Old Carolina Barbecue Plans OK'd

Old Carolina Barbecue has gotten the go-ahead to turn part of the former Bally's building on Pearl Road into a sit-down restaurant.

The new eatery should be open in about 120 days, said real estate agent Steve Eisenberg.

"We hope to be open by fall," Eisenberg said.

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.

It will take over about 3,820 square feet of the first floor at 14783 Pearl Rd., below .

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

The city Planning Commission last week approved site plans for the restaurant, as well as a conditional use permit to operate in an area zoned General Business, and a parking variance.

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.

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.

It's not the first restaurant that eyed Pearl Road site. Last June,  on the first floor of the buidling, but could not provide nearly enough parking spaces that Strongsville's code requires.

Because Old Carolina's restaurant will be smaller, it will not require as many parking spots. The Planning Commission allowed the restaurant to operate with 345 parking spaces -- 148 fewer than the city's code allows.