Local News

From Detroit to downtown: The family behind Trolley Pub

By the time guests arrived for Trolley Pub Fayetteville's grand opening, the hardest work had already disappeared from view.
They saw the bright trolley, a finished gathering space and a Detroit-to-Fayetteville mural connecting the owners' roots to their newest venture. They could not see the delayed plans, rising expenses, late nights or decisions that forced co-owners Kevin Walker and Darnisha James to reconsider a path without abandoning the destination.
“The hardest part was probably everything people didn't see,” Walker said. “The grand opening was one day. Getting there was the real story.”
That story begins before business plans and branding. James is Walker's aunt, and family formed the partnership long before entrepreneurship tested it.
“Before we were business partners, we were family first,” Walker said. “You already know a person beyond what they can contribute to a business. You know their character, their work ethic and how they respond when things aren't going well.”
The lesson passed through their family was straightforward: Nothing mattered more than family. That value created trust before the pair had complementary résumés or shared companies. More than a decade later, Walker and James have navigated disagreements, risk, and growth across several businesses.
Their first ventures, RDL Therapeutic Adult Day Center and RDL Therapeutic Outpatient Therapy Health and Wellness, placed them in health care. Trolley Pub Fayetteville moves them into hospitality, but Walker sees a common purpose beneath two industries that appear unrelated.
“At the center of both is people,” he said. “The person walking through your door should never feel like a number or a transaction. They should feel welcomed, respected, safe and cared for.”
Walker describes himself as the creative who sees the larger picture and builds the framework. He credits James with networking and developing ideas. Their differences became essential while they searched for a location, designed the space, developed operations and decided what a Fayetteville trolley experience should feel like.
At times, one partner had to move the vision forward. At others, the most important contribution was asking the other to slow down and reconsider.
“After this many years, you stop needing to be the person who has the best idea in the room,” Walker said. “You learn to recognize when the other person's strength is what the business needs.”
James first encountered a trolley pub in her hometown of Detroit and brought the idea to her nephew. Together, they researched franchise opportunities and considered whether a pedal-powered social experience could find an audience in Fayetteville.
The finished business reflects both places. To Walker, the mural inside the headquarters is more than decoration. It marks the distance between inspiration and execution while giving the national franchise a local identity.
Trolley Pub Fayetteville celebrated its grand opening Sept. 5. The headquarters is at 218 Robeson St., while riders board at 455 W. Russell St. The 14-passenger vehicle features a sound system and motor assist, with a trained party captain operating the trolley as guests pedal through downtown. Groups can reserve private rides, and smaller parties can join public mixer tours.
The trolley may be designed for fun, but Walker applies the same duty of care that shaped the family's health care businesses. Guests arrive for birthdays, anniversaries, date nights and gatherings after a demanding week. In each case, they trust the owners with an occasion that matters.
“We want people to walk away remembering how they felt,” Walker said. “That part of customer care came directly from our years serving people in health care.”
The owners also want the experience to help residents and visitors see downtown Fayetteville differently. A ride can introduce guests to restaurants, bars, and gathering places along the route, helping a new attraction direct attention toward other local businesses.
For Walker, however, success reaches beyond reservations. He hopes families will remember where they celebrated together. He wants employees and future entrepreneurs to see that a person can learn a new industry without discarding the lessons gained in another.
“I hope they don't just say that Kevin and Darnisha owned businesses,” Walker said. “I hope they say we built things that mattered to people.”
That hope extends to their own family. Their path from health care to hospitality offers the next generation an example of reinvention and the courage required to follow an idea into unfamiliar territory.
“Legacy isn't just what you leave behind,” Walker said. “It's what you create that gives somebody else permission to imagine more for themselves.”
In downtown Fayetteville, that legacy now moves on wheels. Its deeper foundation remains what Walker and James possessed before the first business opened: family knowledge, tested trust and the willingness to stay with an idea after the exciting part gives way to work. For more information, visit their website at https://trolleypub.com/locations/fayetteville/.

(Photo by Jamie Bishop)

Dining Guide: Indian Food

A good restaurant tour can take you farther than you expect without leaving home. This month, Dining Guide is rounding up Indian restaurants in the area.

TANDOORI BITES (Best of Fayetteville Winner)
1916 Skibo Rd., Unit A1
910-339-2222
www.tandooribites.net
At Tandoori Bites, the journey into the rich heritage of Indian cuisine begins the moment you step inside. The restaurant prides itself on bringing age-old recipes and traditional cooking techniques to life, offering a genuine taste of India’s diverse culinary culture.
Spices are the heart and soul of Indian cuisine, and at Tandoori Bites, they are used with precision and care to create unforgettable flavors. The restaurant’s chefs skillfully blend a variety of spices to craft dishes that are both complex and balanced. From the fiery heat of red chili powder to the aromatic warmth of cumin and coriander, each spice plays a crucial role in defining the character of a dish.
Dining at Tandoori Bites is more than just a meal; it’s a culinary journey that transports you across India. The menu is thoughtfully designed to showcase the diversity of Indian cuisine, with dishes representing various regions and cultures.
From the rich, creamy curries of the north to the spicy and tangy flavors of the south, Tandoori Bites offers a comprehensive tour of India’s culinary landscape.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to explore new flavors, Tandoori Bites offers an unparalleled culinary experience. The restaurant’s passion for Indian cuisine is evident in every dish, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike. For those who appreciate the art of good food, Tandoori Bites is a gastronomic treasure that should not be missed.

BOMBAY BISTRO
5945 Cliffdale Rd, #1101
910-487-0020
On Cliffdale Road in Fayetteville, Bombay Bistro offers a relaxed place to settle in over Indian food. The established restaurant keeps its dining room low-key, putting the focus on familiar dishes and a welcoming meal.
At lunchtime, the buffet gives diners a chance to sample several dishes in one visit. It is an appealing starting point for anyone still discovering Indian cuisine, as well as a convenient option for regulars who want a little of everything. Dinner brings a full menu of North and South Indian specialties.
Chicken tikka masala and lamb curry are among the classics, alongside tandoori meats, biryanis, and fresh naan. Vegetarian and vegan-friendly choices offer more ways to explore the menu. Whether the plan is to linger over dinner or pick up a meal for home, Bombay Bistro also offers takeout and delivery.
The restaurant typically serves lunch Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., then reopens for dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. It is closed Sundays. For diners making a first visit, the midday buffet offers an easy way to find a new favorite; for those who already know what they love, the dinner menu has plenty to choose from.

DHAN’S KITCHEN ON THE GO
432 Chatham St
910-263-8591
Indian culinary traditions have traveled far beyond India, taking on new flavors along the way. At Dhan’s Kitchen on the Go LLC, diners can explore one of those connections through Caribbean-Trinidadian street food and curries.
Look for Trini doubles, a popular street food made with curried chickpeas, known as channa, tucked between two pieces of soft, fried bread. They are a satisfying introduction to the way Indian ingredients and techniques have become part of Trinidad’s food culture. Roti wraps offer another taste of that heritage, pairing curry with a convenient, handheld meal.
Dhan’s Kitchen offers a flavorful addition to an Indian food tour, especially for diners interested in where familiar spices and dishes have traveled. The menu’s Trinidadian perspective shows how a shared culinary influence can produce something with a character all its own.
For those inspired to bring some of those flavors into their own kitchens, Mediterranean Mart and Indian Foods on Cliffdale Road stocks Indian spices, grains, lentils, fresh produce and other pantry staples. A stop there can turn a good meal into the start of a new cooking project at home.

Government Watch: Cumberland County, Fayetteville, are thriving!

Fayetteville captured the spotlight recently with a thrilling Fayetteville Woodpeckers victory, a historic homecoming visit from rap icon J. Cole and a historic Chemours environmental settlement that brought a powerful mix of celebration, star power and long-awaited justice to the city. Also, outside of local chambers, Governor Josh Stein appointed Mayor Mitch Colvin to the North Carolina Board of Transportation representing the 6th Transportation Division. These are some of the most defining moments of our city’s current chapter and there is certainly more to come.

City of Fayetteville
In City news, the Fayetteville City Council met in regular session on Sept. 14, advancing several major economic development initiatives and municipal upgrades. Highlighted during the meeting was the announcement of a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Presented by Economic and Community Development Director Christopher Cauley, this funding will be used to implement an automated permitting system designed to significantly fast-track Fayetteville's development processes.
In a boost to local manufacturing, the council adopted a resolution supporting Project Crossing, which paves the way for an application for a $152,000 N.C. Department of Commerce Building Reuse Grant. The initiative centers on Sigma Crossings & Railroad Products, Inc., which plans to establish a manufacturing facility at 595 S. King St. The project represents a $3.7 million capital investment and is expected to create 15 full-time jobs carrying an average annual wage of $57,700.
Public transit and airport infrastructure also received substantial financial injections through approved grant appropriations. The city accepted a $2,069,806 N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation grant alongside a separate TSA agreement providing up to $146,000 annually to offset airport police security costs. Furthermore, the Fayetteville Area System of Transit secured over $1.6 million in federal transit grants to fund replacement buses and support non-medical transportation for seniors and residents with disabilities. Concurrently, council members approved lowered thresholds to make it easier for local bus stops to qualify for benches and shelters.
In policy and administrative actions, the council amended the city code to expand alcohol sales regulations. Permitted vendors are now authorized to sell alcohol at The Courts at Glenville Lake and other designated municipal properties, though bringing outside alcohol remains strictly prohibited. Additionally, approved concessions past the TSA checkpoint at the Fayetteville Regional Airport are now permitted to extend their operating hours for alcohol sales. Concessions may now begin selling alcohol one hour before the first daily flight and conclude one hour prior to the final flight. The session concluded with the approval of 26 appointments to various civic boards and a unanimous vote to officially dissolve the Joint Appearance Commission, which had been inactive since 2019.

Cumberland County
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners advanced several key infrastructure and housing initiatives during its regular meeting on Sept. 21, highlighted by a unanimous vote to adopt the new Hope Mills Area Land Use Plan. Developed by planning staff in coordination with local stakeholders, the comprehensive plan covers an area of approximately 65,000 residents spanning from the Robeson County line up to Fayetteville city limits. The regional focus on utility improvements also took center stage as commissioners approved a $1.31 million budget ordinance amendment to address PFAS contamination via a multi-year engineering project in the Cedar Creek area. Additionally, acting as the NORCRESS Water and Sewer District Governing Board, commissioners authorized funding applications to study merger, regionalization and asset management alongside the towns of Falcon, Godwin and Wade.
The board also addressed Department of Social Services operational strains, focusing on how to evaluate staffing levels amid persistent worker vacancies and rising service demands. Assistant County Manager Tufanna Bradley and Social Services Director Brenda Reid Jackson presented a proposal to conduct a comprehensive workload analysis through an outside consulting firm. The evaluation was initially suggested during the Fiscal Year 2027 budget planning process to help the county navigate ongoing recruitment challenges and ensure organizational resources match statutory duties.
Ultimately, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a recommendation from County Manager Clarence Grier to bypass a private firm for now. Instead, the county will utilize internal State of North Carolina workload analysis tools to evaluate DSS staffing resources, though county leaders noted they may revisit hiring an outside consultant in the future if necessary.
In a significant push for local residential development, the board unanimously selected IMEC Group LLC for a design-build contract to construct the Phoenix Place Permanent Supportive Housing Project. Backed by an anticipated project budget of $3.7 million, the development will establish 10 new single-family supportive housing units managed through Cumberland County Community Development. In other property moves, the county approved a $100,000 budget amendment to cover ongoing Sheriff’s Office litigation invoices, cleared a dilapidated structure on Winthrop Drive for demolition and passed a 4-2 vote amending a 2006 hospital property transfer agreement to accommodate financing terms for a new medical office building under Cape Fear Valley Health System.
Administrative operations and community wellness provisions rounded out the night's agenda, with the board confirming a series of health department fee adjustments. Commissioners approved the establishment of fees for new maternal health services while simultaneously voting to waive vaccine and administrative costs for COVID-19, flu and RSV immunizations.

About the Greater Fayetteville Chamber
Advocacy is a cornerstone of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Every week, the Chamber dedicates staff to attend City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County meetings as well as monitoring updates on the state and federal levels. We monitor legislation locally, statewide and federally to protect our community’s business interests. With 91% of U.S. adults recognizing a Chamber of Commerce's impact on growth, membership ensures a strong voice shaping policies, driving economic success and building a thriving business community—together. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com or email jmclaughlin@faybiz.com.

(Photo: The Fayetteville Woodpeckers celebrate as they win the Second Half Championship and a trip to the Carolina League Playoffs. Photo courtesy of the Woodpeckers)

Woodpeckers win 2026 Carolina League Championship

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are Carolina League champions for the first time in franchise history. On Tuesday night at Segra Stadium the Woodpeckers completed a perfect 4-0 sweep of the postseason, taking down the Charleston RiverDogs 7-4 in game two of the championship series to clinch the league title.
After sparking a massive ten-run inning with a solo homer in Charleston on Sunday, Fayetteville first baseman Ben Tryon was once again the driving force behind an early lead in game two. Kam Durnin led off the bottom of the first with a double, Kevin Alvarez reached on a single, and Owen Nowak drew a walk to load the bases for Tryon.
Tryon, the Astros 17th round pick from this year’s draft, connected on an elevated pitch from Jacob Kuhn (L, 0-1) and sent it sailing into the right-field bar for a grand-slam and instant 4-0 lead. Tryon went 4-for-16 at the plate during the postseason with three extra-base hits.
Juan Fraide (W, 1-0) cruised with run support behind him and did not allow a hit until the top of the fifth inning. The 20-year-old top-30 prospect from Mexico allowed just two baserunners across five innings and struck out six.
Charleston got on the board in the top of the sixth inning when Cooper Flemming, who was named Carolina League MVP prior to the game, hit a solo homer off Jesus Carrera out to right-center field and cut the game to 4-1.
Three more runs scored for the Woodpeckers in the bottom of the seventh after Charleston pitching loaded the bases on a hit by pitch and two walks. Alvarez delivered the critical swing that helped decide the game, grounding a ball past the shallow infield and into center field to plate two runs for a 6-1 advantage. Waner Luciano upped the score to 7-1 with an RBI groundout and Fayetteville moved within six outs of a title.
Carrera returned for the eighth and surrendered another run on a Slater de Brun double. Brandon Cassedy was called upon from the bullpen and inherited the 7-2 lead with no outs and two runners in scoring position. The undrafted free agent from George Mason immediately flipped the momentum of the inning, striking out three straight hitters and holding the five-run lead.
Cassedy returned for the ninth, hunting three more outs. He surrendered a two-run homer to Dean Moss that cut the game to 7-4, but found a way to bounce back. He struck out two in a row, walked Alberth Palma, then struck out Slater de Brun with a pitch in the dirt that secured the Carolina League crown.
The Woodpeckers 2026 title marks the first minor league championship in the city of Fayetteville in 70 years, ending a drought that extended back to 1956 when the Fayetteville Hilanders won the eight-team Class-B Carolina League as an Indians affiliate.
Fayetteville finished the regular season with a 71-58 overall record and swept both Fredericksburg and Charleston en route to the Carolina League championship.
The Woodpeckers will begin their title defense on April 2nd, 2027 for Opening Day on the road in Salem, Virginia.

(Photo courtesy of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers)

CFRT, FSU announce new partnership bringing arts, literacy higher education together

Cape Fear Regional Theatre and Fayetteville State University are joining forces for a new partnership. Designed to connect Cumberland County students with the transformative power of live theatre, this collaboration will create new opportunities for engagement between the region’s oldest professional theatre and one of North Carolina’s leading institutions of higher education. FSU has donated $25,000 to CFRT, joining the theatre’s 2026-2027 season as a season sponsor.
For CFRT, the partnership arrives at a significant moment in the theatre’s history. Established in 1962, CFRT is preparing to welcome the community into its expanded facility following a $25 million capital expansion project. The theatre expects to impact approximately 75,000 people during the 2026-2027 season, making its partnership with FSU an opportunity to connect an even broader audience with the arts, education, and the future of the Fayetteville community.
At the center of the partnership is CFRT’s “Page to Stage” program. Through the collaboration, CFRT will bring every fourth-grade student in Cumberland County Schools to Fayetteville State University for a free performance of The Lightning Thief in Seabrook Auditorium in fall 2026. Before attending the performance, students will participate in 8-10 weeks of in-class reading and creative engagement activities developed by CFRT in partnership with CCS, the Cumberland County Literacy Council, and the United Way. The curriculum will support North Carolina education standards while exploring the themes and world of The Lightning Thief.
“This type of collaboration is a win-win for the community, and we are so proud to expand this program in partnership with FSU. Both institutions will benefit tremendously, and we welcome the opportunity to deepen our connection to FSU and our joint service to young people in such robust and intentional ways,” said Mary Kate Burke, Artistic Director of Cape Fear Regional Theatre.
CFRT will present The Lightning Thief at Seabrook Auditorium, giving thousands of Cumberland County students an opportunity to experience a university campus while enjoying a professional musical theatre production. An FSU representative will welcome students before the performance, creating an intentional connection between their arts experience and the possibilities of higher education. The partnership also creates opportunities for FSU students and staff to learn directly from theatre professionals. CFRT will provide training in technical theatre disciplines including lighting, sound and set construction, sharing professional expertise and current industry practices with FSU’s teams.
FSU Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Scott Krawczyk is excited about the partnership and said, “We are very pleased to partner with Cape Fear Regional Theatre as it enters this exciting chapter in its impressive history of supporting programs like Page-to-Stage and bringing nationally acclaimed theatrical talent to the region. This partnership will benefit our students through immersive technical training in a professional theater setting, and it will also provide students, faculty, and staff with opportunities for complimentary attendance at first-rate performances. Through this partnership, FSU demonstrates its ongoing dedication to community engagement and to enriching the region’s artistic and cultural experience.”

(Photo: Mary Kate Burke & Ella Wrenn of CFRT are joined by FSU Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Scott Krawczyki, Zahra Shekarkhar, assistant professor and faculty senate chair, and members of FSU’s police and public safety and strategic communications departments. Photo courtesy of CFRT and FSU)

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