When Fenwick’s closed its doors back in March 2025 after an incredible 40-year run, we all thought we were saying goodbye for good. I wrote then (with a lump in my throat) this story about the countless meals, memories, and hugs shared within those cozy walls on Providence Road in Charlotte’s Eastover neighborhood.

It was a place where regulars were family, where first-timers quickly became old friends, and where the burgers, tomato bisque, bran muffins, fried oysters, and that legendary bread pudding always felt like home.

Fenwick’s is Back: Same Menu, New Chapter, New Reason to Celebrate

Sometimes, life gives us the sweetest kind of second helpings.

And, today I’m here with the best kind of news: Fenwick’s is back.
Same menu and the same vibe. Same neighborhood gem.

And we have new owner Tommi Harris who has worked hand in hand with the Rabb family, GM Bill Parks and many of the original Fenwick’s crew to thank for it.

Above, a mid-construction depiction of what Tommi Harris will look like at the bar at Fenwick’s. Picture her here (with things cleaned up) and real cocktail in her hand.

A Fenwick’s Revival, Just Around the Corner

Tommi isn’t just swooping in as some anonymous new owner. She’s a longtime Fenwick’s fan and a neighborhood local you might know from behind the bar at Primo’s, just around the corner on Middleton Drive. Tommi understands the magic of Fenwick’s, and she’s stepping in with open arms and the best possible plan: to keep it all the same.

She’s stepping in not to reinvent Fenwick’s but to protect what made it special in the first place. Think of it like a home renovation where they keep the porch swing and all your grandma’s recipes.

If you’ve been keeping up with appearances, you’ve seen the work that’s been going on, the pod in the parking lot and all the construction crews coming and going.

Reopening without Reservations

As the restaurant reopens later this month ( July 2025), the working plan is that the menu isn’t changing. Once the operation is up and in full swing, hours will be Tuesday – Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm.

The barstools are still prime seating. And you still won’t be able to make a reservation. So plan to wait a bit for a table, and maybe a bit longer for a seat at the bar. You know it will be worth it. With the inside renovations, I’m honestly not sure if that little side-by-side booth will still be there, but there is still seating inside and out on the patio.

Those perfectly crisp fried oysters? Still on deck. And yes, you can still order the hand-cut fries, big salads and bowls of tomato bisque with bran muffins, those grilled burger, and the bread pudding that Don Rabb so famously gifted to new guests to keep them coming back. (Spoiler: it worked.)

Of course, the bones of the place have had a thoughtful update—think new plumbing, wiring, kitchen equipment, and a refreshed bar and service area—but the heart and soul? That’s untouched.

A New Chapter, But the Story Stays the Same

In many ways, if I could be so bold, I think this is exactly what Catherine Rabb would have wanted. Catherine’s warmth and recipes built Fenwick’s into what it became. Her spirit lingers in every muffin, every bowl of tomato bisque, every friendly nod from across the room. And her voice is still on the answering machine.

It feels right that Tommi, someone who understands the pulse of this neighborhood, is carrying the torch. You’ll find Tommi doing her thing, behind the bar crafting cocktails for the crowds. And, she’s kicking this opening month off with a new cocktail program we are all going to love.

But the Fenwick’s we all loved was never just about the food & drink; it was about the people. The handshakes. The familiar faces. The Cheers-like comfort where everyone really does know your name.

And that? That’s the part that’s coming back in full force.

So, What’s Your First Bite?

The only thing left to decide is: what are you ordering first?
An order of fries? The bran muffin? The burger? Fried oysters? Bread pudding? Or maybe a little bit of everything—you know, just to make up for lost time.

Pictured Above, on the right, Fenwick’s Bread Pudding iwth Whiskey Sauce and to the left – the classic chef’s salad topped with grilled chicken

I, for one, am beyond grateful for the chance to make even more Fenwick’s memories. Let’s raise a glass to the second chapter of this neighborhood treasure.

Catch you soon at our favorite corner seats at the bar and don’t be surprised if I’m already on my second bowl of bisque with a bran muffin on the side.