Bobby Boy Bakeshop to Open in September 2024 at Salem Bottleworks

Bobby Boy Bakeshop , a James Beard Foundation award semifinalist, will open its second location in September 2024 at Salem Bottleworks , a redevelopment project of the historic Coca-Cola Bottling Plant, at 845 S Poplar St., the Triad Business Journal (TBJ) is reporting .

Co-Owner John Bobby confirmed the news with What Now Charlotte but did not immediately comment on the plans Wednesday.

Salem Bottleworks — being developed by Jared Rogers , head of Salem Bottling LLC and QAH Group LLC — is across from the Old Salem Visitors Center on a 1.09-acre site. Rogers aims to create a food and beverage-centric destination featuring local operators. “Our thing is supporting local operators, so if they do well, the profits will be local,” Rogers told the Triad Business Journal.

The development was initially planned as a food hall but shifted focus when Bobby Boy Bakeshop expressed interest. “As they evolved, they thought ‘Well, we could do a commercial kitchen and a second location.’ This seemed like a better option,” Rogers said.

In addition to Bobby Boy Bakeshop, Salem Bottleworks will host three other locally-owned restaurants and a market space. The first restaurant is expected to open in December 2024, with the remaining two launching in spring 2025.

The upper floors will feature a four-bedroom Airbnb, three studio apartments, and an event space or bar for up to 125 people, opening by spring or summer 2025. Development challenges included preserving the building’s historic integrity while making it functional.

For more on the Salem Bottleworks development, read TBJ’s thoughtful reporting here .

“Creative experimentation and collaboration move us. We’re always challenging each other to push farther and see where it goes,” Co-Owners John and Lucia Bobby write of the bakeshop on its website. “And partnering with other local chefs and farmers to keep things creative. So while our display cases will always have our staples, you can expect some enticing new aromas (and flavors) to hit you every time you walk through our doors.”