‘Twist and Shout’ set to open in Corbin in early August

Glen Bolton, one of the owners of ‘Twist and Shout,’ a restaurant set to open in Corbin next month at the old Fad Poolroom location, works on the interior of the establishment.

Don House currently lives in London, but the 68-year-old Vietnam veteran is bringing his new restaurant to Corbin.

“Twist and Shout,” a 95-seat eatery featuring steaks, hamburgers, sandwiches and other fare, is set to open around August 1.
“Everyone should have a nice place to go that is economically priced,” House explained.

The building on North Main Street across from Hardees, has housed several businesses since The Fad Pool Room closed in 2005. It was soon after The Fad closed that House and Glen Bolton purchased the building.

The most recent business was a thrift store.

When that closed, House began the renovations with the intention of opening a restaurant.

“I’ve owned restaurants,” House said. “I want one that serves alcohol.”

“I got to that time in my life where I decided I wanted this.”

House said work on the building has been extensive, including new plumbing, drywall and paint. The exterior has been covered in red metal. The interior features multiple rooms, with the bar area in a separate room just inside one of two entrances.

“It was pretty rough inside,” House said.

At the corner of the building is a bracket to hold a flagpole. A small American flag currently flies from the bracket, but House, who was wounded twice during his time in Vietnam, said a much larger flag will take its place in the near future.

“I’m going to fly as big a flag as I can,” House said.

As to the name, House said that came from his good friend, Dottie Henderson.

House noted that downtown Corbin was very big in the 1950s and early 60s.

It was around that same time that Chubby Checker had a hit with the song and dance, “The Twist,” and the Isley Brothers and later the Beatles had hits with “Twist and Shout.”

House said the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

The doors will open at 11 a.m. each day, except Sunday when they will open at 12:30 p.m. Closing time will be 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, midnight Friday and Saturday, and 7 or 8 p.m. on Sunday.

House admitted he had considered London for the restaurant, but several factors enticed him to Corbin.

“Corbin is so much friendlier,” House said, noting the help he has received from Corbin city officials as he has worked his way through the process and paperwork needed to get the restaurant open.

“Everyone, from the mayor on down, has been great.”

Corbin Downtown Manager Andrew Salmons said it is a good day for Corbin whenever a new business elects to locate downtown.

“We are always excited when people choose to invest in downtown,” Salmons said.