nightclub to the downtown core, will help all businesses located nearby.
?It?s great to have something new downtown. It?s going to get everyone excited,? she smiled.
