Wine restaurant Flight set for Elizabeth debut after transforming Dollar General space (PHOTOS)

Husband-and-wife team Dwight and Vicki Bailey want Flight to be the gathering place in Charlotte's Elizabeth neighborhood.

That wine-forward restaurant and bar opens on Aug. 2 at the Shoppes at 7 Street. It's at the corner of Pecan Avenue and Seventh Street.

The restaurant is the Baileys' love letter to Charlotte, combining the joy of travel, wine and community into one space at 1949 E. Seventh St.

"Flight is our shared passion project, an outlet from our high-stress day jobs and our way of creating a special experience for the community who has given us so much," Dwight says.

The Baileys, medical professionals by day, tapped into their travels to design the intimate space. Vicki Bailey says she curated bits and pieces from venues they visited from Vienna, Austria, to Portugal.

They talked about opening their own place for years. Then in June 2021, they stopped talking and incorporated the business.

The search began for space, which eventually led them to Flight's 2,700- square-foot space — most recently occupied by Dollar General. It has been transformed to blend industrial and vintage elements. There's concrete floors and exposed ceilings juxtaposed by vintage-style chandeliers and plush floor- to-ceiling gold velvet curtains.

The design has a dark color palette, with Charleston green on the walls, a black-on-black quartz bar with white marble veining and flecks of gold, and dark wood tables. The bar top holds small vintage lamps with crystal shades and brushed gold. Underlighting on the bar softens the impact of the color scheme.

Crystal chandeliers serve as a statement piece. Bar stools are a muted wine- colored velvet, with regular seating and the main booth an indigo blue. Tables are being hand made by Vicki Bailey's father, John Wendorf, an experienced woodworker.

The Bailey Room can be used for private events. It features pendant chandeliers created from a black cherry tree that fell in the Baileys' yard. Local artist Billy Dunn was commissioned for the pieces.

The walls are also home to photos from the Baileys' own travels.

"We live in Elizabeth, and the space is like an extension of our home. We want the experience to be like we are hosting friends for an evening of great food, wine and conversation," Vicki says.

The couple has tapped Clayton Sanders, with experience at Davidson Street Public House, Supperland and Chef Alyssa's Kitchen, as executive chef. He'll continue to refine the menu to focus on local ingredients, while incorporating his take on the Baileys' travels and research. Food is cooked in a custom Italian wood-burning oven, giving it texture and flavor.

The menu focuses on European-inspired small plates, charcuterie boards and artisanal pizzas. Dishes can be shared — or served as a meal.

The 12-inch artisanal pizzas includes options such as the Carnivoro, topped with Lady Edison Ham, salami, meatballs, mozzarella, fontina and a red sauce. The Salsiccia takes spicy Portuguese sausage — made in house — and marries it with red onions, sweet peppers, mozzarella, fontina and red sauce. There's also options such as the Pig and Fig, where prosciutto, goat cheese creme, arugula and fig jam are married together, before receiving a balsamic drizzle and some pickled red onion.

Signature dishes include Mabel's Meatballs — made from a family recipe that has been passed down; Fried Castelvetrano Olives; and the focaccia, which is being made from scratch in house.

The wine list features 150 bottles of wine from around the world with as many as 50 by-the-glass options. Wine flights will be available.

Sangria will be made in house. Craft cocktails — including nonalcoholic options — in addition to local and travel-inspired beers provide additional options.

The family-owned and operated restaurant and bar is managed by Vicki's and Dwight's daughter/stepdaughter, Kayte Morton.

"Creating a personalized, service-first experience with high-quality food and beverage is our number one priority," Vicki says.

Southwick Architecture & Interior is behind the design. Balfour Beatty is the general contractor. Josh Beaver with The Nichols Co. represented Flight.

Flight's initial hours will be from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Reservations are accepted through Resy. No cash payments are accepted at the restaurant.