Forum to reopen as Slateman’s Sports Grill

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By Jaime Thomas

Nearly a year after its windows were shuttered, a new owner will be opening The Forum as a new restaurant and bar later this month.

Terry Bourn plans to open Slateman’s Sports Grill as a restaurant and bar, where he will serve lunch and dinner and be open as a bar seven days a week.

Lunch will consist of sandwiches, soup and salad while the dinner menu will offer “basic American fare,” such as steak, chicken and pasta. Additionally, those looking for a late-night snack will be able to order appetizers from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Bourn, who is leasing the property to own, said he got the idea in fall to take over the business and began working on it in the beginning of January. There hasn’t been too much to change, as the restaurant and bar was already in move-in condition.

“It was in very good condition,” Bourn said, adding that he’s just been doing “touchup work.”

Though he hasn’t run his own establishment before, the Granville native worked in restaurants and bars and took restaurant management classes.

He hopes to make the grill into a sports bar and will add TVs in the future, so locals can watch sports there. The building’s two banquet halls will be available for parties and events as well, and Bourn plans to have bands provide entertainment.

He said he was encouraged by the community to restart the local establishment.

“I’ve had a lot of people say the town needs this place,” he said, explaining that it will fill a certain niche in Granville. “It’s a nice gathering place.”

Jenine Macura, president of the Granville Area Chamber of Commerce, said she is glad for the new development.

“I am excited to see what new management can do with such a diverse venue. I believe this will only help to continually improve our business community,” she said.

Bourn said he will initially employ about 10 people and hopes to eventually have more, including people on call for banquets. Tentative hours will be from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and the bar is slated to open by the end of February.