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  Meredith Jones -

  Eddie Romero and Mike Ivie recently opened the martini bar Olive in Mooresville. They're scheduled to open Taps Pour House in February.

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  Meredith Jones

  - Meredith Jones

  Iron Thunder owners Eric and Lisa Bremmer with servers Ally Fortier (left) and Michelle Smith. The new Mooresville location is scheduled to open in late February or early March.

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  Meredith Jones -

  Sisters Charlie and Samantha Marshall opened Coffee House LKN in December.

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  Meredith Jones -

  Gail Fairbanks along with Doug and Edie Surratt are part of the ownership team at the new Carrburritos in Davidson.

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Iron Thunder

Iron Thunder, a motorsports- and motorcycle-themed bar and restaurant—sort of like Hooters crossed with a biker bar—will open a third location in Mooresville on Highway 150 off exit 36 in late February or early March (there are also locations in Hickory and Concord). “We want to be known for our food, not just our atmosphere and drinks,” says owner Eric Bremner. “Our menu goes well beyond typical bar fare. Most of it is made in-house.” Some of Iron Thunder’s signature dishes include hand-cut steaks, ‘thunder thighs’ chicken wings, Buffalo chicken sandwiches and Maryland-style crab cakes. With weekly specials like half-prized pizza on Sundays and beer and chicken wing discounts on Monday, along with pool tables and plenty of big-screen TVs, Iron Thunder is likely to become a new hot spot for boys’ night out. www.ironthundersaloonandgrill.com

Carrburritos

The quaint town of Davidson has become home to a flavor fiesta! Davidson residents Doug and Edie Surratt, along with Edie’s sister and brother-in-law, Gail and Bill Fairbanks, of Carrboro, opened Carrburritos on South Main Street in January. Serving fresh burritos, tacos, quesadillas, tostadas and nachos, diners choose the ingredients they want, which are then prepared in front of them. There’s also a full margarita menu, a tasty complement to any meal. The Fairbanks opened the original Carrburritos in Carrboro 16 years ago and felt like Davidson was the perfect spot to try a second location. “We offer sophisticated flavors at a reasonable price,” says Edie Surratt. “Everything is made fresh—every salsa, all the guacamole; we even roast and hand pull the pork and beef. It’s an affordable, great night out for the whole family.” www.carrburritos.com

Olive and Taps Pour House and Eatery

Since finding success with The Pub at Gateway, a bar and restaurant in uptown Charlotte, owner Eddie Romero has set his sights on Lake Norman, where in January, along with partner Mike Ivie, he opened Olive, a chic new martini bar. He’s scheduled to open Taps Pour House and Eatery this month. The properties, both located on Williamson Road in Mooresville, are connected via a hallway. Olive features signature and specialty martinis, as well as a full bar. “We have seven to 10 house-infused vodkas that can each create two or three specialty martinis,” Romero says, including unusual flavors like bacon and jalapeño and pineapple and brown sugar. Taps Pour House will be more of a gastro pub, with high-quality bar fare as well as 63 craft, local and regional beers on tap. “Lake Norman is such a growing area. We realize that it’s got a lot of potential,” Romero says. www.facebook.com/olivemartinilkn

The Coffee House LKN

Sister-owners Samantha and Charlie Marshall opened this warm and inviting space (formerly Roxy’s Coffee and Wine) in December, and despite the name, it offers far more than just coffee. Here you’ll also find fresh gourmet breads, garlic oil, local honey, organic produce, pickles, as well as sandwiches and pastries. The new shop, which is decorated with funky pictures and crafts by local artists, also hosts a gourmet farmers market on alternating Saturdays and on Tuesday mornings there are combo “Mom’s Day Out” specials like a muffin and coffee for $3.50. Samantha Marhsall says they hope to get their beer and wine license by March. www.facebook.com/TheCoffeehouseLkn/