A New Supper Club Is Giving Gastonia a Reason to Stay Local for Dinner

Downtown Gastonia has a new Saturday-night experience, and this one feels a little different from simply adding another restaurant to the map. Chef Tucker Bell has launched Victuals Supper Club inside The Esquire Hotel, bringing a weekly six-to-eight-course dining experience centered around Appalachian hospitality, seasonal ingredients, and local food.

Bell is a Gastonia native who recently took over as executive chef at Barrister’s, the restaurant inside The Esquire Hotel. His background includes experience at Counter- in Charlotte and Canoe in Toronto, but Victuals brings the story back home. Some of the inspiration comes from handwritten recipes and notes belonging to his great-grandmother, “Mamaw Shirley,” including Appalachian staples such as hoecakes and hot-water cornbread.

Local sourcing is another major part of the concept. The inaugural menu incorporated products from several Carolina farms and producers, and future menus are expected to change according to what ingredients are available. That means this isn't designed to be the exact same tasting menu Saturday after Saturday.

The location makes the concept particularly interesting for Gastonia. The Esquire Hotel occupies the historic former bank and Lawyers Building at 168 W. Main Avenue, a downtown landmark that was eventually restored and converted into a 35-room boutique hotel. Adding another destination-style experience inside an already distinctive property gives residents—and visitors—another reason to spend an evening downtown.

That's also why this matters beyond the food itself. One of the challenges for Gaston County has long been competing with Charlotte for entertainment and dining dollars. Concepts like Victuals help change that equation. The more unique experiences Gastonia can offer locally, the more downtown becomes somewhere people intentionally visit rather than somewhere they simply pass through.

Love seeing our area grow. If projects and businesses like this have you thinking about your next move, reach out and let's chat about what’s happening around Gaston County.

About Alyssa Currier

Alyssa Currier is a licensed Realtor® and Broker with Real Broker, LLC, helping sellers and buyers across Gaston County, Charlotte , Mecklenburg County, and York County, SC. Since 2020, she's built a reputation for sharp strategy, concierge-level service, and a negotiation style that’s equal parts tactful and tenacious. She knows the neighborhoods, the backroads, and where to find the best cheeseburger after a long day of house hunting.

Call or text Alyssa at 980.213.9766