MCADENVILLE — Spruced Goose Station – a hybrid restaurant, gift shop and art studio – has opened in downtown McAdenville, just west of Charlotte.
Established by Holy Angels, Spruced Goose Station features an eclectic mix of local artwork and gifts as well as a restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The business, one of four that Holy Angels operates in Gaston County and its first in McAdenville, will employ adults with intellectual developmental disabilities for a chance to develop real-life career skills.
“Founded in 1955, Holy Angels is dedicated to believing in the possibility that lies within everyone. The Holy Angels businesses such as Spruced Goose Station allow us to achieve our mission, helping each person reach their full potential. We also use this opportunity to share our story of loving, living and loving for the differently abled,” said Regina Moody, Holy Angels’ president and CEO.
Holy Angels is committed to providing educational and vocational opportunities to the individuals in its care with intellectual developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions. As a non-profit organization, all proceeds from Spruced Goose Station will help fund Holy Angels’ programs and services.
The gift shop and art studio is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and features artwork, dog beds and accessories, jewelry, baby items, lotions, monogram decals, athletic wear and gift baskets made by the residents of Holy Angels and other North Carolina artisans.
The restaurant is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner along with ice cream, and it proudly serves Dilworth Coffee.
The new venture in McAdenville has received strong support from local business Pharr, a manufacturing and real estate company and the town’s largest employer.
“We wanted to bring to McAdenville a family friendly business, a gathering space serving ice cream and coffee. Holy Angels has a successful café in downtown Belmont and felt they would be a perfect match,” according to Bill Carstarphen, Pharr’s president and CEO.
Preston Wilson of Bower Traust Construction in Belmont brought his creativity to the project, with much of the wood throughout Spruced Goose repurposed from a mill in Spencer Mountain that was built more than 100 years ago.
Spruced Goose Station joins other recently opened businesses, including Belle Boutique, McAdenville Table and Market, William Henry Signature Salon and 115 Main Gifts and Provisions, as the latest tenant in the revitalization of downtown McAdenville.
Holy Angels also operates three businesses in Belmont: Cherubs Café, Cotton Candy Factory and Bliss Gallery.
Holy Angels was founded in 1955 by the Sisters of Mercy – beginning a much-needed specialized service for children from Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland and Mecklenburg counties as well as children from throughout North Carolina. The private, nonprofit corporation in Belmont provides residential services and innovative programs for children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions.
The CARF-accredited programs include Holy Angels Morrow Center, the McAuley Residences (Fox Run ICF/IDD group homes (three six-bed), Belhaven ICF/IDD group home (15-bed), Moody Place ICF/IDD group home (15-bed), four community group homes, Great Adventures and Camp Hope.
To learn more about Holy Angels, make a donation or volunteer, call 704-825-4161 or go online to www.holyangelsnc.org.
— Mercy Sister Nancy Nance, Special to the Catholic News Herald. Mercy Sister Nancy Nance is vice president of community relations for Holy Angels.
Spruced Goose Station is located at 118 Wesleyan Dr. in downtown McAdenville. They are online at gotgoose.org.