For more than 70 years, GRAYS Drug Store bustled with employees and customers filling their pharmaceutical needs—or locals popping in to get a piece of daily gossip. This month, the iconic neon sign will light up once again with memories, both new and old. Only this time, the building will come alive with community members visiting a new culinary and entertainment destination in downtown Franklin.
Set in a ca. 1876, GRAYS on Main Owners Michael and Joni Cole have spent more than a year renovating the centuries-old building that sat vacant for a decade. Last week, the Coles received approval from the City of Franklin’s aldermen to close Main Street one Sunday evening in July to hold their grand opening.
This week, the three-story restaurant will hold a two-day job fair to fill nearly 50 staff positions for its pending opening. The interviews will be hosted at GRAYS 332 Main Street location on Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Available positions include bartenders, servers, hosts, line cooks, bussers, food runners and dishwashers.
“We established early on that our focus at GRAYS would be investing into the community. Through this process, we have been overwhelmed by the local support, which just reaffirms our wish to build a name through a family-like atmosphere,” Michael Cole said. “We’ll be looking for personalities to fit the heart of that vision.”
GRAYS is wrapping up its final stages of construction. Above the expansive first-floor dining room and kitchen, the second-floor bar and music hall will feature hand-crafted cocktails that celebrate the brandy culture of the late 19th century, along with live performances. The third floor will include a members-only club that overlooks the performance stage.
Several of GRAYS key staffers are already in place. In March, the management team announced that two head culinary members—Executive Chef Kenneth Jenkins and Mixologist Jon Yeager—came on board. The Coles said the pair brings a specific focus to the creation of a menu that will celebrate the best of the South in food and drink.
“We’re proud of the offerings that Kenny and Jon have crafted over the past few months. Both have taken traditional, Southern-inspired dishes and concoctions, and elevated them to reflect GRAYS heritage,” Michael said. “We told them we want to honor the local culture’s heritage through our spirits, flavors and sounds. And I think they’ve done that.”
“Through this job fair, we’re hoping to find employees to reflect and respect the passion that was put into our menu.”
Restaurant experience is required, and interested parties may fill out an application on site, July 9 and 10. A copy of a photo I.D. is requested, and resumes are welcome.
For updates about its progress and more information on the restaurant, visit GRAYS Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/graysfranklin.
About GRAYS on Main
Set in a ca. 1876, three-story building in Historic Downtown Franklin, GRAYS has long been an established landmark on one of the country’s most celebrated Main Streets.
Eclectic, yet traditional, GRAYS menu reflects the best of the South in food, and focuses on locally sourced ingredients. The second floor bar and music hall features handcrafted cocktails that celebrate the brandy culture of the late 19th century, along with live performances from the best Music City has to offer. The third story holds a casual yet elegant space for our supper club members.
At the core of GRAYS mission lies a desire to honor the heritage of Tennessee’s culture, through its spirits, flavors and sounds.