The Union is coming to former Bella Vino location in Downtown Morganton

The Union, an American grill, is coming to West Union Street in the place of the former Bella Vino restaurant. The soon-to-be owner of the property, Cranford Hospitality, is ready to get to work in order for the new restaurant to open by spring of 2027.

Cranford Hospitality is a family-owned company that operates several restaurants in the Hickory area, from its first brand, Granny’s Country Kitchen, to its latest, City Walk Brewing. The Union will be an American grill offering a robust menu and a full-service bar.

Partner Zack Cranford said The Union is not only named after the street it will sit on, but it will also signify a place for the community to come together.

“We didn’t want to fit something in a box,” Cranford said. “We wanted to create our own new box. The Union is proposed to be an American grill that is crowd pleasing, familiar yet imaginative, and provides value to Morganton.”

Cranford presented a conceptual rendering to the Morganton City Council at its meeting Monday evening, which he said could change as they get further into the design process. He added that the grill will be open at least six days a week, per agreement with the city, and provide lunch and dinner as well as breakfast or brunch on some of those days.

“Guests can expect a blue-plate special during lunch hours and a pasta feature in the evenings, alongside a robust American menu and a full-service bar,” Cranford said.

The city began searching for a new restaurant tenant for the building in the early spring, and although several had been received, the Cranfords’ vision aligned with the city’s goal to create an economic driver in the traffic downtown. The Cranfords requested to purchase the property.

At its September meeting, the city council passed a resolution of intent to declare the property surplus and sell it, which triggered an upset bid process. There was no upset bid, which allowed the city to approve a development agreement with Cranford Hospitality, which outlines the timeline for development as well as the terms and conditions.

The Cranfords will close on the purchase of the property on or before Dec. 31, and then begin renovations of the main floor, mezzanine, bar area, top floor, and covered patio. By Jan. 31, 2026, or within 30 days after the date of the closing, Cranford Hospitality will be required to hire an architect, hire a contractor, have an initial meeting with the City of Morganton Development and Design Services Department, obtain a demolition permit, and start demolition work on the interior of the building.

All demolition work should be substantially completed by Feb. 28, 2026, and the renovations must be substantially completed on or before the end of 2026 for the restaurant to open by March 1, 2027. If the deadlines aren’t met, the city has the authority to repurchase the property for the amount of the purchase price, which is $425,000.

Mother and Father Lisa and Kent Cranford, and their sons Zackary and Tucker, are owners of Cranford Hospitality. They own and operate six brands across eight locations and employ around 150 people in the Hickory Metro area.

They own Charolais Steakhouse, City Walk Brewing, City Walk Distilling, Cranford Brothers BBQ, Granny’s Country Kitchen, Main Chick Jammin’ Biscuits, and Standard Oyster Company.

“No matter the concept, our mission kind of remains the same, which is to create value for our community, our guests, and our team by executing experience-driven hospitality with excellence,” Cranford said. “Our eyes have been set on Morganton for years, but the timing was just never quite right. It’s our belief that all great things come in due time, and now it’s the right time and opportunity for all parties.”