We serve more than food — we serve moments.”
Tucked in the frey of Plaza Shamrock sits the site of the original Pike’s Soda Shop, a Charlotte institution. Over the years, 2121 Shamrock Drive has been home to other neighborhood haunts that have kept the lamps lit (Foskoskies and Letty’s most notably). If walls could talk, the old apothecary cases that stand across the back bar would have stories to tell. The old soda shop stools waiting patiently for friends and neighbors to occupy and gather..
PS. Not just a name.
Amber and Dean met in 2017 at Lambstock, a private chef gathering located in Patrick Spring’s, VA (turns out, Virginia is for lovers). At the time, Dean was cooking in the Hudson Valley, while Amber was fully established in Charlotte. They dated through the mail, writing letters, overnighting boxes filled with bread and blueberries, pickled carrots and whiskey, and even lentil sandwiches. But there was always more to say, something after the letter.
So in 2018 Dean moved…to Asheville where he opened Aux Bar on Franklin St. with friends Steven and Sam Goff. Dean found himself closer but, again, with more to say. The couple would spend nights in the Charlotte street tavern after a long work week, holding hands in a booth eating fries and caesar salads, catching up on the time spent apart.
And yet, there was still more to say.
After about a year of letters, boxes, flights, and commutes, Dean decided to make Charlotte his home in 2019. There were finally no more trips to be made to the Post Office.
Surely, that has to be it.
When Amber and Dean made the decision to finally hang up their aprons, the couple settled into a life they never asked for nor could dream of, traveling, rescuing German Shepherds, gardening, and hosting dinner parties. They combinedoughtfully crafted to elevate what matters most.
When Amber and Dean made the decision to finally hang up their aprons, the couple settled into a life they never asked for nor could dream of, traveling, rescuing German Shepherds, gardening, and hosting dinner parties. They combined their cookbook collections, merged their spoons in a drawer, and were married in 2022.
A Signature life.
Fast forward a few years: Letty’s on Shamrock announces they would be hosting their final service. Amber saw this declaration a few seconds after it was made and sent it to Dean without thinking. At that moment she knew the days of free weekends, dinners at a decent hour, and life in the daylight were numbered.
Dean, ever curious, walked into Pike Pharmacy days later to pick up a script for his wife and happened to ask about the charming space next door. Jennifer, Pike’s 4th generation family pharmacist, told the Chef to call her parents as they own the building. While at work, Amber received a call from Dean informing her that they would be having coffee with the Pikes on Saturday to discuss the future of 2121.
“But we got out of the restaurant business years ago! Aren’t we past this life?”
PostScript.
Sometimes when you sign off on something the feeling is too final; you’ve missed something. There is one more thing to say.
And so we bring you PostScript, PS2121, our final words to an industry we both love so much.
Dean has made all the plateware for service, a thoughtfully curated menu is on paper, and the bar is set. We have restored as much of the old place as we could and are excited to share that we are…
Sincerely, Open.
