Gary Brackett bringing Georgia Reese's Downtown
The 14 E. Washington St. address Brackett nabbed stands next door to Red's Classic Barber Shop Co.
When retired Colts linebacker Gary Brackett opened Georgia Reese's supper club in early September, he said, "Eventually, I hope to have multiple restaurants."
Brackett scored that dream Wednesday when he signed a lease on the Downtown spot that will host Georgia Reese's second location, set to open in spring 2015.
Additionally, Brackett said he has become the sole owner of the Indy area's six Stacked Pickle sports bars. He plans to expand the brand into Southport, Westfield, Plainfield and West Lafayette.
The 14 E. Washington St. address Brackett nabbed stands next door to Red's Classic Barber Shop Co. The 5,700-square-foot space is on the bottom floors of the McOuat Building, constructed in 1901 and renovated in 2010.
Redevelopers had a restaurant in mind for the ground floor, which will seat about 100 Georgia Reese's diners at tables and a bar. Brackett plans private dining for up to 80 guests in the basement.
"The space really screams Georgia Reese's," Brackett said. The exterior's restored cast iron façade and the interior's exposed brick reflect Georgia Reese's blend of homespun and ornate design.
Décor in the Downtown restaurant will mimic the open floor plan at the original Georgia Reese's, 3454 W. 86th St., in Pyramid Place Shoppes, Brackett said. There, low ceilings, vanilla walls and close-set tables speak to family dining as much as supper club revelry. Diners openly socialize over Southern-leaning comfort food, staff is friendly and tables are pushed aside when weekend musicians take the stage.
Georgia Resse's Downtown will serve the same menu as the 86th Street store, plus quick-service lunch items that allow workers to get in and out in an hour, Brackett said.
While Downtown may seem saturated with restaurants, Brackett thinks Georgia Reese's fills a niche by providing a mature dining/live entertainment experience that appeals the neighbor's broad demographic of singles, families, tourists, professionals and game-day party seekers.
"Our goal was always to get Downtown," Brackett said.
"We're not another steakhouse. We're a different flair for Downtown."
Brackett intends more Georgia Reese's. Requests have come from Michigan, Louisville, and other cities, but Brackett said he'll wait until 2016 to expand that brand.
As for Stacked Pickle, Brackett said he bought out his partner, Chris Long, in the venture. Brackett had owned two of the six Stacked Pickle units. Locations are in Carmel, West Carmel, IUPUI, Greenwood, Fishers and on Indy's 96th Street.
Other than growth, Brackett has no major changes in mind for Stacked Pickle, known for its burgers and fried pickles. He said he'll freshen up decor and perhaps add a few new menu selections.
Call Liz Biro at (317) 444-6264. Follow her onTwitter @lizbiro,Instagram @lizbirodish and Facebook. Email her at liz.biro@indystar.com.