Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Jan. 7, 1988, edition 1 / Page 13
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!» B Section THE CHARLOTTE POST - Thursday, January 7, 1988 Page IB The Excelsior Club New Direction By Loretta Richardson Post Staff Writer Ushering In the new year with a slight shift In direction the Ex celsior Club. Charlotte's first private black social club, re- centty held Its grand opening af ter months of extensive renova tion. Responsible for the club's facelift Is Pete Cunningham, a local businessman and a NC House of Representative. His thrust for the Excelsior, since acquiring the historic landmark In April, has been to maintain the present clientele while Im plementing new programs and promotions that v^l appeal and attract a younger crowd. "The grand opening was fan tastic. The mix was very good," says Cunningham. Seemingly, the $40,000 Invest ed In renovations are already paying off. When the club opened for the weekend, both young and old were on hand to revel In the changes. "The responses have been very complimentary. Patrons have started calling the establish ment, the new club Excelsior," says Cunningham. According to Cunningham, there has been nothing but ap plause for the Interior and ex terior changes that have taken place. Roof repairs, downstairs' restrooms, new sound equip ment, an Increased bar area and mirrors all have served to en hance the club's decor. But physical changes aren't the oiidy kind of changes that Excelsior" members and their guests will be seeing In the near ftiture. E^ch night at the club will of fer a different attraction. One night will showcase local talent. Another night will be set aside for games like bid whist, pi nochle and backgammon. Still another night will be reserved for Joggers exercising by danc ing In the comfort of their sweatsuits. Late Friday and Saturday nights will feature breakfast at the Excelsior and each Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. there's all the fish you can eat for $3. Beginning In February, a monthly calendar will be pub lished and later on In the spring, more live performances can b« expected. Cunningham advises that people Interested In joining the club be aware of the state law that requires a three day waiting period for granting new mem berships. "If there Is a special event someone Is awaiting before they join the club, then he or slie needs to apply for membership prior to that event," Cunning ham says. As the new owner of Char lotte's oldest black club, Cun ningham Is keenly aware of the rich heritage and tradition of the establishment. He says that It Is the club's new focus that will help preserve that tradition. "We (staft) want to maintain the tradition the club has earned through the years and the way to do that Is to bring In new blood," says Cuimlngham. Cunningham Is not concerned that the new breed of people the Excelsior attracts ranks in a certain Income bracket. "It's much more Important that they have the right attitude," says Cimnlngham. That attitude Is the desire to party In a hassle-free and safe envlrortment. Cunningham's purchase of the Excelsior came as a result of buying out Ken Koontz and set tling a ftnanclal obligation with Phil Hatchett. Both Hatchett and Koontz had purchased the Excelsior from Jimmie McKee, the original owner in 1984. Jimmie McKee began the Ex celsior Club In 1944 with the Idea of nUlng a void In the black community. McKee who had served at par ties and tended bar at the city's country club realized that the need for such a club was Impor tant to the black community. The seven room two story house that McKee purchased in 1944 was remodeled and opened with a small bar and seating capacity for 75. Throughout the years, though, the nature of the Excelsior Club was to change. The club's exclu sive membership of doctors, lawyers, educators and busi nessmen made It Ideal for the cultivation of local and state wide politics. The club also be came the home for a number of By C«)vtn Fcrguaon bridge, social, civic, fraternity and sorority -organizations. ' Even celebrities like Nat King Cole graced its confines. Over 40 years later, the Excel sior and what It has represented remains unblemished. Its pre stige and status remain Intact. Only today, under Cunning-. ham's direction more enjoy It. Old, New Tradition New Year’s Revelers Party Hardy!! Happy New Jear I /© 6^ ra Charlotte's First Nite extravagnaza drew tens of thousands Charlotteans i^TCTTTnn&ssr ^.v Sm FbolobyGBM&FcnKiMon' THE FRIENDS OF THE ARTS threw quite a party in the Johnson C. Smith Student Union. Revelers incltuled Q-r) Mrs. Hester John son, Joe Graham, the New Tear's Baby, and Nancy Stroud. Hw4o by CdvtnFcnfiwoB They boogied right into the New Tear at the Friends Of The Arts New Tear pcuty.
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Jan. 7, 1988, edition 1
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