by Greg Lewis and Maria Parker-Lewis
Pittsboro, NC – Good news and sad news. As we near our eight-year August 2020 anniversary as a downtown Pittsboro establishment, we’re pleased to announce an upcoming new venture. We will be opening a steakhouse and lounge in Pittsboro.
We had been hoping to expand our business with a second location, but unfortunately, the current economic environment is not allowing for the revenue needed to maintain operations of both The Roadhouse and a new venture. Constant ongoing expenses and increasing overhead in a climate of decreased revenue is a quick ride from the Roadhouse to the Poorhouse. Therefore, we have decided to shut down the Roadhouse, refocus, reorganize, and rebrand. We will come back strong with a new concept in a new location with better opportunity for growth.
Sadly, we will leave our current location near the Courthouse traffic circle and settle in at Chatham Mills just a few blocks north. The menu will be delectably focused and the entertainment stage will rise again to bring you some of the area’s best entertainment and shows for the whole family to enjoy. We will host special events both grand and intimate. 39 West Catering will also relocate to a dedicated kitchen and offices. We’ll honor all Roadhouse gift certificates either through 39 West Catering or our new steakhouse and lounge (name and opening date yet to be announced).
In the past eight years we have met the most amazing and supportive people: customers, talented artists, musicians, sound techs, local farmers, and business owners. These are all wonderful folks who care deeply for our little town. We have celebrated together in many ways: some more intimate such as parties, weddings, graduations, and end of life celebrations at the Roadhouse. Other celebrations were on a grander community scale such as The Pittsboro Business Association’s Summer Fest and Pittsboro Holly Days. We have been blessed to have been on the committees that brought those celebrations to Pittsboro.
In addition, the Roadhouse team has been privileged to work with other teams and organizations to raise funds for many good and much needed causes. These include, but are not limited to, Main Street Pittsboro’s Local on Main Dinner, The Abundance Foundation’s Pecha Kucha, and Chatham Literacy’s Literacy Swings. One of our favorite programs is our Sunday senior lunch delivery, working with volunteers to deliver a healthy meal to Chatham County’s seniors on a day that Meals on Wheels does not deliver. Our hearts have been deeply touched witnessing the number of Pittsboro friends and neighbors that have developed wonderful and lasting relationships through this program. This meaningful program will continue through our new location.
We are profoundly grateful for your continued support during the current challenges presented by COVID-19. You have generously purchased Family Meals, Pantry items, Gift Certificates, and donated to our Pass the Plate fund to feed local families who have been financially impacted by the pandemic. We will continue the Pass the Plate program during our transition and beyond, as needed.
A great thrill for Greg has been working with our local talent and sound techs to bring some awesome shows and concerts to our stage. Many wonderful, happy moments have been spent watching great music and dancing — and even a few marriage proposals during shows have been known to happen!
Until further notice, The Roadhouse will be open only on Fridays and Saturdays for lunch, dinner and Family Meals. We’re working with bands to schedule them as they return to performing for live audiences: Daddy’s Alright Friday, June 26th; Your Mama’s New Boyfriend Saturday, June 27; Jim Quick and Coastline, Friday, July 3rd; and an all-day show from The School of Rock Sunday, July 12.
We have enjoyed working with each of you to bring some great moments and memories to downtown Pittsboro. We will build on those experiences as we reimagine our relocated Pittsboro presence. We will continue to celebrate, collaborate, maintain, and build relationships in our community even though we won’t be as physically close to downtown.
It was never our intention to leave downtown, but sometimes life challenges you to set a new course, so you must redirect and move forward. We will keep you all informed of our progress as we move along and ask that you will keep us in your prayers, asking for guidance for us as we navigate this new course.
We wish you all a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing you all soon.
Greg Lewis and Maria Parker-Lewis are owners of the Pittsboro Roadhouse