New Restaurant to Open By End of November

Old Carolina Barbecue is planning to open for busness the last week of November, company officials said.

Ray Hull, general manager of the Strongsville store, said he believes renovation of the space -- part of the former Bally's building at 14783 Pearl Road -- will be done before Dec. 1.

"We want to get the holiday traffic," Hull said. "We'll be open in time to sell gift cards for the holidays."

It will be the seventh Old Carolina location and the second in Cuyahoga County, following the opening of a store in Legacy Village in May.

The store is now accepting applications online at jobsbbq.com.

Old Carolina has "barbecue inspired by the Carolinas," its website says. It offers dine-in and take-out, with a menu that includes ribs, chicken, sandwiches and salads, as well as baked beans, slaw, french fries and other sides.

It will take over about 3,820 square feet of the first floor of the old Bally's building, below Elevated Fitness.

It's not the restaurant's first foray into Strongsville. Old Carolina has been an award-winning part of the Strongsville Rib Burnoff, and for the last three years, it has won the People's Choice Award for best ribs.

At the Strongsville Business Expo at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center last week, crowds stood in like to sample a sandwich with their choice of four sauces.

The business is owned by high school buddies Brian Bailey and Tim Hug of Canton, who launched their first restaurant in Massillon in May 2006. They have since opened stores in Stow, Fairlawn and two in Canton, plus the Lyndhurst location that opened May 21.