The Spaghetti Warehouse opened in late January 1991 in the former Nebel Knitting Co. mill. It was located between the Dilworth and Wilmore neighborhoods on Worthington Ave (a block and a half from the South Blvd-East Blvd intersection). It's interior design was eclectic at best. From the streetcar dining room (the Charlotte's car was an original from Connecticut) to the stagecoach dining section, the Spaghetti Warehouse offered something completely different decor-wise for the Charlotte area. It's walls were adorned with everything from barber-poles, gas company logos, and other vintage advertising memorabilia.
Interesting was the arrival of the Old Spaghetti Factory to Charlotte at about the same time (plans were originally to open in January as well, but it got pushed back to a Spring 1991 opening). Based on the same concept (over the top interiors/an impressive long list of marginal spaghetti dishes), the Old Spaghetti Factory opened on the other side of Dilworth on Morehead St in the former Cavalaris Skating Rink. One newspaper article at the time talked of the forth coming "Spaghetti Wars".
The Spaghetti Warehouse would run for eleven years, closing on February 4, 2002. Along the way, it would have a slight name change to The Spaghetti Warehouse Italian Grill in the Summer of 1997 (an effort by the chain to expand and promote non-spaghetti menu offerings).
Though the Spaghetti Warehouse was a part of a corporate chain, its importance to Charlotte at the time can not be understated. It was one of the first participants in the South End redevelopment wave. At the time, the South Blvd corridor was in a state of disarray. Lined with empty buildings and a fringe atmosphere, South End was a depressed area that was avoided by most. The opening of the Spaghetti Warehouse not only signaled a change was underway, but also helped trigger the boom that was to recharge South Blvd.
Excellent post. Great Americana history.Fun.
ReplyDeleteMy family used to eat here in the early '90s before we moved to Louisiana - great memories!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading there in like 91 or 92 when I was little, I remember reading in the street cat and I thought it was awesome!! I ate they a couple of times after we got out of church from First Christian Church!!
ReplyDeletePLEASE COME BACK TO CHARLOTTE!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI talk about the place all the time many ppl dnt kno what i am talkin about.. I was very young going there in the mid 90's. Would have been nice to take my kids there now as a history lesson but its gone.. Ive always wondered what happen to the resturant.
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