After nearly two years of renovations, the 1951 service station at the corner of Chatham and Academy streets in downtown Cary is set to reopen this August as Lloyd’s Full Service. The Early Bird Night Owl hospitality group has kept the building’s classic facade, while adding a larger dining room, a covered patio and a retro van that will serve bites and drinks. Long a familiar landmark on Chatham Street, the spot is being reimagined as a neighborhood restaurant with live music and a fire pit.
Lloyd’s Full Service will be located at 107 E. Chatham Street, taking over the former Gurken’s Downtown Auto Repair, which closed in 2021. The owners have preserved the original 1,280-square-foot service station and added roughly 2,300 square feet for kitchen and dining, plus a 1,200-square-foot covered patio. A previewed menu from the team includes linguine with clams, steak or fish with seasonal sides, breakfast-for-dinner plates and a Corner Dog that honors the hot dogs from the old Ashworth Drugs across the intersection. These details were reported by The News & Observer.
Vintage shell, modern service
Owners say much of the 1950s station’s look remains, while the space is now equipped to handle bigger crowds. Plans call for a patio with a fire pit, a stage for live music and a 1940s-style delivery van that will serve food and drinks. The restaurant’s branding leans into that history, advertising the building as "Established 1951" and celebrating being "Back In Service 2026" at the Chatham & Academy corner. More details are on the official site for Lloyd's Full Service.
Who’s behind Lloyd’s
Lloyd’s comes from Early Bird Night Owl, the Durham-based hospitality company behind The Durham and The Mayton boutique hotels. “Our vision for Lloyd’s is to be a beacon in downtown Cary,” CEO Craig Spitzer said in a press release cited by The News & Observer. The project also involves local developers and investors who have partnered on other downtown work, according to reporting by Axios Raleigh.
What it means for downtown Cary
For the neighborhood, Lloyd’s is another sign that Chatham Street and Downtown Cary Park continue to attract restaurants and foot traffic, adding evening options and live entertainment to the core downtown blocks. Local listings note that the restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor seating, a stage for music and a covered patio with a vintage-van bar. See the listing on Visit Raleigh for more on features and timing.
When to go
Lloyd’s is targeting an August opening and is hiring front- and back-of-house staff as it prepares for soft openings and reservations. The restaurant’s website includes a newsletter signup and a "Join Our Team" link where hiring updates and opening announcements will appear. For updates and jobs, check Lloyd's Full Service.
