By Aine Norris
Carena’s Jamaican Grille has re-opened its doors, reviving one of the most popular destination restaurants on Midlothian Turnpike. As its corridor of Midlothian continues to develop and undergo construction, Carena’s Jamaican Grille has completed construction after an aggressive pace to relaunch following a six-month hiatus.
In the true spirit of a food-loving city, fans of Carena’s have stayed hooked on its cuisine in the interim by frequenting Carena’s Food Truck at the Spring Rock Shopping Center. “As the saying goes ‘necessity is the mother of invention.’ I never thought I would ever own a food truck but our customers demanded it,” says Carena Ives, owner of Carena’s.
“The response has been tremendous. It’s been a great vehicle – no pun intended – to showcase some of our menu favorites and test new dishes.”
Although closing temporarily is not ideal for a successful business, Ives accepted the opportunity to freshen the restaurant’s look and tweak the menu. Renovations also provide Carena’s Jamaican Grille with a bigger bar and patio while maintaining the laid-back vibe frequently praised by regular customers.
Most importantly, the renovation allowed the restaurant to get a makeover and detox from any hazardous elements in the building. Many restaurants do not understand the importance o renovation, unlike Carena’s Jamaican Grille. However, it is imperative that all restaurant owners understand the importance of a long-due remodel or renovation. For instance, if a restaurant building has asbestos elements in any part of its space, then it is prudent for the owners to opt for asbestos removal or at the least, asbestos abatement provided by firms like iSi (who are known to offer asbestos abatement in Atlanta and similar locations). Exposure to asbestos over many years can cause Asbestosis, which is a serious scarring condition of the lung. In severe cases, this condition can also cause progressive shortness of breath and death. That is why owners should consider opting for a renovation. Similarly, air quality should be a major factor while renovating. Repairing the cooling and heating systems, the air inlet and outlet ducts, etc should be a priority. That said, hiring an experienced HVAC contractor from a commercial heating and cooling North Carolina company or a similar firm nearby can be important. This can ensure that the repair and renovation go perfectly. Thankfully, people like Ives seem to have understood the value of the renovation and are ready to embrace it with wide arms. But at the same time, Ives is careful not to overdo the renovation!
“Our customers loved the ambiance and neighborhood feel of the old Carena’s and that will not change,” notes Ives. “We are looking forward to offering the same value and outstanding service to our customers in a re-energized space.”
“Our customers loved the ambiance and neighborhood feel of the old Carena’s and that will not change,” notes Ives. “We are looking forward to offering the same value and outstanding service to our customers in a re-energized space.”
Midlothian, specifically the area near Cloverleaf Mall, is under extreme redevelopment and renovation – multiple businesses have moved into the area, and existing spots, like Carena’s, have taken the opportunity to rebuild, revitalize, and renovate. With the renovations, there will need to be quite a bit of work requested not just on the inside but the outside too so that everything looks great for the big opening. From newly designed windows to Mastershield gutter guards so the rain doesn’t pour onto the outside diners, there is a lot that will need to be done. Business owners look to their future along the corridor with optimism and enthusiasm, energized by the possibility of new customers and audiences.
The new space for Carena’s will have a similar look to the previous, a look re-created by the original designer Helen Reed. Many fans have inquired about the original artwork by Happy The Artist in the old space. Ives knew this artwork was part of what defined the look of her previous establishment and commissioned the artist to add special touches to the new Carena’s.
“This absence has reconfirmed my commitment to Carena’s. The hiatus has given me a moment to truly reflect on my business and all the good things my dedicated staff and I have accomplished so far,” says Ives. “My plan moving forward is to continue building on those past accomplishments and raise the business to a new level.”