NoDa Brewing Tapas in Chapel Hill Rebrands as The Dogwood

A Chapel Hill eatery and taproom is switching up its branding, as the business previously known as NoDa Brewing Tapas is now going by The Dogwood.

The restaurant, which is located at 1118 Environ Way in the East 54 shopping center, officially launched the new name and a corresponding expanded menu during the first week of August.

Co-owner Lew Hendricks, who works with Julie Paddison to run the business, told Chapelboro the rebrand offers them a chance to incorporate more food options and an expanded beer list.

“It’s basically the same team, the same energy, the same stuff,” said Hendricks. “We updated the menu — which we do regularly anyways — and I updated my tap list. They used to all be NoDa beers, but now I’ll have a couple of NoDa drafts and other North Carolina craft beers on tap.”

The duo of Hendricks and Paddison teamed up with the Charlotte-based brewery in 2022 as NoDa looked to slowly expand into the Triangle. Hendricks said the partnership came about from his prior relationship with NoDa’s leadership and came as he and Paddison were refreshing the Old East Tavern after its move into the 1118 Environ Way space. The two businesses will still partner on some things, with Hendricks citing the recent Rescue Brew effort to raise money for the local pet organizations Hope Animal Rescue and Beautiful Together Sanctuary. A release party and dog adoption event for the specialty beer on August 4 was The Dogwood’s first event with its new branding and helped raise more than $48,000.

For visitors, Hendricks described the new menu for his restaurant as continuing to offer a good selection of small plate, but more tavern-style options as well. He said executive chef Dustin Raper is bringing in five “classic entrée dishes,” some of which can already be ordered.

“We wanted to do small plates, because it’s fun around the table,” he said. “When people share off plates, it creates a fun atmosphere. But, we’re also in America and people really like sandwiches and French fries.

“In two weeks,” Hendricks said, “we’ll launch the other two [entrées] when we get everyone trained up. But otherwise, we’re rocking and rolling.”

Beyond The Dogwood, which started out as Bottle Rev in 2017, Hendricks and Paddison also co-own the poplar cafe in East 54 and RTP Uncorked in the Research Triangle Park.

Featured image via The Dogwood.

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NoDa Brewing Tapas in Chapel Hill Rebrands as The Dogwood

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