Corkscrew is coming home to Lake Norman. The longtime wine bar has inked a deal for an 1,800-square-foot space in Huntersville. It will be part of Holbrook Town Center at 111 Gilead Road.
The goal is to open there by early summer, says Joseph Klosek, managing partner. “Our focus has always been here. We want to maintain a footprint and provide a neighborhood, locally owned establishment where folks feel comfortable to come and relax.”
Klosek says it’s been an emotional journey to get here. Corkscrew shuttered its Birkdale Village location Dec. 31, 2022. Its lease was not renewed as Birkdale repositioned its retail and restaurant offerings. Bartaco took over that space, opening its first location in North Carolina.
Corkscrew had been located at the Huntersville mixed-use development for 18 years.
“That was a real blow,” Klosek says
Plans call for a more extensive retail selection at the new location. There also will be a temperature-controlled wine cellar and wine lockers.
Construction could start in January. The project is expected to take up to six months.
Klosek says he's in communication with the architect daily fine-tuning details. The design will hone in on Corkscrew’s tagline — relax, uncork, unwine. The Huntersville location will retain the most-loved pieces of the original space, while adapting to industry trends. Expect a light and airy space, with warm earth tones and plenty of plants. A patio will seat 40.
It’s all about feeling at home, Klosek says. “All of our customers are loyal, and they deserve that. It’s meant a lot to us to be able to find a home.”
There was an outpouring of community support after the Birkdale closing. There were multiple offers from developers. Corkscrew slowed its search, and focused on its Fort Mill location, Klosek says.
“With our motto and our brand you can’t just build one somewhere and say, ‘Here it goes,’” Klosek says. “We wanted to make sure our partnership is strong. We’re not in it for the short term by any means.” Thomas, Jennifer. Charlotte Business Journal 11-25-24
