Popular Glen Alpine restaurant listed for sale after short life

Glen Alpine Station has closed its doors and is up for sale after only eight months.

The restaurant, at 102 Linville St. in Glen Alpine, is listed for sale with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blue Ridge. Jona Harrell is the broker managing the listing.

Owner Jose Moreta responded to a request for comment by simply stating there was not enough support to stay open. In April, the restaurant was looking for cooks and bartenders. The restaurant’s last social media post was on Father’s Day, inviting people to come and enjoy a meal with their family.

Former employee Hunter Dale said he was one of the first employees hired at the restaurant and that the majority of staff were Town Tavern employees who needed a place to work. Many of them returned to the restaurant when it reopened in May.

Dale said that he wore many hats at the restaurant, including hosting, serving, and cooking. He said he saw potential with the restaurant but decided to leave after a lot of the staff had also left.

The $599,900 list price includes multiple upgrades for a full-service restaurant. According to the listing, the current owner has recently updated the restaurant with a new roof in 2024, new kitchen fixtures, point-of-sale system, security system, and installed booths downstairs.

Although the property is set up for a turn-key restaurant, Harrell said the building could also be used for another business.

The two-story building dates back to 1902 and is 4,640 square feet. The restaurant’s focal points include an ornate wood staircase that leads to the upstairs lounge area with a full bar and ABC licenses, flat-screen TVs, and a small stage for local musicians or karaoke.

The upstairs area also features original hardwood floors that have been refinished as well as arched windows with views over Main Street and the surrounding mountains.

The property was listed on June 12. Burke County property records show that Moreta has owned the property since May 24, 2024. The total taxable value is $270,255.

Moreta opened the restaurant on Nov. 8, 2024, after delays caused by Hurricane Helene. The restaurant is inspired by the Moretas’ first restaurant in Bradenton, Fla., called the Sage Biscuit Cafe. The menu is a replica of the Sage Biscuit’s menu, with sage biscuits, gravy, and sage biscuit skillet.

When he moved to Burke County, many encouraged him to simplify the menu, lower prices, and adjust the food to better suit local tastes, but Moreta chose to stay true to the style of the Florida cafés.