Updated as of 7:32 p.m. on Oct. 21 to include video.

Following a month of renovations, The Rosemary, located underneath Park Place, opened to the public Oct. 19. There were no customers present at the time of the opening. 

Owner and Elon alum Derek Bates ’85 said The Rosemary will have multiple options for students and Elon locals, including grab-and-go items, coffee, sandwiches and soups, and fine dining. 

“We're doing a lot here in one space,” Bates said. “It's almost like four or five different business units.”

According to Bates, the restaurant has been opened throughout the week to host private events for Elon University and town of Elon officials in preparation for its official opening. Elon Mayor Emily Sharpe said during a ribbon cutting Oct. 18 that she is excited to have a new restaurant in Elon.

“It's not just about the food, it's about bringing our people together,” Sharpe said. “This is going to be a great place for that.”


Employee and Elon senior Grace Henzel said a new restaurant in Elon will make finding a place to eat for dinner easier, especially during large university events. 

“I know every time my parents come down for parents' weekend, it's actually a mess trying to eat anywhere,” Henzel said. “It's great to have another place to come together and have food and not wait for hours.” 

Members of the Elon community also said they are excited to have a more upscale dining option in the area. Greensboro resident Kyle Swope decided to go to Rosemary’s on Oct. 20 for brunch and to support his friend and bar manager Jaime Liberg. 

“This is definitely a lot more upscale than a lot of the places around here that we're used to,” Swope said. “It's very exciting.”

Gibsonville resident Donna Peterson also decided to stop in for brunch Oct. 20 after attending church earlier in the day. Peterson said she believes the community will respond positively to The Rosemary. 

“People need to have something that they can actually look forward to going to visit,” Peterson said.

Bates also said that he is excited to be an addition to the Elon community — both the university and the town.  

“We really want to be a part of the community and take advantage of the positive spirit and the talent here,” Bates said. 

The Rosemary will be having a student appreciation and introduction night where they will be giving out free chicken and brisket tacos Oct. 22 from 8 to 10 p.m. 

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Anjolina Fantaroni contributed to the reporting of this story.