Charlotte’s largest Link & Pin restaurant to open after ‘very challenging’ COVID delays

After several delays, restaurateur Rob Duckworth said he expects to open the third and largest Link & Pin location at The Arboretum next month.

When Duckworth opened the second Link & Pin in fall 2020 in Huntersville, he told the Observer he also planned to open a third location in 2021 in the former Mickey & Mooch building in Arboretum shopping center on Providence Road.

But pandemic-related issues meant the steakbroilers were the last equipment to arrive and the ceiling tile didn’t come in. Duckworth said the restaurant opening was delayed four times.

“You can’t open a restaurant without the equipment and you can’t get a permit without the equipment,” Duckworth said. “It’s very challenging.”

But this month, the veteran restaurateur plans to hire and train 50 to 75 full- and part-time employees to get ready for Link & Pin’s opening.

And, the COVID pandemic isn’t stopping him from expanding his other restaurant, Duckworth’s Taphouse & Grill, with the sixth location opening in the summer in South Park, plus a new cocktail lounge concept.

What to expect at the new Link & Pin

The Arboretum restaurant in South Charlotte is about 8,000 square feet, with a lounge with sofas and chairs. The first 6,500-square-foot Link & Pin in South End opened three years ago on New Bern Street in South End, serving lunch, dinner and brunch. It also has a lounge area.

The Arborteum space, although larger than the other two restaurants to accommodate the kitchen and a portion of the dining room available to hold private events, will still have the same seating capacity for about 200 people , Duckworth said.

Like the other two locations, the bar mural is the restaurant’s centerpiece.

“It’s pretty massive because of the ceiling heights,” Duckworth said.

The murals pay homage to the restaurant’s name, derived from a railroad term referring to Charlotte’s first railroad line in South End and city’s light rail. While the other two sites have subtle train references, the Arboretum locomotive scene is more pronounced.

“It’s really beautiful. It’s tastefully done,” Duckworth said.

The menu is the same at each site. But each location has its own fish dish depending on what they can get freshly delivered, which varies from store to store.

Link & Pin’s diverse menu focuses on Pittsburgh-style steaks, seafood dishes and tapas, a variety of small plates. That includes $8 or $10 tapas to a 32-ounce Tomahawk steak for $72.

Restaurant confronts COVID hurdles

Since opening the second 6,300-square-foot Link & Pin in October 2020 on Sam Furr Road in Huntersville, Duckworth said most COVID-related issues have been getting food and supplies in stock, along with staffing shortages.

Some menu items may not be available all the time, for example, the 12-ounce bone-in filet because of higher pricing.

“It’s a lot to manage when it comes to procurement. It’s been a lot more maintenance to stay on top of that,” he said. “Certain things you just can’t substitute.”

More expansion plans in South Park

Despite pandemic challenges, Duckworth is expanding on his other restaurant concept, too, plus adding a new one also in South Park.

Construction begins this month for a sixth Duckworth’s Taphouse & Grill at Piedmont Town Center that is expected to open this summer, Duckworth said. And construction will begin in February for a new cocktail bar concept upstairs called The Loft with living room-like lounge spaces.

Duckworth opened the first Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse 18 years ago in Mooresville.

There are now five locations in Charlotte. Six years ago, he opened The Cellar at Duckworth’s, a sports bar and speakeasy in the basement of his uptown restaurant.

Where to go

Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse

▪ Ballantyne: 14015 Conlan Circle

▪ Huntersville: 16609 Statesville Road

▪ Mooresville: 560 River Highway

▪ Rea Farms: 9805-D Sandy Rock Place

▪ Uptown and The Cellar: 330 N. Tryon St.

Opening soon:

▪ South Park and The Loft: 4725 Piedmont Row Drive

Link & Pin

▪ Huntersville: 9723 Sam Furr Road

▪ South End: 155 New Bern St.

Opening soon:

▪ The Arboretum: 8008 Providence Road

This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 11:18 AM.