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General Manager Vance Hall is working to open the 800-square-foot restaurant at 331 Park Central East by May 1.
General Manager Vance Hall is working to open the 800-square-foot restaurant at 331 Park Central East by May 1.

Gourmet grilled cheese restaurant to open at Sky Eleven

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Sky Eleven’s first commercial tenant is working to open by the end of the month.

Druff’s, a gourmet grilled cheese restaurant and bar, is under development on the first floor of the 331 Park Central East building.

Named after the Woodruff building that was renovated into Sky Eleven, the 800-square-foot restaurant operates in a southeast corner space that previously housed Toaster's Breakfast Cafe.

“Due to the limited space, we have a limited menu,” said co-owner Andrew Heilman, who’s also a partner in downtown bar Scotch and Soda. “It’s very compact and cozy, so we have to be really efficient and smart in the way we bring our orders in.

“We’re focusing on 10-12 gourmet, grown-up grilled cheese sandwiches that all have their own unique approach.”

One example, he said, would be a sandwich with pear, prosciutto and whole-grain mustard. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant plans to hold a happy hour with eight craft beers on tap, as well as cocktails and whiskeys.

Heilman owns the venture with Vance Hall, a former sales representative at Mother’s Brewing Co. who will serve as general manager for the 12-15-employee restaurant with seating for up to 40.

“There’s a large student and professional market living right above us. We want to hit them and everyone else downtown,” Heilman said. “I think the concept is fairly universal.”

He declined to disclose investment costs or lease details with building owner The Vecino Group.

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