CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After two years of waiting, the Super Abari Game Bar has officially reopened -- and the owner believes it's bigger and better than ever.
Months of planning led to the business relocating to the Belmont neighborhood in a space that allows for a separate bar and lounge area, then the big reveal of the gaming floor once you make it down the steps.
It's a vision the owner Zachary Pulliam said almost didn't happen.
"I really was not planning on doing it for a while and then I kind of found this building and it was just the perfect place, right price, and a landlord who wasn’t going to kick me out," Pulliam said.
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Back in 2020, Abari Game Bar, like many other businesses, was faced with the threat of closing due to COVID-19. At the same time, the lease on their building ended and the land was eventually sold.
Now the grand reopening in a new location is what many customers say they've been waiting on.
“To have it reopen just warms my heart," customer Jordan Arnold said.
A report by the Federal Reserve estimates the pandemic caused at least 200,000 small businesses across the country to permanently close.
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Pulliam says he's just thankful his business is not one of them.
“Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves and that’s all I can ask for,” he said.
In June, Super Abari has plans to host its first major event with a pre-Heroes Con party including live music and more.
Contact Briana Harper at bharper@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.