In recent days, local leaders have announced that several new businesses are coming to Richmond County.
Rockingham Mayor John Hutchinson posted to his Facebook page that 7 Brew will be adding a location at the site of Taco Loko.
According to the company’s website, 7 Brew opened its first shop in 2017 in Rogers, Arkansas, and it now boasts more than 600 locations in 38 states, employing more than 25,000 people. While most shops are drive-thru, 7 Brew opened its first walk-thru site last year in Springdale, Arkansas.
There are currently 15 locations in North Carolina, with the closest being in Albemarle, Spring Lake and Fayetteville. There are two locations in the latter city.
Taco Loko announced on Facebook Dec. 3 that it would be temporarily closing because the property owner sold the space and that it had to be cleared out by Jan. 1. However, that company is operating a food truck and is still available through Door Dash.
The reaction to Hutchinson’s post was mixed: some welcomed the new business; some lamented the loss of the Taco Loko location; some reminisced and called for the return of Central Park.
According to RoadsideArchitecture.com, Central Park first opened in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1982. The restaurant grew to more than 60 locations across the Southeast (and one in Utah), but had dwindled to 12 by 2015. A Google search on Feb. 26 revealed five current locations, all in the Chattanooga area.
Still others complained about the introduction of another coffee shop —with national chains like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts practically across the street, Nana’s Coffee Rocks in downtown Rockingham, and Riverside Bakery and Coffee Shop on Hamlet’s Main Street, as well as the Bently’s Brews and Travelin’ Tom’s trucks.
The mayor responded in another post to the negativity and misconceptions about business location decisions.
“There are four hamburger restaurants within two blocks, and all succeed. There’s a Jersey Mike’s across from a Firehouse. Both succeed,” Hutchinson wrote. “7 Brew can be across from Starbucks and that’s okay. I have no doubt 7 Brew did more than throw a dart that landed on Broad Avenue. They did plenty of research before choosing to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars here.”
Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Jersey Mike’s and Firehouse Subs have all opened within the past decade, as have other businesses.
The mayor continued: “If the city picked businesses, all our favorites would already be here. But that’s not how it works. Businesses pick the city and the city helps with zoning, codes, and not much else. That’s the way it works everywhere, in fact.”
In response to the constant clamoring for a steakhouse every time a new business opens in Rockingham, Hutchinson replied: “Be a community where a steakhouse wants to do business. All of us prefer a positive atmosphere to a negative one. Businesses are the same way.
“You can also get steaks at Dine 82, Holiday, The Grille and, probably, other local places. By the way, they are locally-owned sit-down restaurants owned by Richmond County people,” Hutchinson continued. “Don’t run them down just because they don’t charge a Ruth’s Chris price or have a Texas Roadhouse sign out front.
“We grow, little by little. Things change. That’s just the way life works. And, moving ahead is a hell of a lot better than backsliding.”
Big Tomato Marketing is moving to Hamlet from Concord and has a grand opening slated for Feb. 28.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
But Rockingham isn’t the only city changing.
Hamlet City Manager John Terziu on Wednesday announced several new businesses coming to the Seaboard City as well as planned renovations.
One of those new companies is Big Tomato Marketing, which is scheduled to host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting from 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 52 W. Main St.
Founder Michelle Padilla is moving Big Tomato Marketing from Concord to Hamlet.
Padilla, who has more than 25 years in marketing experience, started the company in September of 2021, and currently works with small and medium-sized businesses in six states.
Big Tomato Marketing, according to the website, specializes in: marketing strategy; website design and development; brand identities; content creation; social media management; email marketing; graphic design; consulting services; and search engine optimization.
She and her husband, Greg, bought a home in Hamlet in early 2024 and “completely fell in love” with the neighborhood. That June, they hosted an event for small businesses Axe to Grind.
Padillia said her husband, a veteran, will also be bringing his organization, the Military Veterans Foundation, to Hamlet.
Last month, the Padillas became co-presidents of the Hamlet Business Development Association.
The building at 32 Main St. will soon be home to the Landmark Tavern.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
Terziu also announced that Landmark Tavern will soon be opening at 32 W. Main Street — a site no stranger to being a bar, having previously been home to the Murray Hill Club, Atkinson’s Pool Room, Sports Connection, Hail Mary’s Tavern and most recently, Mel’s Place.
The Landmark Tavern is tentatively scheduled to open next month, according to Terziu.
The city manager also mentioned that Domino’s is opening a location in Hamlet, and said that permits are being pulled for one condemned building and the process has started for another.
“Condemned buildings are turning into construction sites. Construction sites are turning into opportunity. Opportunity is turning into growth,” Terziu said. “These things do not happen overnight but rest assured, we are growing.”
During the February city council meeting, Terziu mentioned an economic development project in the works that could bring up to 1,000 jobs to the Hamlet.
“This doesn’t happen by accident,” Terziu continued. “It happens when private investors see stability, leadership, and a city that is serious about forward progress.”
