Dreamers, millennials, and Gen-Xers have invested in downtown Marion's recent renaissance, bringing back an active downtown culture. Today, within a .3 mile section of Main Street, you'll find interesting shops, restaurants, tap rooms, a music hall, and microbrewery. And, they aren't finished! More new businesses and projects are being developed.
Add these to "the list" and plan to spend a few days visiting downtown Marion's Pub and Grub Crawl, in the downtown region along Main Street. You'll find anchor businesses such Bruce's Fabulous Foods (open weekdays for lunch only), Mulligan Mack's After 5 Pub (dinner and appetizer menus) and Crabby Abby's Bar & Grill. New Main Street restaurants include the Burrito Bros. and McDowell Local, a farm to table cafe, and the "new kid" on the Main Street north block, the Big Orange Hoagie Factory. Don't forget to take home some Mr. Bob's Donuts! He's made a name for donuts throughout western North Carolina and will soon host the 3rd Annual Carolina Donut Festival on April 21st.
These new businesses have made a BIG splash and continue to create fun, new and interesting ways to spend time downtown. The Spillway Bridge & Company are open evenings with their Wednesday Night Bluegrass Jam, Thursday Night Jazz and a variety of regional performers rounding out the weekend. The Spillway bar offers regional craft beers, specialty bourbons, and tequila options.
Refinery 13 Taproom serves up only North Carolina craft beers, rotating their 13 taps. Wednesday nights are dedicated to taproom takeovers when you can stop in to meet the featured brewer, ask questions and enjoy samples. Tuesday Trivia Nights are a huge hit and on Thursday nights join the crowd for a game of Pictionary.
A few feet from Refinery 13, is Mica Town Brewing where creative genius is hard at work. This mini brewery packs a wallop with their unique brews and fun events. There is something for everyone, even a gluten-free option! Jason and Emily dreamed this would be their retirement job, luckily for us, plans change. Join them on the side deck or check out the second floor where you'll find games and another great space to hang with friends.
Shopping? Yes! Spruced Boutique, the McDowell Arts Council Gift Shop, seasonal pop-up shop Shuck's Pearls (September through December), Second Chance Furniture, Crooked Door Coffee House, and a variety of second-hand stores.
This IS a lot of information, lots going on, come on up and help us enjoy it!
