Ne-Yo Opening Atlanta Restaurant With ‘Love & Hip-Hop’ Star

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Ne-Yo is opening a restaurant in Atlanta named Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles alongside his wife, Crystal Smith, and Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta star Karlie Redd.

The restaurant is set to open in January 2021. According to Johnny’s official website, the restaurant is hiring everybody from managers to busboys. The website’s blurb says, “The 85-seat indoor dining space will provide full-menu service and will feature booths, tables, high tops and bar seating. A take-out counter will serve pies baked fresh daily and a selection of café goods.” The restaurant will be located in the College Park section of Atlanta.

Redd Says at Her Restaurant ‘You Never Know Who You’ll See Dining Alongside You!’

GettyRedd attends the premiere of “Waka & Tammy: What The Flocka” at Republic on March 10, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Redd is quoted on the website as saying, “Ne-Yo and I aim to make everyone feel at home at Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles, and you never know who you’ll see dining alongside you! Anyone who appreciates music will love the ambiance we created in our dining room, with awards and plaques from Ne-Yo, myself and some of our closest friends. Who doesn’t love some amazing chicken and waffles, while listening to some amazing music! We hope to see you if you’re in College Park.” The interior of the restaurant will feature platinum records from Outkast, Ne-Yo, Ludacris and Usher, as well as a mural of the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem.

GettyRedd attends the 2019 MTV Movie and TV Awards at Barker Hangar on June 15, 2019 in Santa Monica, California.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Johnny’s space was previously occupied by Soul Crab, a restaurant that closed in 2020. That restaurant was the brainchild of YouTube chef Darius Williams.

Redd Has Been Speaking About Opening a Restaurant Throughout 2020

GettyRedd attends ‘WE tv Celebrates The Return Of Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta’ at Club Tongue & Groove on October 2, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Jasmine Brand reported in July 2020 that Redd was planning to open a restaurant in Soul Crab’s space. At the time, the blog reported that the restaurant would be called Redd Fusions. Neither Ne-Yo nor his wife is mentioned in The Jasmine Brand article.

Redd told Rolling Out in a March 2020 interview that she was planning to partner in the opening of a restaurant. During the interview, Redd mentioned that she operates clothing stores in Los Angeles and Atlanta in addition to a spa in Las Vegas.

Ne-Yo Filed for Divorce From His Wife Crystal Smith in February 2020

GettyNe-Yo (hat) with his wife Crystal Renay, their 4 children and a family member arrive for the 50th NAACP Image awards at the Dolby theatre on March 30, 2019 in Los Angeles.

The Blast reported in 2018 that Ne-Yo sold his Alpharetta, Georgia, mansion for $1.1 million having listed it at $1.5 million. In February 2020, Ne-Yo filed for divorce from Smith but later changed his mind amid the coronavirus pandemic with the couple quarantining together, reports Page Six. According to the Page Six article, the couple quarantined together during the Spring and Summer of 2020.

GettyRedd attends the 2019 E! People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on November 10, 2019 in Santa Monica, California.

Redd follows in the footsteps of her Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta castmates Rasheeda Wallace and Kirk Frost who own Frost Bistro in Atlanta and K. Michelle who owns The Pearl Restaurant and Lounge. Earlier in December 2020, Heavy reported that Redd would join Ray J and Princess Love, as well as other Love & Hip-Hop stars on a spinoff, focused on couples attempting to salvage their relationships.

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