Building permit issued for interior of new Hamock’s eatery
These doors will soon open to a new dining experience in downtown Clinton, as Hamock’s Restaurant has begun work on the interior of the former Real Dry Cleaners building at 425 Eagle Bend Road, and could be ready before Christmas, Jason Hamock says. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
Jason and Danielle Hamock, son and daughter-in-law of Darlene Hamock, owner of the former Hamock’s Perkadeli restaurant in Clinton, plan to open their new restaurant within the next few weeks – possibly even before Christmas, Jason Hamock said Monday.
“We got our permit, and we’re finishing up our plumbing, waiting for the grease trap to come in, getting ready to do the electrical work, and our equipment’s been ordered,” he said.
“We’re rolling as fast as we can,” he added. “Now it’s a waiting game. We’re hoping to be open before Christmas, but January the latest; we are pushing hard.”
For the past several weeks, the Hamocks have been running a takeout-only version of their business from the rear of the new Onyx and Pearl boutique at 364 Market Street, accessed off Freddy Fagan Way.
Hamock said his wife, Danielle, has been working “16 to 18 hours a day” with that endeavor.
Menus and hours of operation are available on the Hamock’s Facebook page.
Food is available for pickup Tuesdays through Saturdays for now.
“We had to get something going,” he said.
The building permit, issued by the city on Oct. 24, calls for a $175,000 interior renovation of 2,130 square feet. Contractor for the project is listed as Core Group.
New windows and doors have already been installed on the exterior of the building.
The Hamocks originally intended to have the new restaurant open by October, but hit some snags along the way, Jason Hamock said.
“Our menu will be quite a bit broader than what Mom was able to do [in the Hamock’s Perkadeli location],” he said.
“We also plan to stay open later in the evening. We will see what the business will support.”
He said that besides ample indoor seating, there will be a large rear patio for outdoor dining.
“We’re still working on the parking,” he said. “I will have to apply for a variance.”
Clinton real estate developers Ken and Jamie White of WB Realty bought the former Real Dry Cleaners building in February, along with the small Lirio Chocolate factory building next door at 419 Eagle Bend, along the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks.
The Lirio Chocolate building was razed in mid-April, and Jamie White said that property will remain clear for use as a parking lot and the picnic patio for Hamock’s Restaurant.
Those are among several buildings downtown that the Whites have bought over the past year-and-a-half that they are redeveloping into new businesses.
Hamock’s Perkadeli, which was at 321 S. Charles G. Seivers Blvd., had been in business for 23 years when it closed about two years ago. Darlene Hamock said at the time that she was quitting the restaurant business for health reasons.
The restaurant specialized in Hamock’s locally famous chicken salad and bakery creations – including hand-designed special-occasion cakes.
She has continued making the chicken salad and cakes on a part-time basis since she closed the restaurant, marketing them mostly through Facebook.
Jason Hamock said the chicken salad and cakes will be offered at the new restaurant, too.
“It will be a full restaurant with a deli feel, like a McAlister’s, but with newer flavors and vibes” he said earlier.
“We will have sandwiches, soup, salads and coffees.”