Ruby Sunshine, a NOLA-inspired all-day breakfast joint, will be joining Lost & Found, a yet-to-be-named South End social house and Michael Shortino’s pizza joint at 322 W. Bland St., across from Seoul Food in South End. Look for a late 2019, early 2020 opening.
“We’re looking forward to introducing the Charlotte community to Ruby Sunshine and the New Orleans flair that our restaurants are famous for,” owner Jennifer Weishaupt told the Agenda. “Charlotte is known for its thriving and eclectic culinary scene, and we could not be more excited to be a part of it.”
The restaurant, which will be the first Ruby Sunshine location to open in North Carolina, is the latest concept from the Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group — the collective behind the acclaimed New Orleans-based eatery Ruby Slipper Café.
“We are excited that Ruby Sunshine will be joining the Tenant Mix at 332 West Bland to provide brunch throughout the week to South End residents and office tenants,” Brooks Whiteside of Whiteside Properties told the Agenda. “When Magnus Capital Partners designed the adaptive reuse of 332 West Bland which is a former City Bus Maintenance Facility, we intended to create a hub of activity within the Gold District of South End open 18 hours a day. Retailers have fully embraced the walkability of this neighborhood, and we are excited to see the Gold District continue to provide retail to support higher density MF and office projects in greater South End. ”
Background: In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Jennifer and Erich Weishaupt took a dilapidated corner store and turned it into a restaurant. The idea was to give hope to the community and a cozy place to come back and eat in New Orleans. Eleven years later the restaurant is still going strong, has expanded to numerous cities, and is now coming to Charlotte. Both Ruby Slipper Café and Ruby Sunshine restaurants remain owned and operated by the original founders.
Design: The historic building being redeveloped by Whiteside Properties will allow seating for 187 guests both indoor and on a patio.
Menu: The menu will be similar to the Ruby Slipper Café with fresh and local ingredients.
Expect staples like BBQ Shrimp & Grits, Eggs Cochon Benedict and Bananas Foster Pain Perdu. Don’t sleep on the cocktails either, like the featured Brandy Milk Punch and Morning Margarita, as well as mimosas and bloody marys.
Location: 332 W. Bland St.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
