The Greenville location of Ham's Restaurant and Brewhouse, 701 Evans St., closed abruptly on July 4.

Ham's Brewmaster T.L. Adkisson said he was notified the morning of July 4 by company officials that the casual dining restaurant and Greenville's only beer-brewing facility was closing its doors immediately. Other staff members were notified of the restaurant closing as they reported to work.

“There was no warning,” Adkisson said. “The company line was that things were fine all the way up until Sunday morning.

“I feel bad for my fellow employees.”

Adkisson, an award-winning brewmaster, said he plans to move to Winston-Salem to become head brewer at Foothills Brewery.

Ham's is owned and operated by Chelda Inc. of Greensboro. The restaurant was shuttered “due to changing economic factors,” according to an e-mailed press release.

The Greenville Ham's, which opened in the late 1990s in the brick building that formerly housed Wilkerson's Funeral Home, featured the chain's only brewery. The local restaurant, popular with college students and city residents alike, also featured a large bar and patio, with karaoke and live entertainment.

A sign on the window of Ham's front entrance read, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ham's Restaurant and Brewhouse is closing for business. We greatly appreciate your patronage throughout the years. You will be missed.”

At lunchtime July 6, dozens of cars pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant at the corner of Evans and Eighth streets in downtown Greenville. After walking to the front entrance and reading the sign, the potential diners walked back to their vehicles, many of them shaking their heads to express disbelief, before driving away.

Two large rental trucks were positioned at the rear of the restaurant. From time to time, employees could be seen carrying large stock-pots and other kitchen equipment out of the restaurant and onto one of the trucks.

“There were approximately 50 people employed at this location; all were offered transfers to any of the remaining locations,” Ham's Marketing Coordinator Amanda Jones said later. “It is unclear at this time if any have accepted.”

Greensboro businessman Charlie Erwin purchased Ham's in the mid-1980s and expanded to 14 company-owned locations and seven franchised restaurants in North Carolina and Virginia.

Ham's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Oct. 28, 2009. Since then the company has closed five of its restaurants, including the original location that opened in 1935.

Boli's on the Boulevard closes

Ham's wasn't the only venue Greenville lost this summer. Boli's on the Boulevard, a branch from the downtown pizzeria, shut its doors for good on June 27. The building is now up for lease.

Owner John Tesoriero said they opened the location amid bad timing.

“We signed the lease in May and in September everything went into the tank,” Tesoriero said. “I think it will end up being better in the long run. We can now focus on the downtown location.”

City Bistro upgrades

Under new management, the City Bistro underwent some renovations and schedule changes just in time to celebrate the remainder of the summer. Upgrades include a 30-40 person outdoor patio seating, as well as draft beer and granite bar tops.

Nightly events now are: Monday, Jazz night; Tuesday, Country Karaoke with DP Captain Morgan; Wednesday, Open mic night; Thursday, Comedy Zone; Friday-Saturday, live bands; Sunday, Shaggin' on Sunday with a beach DJ.

The City Bistro with hold their Grand Re-Opening on Aug. 7 with live music from Spare Change.

Contact Jane Hudson at jhudson@reflector.com (252) 329-9577.