Look Who's Talking

Fayetteville Observer / July 10, 2009 - ...With Scrub Oaks, the partners have tried to create an "upscale casual" restaurant where a couple might go for a special dinner, but where they would also feel comfortable bringing their children... READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

Fayetteville Observer / May 15, 2009 - People keep popping their heads through the door at the Village at Kinwood, eager to learn what ScrubOaks is all about.

"They're coming in here asking all the time," said J.P. Laird, a partner in ScrubOaks, which is going to be a restaurant.

Once ScrubOaks opens north of Methodist University on Ramsey Street - likely in early June - diners will find steak, chicken and fish entrees, with a modern American feel, Laird said.

"It's going to be a small menu, but a power-packed one," he said.

Other players in the ScrubOaks venture are members of the Holtsclaw family. Gwen Holtsclaw, founder and president of Cheer Ltd, said her husband, Tim Holtsclaw, and son-in-law Steven Marshburn became interested in a restaurant venture and teamed up with Laird.

When Marzu Cafe went out of business, the original thought was to buy just the equipment, she said. But the idea of actually opening there took hold.

Holtsclaw said she hopes the new concept will compliment what she considers to be other strong dining options on that side of town.

Woodwork, striking wall treatments, new fixtures and lighting have already given the restaurant a much different feel from the previous tenant. Laird said the name for the new restaurant - one that is likely to be used at another future location as well - came from advice that Tim Holtsclaw read about taking two differents words, putting them togehter and creating some buzz.

But then Laird learned from somebody's grandmother that long before the Village at Kinwood existed, the area actually was covered in scrub oaks.