Manufacturing in Downtown Statesville
BEER
Craft beer has been and is still one of the hottest trends in the country, and whether you live in a big city or in a small town, the local brewpub has become the place to hang out with your pals and have a brew or two. Behind the scenes, though, there is an entire manufacturing process happening that you may not realize. These breweries are working hard to create unique products and they are doing it on their own terms. From grain to glass, the process takes weeks, and sometimes months. Brewing is a combination of science and art, and the brewers work tirelessly to make sure every beer is perfect for their consumers.
Statesville has two breweries, Red Buffalo Brewing Co. and Fourth Creek Brewing Co. and they both have a few distinct things in common. First, they are fiercely loyal to their consumers and their community. Both use local ingredients in their beer and work hard to maintain relationships with farmers, vendors and other businesses throughout the county. Owners Jonathan Nobinger of Fourth Creek and Joe Bondi of Red Buffalo also believe in giving back to the community through donations, volunteerism, and sponsorships. You will find them at almost every event in downtown with smiles on their faces; ready to hand you a cold Clocktower IPA or a Stone Chaser Blonde Ale.
You can stop in for a cold one and see for yourself how the magic happens at our local breweries:
108 North Center Street, Statesville NC 28677
704-380-2219
226 West Broad Street. Statesville NC 28677
980-223-2294
If you would like to read more about how beer is brewed, read our blog about the brewing process here.
CIGARS
One of Downtown Statesville’s hidden treasures resides in a modest storefront on West Broad Street. Driving or walking by, one can easily miss it. Even if you happen to notice the large sign on the window, you might think it is simply a cigar shop like any other. But Flor De America is so much more. The first manufacturing establishment in NC to hand roll cigars onsite, Flor De America is made up of rollers that have over 20 years of experience in the industry.
Carlos Giron and his son Selvin, are carrying on a family legacy of cigar making, which began with Carlos’s mother more than 50 years ago in Honduras. As a single mother with two young sons, Flor Diaz learned the craft of cigar making to provide a good life for her boys. After refining and honing her skills for decades, she became a master blender and torcedor, a highly skilled and specifically trained cigar roller. A move to the United States in 1980 created more opportunity, and finally, in 1990, a small shop would open in the heart of Hialeah, Florida—owned and operated by Doña Flor Diaz.
Carlos and Alex carried on their mother’s dream, with Carlos being master blender and certified master roller for the brand in Statesville and Alex overseeing the offices in Honduras. Today, Selvin, Carlos’s son and Flor Diaz’s grandson, runs all operations and distribution of the Flor de America Brand. This young entrepreneur has brought new muscle and a bright future for the Giron family, securing a legacy for the next generation of Giron children. Flor de America Cigars, which is expanding nationally and globally, is making their brand on par with all the greats in the industry. And each of those cigars building that brand and legacy is rolled right here in the little brick building in Downtown Statesville.
236 West Broad Street
980-223-8465
COFFEE
Lake Mountain Coffee has the unique distinction of offering its own brand of coffees that are roasted at their small batch roasting facility right here in Statesville. Owner, Andy Smith, spent much of his life traveling the world and searching for places where “a passion for crafting freshly roasted coffee was truly an art form”. This obsession with the perfect cup of coffee turned into a dream come true when Andy purchased 110 West Broad Street and opened his very own coffee house.
Lake Mountain Coffee is one of only a few places in the Carolinas that roasts their own high grade Arabica coffee beans in handcrafted Diedrich coffee roasters. They strive to offer an experience to their customers that rivals even the finest coffee houses in Europe. In addition the delicious coffee, LMC offers a selections of teas, cold drinks, beer and wine, and locally sourced food items. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and when you walk in and smell the fine aroma of fresh roasted coffee, Andy’s hope is that you will feel as he does, that you are home.
You can visit Lake Mountain Coffee and have a delicious cup of Java at 110 West Broad Street in Downtown Statesville. Take a peek at their selection of coffees and more on their website here: lakemountaincoffee.com
