Old service station is now a restaurant serving artisan-style sandwiches in Concord
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- Pump Social opens in downtown Concord inside a repurposed service station.
- Menu offers artisan sandwiches, salads, grain bowls, beer and wine options.
- Outdoor patio with string lights and picnic tables enhances dining atmosphere.
What was once a vacant service station is now a cozy restaurant serving up handcrafted sandwiches and more in the heart of downtown Concord.
Pump Social officially opened for business on Wednesday, Aug. 20, inviting guests to grab a bite at the new restaurant located at 24 Church Street NE, the business said via Instagram.
The menu features nearly a dozen handcrafted sandwiches, salads and grain bowls alongside beer and wine options, according to Pump Social’s website. The eatery is housed in an old gas station, now adorned with string lights, planters and white picnic tables.
“We enjoy things that are old and have character,” co-owner Rachael Donner told CharlotteFive, adding it was important that the team members maintain the “retro” vibe of the building.
“The stories people (locals) have come in with have been great,” she said. “A lot of ‘we wrote our first check here’ and ‘my parents would buy their kerosene here.’ It is really fun to hear everyone’s stories.”
Donner owns and operates the restaurant alongside her partner AJ Donner.
Since opening, she said “Big Bird Energy” has been a hot seller with customers.
“It’s a great sandwich for someone who is trying to have a lighter lunch but still hit all of the ‘wants’ — creamy pesto aioli, house made turkey, banana peppers on good sourdough bread with smoked provolone,” Donner told CharlotteFive.
Guests of Pump Social can expect a “solid” menu and wash it all down with an “eclectic” lineup of beers and wine. Donner said there’s a little “something for everyone,” whether you’re craving a classic chicken salad sandwich or something more audacious like their pork belly Banh mi — fittingly dubbed the “Piggy Smalls.”
Most of the ingredients are made in-house, including the pickles and salad dressings, according to Donner.
Other featured offerings include:
- The Big Schlepper: Corned beef, spicy dijon aioli, pickles, shaved cabbage and Swiss on caraway Rye.
- Chaaty Cathy (vegan): Chaat masala coconut cauliflower, shaved red cabbage, coriander yogurt, pickled carrots, on a pita.
- Basic B salad: Mixed greens, honey roasted pecans, goat cheese, dried cranberries, dijon balsamic dressing.
Pump Social also boasts a large covered patio with music and a perfect view of Concord Fire Station 1, giving guests a front row seat to the occasional pickleball match between firefighters, according to Donner.
“We wanted to open something in Concord that we would want to go to — patio, music, good food, with a casual, approachable, but thoughtful menu,” she said. “Consistent hours are important to us and we’ve been so grateful for the overwhelming response to our opening. We want everyone to know we are doing everything we can, and that we have room ... to keep up with the support!”
Pump Social
Location: 24 Church St. NE, Concord, NC
Cuisine: Sandwiches, salads, bowls
Instagram: @pumpsocialnc
