A Chapel Hill restaurant and its companion café are set to close their doors for good at the end of this week, with ownership citing new opportunities in the Research Triangle Park.
The Dogwood, a restaurant and bar in the East 54 development, and the neighboring Poplar Café shared on its Facebook page on Tuesday that the businesses’ final day will be Saturday, September 30. Co-owners Lew Hendricks and Julie Paddison wrote a message to patrons saying they have enjoyed the journey of running a restaurant in the shopping center since 2017, but are now turning their focus elsewhere.
“The restaurant business builds character and is not for the faint of heart,” the duo wrote. “Despite the obstacles we faced related to COVID, significant equipment failures, and the usual array of restaurant challenges, we have tried our best to create positive experiences for and with you over the years. While we have enjoyed it so much, have hundreds of memories, and have learned a lot about a lot, it is with mixed emotions that we have made the decision to expand our wine offering at RTP Uncorked and are pursuing another opportunity at Boxyard.”
The closure comes after The Dogwood restaurant underwent a rebranding in August — transitioning to more of a traditional restaurant with an expanded menu at the end of its partnership with a Charlotte-based brewery. At the time, NoDa Brewing Tapas was the latest iteration of a business at 1118 Environ Way. Hendricks and Paddison previously moved their bottle shop called Bottle Rev into the unit after the Tobacco Road Sports Café closed in 2020. After making the move from a different space in East 54, the business duo rebranded Bottle Rev to Old East Tavern in 2021 before rebranding to NoDa Brewing Tapas in 2022.
Meanwhile, the Poplar Café opened with a soft launch in January 2022 next door at 1114 Environ Way. The business is known for its private working space and for serving coffee, tea, and Deli Edison bagels to patrons.
Photo via the Poplar Café.
“We hope you will visit this week for what will be the last time,” said Paddison and Hendricks to their Chapel Hill customers.
The Dogwood’s hours are listed as 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and then 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., while The Poplar Café will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Featured image via The Dogwood.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.
Related Stories
‹
NoDa Brewing Tapas in Chapel Hill Rebrands as The DogwoodA 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 […]
New Chapel Hill Indian Restaurant Ayra Shares Renderings as Remodeling ContinuesRemodeling and preparation for Ayra – a new concept from Chef Sujan Sarkar and owners Mayil Rajendran and Ravi Jeyaraman – is underway at 2110 Environ Way in the East 54 development.
Géos Tavern & Oyster Bar Set To Open In Chapel Hill June 8Géos Tavern & Oyster Bar is set to open Monday, June 8. The restaurant will feature seafood inspired by the flavors of North Carolina cooking.
Bottle Rev in Chapel Hill Moving to Old Tobacco Road Space, Changing NameA vacated space within the East 54 shopping center in Chapel Hill will not stay unused for very long. Bottle Rev Chapel Hill, the local location of the Raleigh-based bottle shop, will be moving to fill the space left by Tobacco Road Sports Cafe within the area off Raleigh Road. In addition, the shop and […]
Postino Restaurant and Wine Bar Opening in Chapel Hill's University Place This FallThe restaurant and wine bar Postino will open in Chapel Hill’s University Place shopping center this fall, the business shared in a press release Tuesday. The restaurant will occupy Suite 302 in the complex. Postino’s new space will include both a 4,485-square-foot interior and a 1,888-square-foot patio, “offering plenty of space for guests to gather, […]
Pair of W. Franklin Street Restaurants Permanently Shutter in MayThe Central American restaurant The Latin Effect closed on May 28, while Rams Corner closed to Franklin Street customers earlier in the month.
The Casual Pint of Chapel Hill to Reopen Under New Ownership, Targeting May 1Under a new ownership group, The Casual Pint of Chapel Hill will reopen at its former location at 201 South Elliott Road.
Alfredo's Pizza Villa Opens After Move at Chapel Hill's University PlaceAlfredo's Pizza Villa completed its move across the University Place parking lot and officially opened to customers in its new space on Thursday night.
Shake Shack Sets Post-Flood Reopening Date For Chapel Hill LocationShake Shack, one of the Eastgate Crossing businesses closed due to flood damage from Tropical Depression Chantal, said it is set to reopen.
Grand Openings Announced for 2 National Businesses Adding Chapel Hill LocationsA pair of national businesses are set to open their doors to Chapel Hill customers in just a few weeks' time: sweetgreen and J. Crew Factory.
›
