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The Grefs first saw potential in Forest City in 2013 when they moved from Florida to raise their sons. After owning successful restaurants in Colorado and Florida, they purchased a vacant, “fixer-upper” building on Main Street that would house their first restaurant in North Carolina. Meanwhile, a restaurant just two doors down closed. Recognizing an opportunity, they leased the closed restaurant and opened the Copper Penny Grill in November 2015, giving Main Street a restaurant that served both lunch and dinner, while creating jobs for 35 people. In 2016, they were awarded a North Carolina Department of Commerce Building Reuse grant for the vacant, “fixer-upper” building. Later that year, the Foothills Café opened in the building.
The Grefs believed in the importance of a small town’s Main Street and that has spilled over and encouraged other folks to locate in Forest City. We are proud of the Grefs and what they bring to Main Street, Forest City! They are our North Carolina Main Street Champions.