Painted Rooster Set to Replace Zada Jane’s in Plaza Midwood
Former owner Marcia Hurst joins other local restaurateurs for new concept
Months after the closing of longtime Plaza Midwood staple Zada Jane’s Corner Cafe last September, a new establishment is set to take its place.
Fans of the old brunch spot will be relieved to hear that former Zada Jane’s owner Marcia Hurst is staying onboard for the opening of new chicken joint Painted Rooster, this time joined by local restaurateurs Zach Current and Crissy Oliver.
Current is co-founder and current operator of Moo & Brew, the original location of which is located just down Central Avenue from Painted Rooster, while Oliver is a partner in his restaurant group, Current & Co.
In a release announcing the opening, scheduled for the summer with no set date yet, Current said the new partnership has been in the works since before Zada Jane’s closed.
“When I heard that Marcia was getting tired and wanting to make a change with Zada Jane’s, I jumped into action,” he said. “It started as a sale and then evolved to our working together. This corner has always mattered to the neighborhood and it’s always mattered to me. We’re reopening a new concept grounded in the same spirit: community, comfort and food that brings people together.”
The 100-plus-seat restaurant — 66 inside and 40 on the covered patio — aims to be “Charlotte’s new wing authority,” according to the release. The team will specialize in cooking chicken three ways: traditional crispy, flame-charbroiled, and “Rooster Style” — marinated, roasted and finished on the broiler.
Other options include housemade tenders, six styles of Mac’n’Cheez, and signature salads. A spokesperson told Queen City Nerve that the menu will include a number of vegan and vegetarian options.
The release also boasts the restaurant’s fried pickles in large part because of the buttermilk ranch that comes with them: “Painted Rooster is out to prove Charlotte’s best ranch lives here.”
Opened in 2007, Hurst was part of a crew of business owners who helped transform Plaza Midwood into the hip neighborhood it is today. Zada Jane’s was known as a funky brunch spot that offered a range of vegetarian options and cooked with locally sourced ingredients.
“This next chapter wouldn’t be possible without the support of Marcia, whose quiet encouragement helped bring the vision to life and who will remain involved,” Thursday’s release read. “And if you’ve heard whispers of a giant rooster watching over Central Avenue, you might just want to keep your eyes open.”
As this new ownership team is well aware, Painted Rooster is just the latest addition to a rapidly changing neighborhood that has seen chicken restaurants come and go in recent years.
Read more: ESSAY: A Farewell to Plaza Midwood (2022)
Coaltrane’s Char Grill, located catty corner to Zada Jane’s at the intersection of Central Avenue and Thomas Avenue, was focused on South American chicken styles and shut down in October 2022. National chain Dave’s Hot Chicken had opened in the Midwood Corners shopping center one block east of the intersection just days prior.
Upon its launch in the summer, Painted Rooster will be open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Friday-Saturday until midnight. Follow the establishment on Instagram for updates.
