New Mars Hill eatery and taproom to offer live music, pizza and more

MARS HILL – After a number of restaurants have closed in town recently, a new eatery and hangout spot is set to open in spring.

Dry Ridge Brewing will offer “food, music, games and drinks,” as its tagline suggests. The new eatery and bar will be located along Carl Eller Road, next to popular ice cream spot Meadowsweet Creamery.

James Heinl, who co-owns the space with Christopher Duncan, Maxwell Kirsner and Frank Johnson, is performing the construction.

Upon its opening, Dry Ridge Brewing will cook pizzas out of its food truck and commissary kitchen, Dry Ridge Eats, with plans to move to a more diverse menu and bring in a chef and cooking staff later on.

The company’s mission is “to provide a welcoming gathering space for Mars Hill and Madison County residents, Mars Hill University students and regional visitors, while helping Mars Hill thrive as a vibrant cultural and economic hub.”

“When Frank (Johnson) and I were talking about what to do with the space, we talked about how when we get together with our families for a meal, we’ll end up going down to Weaverville because there’s nowhere here to sit outside,” Heinl said. “So, we’d go to Weaverville and see all these people from Mars Hill. We’ve got all these people drive all the way to Weaverville that want to hang out in a community and outside.”

Heinl said pizza delivery will be a big focus for the business, too.

Heinl is also an assistant business professor at the university and executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Heinl said the location will bring roughly three full-time jobs and 15 part-time jobs to the town.

The layout

The outdoor space will have fire pits and lawn games, such as cornhole, and will be dog-friendly.

The space will also offer a walk-up bar, serving wine and beer, featuring all local Western North Carolina beers with some non-alcoholic options.

The space will also feature an outdoor stage space, with a capacity of 100 to 150 people, with indoor and outdoor heated seating, Heinl said.

“The live music is going to be a big part, and it’s not going to be loud rock, or really crazy stuff. If you’re sitting inside, you’ll be able to see the stage, and if you’re sitting outside, you’ll be able to see it,” Heinl said.

The space will be available to rent for private events and gatherings, Heinl said. The team plans to open around April 2026.

Demand for restaurants

In a little more than a year, a handful of Mars Hill restaurants have either closed or moved, including the Waffle House, Mars Hill Kitchen and Market and Rios Mexican Kitchen.

It’s not all bad news for restaurants in town though, as Joey’s Bagels opened its Main Street location in September.

According to Town Manager Nathan Bennett, the town continues to meet with developers about its mixed-use project at 9 and 15 S. Main St., which calls for a restaurant on the first floor, with multiple residential or professional offices on the upper or lower floors.

“It’s less about making money. We saw what we wanted in the community, and it’s more about that,” Heinl said. “It’s going to be a really fun space for Mars Hill and our community.”

Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or [email protected].

‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’