J. W. "Slug" Claiborne
1962 ad
1963 ad
Photo of the Barclay at Amity Gardens (photo courtesy of David at Groceteria)
Current photo of the old Amity Gardens location--soon to be demolished
1988 photo of the Barclay Cafeteria at the downtown Belk
Mid-'80's ad promoting both Slug's and the Barclay Cafeterias
Mid-70's ad for the Barclay Cafeterias
1988 ad congratulating Belk's on their 100th Anniversary
1995 photo of Belk-Southpark with the Barclay dining room visible above the Belk sign
(photo courtesy of Steve at Live Malls)
1971 interior photo of Slug's Rib
Another interior shot of Slug's Rib
1971 ad
1974 ad
1975 ad
1975 ad - love the "Howdy Hour"!
1975 Wachovia cartoon map showing Southpark Mall with Slug's Choice
1975 Wachovia cartoon map showing Independence Blvd and Slug's Rib
1975 ad
1976 photo of Slug's Tower Suite (note the floor-to-ceiling windows)
1978 menu for Slug's Rib
1978 menu for Slug's Choice
1979 ad for New Year's Eve
1980 photo of Slug's Oval Office Lounge at Southpark
Mid-'80's ad
Mid-'80's ad
Late-'80's ad
1987 photo of the front of Slug's University Place
Original matchbox (courtesy of Robert McEwen)
1987 photo of the water-side of Slug's University Place
J. W. "Slug" Claiborne was Charlotte's premier restaurateur for three decades from the 1960's through the 1980's. He operated several Slug's restaurants plus the Barclay Cafeterias.
He opened the first Barclay Cafeteria on Independence Boulevard at the Amity Gardens shopping center at the beginning of 1961. This was followed by two Barclay Cafeterias (and a snack bar) at the Belk downtown location (in the basement and on the sixth floor- "the Gold Room") and a Barclay Cafeteria at Belk-Southpark on the third floor. The Amity Gardens location would last through February 1988, the downtown locations would close at the end of 1988, and the Southpark location would close in December 2000 due to Belk remodeling their store (in spite of much protesting from their loyal customers).
In March of 1970, he added upscale dining to his restaurants when he opened Slug's Rib on Independence Boulevard (near Albemarle Road). Modeled after the famous Lawry's Prime Rib in California, Slug's Rib specialized in Prime Rib--it was the only entree offered ("When you do one thing, you do it well" Claiborne often said). The overwhelming success of this location would lead to expansion in the '70's to a location at Southpark Mall (Slug's Choice) and a downtown location at the top of the then Jefferson-First Union building (Slug's Tower Suite--later called Slug's 30th Edition). In the late-'80's he would also add a location to the UNCC area (Slug's University Place) as well as having expanded to other parts of NC. Slug's Rib and Slug's Choice would continue through the 1980's. Slug's 30th Edition and Slug's University Place were sold off in 1993 and the new owners changed the names of both in 1994. Also in the early '90's, Claiborne opened "Slugger's Grill and Bar" in downtown as an attempt to enter the casual lunch/dinner bistro family restaurant market. It offered lower prices and early-bird specials, but was short-lived.
REVISIONS-- 8-2-08
1976 photo of the ornate entry doors to the downtown location
1976 photo of the Independence Blvd location
REVISIONS -- 8-9-2008
1986 ad
REVISIONS-- 3-25-09
These contributions below are all courtesy of Margaret DeStefani. Margaret worked for Slug Claiborne at both the downtown location as well as Slug's University Place. Much thanks to Margaret for providing access to her amazing collection!
From a wine promo at Slug's Prime Rib
Front and back of an apron from Slug's Prime Rib
Original Barclay Cafeteria plates!
7 comments:
I never realized the Barclay Cafeteria at Belk SouthPark was only one of the Barclay/Slug's restaurants. I remember eating there at least twice in the '90s and being impressed that Belk still had a full restaurant when so many other stores didn't.
Of course, right after I was bragging about how unique it was, it closed. I remember the protests well. I don't know how many people swore they would never come back to Belk. Then, of course, Morrison's closed too, so I don't know how steadfast the resolution was.
It was doomed, I guess. If it wasn't enough that Belk's nicest women's clothes were right outside its rather aromatic door, the need for space for the now massive ladies shoe department was greater than the need for rice and gravy.
Looking back, I also never realized it was operated by a private lessee until I tried to use my Belk card there and was told I couldn't. Apparently Slug was a massive success in Charlotte, as evidenced by the half dozen restaurants he started.
Are there any cafeterias left in Charlotte other than K&W on Independence?
I like the J & K in Pineville near Carolina Place.
Never heard of it, but I'll try it when I'm in Pineville next time. That and Buca di Beppo! :-)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the J&K close within the last year or so? Or did it just move out of Tower Place Festival?
I love the Barclay cafeteria building that in the recent photo is boarded up and will be demolished. A true modernist gem worth saving.
Pat, until they passed away in 1993, my grandparents ate at the Amity Gardens Barclay's every day. Yes, every day but holidays and when they were out of town! I don't know how long they had been going, but I remember my sister and I went once with them. The interior was just like the outside, 60s modernist that oddly felt cathedral-like.
I worked for "Slug" Claiborne for 6 years in the late 70's and early '80's. I began at the Barclay in Southpark Belk's where I brought the food from the kitchen to the serving line.
Over the next several years, I learned every position in the cafeteria, (and learned to cook very well - as long as it's for a party of 50 or more. I was the assistant manager for about a year at the Amity Gardens location. (Steph - your grandparents weren't the only regulars at Barclay's - both Southpark and Amity Gardens had many regulars whom we saw every day.)
In July of 1981, I was sent across Independence Bld. to learn the ropes at Slug's Rib. I had been there only a few weeks when Slug called me up to his offices in the "Slug's Tower" (formerly Independence Tower) and told me I was moving to Myrtle Beach, where his entire management team had quit and started a new restaurant (Adam's Rib).
The next 3 years were some of my most enjoyable years as Herb Schmidt and I were the assistant managers at the Myrtle Beach Slug's Rib. We watched as Slug opened his 2nd Beach location: Slug's Choice at the Beach. What a lot of fun we had! Herb's dad was the pastry chef at Slug's 30th Edition, and Herb ended up marrying one of the waitresses from the restaurants.
In 1984, I moved back to Charlotte to be the manager of Barclay's Gold Room - the 6th floor cafeteria in the downtown Belk's. I was there for a year, before I relaized that 80 hour weeks were not the norm for most people outside the restaurant business.
I still have fond memories of the Barclay Cafeterias & Slug's Restaurants. I learned much about life and work. Slug Claiborne and his "silent partner" Claude Chappelear were two of the finest men I've ever worked for. I am proud to have known them and worked with and for them.
-Chris Hughes
Arlington TX
chri5@sbcglobal.net
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