Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

July 31, 2008 issue


The Library Restaurant & Bar Reopening Soon Under New Ownership

Story by David Brewer

After being forced to close its doors suddenly by a court order last January, The Library Grille & Bar, located on Highway 321 in Boone, will reopen under new ownership and management within the next month. The restaurant will have a soft opening in the coming weeks and its grand opening the weekend of Friday and Saturday, August 29 and 30.

New owners Dean Murphy and John Nguyen are currently busy filling the restaurant with new fixtures, appliances, games and décor, as well as hiring a stable of chefs, servers, bartenders and doormen to staff the revamped establishment.

Moving to the High Country just over a month ago with his family from Scotland County, N.C., Murphy said that members of his family have been involved in the restaurant and club business for more than 40 years. When Nguyen, a longtime friend and associate contacted him regarding The Library, Murphy jumped at the chance.

“What we want is to have a nice atmosphere where people and come and sit down and have a good time, eat, drink, stay out of the heat and come in from the cold,” said Murphy.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, Murphy and Nguyen will stick relatively closely to the format of the restaurant’s previous incarnation. The Library’s walls will feature multiple high-definition TVs for sports fans and Murphy noted that the restaurant will offer NFL Sunday Ticket and College football packages. The restaurant and bar will sport a pair of new pool tables inside, as well as several video games.

While The Library will have several tables and stools inside the bar, its primary seating area will be located on the deck and patio. Murphy said the staff is currently in the midst of revamping the menu, noting that the new chefs will focus on the quality of fewer items rather than having larger selection.

Lovers of live music and dancing will also be in luck, as Murphy and Nguyen plan to revamp The Library’s nighttime entertainment with regular live performances by bands and DJs. Murphy also noted that The Library’s controversial schoolgirl uniforms for female employees will be also be back, but with longer skirts and tucked in shirts.

“We want to be more classy,” said Murphy.