Natalie's in Worthington to close; Grandview venue expanding
As Natalie’s Live Music & Kitchen near Grandview Heights prepares to expand, Natalie’s Coal-Fired Pizza and Live Music in Worthington is closing up shop.
The longtime music venue and restaurant at 5601 North High St. in Worthington has been put on the market. According to bizbuysell.com, the business is for sale for $219,000; the price also includes The Light of Seven Matchsticks, a basement cocktail lounge beneath Natalie’s. Jackson is selling the businesses, and not the physical property.
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In an interview with The Dispatch on Monday, Charlie Jackson, the co-owner of all three businesses, said that the decision to sell Natalie’s in Worthington, which opened in 2012, was made in order to dedicate resources to the larger Natalie’s near Grandview Heights, which opened in December 2019. Over its 11-year existence, Natalie’s in Worthington hosted numerous popular artists and acts, including Lake Street Dive, Chuck Prophet, Huntertones, Teeny Tucker, Ruthie Foster, Chris Smither and Wanda Jackson.
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“We’ve really outgrown the space,” said Jackson of the original location, noting that the Worthington venue is 2,400 square feet upstairs and 1,000 square feet downstairs. The Grandview venue is 9,200 square feet.
“That was one of the reasons that, when we had an opportunity to expand into Grandview, that seemed more of what we originally were looking for — a larger kitchen, a larger space for what we do,” Jackson said.
When will Natalie's Coal-Fired Pizza and Live Music close? What about The Light of Seven Matchsticks?
The Light of Seven Matchsticks will cease operations on Sept. 18. Natalie’s in Worthington does not yet have a closing date; the last performance now scheduled is Sept. 28.
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“We’re just trying to keep that going while we’re evaluating some of the offers we’ve received,” Jackson said.
Natalie’s near Grandview Heights set to expand
Meanwhile, Natalie’s near Grandview Heights is set to grow larger. This winter, that venue will make use of a previously unutilized portion of its existing square footage that will allow seating for an additional 60 to 70 people, Jackson said.
“We’re excited for that,” he said. “(There is) a lot of energy and effort is being put into that.”
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Given their intention to focus on the Grandview location, Jackson and his daughter (and venue namesake) Natalie decided to close the Worthington location.
“We felt like we’ll do a better job in one physical location, doing what we do, with these expansions,” Jackson said.
Natalie's co-owner: 'The Worthington neighborhood has been wonderful to us'
Jackson hopes to find a buyer that will continue offering food and entertainment to the Worthington area.
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“The Worthington neighborhood has been wonderful to us,” Jackson said. “It’s never an easy decision when you have a place that was where you got started and everyone has been so supportive.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Natalie's Coal-Fired Pizza venue in Worthington to close
