Openings and closings: See what restaurants came and went around Fayetteville in February

Taylor Shook, Fayetteville Observer
Updated ·3 min read

This year, Fayetteville's food scene buzz has been all but dominated by chain restaurant openings, but independent restaurants are making waves, too, with several recent additions.

The latest comings and goings include: Caribbean and vegan bakery chains openings, the closure of a short-lived Korean spot and the return of a beloved downtown restaurant in Fayetteville; a new fast-casual chain and another on the way at Fort Liberty; a new convenience store, a new eatery and the closure of a longtime bar in Hope Mills.

Here’s a look at the food news you may have missed.

Vanessa Mckoy, owner of Kwon's Kitchen Korean Fusion food truck and the former restaurant by the same name at 5173 Bragg Blvd.
Vanessa Mckoy, owner of Kwon's Kitchen Korean Fusion food truck and the former restaurant by the same name at 5173 Bragg Blvd.

Closed: Kwon's Kitchen Korean Fusion Cuisine

Kwon’s Kitchen Korean Fusion Cuisine in Midway Center on Bragg Boulevard in Fayetteville closed Feb. 25, after about a year in business. The food truck by the same name, which serves street food like Korean hot dogs and Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, remains in operation.

A trainer instructs new employees how to make a cinnacake at Cinnaholic, a vegan cinnamon roll bakery, at 1928 Skibo Road.
A trainer instructs new employees how to make a cinnacake at Cinnaholic, a vegan cinnamon roll bakery, at 1928 Skibo Road.

Open: Cinnaholic

Vegan cinnamon roll bakery Cinnaholic opened Feb. 23 at Skibo Marketplace in Fayetteville. The chain, which appeared on “Shark Tank,” about a decade ago and has since expanded to about 100 locations in the U.S. and Canada, serves cinnamon rolls with extravagant toppings; soft serve ice cream and sorbet; and cookies and brownies.

Open: Panera

Panera opened its first Fort Liberty location Feb. 21 at the Smoke Bomb Hill Express food court. The St. Louis, Missouri-founded bakery chain took Arby’s former spot and has a drive-thru.

David Coleman, from left to right, Kimberly Coleman and Todd Harr, owners of 22 Klicks, 3109 N. Main St., Suite 110, Hope Mills.
David Coleman, from left to right, Kimberly Coleman and Todd Harr, owners of 22 Klicks, 3109 N. Main St., Suite 110, Hope Mills.

Temporarily closed: 22 Klicks

Hope Mills bar 22 Klicks closed its longtime location in Holiday Center on North Main Street on Feb. 18. The pub, which appeared on Paramount Network’s “Bar Rescue” in 2013, is moving to a new location at 2653 Hope Mills Road, Units 11 and 12, in Elmwood Crossing Center. A date for the reopening has yet to be announced.

Related: 10 years after 'Bar Rescue,' how is 22 Klicks in Hope Mills holding up?

Sheetz hot dog, fries, boom boom sauce, Butterfinger milkshake, appetizer sampler, marinara sauce and burrito, 5323 Ramsey St.
Sheetz hot dog, fries, boom boom sauce, Butterfinger milkshake, appetizer sampler, marinara sauce and burrito, 5323 Ramsey St.

Open: Sheetz in Hope Mills

Sheetz, the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain with an expansive made-to-order food menu, opened its third Cumberland County location Feb. 15 at 310 Chickenfoot Road in Hope Mills.

Is 7-Eleven coming to your neighborhood? Convenience store plans more Fayetteville locations

Coming soon: Potbelly

Potbelly Sandwich Shop is set to open at the Fort Liberty Mini Mall in April. The Chicago-founded chain known for submarine sandwiches and milkshakes will take over Taco Bell’s former spot in the food court.

Plans for a proposed Whataburger restaurant on Ramsey Street have been submitted to the city of Fayetteville.
Plans for a proposed Whataburger restaurant on Ramsey Street have been submitted to the city of Fayetteville.

Making plans: Whataburger

Whataburger submitted plans to Fayetteville’s Technical Review Committee in January. The Texas-founded chain known for spicy ketchup and patty melts may build a 3,305-square-foot freestanding store at 3900 Ramsey St. with a two-lane drive-thru as part of a $40 million dollar development.

The dining room at Bahama Breeze Island Grille at 570 Cross Creek Mall.
The dining room at Bahama Breeze Island Grille at 570 Cross Creek Mall.

Open: Bahama Breeze

Caribbean-inspired chain restaurant Bahama Breeze Island Grille opened Feb. 5 at Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville. Among the most popular offerings are tropical cocktails, jerk chicken pasta, fried plantains and beef empanadas.

Taste of West Africa restaurant at 116 Person St.
Taste of West Africa restaurant at 116 Person St.

Open: Taste of West Africa

Taste of West Africa made its much-anticipated comeback late last month after seven years away. The beloved Ghanaian restaurant reopened at 116 Person St. in downtown Fayetteville, a space with seating for about 250.

Previously: Popular restaurant makes a much-anticipated return to downtown Fayetteville

Open: A to Z Deli and Grill

A to Z Deli and Grill opened Jan. 16 at 3154 Legion Road, according to county health department records. At the former home of Bruce & Mickey’s, a barbecue and fried chicken joint, A to Z offers breakfast sandwiches, bagels, burgers, deli sandwiches, fried chicken, fish and milkshakes.

Food, dining and culture reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com or on Facebook. Want weekly food news delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: New restaurants in Fayetteville and Hope Mills, NC in February 2024