Historic Grant’s Lounge, often called the birthplace of Southern Rock, will re-open next year with new management. Moonhanger Group has partnered with Ed Grant and Cheryl Grant Louder to assume control of operations at the historic venue on Poplar Street.
 
"I bought the building about a year ago,” says Wes Griffith, President of Moonhanger Group (The Rookery, Dovetail, H&H Soul Food, and Natalia’s), “primarily to make sure it didn’t end up in the wrong hands…get turned into something else. I’ve always been interested in the property and the business. It is an important part of the rich music history in this community. Now with the economic uncertainty that the pandemic has brought, the Grants and I decided this was a good time for me to get involved…to reboot, invest some money in the building, and re-open when the dust settles.”
 
The Grants will still be involved in an advisory capacity and will maintain a financial interest in the business. Cheryl will also continue to work at Grant’s Lounge and Ed will continue to help with programming and look to continue his longstanding community jam sessions. 
 
Wes Griffith and Moonhanger Group remain committed to providing excellent live music options for Central Georgia. “I see this as sort of an extension of the Hargray Capitol Theatre business.” The Capitol staff, including General Manager Hubble Beasley, will be charged with booking and operating the venue. “We feel it gives us the opportunity to have two complimentary venues of different sizes so that we can eventually double the live music we promote in Macon and introduce new bands to the area. Our radio station 100.9 The Creek gives us a unique ability to introduce new music to people and promote our concerts. Grant’s also gives us the opportunity to focus on local bands more than we’ve been able to at the Hargray Capitol Theatre.”
 
Ed and Cheryl say they are pleased with the partnership…”I’m excited,” says Cheryl. “I look forward to the future and being a part of a newly-renovated Grant’s. I’m confident the future is bright and that the legacy will continue.”
 
Renovations will soon be under way and will include new bathrooms, additional seating, a small kitchen, a lounge and an additional bar on the second floor. Griffith adds, “The trick is maintaining the charm and the patina of Grant’s while making several structural improvements and dealing with some deferred maintenance and code updates to ensure the venue is safe and durable….ready to serve future generations of music lovers. That will be our primary goal. I think people will be pleased.”
 
Ed Grant: “Grant’s has been an icon in Macon for almost 50 Years and we are excited to have an arrangement with Moonhanger Group for its future. Wes and I have been talking about this for the past ten years and know Wes’s vision will benefit Grant’s, Macon and its music history.”