Why a downtown Concord Italian restaurant needed to relocate for a ‘fresh start’

Catherine Muccigrosso
·2 min read

The Italian restaurant Gianni’s Trattoria is moving from its longtime downtown Concord less than 2 miles away to Gibson Mill.

The restaurant closed March 31 at 16 Union St. S. where it debuted over 15 years ago. Gianni’s will reopen Tuesday at the campus of Gibson Mill, 325 McGill Ave. NW. Dinner hours Tuesday are 5-9 p.m. by reservation only.

Gibson Mill, a 17,000-square-foot food hall, opened in October 2022 in a repurposed 123-year-old former textile mill.

Gianni’s is making a “fresh start,” owner John Goode said in a statement Monday. The restaurant relocated because of development and parking challenges in downtown Concord, plus increased lease rates, Gianni’s said in a news release.

“When we heard there was a chance Gianni’s would close or leave Concord due to development challenges, we ... reached out to explore the possibility,” of a relocation, said George “Jock” Liles, a Gibson Mill partner and Concord native.

Gianni’s Trattoria will reopen on the campus of Gibson Mill, 325 McGill Ave. NW after debuting 15 years ago in downtown Concord. Gianni's Trattoria
Gianni’s Trattoria will reopen on the campus of Gibson Mill, 325 McGill Ave. NW after debuting 15 years ago in downtown Concord. Gianni's Trattoria

What to know about Gianni’s

Gianni’s has separate lunch, dinner and Sunday menus, including New York-style pizza.

Gianni and Chef Heather Stadler use local ingredients, along with imported ingredients like Prosciutto from Parma and Truffle oil from Perugia.

Here’s what to know about the new space:

▪ The restaurant is a newly-constructed, 4,000-square-foot space with capacity for 135 customers.

▪ A private dining room is available for 20.

▪ The covered patio is 600-square-foot with a fireplace and seating for 40 customers.

The opening hours are:

▪ Gianni’s will serve dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. this week and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

▪ Lunch will be added in the coming weeks.

▪ Regular hours: open for lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Saturday; dinner 5-9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

More about Gibson Mill

Gianni’s will be a stand-alone restaurant at Gibson Mill, a project of Southpaw Investors that includes a food hall.

Other businesses at Gibson Mill include The Depot, an antique mall with 750 booths and Cabarrus Brewing Co.

Gibson Mill Market includes High Branch Brewing Co., Livy’s Neapolitan Pizzeria and Luck Factory Games.