An opening date has been set for a familiar concept coming to longtime Lake Norman pub

BY JOE MARUSAK AND HEIDI FINLEY UPDATED OCTOBER 19, 2023 9:07 AM

A venerable pub in Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood is expanding to Lake Norman this fall with a Nov. 1 opening. Ed’s Tavern, established in 1935, has placed a “coming soon” banner on the front of a building in Cornelius that housed an Irish pub that closed Jan. 1 after 20 years. The Cornelius tavern operated for most of those years as Galway Hooker. Now, Mecklenburg County building permits posted on the front of the tavern indicate renovations and refurbishments are underway.

The new owner has obtained Mecklenburg County permits for renovations to the former Irish pub in Cornelius.  “Ed’s Tavern LKN will be everything you already love about Ed’s in Charlotte and more! Same great menu, drinks, sports bar vibes, and great community! We’re excited to even have a second floor for the first time to cater to private events and beyond!,” the Ed’s Tavern team said via Instagram. The pub was built in Ireland under the auspices of Dublin brewery giant Guinness and reconstructed in Cornelius.

Local businessman Dan Reynolds bought the establishment a few years ago and renamed it Piper’s at Galway Hooker, after his late sister. The most recent signs on the building called it Piper’s Tavern at Lake Norman. Piper’s offered Irish pub food favorites such as bangers and mash, Galway fish and chips, Irish egg rolls and corned beef and cabbage. Stateside selections included prime rib, shrimp and grits, and quesabirria pork tacos. The owners behind Ed’s Tavern also opened FreeMore Tavern at 1500 W. Morehead St, Suite C., in Charlotte’s Wesley Heights neighborhood.

ED’S TAVERN Location: 17044 Kenton Dr. Cornelius, NC 28031 Menu Cuisine: American Instagram: @edstavernlkn This story was originally published September 18, 2023, 11:12 AM.

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article279453794.html#storylink=cpy