Eclectic Lake Norman hangout for craft beer & wine enthusiasts closes unexpectedly
The Cork & Cask, an eclectic, longtime Lake Norman gastropub-like bar, closed unexpectedly this month.
The popular gathering spot on Bailey Road in Cornelius featured extensive craft beer and boutique wine lists and music pulsating from vinyl records.
The Cork & Cask was a favorite hangout of former Fox 46 meteorologist Nick Kosir (the “Drip Chronicles Guy“) when he lived in the area.
“Sadly, as of 12/10/24, The Cork & Cask is closed for business,” read notices on the front and back doors of the establishment. “Since 2013, we have enjoyed every year (maybe not 2020) of serving you to the best of our abilities.”
The notices offer no reasons for the closure but hint of a new venture to take its place.
“Although, with every closing door, another door opens,” the notices read. “Stay tuned for some news about this space in 2025! Thank you again for everything!”
Management could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
In 2014, The Charlotte Observer featured The Cork & Cask in two lists of noteworthy night spots. One article highlighted “laid-back, late-night” establishments in the Charlotte area. The other piece focused on popular Lake Norman hangouts for wine enthusiasts.
“As their name implies, this hip gastropub-esque bar focuses just as much on their craft beer as their wine,” one of the articles read. “Music posters, beer labels, and wine racks adorn the walls, giving them a unique feel that young, creative foodies will find very attractive.”
Popular butcher shop ‘closed until further notice’
Meanwhile, another popular Lake Norman business appears to have closed indefinitely recently: Epic Meat Market, which is in a retail strip along Morrison Plantation Parkway in Mooresville near the lake.
“Closed until further notice,” states a handwritten notice on its door.
Epic features locally sourced grass-fed beef; organic, local chicken and pork; sausage with no preservatives; and wild-caught, sustainably harvested seafood.
Epic ages its meat for at least 35 days “to guarantee exceptional flavor and tenderness,” the shop said on Facebook.
Management didn’t reply to an email message from The Charlotte Observer last week.
With furniture, counters and various packaged products inside, the shop looked as if it were merely closed for the day when The Charlotte Observer peeked through its windows recently.
Oddly, a sign staked in the ground for many months outside the shop tells passing drivers the market is “now open.”
This story was originally published December 17, 2024 at 1:51 PM.