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Up & Coming Weekly Dining Guide

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Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Written by Staff Report

This month’s Dining Guide features great places to eat in the Haymount area and Fort Bragg Road. Lots of fine and fun dining!

LATITUDE 35 BAR & GRILL
1217 HAY STREET
Tues. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Wed. & Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fri. 11:30 a.m.-Midnight
Sat. 9 a.m.-Midnight
Sun. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
910-485-4777
https://tinyurl.com/yc2m6aeb
Latitude 35 is a cozy spot offering traditional US fare & drinks, with live tunes & outdoor seats in warm months. Weekend brunch is a must-try experience.

HAYMOUNT TRUCK STOP
100 BROADFOOFT AVE
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-Midnight
Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
472-210-3250
https://www.haymounttruckstop.com/
Outside the venue, discover various food trucks and ample seating options. Inside offers more places to sit and a top-notch bar. The outside back area provides a space for children and animals to enjoy themselves.

DISTRICT HOUSE OF TAPS
1240 FORT BRAGG RD
Tues.-Thurs. 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
Fri. 4 p.m.-Midnight
Sat. Noon-Midnight
Sun Noon-8 p.m.
910-491-6737
https://www.districthouseoftaps.com/
Alongside their extensive selection of appetizers and reimagined classic American dishes, you'll find 40 self-pour taps featuring tasty beers, wines, and ciders to enjoy.

MILLER'S BREW
COFFEE SHOP
1401 MORGANTON RD
Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
910-500-3098
https://millerscrew.com/millers-brew-coffee-shop
Grab a delicious cup of coffee, smoothie or milkshake. Don't for get to grab some pastries and cookies as well.

DHANS KITCHEN
115 OAKRIDGE AVE
Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
910-578-8754
Get a taste of the Caribbean with their menu featuring popular street foods from Trinidad and Tobago. Don’t miss out on the weekly specials.

LECLAIR'S GENERAL STORE
1212 FORT BRAGG RD
Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
910-491-1060
https://leclairsgeneralstore.com/
It is worth the visit to just see the eclectic mix of art, antiques, craft beer and fine wine. Grab some coffee, pastry or specialty groceries and then purse their awesome collection.

 ARCHIVES
723 W Rowan St
Wed. & Thurs. 6 p.m.-Midnight
Fri. 6 p.m.-1 a.m.
Sat. 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
910-339-0178
This speakeasy style bar, located in the former Fowlers location, is serving up a variety of classic cocktails.

THE BARBEQUE HUT
2802 FORT BRAGG RD
Mon.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
910-485-5390
Craving BBQ? This spot's got you covered for lunch or dinner meals. Generous servings that won't break the bank.

H8TERS
2926 C FORT BRAGG RD
Mon.-Sun. Noon-2 a.m.
910-835-5881
https://h8ters.com/
H8TERS is a Southern-style eatery and watering hole offering zesty Cajun cuisine and warm hospitality in a relaxed, vibrant atmosphere.

New restaurants that have opened recently.

YUMMY BOWL
155 N. McPherson Church Rd
eatyummybowl.com/location/fayetteville/
Formally the home to Joe's Crab Shack, 155 N. McPherson Church Rd will soon be home to Yummy Bowl. This will be its first North Carolina located and will offer Asian cuisine such as sushi, ramen and stir-fry. Check back with the website listed above for opening date and hours of operation.

CULVER’S
3320 S. Peak Drive, Hope Mills
Mon.-Sun. 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
910-317-3414
culvers.com/restaurants/hope-mills-s-peak-dr
Culver's, originating in Sauk City, Wisconsin, serves up burgers, frozen custard, sandwiches and more with a friendly smile and excellent customer service. Don't miss the Flavor of the Day-a new frozen custard flavor featured every day.

KPOT KOREAN BBQ & HOT POT
419 CROSS CREEK MALL
Mon.-Sun. Noon-10:30 p.m.
472-202-1535
https://thekpot.com/location/fayetteville-cross-creek/
This eatery offers unlimited dining, blending Chinese hot pot with Korean BBQ styles. It's a shared meal experience. Guests gather around tables featuring central grills where various meats are prepared. Additional burners are there for pots of soup or vegetables to simmer. A bar holds salad, sauces and fruit.

KISSOUL
419 CROSS CREEK MAL
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sun. Noon-6 p.m.
910-229-6321
https://www.kissoul.com/
Kissoul offers delectable frozen treats, crispy egg waffles, and unique beverages including bubble tea. They promise "a dessert for every mood."

TOUCHDOWN WINGS
3440 RAMSEY ST
https://www.touchdownwings.com/findus
This Georgia-based chain is expanding to North Carolina. Offering 30 different flavors in both traditional and boneless. Other items on the menu include hamburgers, Philly cheesesteak, salad, seafood and more. Be sure to follow the link above for opening information and hours of operation.

LA PATRONA BAR & GRILL
3041 N MAIN ST, HOPE MILLS
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-Midnight
Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
910-500-3830
Relocated from Lumberton and now Hope Mills' newest authentic Mexican bar and grill. Go for the great food and don’t skip on the awe-inspiring drinks.

KUSINERA FILIPINO CUISINE
3047 LEGION RD
Tues. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wed.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
kusinerafilipino@gmail.com
https://tinyurl.com/muynm8hy
Formerly the seafood restaurant Crab Du Jour, this venue is serving up Filipino favorites like lumpia, fried spring rolls and much more flavorful food.

BREAKFAST WITH TIFFANY
229 HAY ST
Mon.-Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
910-491-0074
The sole all-day breakfast eatery in Downtown Fayetteville offering breakfast all day long. Enjoy classics like chicken and waffles, hot cakes and French toast.

POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP
2171 ROCK MERRITT AVE, FORT LIBERTY
Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
910-229-3288
https://www.potbelly.com/
Vintage-inspired sandwich chain famous for customizable toasted sandwiches, salads and baked goods.

FREDDY’S FROZEN
CUSTARD & STEAKBURGERS
2860 HOPE MILLS RD
Mon.-Sun. 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
910-861-0801
https://tinyurl.com/yrcupx3y
This is Freddy's second location and will be making the same delicious steakburgers, all-beef hot dogs, and frozen custard as their original location at 4825 Ramsey Street.

Employment Source expands art therapy program with support from Arts Council Grant

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Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Written by Jamie Bishop

Employment Source, a local affiliate of ServiceSource, is preparing to host its first-ever “Art Therapy for Community Inclusion Day” on Nov. 14, thanks in part to a generous $7,200 grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. The event, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., aims to showcase the impact of art therapy on individuals with disabilities by offering them a platform to display their creative works and engage with the broader community.
Tara Brisson Hinton, Director of Regional Philanthropy, Employment Source, explained that this is the second year the Arts Council has supported its program through its Project Support and Mini-Grants initiative.
“The Cumberland Community Foundation was the first to provide funding for our Community Inclusion Day Program for adults with disabilities here at Employment Source and Friendship House Fayetteville Residents. This opportunity is now funded again by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County for the second year in a row,” Hinton shared.
According to Hinton, the funds are being used to hire Yael Divon, a certified art therapist who provides weekly art therapy projects for over 30 individuals.
“The grant helps us cover not only the therapist’s services but also the materials for the projects, which have been vital to our Bloom program,” Hinton said.
The Bloom program allows artisans with disabilities to create handcrafted items, including greeting cards, shirts, candles, soap, and jewelry. These items are available for purchase at Employment Source, local farmers markets, and community festivals, with the proceeds going directly to the artisans.
Art Therapy as a Bridge to Inclusion
Employment Source’s art therapy program promotes inclusion by giving individuals with disabilities a creative outlet to express themselves and interact with their community. Hinton emphasized the importance of this approach, noting that art therapy provides more than just an opportunity for creative expression.
“Art therapy allows participants to practice motor skills, eye-hand coordination, spatial awareness, pattern recognition, and self-expression,” Hinton explained. The impact of these sessions will be on full display during the upcoming “Thankful for Art” showcase on Nov. 14, where the public is invited to view the artwork and engage in conversations with the artists.
“This is the first time we are hosting this event, and we’re excited for the community to see the incredible work our participants have created,” she said.
Hinton also noted that the participants have embraced opportunities to engage with the public at summer markets and festivals, where they sell their Bloom products.
“These events have provided our participants with a chance to meet community members, share their experiences, and have conversations about the art and the Bloom items they’ve made,” she said.
Partnerships That Drive Success
The success of Employment Source’s programs would not be possible without strong community partnerships. Hinton emphasized her gratitude for the support from organizations such as the Cumberland Community Foundation, United Way of Cumberland County, and the City of Fayetteville.
“We’ve built strong partnerships with local organizations, churches like Snyder Baptist and Lebanon Baptist, and other groups like the YMCA and Cape Fear Botanical Garden,” she said. These collaborations provide additional resources, volunteers, and opportunities for Employment Source to expand its reach and impact.
One of the most valued partnerships, Hinton mentioned, is with the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.
“Their continued support has been instrumental in allowing us to grow our art therapy offerings and increase the visibility of our participants’ talents,” she said.
Transforming Lives Through Art
Art therapy has become a highlight for the individuals at Employment Source, many of whom look forward to Wednesdays when Devon leads the weekly sessions. “Wednesday is our art therapy day, and it’s the most popular day of the week,” Hinton said with a smile. “When Yael walks in, everyone cheers. It’s become something they all look forward to.”
Hinton shared a success story about one of the participants, who has both intellectual and developmental disabilities and is non-verbal.
“Through art therapy, this individual found a way to express themselves that didn’t require words,” Hinton explained. “Every week, they present their work to the class, and their joy and pride are contagious. These moments remind us why this program is so important.”
For Hinton, the value of art therapy goes beyond creativity. It offers a way for individuals with disabilities to build confidence and develop skills to assist them in other areas of life, including employment. “Art therapy is a fun way to get into the minds and hearts of these incredible individuals, and it plays a significant role in their personal growth,” she said.
Looking to the Future
Hinton is optimistic about the future of Employment Source’s creative therapy programs. Beyond art therapy, the organization offers other forms of expressive therapy, including dance classes at the YMCA, horticulture programs at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, and pet therapy through the Love on a Leash program.
“We are always looking for new ways to expand our offerings and provide more opportunities for our participants to grow and engage with the community,” Hinton said.
One growth area is the organization’s technology lab, funded by a grant from the Longleaf Fund. The lab offers developmental programs aimed at improving communication and promoting independence.
“We’re planning to upgrade our technology to keep up with the rapid changes in the digital world,” Hinton noted. “This will allow our participants to build skills crucial in today’s workforce.”
Additionally, Hinton sees the Bloom product line expanding to more locations and events throughout the community.
“We’re excited about the future of Bloom and how we can continue to showcase the talents of our participants in new and meaningful ways,” she said.
As Employment Source grows its programs, Hinton remains deeply grateful for the volunteers and partners who have contributed to the organization’s success.
“We’re so fortunate to have people like Brucie Tria, who drives from Raleigh every Friday to teach financial literacy and other activities,” she said. “Our volunteers are vital to what we do, and we couldn’t do it without them.”
For more information about the upcoming “Art Therapy for Community Inclusion Day” or to RSVP, email CommunityNC@employmentsource.org. You can also contact Tara Brisson Hinton at tara.hinton@employmentsource.org or 910-850-8068.

(Photo: Participants in art therapy provided by Employment Service make tie dye t shirts. Employment Service recently received a grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County to hire Yael Divon, a certified art therapist who provides weekly art therapy projects for 30 individuals in the program. Photo courtesy of Tara Hinton, Director of Regional Philanthropy, Employment Source)

Kinlaw’s prepares to rebuild in wake of devastating fire

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Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Written by Evey Weisblat, CityView Today

The building, gutted. The roof, collapsed. Rubbish spilled from the gaping windows, a grim testament to the fire’s destructive power.
Early Monday afternoon, though the flames had been extinguished, visible damage from the fire that decimated Kinlaw’s Supermarket Saturday night remained. Much of the building was reduced to rubble — a charred shell of the bustling meat market that has been a staple of east Fayetteville for years.
For more than four decades, Kinlaw’s Supermarket, located on Sapona Road in east Fayetteville, has been feeding the Fayetteville community and supplying fresh meat to customers and catering services to local businesses.
Tommy Kinlaw and his brother Bobby founded the meat market in 1979, and expanded the business to include a restaurant a few years later, Kinlaw’s Welcome Grill. Kinlaw said the restaurant serves about 6,000 people a week, despite only being open for two meals a day and being closed on weekends.
The weekend fire, which lasted several hours Oct. 19, was caused by an electrical short in the building, Kinlaw said. The fire ultimately required about 2 million gallons of water to extinguish. Fire crews dumped about 4,000 gallons a minute for the first eight hours, through Saturday night and into Sunday morning, Kinlaw said. The Fayetteville Fire Department finished work at about 1 p.m. Sunday, he said. No one was injured from the fire.
Kinlaw said he had been “anxious at first,” about the fire — which news had woken him up after about an hour and a half of sleep — but felt reassured by the love and support the store has since received from the community and a large group of loyal customers. Kinlaw’s son, Travis Kinlaw, runs the day-to-day operations at the store.
“We had to cut the phone off in my son’s pocket, my one that runs the store over here, Travis, he was getting 28 texts a minute and he couldn’t handle it because there was so many people wanting to talk to him,” Tommy Kinlaw told CityView. “He just had to stop it for a little bit because there are so many decisions that are critical to this moment.”

Strong community support
A few long-time shoppers dropped in and out of the parking lot across the street from Kinlaw’s on Oct. 21, taking pictures of the building ruins. One woman told CityView she had shopped at Kinlaw’s for 40 years, and couldn’t believe what she’d seen on the news earlier that Monday morning — she had to come out to see it herself.
A longtime employee, Jack Muzquiz, pointed out the various pieces of black debris from the fire in the parking lot: a charred onion, a tin can, a plastic bottle, even a Kinlaw’s business card on the ground.
Other passersby who identified themselves as friends and family of the Kinlaw’s stopped by to offer condolences. Adding to the scene on Monday, city contractors, who were performing routine road maintenance unrelated to the fire, sprayed a tack coat onto Sapona Road, the same street where Kinlaw’s is located. Waylon Nobles, an engineering inspector for the city who happened to be overseeing the roadwork, told CityView he had done some concrete projects for the Kinlaw’s over the years, and described them as “really good people.” Nobles said he had been a regular shopper at the market, too.
“It’s a shame it happened,” he said, gazing at the large pile of rubble and blackened walls of the former meat market. “It’s very sad. I hope they rebuild because they did a lot for this community right here. Gave a lot of people jobs.”
“Your heart sank when you saw it,” Nobles added.
Kinlaw’s is known for providing employment opportunities for those with no other place to turn, such as former prisoners looking for jobs and to re-enter the community. The business also regularly feeds people who cannot afford food, according to Kinlaw and community members.
“We feed a lot of people, and sometimes we have to feed people that can’t feed themselves,” Kinlaw told CityView.
That also includes strangers. Kinlaw said, the business was able to put together a feast for the family of a woman with intestinal cancer. The woman has four children, he said. Her friend had reached out to Kinlaw’s and asked if they could help provide a meal, Kinlaw said.
“We did it the other night and all the children and the grandparents just broke down and cried,” Kinlaw said. “They said, ‘[We] couldn’t believe anybody loves us so much.’ We don’t know them. They don’t know us. But they ate a great supper.”
The show must go on
Kinlaw’s is not wasting any time getting back to business as usual.
“We’ve got a total plan already in place,” Kinlaw told CityView on Monday.
Kinlaw said the restaurant, spared by the fire, opened for business on Oct. 22 but he estimates the grocery store will not be open again until next August. The business has already found a builder, Kinlaw said, and they expect to complete the project in 10 to 11 months. Now, Kinlaw is waiting on the business’s insurance company to give the go-ahead to start the rebuilding process.
Kinlaw said his family plans to rebuild the market in the same location, with the hope of expanding it to be closer to the restaurant by purchasing the vacant building that currently separates the market and the restaurant.
“And we’re making a personal offer on that … building right between us that’s been vacant for years and it needs to be torn down,” Kinlaw said. “But I would like to put the store there and then we’d have the whole place to park. But we’ve got a lot of things going on. It’s happening really fast.”
Kinlaw, a deeply religious man, turned to his faith in the wake of the destruction. He said he had woken up early that Monday morning, at 3:30 a.m., with a message from God about his family’s troubles in the form of a psalm.
Standing in the parking lot of the restaurant Monday, he pulled out his Bible from his truck, an old-fashioned copy, bound in leather, and read the scripture aloud. He recited Psalm 41:1–3, verses describing how God blesses and protects those who are kind to the poor.
“But my word confirmed the fact that he’s going to take care of it,” Kinlaw said. “The song … ‘He’s got the whole world in his hand. He’s got me and you, too.’ I believe that with all my heart.”

Public Works Commission approves bid for its third solar farm

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Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Written by Paul Woolverton, CityView Today

The Public Works Commission plans to build its third solar farm by its sewer treatment plant in Grays Creek near Rockfish Creek and the Cape Fear River.
The PWC’s board voted unanimously on Wednesday to hire River City Construction of Washington, North Carolina, to build the farm for $6.49 million. River City was one of four companies that bid on the project, according to agenda materials from Wednesday’s meeting.
The bid is now subject to final approval by the Fayetteville City Council. The city owns the PWC.
The 4.875-megawatt Rockfish Solar Utility Station is to be built off N.C. 87 South on Tracy Hall Road next to the Rockfish Creek Water Reclamation Facility — a sewer treatment plant near where Rockfish Creek enters the Cape Fear River, according to PWC bid materials.
The total budget to build and open the Rockfish Solar Utility Station is $8.95 million, PWC spokesman Gavin MacRoberts told CityView. It’s expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026, he said.
Growing solar capabilities
The Rockfish solar farm is part of a larger effort by the PWC to expand its solar generation operations. The PWC has one farm, and including the Rockfish farm it plans to build three more.
Here are the details on the other solar farms, from the PWC’s website and provided by MacRoberts:
• Community Solar/Battery Storage. The PWC’s first solar farm opened in 2019 next to the natural gas powered Butler-Warner Generation Plant in the Eastover area. It generates up to 1 megawatt. The PWC plans to expand this farm. The size and date of the expansion are not yet determined.
• Gillespie Solar Photovoltaic Utility Station. This $3.4 million, 1.9-megawatt solar farm will be the PWC’s second solar farm. It is under construction at 3858 Gillespie St., where the Sally Hills Farms horse stable used to be in the Southview area between the Fayetteville Regional Airport and Hope Mills. It’s due to open in early 2025.
• Carvers Falls Road. “Engineering is underway for an additional solar farm off Carvers Falls Road,” MacRoberts said. This is on the north side of Fayetteville off Ramsey Street near Interstate 295. Construction is to start after the Rockfish solar farm is complete. It will be the PWC’s fourth solar farm. The estimated cost has not yet been determined.
The PWC provides electricity to customers in and around Fayetteville. It buys most of its power at a wholesale price from Duke Energy Progress. Its natural gas Butler-Warner plant is only activated during periods of peak demand and generates electricity for Duke during those periods, officials have said.
The existing solar farm by the Butler-Warner plant supplies power to the PWC’s customers, not Duke, MacRoberts said, as will the new farms.