Local restaurant pressing on, new themed area forthcoming
Robbinsville – Marketing strategies tend to follow the same theme: out with the old, in with the new.
But instead of conforming to the norm, The Hub is actively working to gel the past with the present and, yes, the future.
Known as a popular motorcycle and car-group destination when traveling through Graham County, The Hub is looking to broaden its appeal. “We’re just trying to keep up with the Joneses,” chuckled Kenny Graham, who is in his fourth year at The Hub and third as manager. “The motorcycle and car-group communities will still come here – we have some loyals – but they’ll also go to other places while they’re here.
“We’re trying to make this more of a family friendly environment. We have basketball, cornhole, a giant Jenga game and checkers for the kids.”
Also included in the strategy is Graham sub-leasing the barn that sits next to The Hub. The plan? To renovate and attract a wider audience.
“I’m building a gold and gem-mining business. It will be a Western-theme mining town,” Graham said. “We hope it will help compliment things.”
The new set-up could be ready as early as July 4.
Since opening back up in May – The Hub remained open all winter, only to shut down when Graham County set up border barricades in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in March – it is almost like the restaurant has not missed a beat.
“We’ve got an overwhelming amount of support from both our local followers and our tourists,” Graham was quick to point out.
A breakfast menu has returned – albeit in a limited capacity – and the restaurant has the only espresso machine in town. Hershey’s hand-dipped ice cream, Black Angus burgers and The Hub’s staple, pulled pork – smoked on-site – are still readily available to customers.
The Hub is at 664 Rodney Orr Bypass. For details, call 479-0478.