Photo by Sefton Ipock
Sabra and Bill Nickas laugh with Cobb and Denise Oxford (left to right) after the Oxfords purchased the Sullivan's building in downtown Anderson. The purchase will allow the Nickases to reopen Sullivan's Metropolitan Grill.
Back to business
Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill is set to reopen at 11 a.m. Nov. 11.
The new hours will be: lunch — Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.; dinner — Tuesday through Saturday, 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
ANDERSON — Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill will reopen Nov. 11, two months after the restaurant’s owner thought he was shuttering the place for good.
A mainstay of downtown Anderson, the restaurant has been revived by Denise and Cobb Oxford, two of the newer faces in investment and business in the city’s central business district. The Oxfords and the restaurant’s owners, Bill and Sabra Nickas, made the news public today.
Both couples answered questions about the business deal this afternoon as soon as they finished signing the legal agreements.
The Oxfords and Cindy Whitfield own the Burgundy Blues Jazz Club, which they opened a year ago.
Now they have purchased the restaurant building and will lease out the space for Sullivan’s as well as the three other tenants: eCity Java, Cahaly’s Custom Clothing and Community Connect.
“Whenever you’ve worked so hard for something, to see it slip through your fingers — that’s tough,” Sabra Nickas said.
Bill Nickas added, “So this is awesome.”
In September, Bill Nickas announced that he was closing the award-winning restaurant after more than a decade in downtown Anderson. He cited a tough economy and increased competition downtown as the reasons he needed to close.
Then he said was hoping to find someone who could buy the building that houses the restaurant, helping relieve him of the mortgage that he took on four years ago. According to county property records, the Nickases purchased the Sullivan’s building in 2005 for $770,000.
With the restaurant’s reopening, Bill Nickas will be able to put about 30 people, many of his old staff, back to work, he said. The restaurant’s name will remain the same, and for a while the menu will go unchanged. However, at the first of the year, Nickas plans to make some changes to it, he said.
One of the biggest changes: He will be back in the kitchen as the head chef.
“With all of this, we’ve done some soul-searching,” he said. “We realized that when we were most successful, Sabra was making desserts and I was working in the kitchen — doing what I love. So we want to do that again.”
Neither couple disclosed the purchase price for the building.
The Oxfords said they were like many others when they heard of the restaurant’s closing. They were sad and wished they had patronized the business more often, fighting to keep it here.
They also thought about what the closing of Sullivan’s would mean to the whole of downtown — including their own business.
“We are committed to downtown Anderson,” Cobb Oxford said. “And this will be a good fit.”
Denise Oxford said she believes the two businesses, the blues club and the restaurant, can complement each other.
“We look forward to doing some fun things together,” she said.
County Council Court Hearings
Free breakfast on St. Patrick's Day 
Hearing held for Montepara suit
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 41
jenkins writes:
Great news!!!!
billythekid writes:
I just hope they were able to read the comments in the last article concerning their closing. If they are not willing have some "attitude adjustments" and price adjustments, then why even open back up.
StupidShouldHurtMore writes:
billy,
Not every place can or needs to be a "meat-and-three," nor priced like a "meat-and-three."
There is nothing wrong with paying good money for a good meal, be it an outstanding steak or ahi tuna.
Mmmm ... ahi tuna with a side of bok choy.
- SSHM
1catlover writes:
While a meat & 3 is certainly NOT what we need another one of, it WOULD be nice to have affordable dining located close by.
In this economy, spending a "C" note for dinner just isn't feasable or prudent.
I wish them well in their rise from the ashes!
tclark4#261165 writes:
Some of us can afford a c note for a good meal, welcome back. Be there soon
nomadron writes:
If it did not work before, why will it work now?
jbm29621 writes:
To paraphrase a famous quote- Those who do not learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them!
AJ_Tazz writes:
Oh boy, here we go with all the negativity again. Think about the fact that he was in business for 10 years and just purchased the building 4 years ago. With the added mortgage of $770K plus a bad economy, its not hard to see what the problem was. The food is great, the service is friendly and the atmosphere is cozy. Its pretty simple, if you dont like it, then go get your meat and three or just stay home!
JAFO writes:
It worked for 10 years because there was nothing else around. The food was avereage at best, the service was usually rude or indifferent, and the atmosphere was like eating in a loud museum. I agree with the others, lets hope he learned from his mistakes
waiting writes:
There's certainly nothing wrong with paying a good price for a good meal, but the problem Sullivan's had was having enough repeat business. I enjoy a good meal and enjoyed Sullivan's, but I did so rarely, even in the good times. My 2-3 times a year were great, but to maintain a customer base, they need affordable meals.
Wish I could spend $100 per couple for a meal each weekend, but I would rather spread that C note out over 2 or 3 nights. Most folks would!
billythekid writes:
Nowhere in my post did I mention a meat and three. I have no problem paying good money for good food but in all honesty, my last trip was less than pleasurable at Sullivan's. The "outstanding" steak I got was cold and over cooked, the server was rude when I asked to take it back. If I am going to pay the money I pay at Sullivan's, then I expect my food and my service to be complimentary to the price. I don't need to be made to feel its "my privilege" to be at their establishment and that is the attitude that is displayed by some staff there. So, I don't really care how long they were in business...they were never much to brag about to begin with.
I am all for them re-opening but something needs to change or there will be another article in a few months about them closing again. At some point you have to start looking at WHY people are not eating there and its not always about the economy.
brandnew writes:
i cannot imagine them keeping the same waiter-the blonde guy who was so rude to my host last time we were there-our dinner was well over $100 for the 3 of us, he was ugly, so he didnt get a tip-tipping is not a problem for us, but we will not accept rude behavior from anyone
ladywithpride#217427 writes:
I agree Billy the staff there was degrading. I went once about a year ago cost way too much for lunch for two! We got awful service for it to be a fancy place to eat and too think I took my brother there from G.B. WI. Who by the way said he never wanted to go back when in town. The cooks couldn't read or the waitresses or waiter could not write orders right!! So think before you keep the whole STAFF!!
melissaw writes:
I loved Sullivan's for lunch -- for dinner, I didn't much like the menu (and I'm not talking about the price point). I thought it was very heavy. Not everyone likes lamb. Offer some of your lunch alternatives for dinner, such as the sirloin sandwhich with pasta salad. Add a salad and increase the price point for dinner if you want. (I LOVE that pasta salad, but you couldn't get it for dinner) I'nm glad you are reopening and wish you luck.
jenkins writes:
Such negativity!
bigruss126 writes:
Some people just don't understand fine dining. So what if a meal costs $100...its not a chain and its locally owned! Go to the Olive Garden or Outback if you want to eat the same bland tasting food. Sullivan's did win an excellence award from Wine Spectator, which is not too shabby.
nomadron writes:
bigruss126 said: "Some people just don't understand fine dining. So what if a meal costs $100...its not a chain and its locally owned!"
That is true. But most people understand value and quality. Sullivan's has had neither for the past few years. The food and service was not good enough to justify the price.
JDTrippett writes:
Yes, I agree, a golden opportunity, not be wasted.
http://theelectriccitybuzz.lefora.com...
waiting writes:
I understand it and I enjoy it. What is being discussed is the feasibility of this business making another go of this and what areas needs to be addressed for a successful run this time.
Personally, I enjoyed eating there. But this area just does not have enough population to sustain much repeat business for $100 meals.
Lunch is reasonable and excellent. Start from that point and work forward, as someone else suggested. It does seem their lunch was popular and sustained repeat business.
DWade writes:
No golden opportunity wasted by not being a member of the electric city buzz @ lefora. 8 bigots with four userids each, plus 5 other citizens as your total membership of 37? Sounds about like that AM dial radio station you broadcast your bigotry over daily, huh, Driver? Did you and your once-a-week gossip columnist friend, Stan "pardon me" Welch, you know that twice pled guilty to felony drug distribution sleaze ball, who is also a once-a-week radio personality (regardless as to Cox's denial in "pardon me" Welch's answer to the lawsuit)....ya'll tie one on this weekend? Smoke some of those whacky cigarettes? Hang out at Darwin Wright? Eddie didn't beat up on no woman this weekend, did he?
On the subject of Sullivan's, just like everything that is "high end", Sullivan's took a hit in this economy. Anderson was marginally large enough to support it in a good economy.......they will continue to struggle. It might help some with someone else holding the c-note on the property and them just being a tenant, but they are going to need to do something different and better to make it, long-term, I don't care what award they won in the past. The list of businesses that won awards that are no longer in business is a long one.
Opinionated writes:
An entirely appropriate question. It may have had nothing to do with the restaurant, and everything to do with being financially overextended (buying the building at the height of the real estate bubble). On the other hand, if the restaurant, by itself, was only bumping along, it will stumble again. I surely hope not!
Folks, you all need to understand that you have a world-class restaurant in Sullivan's. If we lose it, it may be a long time before anything local even approaches it. Yep, it's pricey, but...I hope Anderson is a big enough market to support it.
DWade writes:
Now, imitation JDTrippett, is the rumor that possibly one in ya'll's "hood and cape" gang....that possibly his wife has vacated the marital home and moved in with her "female companion"? Say it ain't so??????!!!!! I'm thinking that's sort of hard for a good ole boy's male ego to take???? Now if it is true, bless the little ole closed/simple minded, bigoted heart of his.
nomadron writes:
It would be nice if the comments had something in common with the article.
youwannasite#226436 writes:
re: Folks, you all need to understand that you have a world-class restaurant in Sullivan's. If we lose it, it may be a long time before anything local even approaches it.
-----
City Lights Under The Bridge is up and coming..Their Chef has a great resume and I'm thoroughly impressed with his creativity in dishes!
As far as Sullivan's goes, yes, I think their lunch was popular, dinner not so much..lately.
Hopefully they will read these posts (I am sure they are) and adjust accordingly. I wish them luck as I fully support "Local Business"!!
DWade writes:
NomadRon, keeping busy over there in the Tax Assessor's office? Now when is the next delinquent tax sale? Would you be able to furnish me an advanced copy so I can start scouting out some of those properties I might be interested in bidding on? I'd like that inside information you have....now how much do you get for an advanced copy of those lists? Claim that $$$ received as taxable income? Now how's Mr. Hunter doing these days? Does he know you're out here posting on the world wide web Al Gore invented?
Bless your heart.
thomas7115#251385 writes:
I would like a copy too, who can I call so I will be sure to get one ? If I don't this will come up Tuesday night.
carolinaguy writes:
perhaps they should go to New orleans and run down bourbon street
SSHM writes:
Okay, we get the "you have family and used to live in Anderson County" and "I am an American with a right to free speech" as your justification for your daily drool. What I would like to know is, how that translates now into you attacking the status quo for everything, swapping tongue with the Preston crowd and marching lockstep with the self enriching crowd getting ready to have their lunch on trays. You went from a supposed newbie, to knowing everyone and all the inside "scoop" on everyone's business in a matter of weeks. Admittedly you are wrong 95% of the time,but you continue as though you are on a mission. Are you the latest example of name change or another hired agent/provocateur. You now attack the same websites the same people the same groups, as that select group of scum on ATZ.
We've figured out you are definitely not a CPA as you cannot even discuss a simple financial concept with a modicum of professionalism. For someone pretending to be so neutral and smart you turned out to be neither.
Just askin' you know. Why a grown man, supposedly successful and happy, has nothing better to do than sit on these forums all day and excrete bile. Sure you have the "right" to do as you please; but, one has to wonder what quality of life someone enjoys when this is the best they have.
DWade writes:
Well hello, fake SSHM, or Stan "pardon me" "one-shot" Welch, the twice pled guilty to felony drug distribution guy? To date, you're the only one that has actually eaten three squares/day from behind bars?
In regards to why and the time, unlike yourself, who swaps hours for $$ (at a very low rate as a once-a-week gossip column and Saturday morning radio celebrity?), as a CPA, sometimes I'm paid at an hourly rate, sometimes based on a specific bid/task, but well, much more than a Magistrate position you aspired to. My annual income hasn't been as low as a Magistrate level's pay since the mid-80's, early in my career. My annual bonuses have exceeded that. And, well, accounting is not like an assembly line.....I can be extremely busy for hours, and then time in between. Since you've never worked in a professional capacity, I know you have no concept of that. There are CPAs and attorneys (yours?) you might know that do not do very well, but, those of us that were willing to put in the work and gain broad experience, being a CPA is very lucarative. I'm fine with you believing I'm not a CPA, and your belief I'm a paid agent, as you speculate. None of it is true. I know I've been a licensed CPA for 25 years. Just shows your side still fails in repeated attempts to out who I am.
Quite simply, I think everyone has a right to their opinion, regardless as to their status in life (rich, poor, white, black). Your crowd believes only your view matters. That's why more oppose than stand with you...simple as that. Never met Preston, or anyone else on AIM or ATZ blogs, that I know of (since I don't know the people behind the screen IDS)
So, how is your friend, who's wife vacated the marital home to move in with her female companion? Is it true she is still paying the bills for him, for now, to keep him afloat? And true he is getting himself trained to qualify himself for a position with Anderson County? Male ego taking a big hit right now, huh? Speaking of happiness, is he happy right now? How about the wife and the lesbian lover?
Stan is it? Cold riding that moped in the morning/evening these days? Get alot of questions about that Citadel tag on the front? Singlewide staying warm? Still crowded over at Bargain Foods at the end of the month when you receive your guvment supplement?
Get yourself some gonads and come meet me one day in Greenville (where I live and work, you know). That offer I've made to you to meet is still open, and well, CPAs are given a wallet card with their name, license # and expiration date (currently 12/31/2011 for all active licensees...check with Daniel on that)....I might let you see it.
So, ya'll are up to 37 IDs and about 13-14 actual members over at the Buzz now? Now, Moonbeam = Eddie Eugene Moore? He know Ms. Burton over at Fluor?
mmurphy2440#265819 writes:
Everything you spew out of your obnoxious mouth is nothing but hatred, bigotry (even though you accuse everyone else of being one), and from the sound of it, lies. Do you think anyone really cares about your status in life? Do you think anyone is even impressed at your bragging of how wealthy you and your family are? NO! I usually just skip over your remarks because they are so obnoxious and full of hate, but nomadron hit it on the head. Wanting to meet someone to settle a dispute from a little AIM forum shows your ignorance and lack of class. But like you said, anyone's free to post pretty much what they like. So keep posting if it strokes your ego to brag about yourself and I still wish you the best.
DWade writes:
Well, thank you MMurphy, wish you the best too.
Actually, when you read one post between two, without viewing the totality of the posts between two, it gives you a distorted picture of the truth. The fraud SSHM, who I'm guessing is Stan "pardon me" Welch made overtures about how I would regret ever meeting him, in a previous post back. In this post, he claimed I was not a CPA. I offered him, as I have others who have made hollow threats (and that is exactly what they are, because all of them talked a big game here, but when the rubber hit the road, didn't show) the opportunity to meet, in Greenville, where I live, or in Anderson, when I'm there, to set the record straight, or whatever they thought it was they wanted to do. He, nor they didn't, and I know they never will...cowards are cowards. I have nothing to gain or lose, or any desire to meet him/them.
The back and forth, the negative remarks have gone both ways (dishing them and receiving them). This one that you defend has attacked others' status in life, and purposely spread false information about someone, after being warned the information was false, someone with two felony convictions against them for drug distribution (it is my belief the fake SSHM = Stan). I could care less about what someone makes, financially in their life, in regards to how I choose my friends. But now, SSHM alleged I was not a CPA. I provided a response against that.
I could care less whether you read or not read anything I write, nor if you reply or don't reply to it.
If you view pointing out your County Council chairman is a former spouse abuser, their self-appointed mouthpiece and choice to be a Magistrate is a twice pled guilty to felony drug distribution is hatred and bigotry, I can't control how you receive the message. I happen to believe the public has a right to know.
And once the dust settles and smoke clears, I'm sure Stan will appreciate a visit from you over at the local detention center.
mmurphy2440#265819 writes:
It wasn't my intention to defend nomadron, it was just enough of this foolishness of the hateful remarks being slung around and at each other. If you feel the need to inform everyone about the failures and questionable character of council members, go ahead, have at it. But the manner in which you express yourself appears so bigoted and superior, it makes you seem extremely obnoxious. And not only you, although you are the one I'm replying to, but anyone else who attacks someone's background, education, or financial status. And yes, you can control to a point how I receive your messages depending on how you express them. From someone who is a professional and as well educated as yourself I guess I expected better.
DWade writes:
Now, fake SSHM (SDHM, aka, Stan "pardon me" "one-shot" Welch, the twice convicted and pled guilty to felony drug distribution charges(?), how did the $10/BBQ plate fundraiser over at Mineral Springs Park go? Apparently raised enough to get the internet and power cut back on at the singlewide over on Hwy. 20 for the CAVE crowd? How about that retainer for attorney Cox, or did he take the case pro-bono? Now, in regard to those four "cross-defendants" Stan (you?), now, did your fundraiser raise enough cash to pay their four attorneys' fees, and court costs plus any damages the judge might award those four cross-defendants for that frivilous claim? Suspect not, huh? Gonna need a big celebrity to come to town to raise some big $$$ to cover that, huh? Think the local AM dial station has Rush on speed dial, and can convince him to come down to Mineral Springs for a fundraiser for the "hoods and capes" CAVE crowd? Maybe Ms. Degeneris is available to help out....oh, that might hit a little too close to home with a fellow hood and capes member? Wound too fresh from the wife taking up with the female "companion"?
BTW, did they get the water cleaned up over at Darwin Wright?
DWade writes:
Well MMurphy, when I decide to post a comment to a blog, I really don't spend a second thinking about meeting anyone's expectations. It's a blog...nothing more or less to me, and people decide to participate, or not, and to read others' comments, or not.
Now, if you think what I said sounds bigoted and superior, well, we do live in a free country, and you do have a right to express those thoughts.
Now there are alot of former bloggers on here, that due to outstanding litigation over at the AC historic courthouse where they are either a) named defendants or b) suspected John and Jane Does named in that complaint, who I suspect are under shut the h$#% up gag orders from their attorneys. Now I'm thinking if they were allowed to post these days, you'd be just flabbergasted over some of the bigotry they spew, unless of course you are one of them, now posting under a new ID?
mmurphy2440#265819 writes:
No, it's just me, Murphy. Nobody special. I've been registered for quite a while and I have heard what some of the others spew. I'm not worried about anyone's expectations either, but I do like to leave others thinking I have good character. Nothing personal, DWade! Have a good day.
autoguy57#233546 writes:
It's a good thing they're opening back up, let's see if all of those who were crying about this place closing will now patronize the business on a regular basis. Who gets blamed the next time they close?
JAFO writes:
You people that get on EVERY thread and go on your political rants are absolutely CERTIFIABLE! Please try to get out of your moms basement and get some sort of a life. We, (the public at large) are beyond sick and tired of your BS. If you have nothing to add to these threads that are relative to them DON’T POST ON THEM. Use one of your other media sources to spew your craziness.
DWade writes:
On 9/2/09, JAFO said: "Where are all the regular fools that blame the county gov't for businesses closing around here? Or is it the construction this time? no wait... it must be Joey Preston waving his all powerful hand of doom? Hmmmm??? C'mon people don't let us down now! We need to have our conspiracy fix!"
I bet your significant other gets confused when you talk to him or her too? One minute you're begging for those you now complain about to post, the next you're railing about it. Make up your mind.
Here's another thought, if you don't what others post, don't read it. Or, if you would like to control content
on the AIM, I'm sure the owners would listen to any reasonable offers for someone to take it off of their hands. The newspaper business is as, if not more risky a proposition these days as the restaurant business. See, now that's on topic.
JAFO writes:
First of all... Let me thank you for being so taken by my thoughts that you would keep them near and dear to your heart. Secondly... My comments at that time and like others I have made here were related to the topic of the article. But as per usual you have gone to the lowest common denominator by making your comments personal. sigh... Even when you can’t stay on topic, you STILL cannot stay on topic.
indiereader writes:
Maybe Sullivans needs to host "Electric City Smackdown" for its grand reopening.
DWade writes:
JAFO, I wasn't taken at all with your comments (I don't agree they were really thoughts). I simply pointed out to you that if you don't like what others post, whether in regards to the article, or not (in your view), either a) don't read it or b) call up the AIM owner and make him an offer for the paper and then maybe you can have control of content. And, having remembered, without anyone having commented about the "issues" you referenced in one of your posts, you raised the issue of where were those people, and now you're b*t*hing about them being here.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.