Updike: This is a ‘golden opportunity’ to grow

By Dave Vieser. Restaurateur Alton Updike, the owner of Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails in Cornelius,  is taking his skills to the old Block & Grinder space in LangTree ​Lake Norman. The new 6,000 square foot eatery, called Table 31, will open early next year.

Updike views this as a golden opportunity to grow, while at the same time maintaining Alton’s reputation in Cornelius. “The way Mooresville is growing, especially the Exit 31 area, we felt there was a real need for a high​-quality independent, casual American restaurant.” In February, Alton’s will hit the eight-year mark in a challenging environment: The restaurant is tucked in the back of a shopping center anchored by a Harris Teeter.

Updike, who owns Alton’s with his wife Heather, signed a 10-year lease on the LangTree site Oct. 31. They expect to spend the next two months renovating the interior. “We’re looking to establish an eatery with a warmer feel and colors than what was there previously,” he said.

They will offer a similar menu and price range as Alton’s. A good staff is part of the recipe for success in this business. “Staffing is always a major challenge so we expect to use the expertise of our current staff at Alton’s to show them the way,” Updike said.

Alton’s currently employs between 35 and 40 workers, and Updike anticipates a similar size staff at Table 31.

This is the second Cornelius-based​ ​restaurant to take over a Block &​ Grinder. Several months ago, Mel Funk and partners at Fresh Chef took over the Cotswold location in Charlotte​. That location was 2,600 square feet.