‘I’m devastated’: Dilworth vegan restaurant announces closure after 14 years
Fern, Flavors From The Garden, a stalwart restaurant in Charlotte’s vegan scene, has announced it’s permanently closing Saturday, May 4.
”Farewell to all of our friends at Fern. It has been a pleasure serving our Vegan and Vegetarian community over the past fourteen years. The time has come for us to close our doors,” a message posted on Instagram posted by owner Jill Marcus & The Fern Flavors Team said.
”We hope you will join us for our final week of service. Saturday, May 4th will be our last day. Thank you for all your stories, recipes and support over the years. It has been wonderful serving you.”
The news was first reported by Unpretentious Palate.
Fern, Flavors From the Garden is part of Marcus’ Mother Earth Group of restaurants. Its sister spots include Coquette, Mariposa and Hip Pies. Fern spent five years in its original home on Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood before moving to Dilworth in 2016.
[SAVORY AND SWEET: A new French restaurant is now open in uptown Charlotte.]
Hundreds of loyal Fern customers reached out to express their sorrows, with several calling out the restaurant’s cauliflower dishes, in particular.
Richard Pugh said, “What on earth? This is crazy. All the vegetarian and vegan restaurants are closing. At least pass on the recipe for that awesome buffalo cauliflower or the cinnamon rolls.”
And Sarah G said, “I’m devastated. Your Thai cauliflower wings will live rent free in my head. Best vegan restaurant in Charlotte”
Danni Jenae continued the theme. “What vegan place am I supposed to go to when I visit Charlotte. I really want to cry. Where am I going to get my cauliflower wings now? This was my happy place.”
Even a competitor noted the loss. “We’re sad to hear that. A loss for Charlotte,” fellow vegan restaurant Santuary Bistro posted.
Several commenters, including Kate Yates noted the city’s recent loss of other plant-based restaurants. These include Alchemy, Living Kitchen, Plant Joy and Vel-Tree.
“This is devastating. We are losing the plant based community one by one,” she said.
Former Plant Joy owner Julia Simon told CharlotteFive earlier this year that restaurants in general are at risk — not just vegan ones — with factors such as high food costs and rising wages turning up the pressure.
[PLANT-BASED CLOSURES: Vegan restaurants all over Charlotte are in flux. What’s the deal?]
However, a few new plant-based restaurants have come along, as well. Soul Miner’s Garden replaced Plant Joy at its Camp North End stall, and newcomer Mike’s Vegan Grill opened earlier this year in University City.
Fern, Flavors from the Garden
Location: 1419 East Blvd., Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cuisine: Vegan, vegetarian
Instagram: @fernflavors
