Look out for craft beer and wood-fired Southern barbecue at a new restaurant in Mount Holly’s old fire station
The 6,000-square-foot restaurant will combine two of owner Scott Blackwood’s favorite things — craft beer and his personal recipe for traditional North Carolina wood-fired barbecue.
“Since we’re in the fire service, it seemed logical that we cook our food on live, wood-burning grills,” Blackwood told CharlotteFive.
There will be a variety of seating and service options for guests, including waiter tables, a walk-in counter, QR code ordering and a bar area. Firehawk Brewpub will also feature a 40+ seat patio overlooking Dutchman’s Creek and a second 60-70 seat patio along Main Street.
Perhaps one of Firehawk Brewing’s most unique features is the ability for guests to purchase a bundle of wood and a s’mores kit and enjoy s’mores by the fireplace by the creek. “We want to meet everyone in their new comfort zone — wherever that may be,” Backwood said.
The location for his new casual restaurant is a full circle moment for Blackwood, who grew up in Mount Holly. “I have this memory burned into my head. When I was about 10 years old, I jumped onto a mattress in the living room and banged my head on a coffee table. I remember my father throwing me in the back seat of his Grand Marquis and taking me to this fire station. I was sitting in the back of a fire truck getting stitches.”
The restaurant is a family and friends affair. “The menu is based on recipes created by me and my wife Erin, my parents, grandparents and family friends,” Blackwood said.
His best friend Robert Childers – a local musician and artist – will be organizing art shows at the property and his brother – DJ Justin Aswell – will be DJing there. Blackwood’s mother is the office manager.
But it’s Blackwood’s father who shows up in a very special way. “Our motto is ‘feed everyone’. So if you can’t afford your meal, you can put it on Papa Ray’s bill,” Blackwood said. The idea honors his father, who died in 2009.
“If someone walks in and wins the lottery that day and wants to put an extra hundred dollars on the bill for Papa Ray, they can do that too. We hope that by the end of the year everything will rebalance itself and any surplus will be donated to charity.”
The fire station building was previously used by the Mount Holly Utilities Department after a new fire station was built for the city in the early 2000s.
Firehawk Brewpub
Location: 309 North Main Street, Mount Holly
Cuisines: American, Southern, Beer, Barbecue
Instagram: @firehawkbrewpub