A Century of Food on Ghent Road

The spot on Ghent Road in Fairlawn has been a food hub for almost 100 years, switching hands and names more times than most people can count. It started with the Ghent Road Inn in 1930, a roadside stop that offered hearty meals during Prohibition. The first owner promised top‑notch service and a menu of fried fish, roast pork, ham, chicken and even frog legs. A jukebox and live music soon made the place a local gathering spot. The inn faced early trouble: in 1931, a sheriff’s raid seized alcohol bottles, and after Prohibition ended the venue still struggled with police interventions. Ownership changed hands frequently; a fire in 1947 destroyed most of the building, but it was rebuilt and renamed Stefano’s Restaurant before closing in 1955. In 1955, two partners opened The Chanticleer on the same site. They served upscale dishes like lobster and prime rib, but the restaurant endured a robbery by gunmen in September of that year. Despite such incidents, Hollywood stars Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher once dined there, adding a splash of celebrity to its history. The Chanticleer lasted until 1970 when the building was stripped and rebuilt for a new tenant.The next wave of restaurants reflected changing tastes. In 1971, The Grate opened as a sandwich shop and cocktail lounge but closed within a year. In 1972, the Michaels brothers launched Bread ’n Thread, a hybrid eatery and clothing boutique that offered crepes, sandwiches, cheesecake, live music and fashion shows. The concept was short‑lived; by 1973 the space became the Dry Dock, a nautical‑themed restaurant owned by Continental Restaurant Systems. The Dry Dock operated until 1979, after which the location hosted a succession of venues: The Old Dock (1979‑1982), Mountain Jack’s (1982‑1995), Natalie’s (1996‑1997), Gamekeeper’s Taverne (1997‑2000), Winking Lizard (2001‑2013) and Ray’s Place (2014‑2024). Each brought its own flavor, from casual dining to themed atmospheres. Today the building sits empty and available for lease, leaving the future of this storied address open to imagination.