Legacy Blues

Fayetteville’s Legacy Building, in the heart of Dickson Street, has endured its share of the blues.

Whispers has learned some positive notes, however, recently have been struck regarding the oft-troubled property. Retired sales executive Jim Lefler is among a group that plans to open Legacy Blues Club in a roughly 5,000-SF space on the ground floor of the Legacy Building.

The bar/restaurant will feature “high-quality heritage jazz and blues music,” according to Lefler, an accomplished musician in his own right. The idea is to have jazz acts play during dining hours – until 9:30 p.m. or so – then shift to the kinds of “electric blues” associated with cities like Memphis, New Orleans and Chicago.

Lineups will consist of local talent, as well as regional and national acts as they are available. A soft opening tentatively has been planned for the week of Labor Day.

Lefler said the build-out is “close to 90 percent” done. He also deemed the space “shockingly beautiful … probably the nicest, newest place in the entire district.”

That said, Lefler insisted he wants the club’s “classic American” menu to complement what already is offered up and down Dickson Street. He described the desired atmosphere as “upscale, but with a warm, fun feeling.”

Sounds good to us.