The Conway Restaurant Group, responsible for several Napa-inspired restaurants in the area, is getting ready to open Napa Ballantyne at 7832 Rea Road.
The restaurant group opened the first concept, Napa Providence, in 2012, followed by Napa Kingsley in Fort Mill in 2019. The group, led by Jeff and Paula Conway, is now ready to open the latest version: Napa Ballantyne, moving into the space formerly occupied by Cantina 1511 in StoneCrest at Piper Glen, according to Charlotte Observer. The new 7,000+-square-foot restaurant is expected to open in July 2024, making it the third official Napa-inspired restaurant.
Earlier this month, What Now reported on the group opening a new restaurant in Huntersville at 8908 Lindholm Drive, becoming one of the first tenants for Birkdale Place, a $65 million mixed-use project on the south side of N.C. Highway 73, across from Birkdale Village. While the company has yet to officially announce this location, the owners are looking for a new site north of Charlotte. The Conway Restaurant Group is also working on opening a new site in Raleigh, opening later this year.
While the restaurant group is busy searching for new locations for more Napa restaurants, the company recently hired David Sears to become regional executive chef. Before this role, Sears served as executive chef for Marriott Hotels in Charlotte, overseeing Stoke Restaurant, Stoke Bar, Coco and the Director, and M Club Lounge. Sears also has experience working with and collaborating on menu development and concepts with Food Network chef and James Beard Award winner Marcus Samuelsson.
“His visionary ideas, strong leadership, management and communication skills, plus an exceptional grasp of food trends will help us deliver on our promises and make guests feel welcome, special, and taken care of,” Aimee Larson, president of Conway Restaurant Group, tells the Charlotte Observer regarding Sears.
