New restaurant, The Union, moves forward in former Bella Vino building in Morganton

Demolition is complete and construction permits are in hand as Cranford Hospitality moves forward with plans to open The Union, a new American grill in downtown Morganton.

The restaurant, in the former Bella Vino building at 112 W. Union St., is the Cranford family’s first business in Morganton. The family is known for their brands throughout the Hickory Metro, from the classic Granny’s Country Kitchen to the Standard Oyster Company.

Contractors have removed the downstairs lunch counter, gutted the kitchen’s sagging floors, and demolished the bar top upstairs. Behind it, they uncovered a rare glass brick bar feature that the Cranfords had planned to incorporate in their original designs.

The Union will be Cranford Hospitality’s ninth project, Zack Cranford said. The company specializes in repurposing existing buildings to create new spaces for the communities they serve.

“All our concepts are different. A lot of companies will get a concept and put it in a box,” Zack said. “We let the building kind of speak to us, the flow, and then also we look at what’s missing and what the gaps are in the marketplace because ultimately we want something that’s going to have a lasting impact.”

Creating different brands and concepts also gives the company the opportunity to grow locally instead of having to spread out with one concept, Tucker Cranford said. Involved in the project are Architect Stan Winstead, General Contractor Jarred Thomas Co., Interior Designer Karen Stinson, and Graphic Designer Matt Everly.

Cranford Hospitality purchased the building for $425,000 from the City of Morganton at the end of December 2025, with conditions outlined in a development agreement. Demolition work, which had to be completed by Saturday, Feb. 28, was completed earlier this week, according to Zack Cranford.

The company received permits from the city to start construction. Under the development agreement, construction must be substantially complete by the end of 2026, allowing the restaurant to open by March 1, 2027. He said the Cranford Hospitality team is working through their budget with their general contractor and that crews expect to begin major construction work within 60 to 90 days.

“The good news is there’s a lot of existing infrastructure here, so we’re not having to put a new water tap or sewer tap in, but we are going to have to cut the floor up, get things exactly where we want them,” Zack Cranford said.

“The messy, dusty phase comes first,” Cranford said. “Once we get through that, we can start making it look pretty and move into the finishing touches.”

Meanwhile, the Cranfords have been working through weekly tastings with their culinary team to get the menu squared away. The family has also been getting involved in events throughout the Morganton community. From catering food for an Elected Officials Recognition Reception at CoMMA to entering the ACC Chili Cook Off’s commercial division, the Cranfords said it’s important to them to be involved in the community where they grew up.

“We want to be a part of the community, not just a business in the community,” Kent Cranford said, adding that the project will not only bring new life to a prominent vacant storefront, but will also bring in about 30 new jobs.

While an exact opening date hasn’t been announced, Zack Cranford said the team is ahead of schedule and eager to bring the new concept to downtown Morganton.