Fayetteville native Kia McMillan has revamped the Stryker Golf Course clubhouse event venue and dining facility by opening Ace 19 Cafe and Lounge. Ace 19 Cafe is located at 7105 Bragg Blvd. Fort Bragg, N.C. 28307. The cafe provides fresh food and refreshing drink options to Stryker Golf Course visitors and operates as an event venue available for rent for Fayetteville and Fort Bragg locals. 

Stryker visitors have noted that Ace 19 Cafe provides delicious, fresh food options to enjoy during their day on the golf course. The cafe includes indoor and outdoor seating options, and the outdoor seating features a large porch with stunning views overlooking the golf course. 

“The golf course is a hidden gem, and we’re building on that. When you combine a great round of golf with an elevated food and beverage experience, it becomes more than just a stop – it becomes a destination. We want people to plan their day around coming out here,” shared McMillan. 

Ace 19 Cafe’s indoor and outdoor spaces are available for rent by military or civilian families. No military ID is required for entrance or rental. 

Each piece of McMillan’s professional resume contributes to her success as Ace 19 Cafe’s owner. While Ace 19 has operated for some time as a cafe, McMillan notes that the clubhouse space is an under-utilized resource available to the Fayetteville community for an event venue. Ace 19 Cafe will host a grand opening this April. The exact date and time will soon be announced on the cafe’s social media pages. 

McMillan’s variety of business experiences has provided her with the precise skills needed to make an event venue a beautiful, upscale experience for guests. Before launching Ace 19 Cafe, McMillan’s professional history included graphic design work for J. Cole, photography business ownership, employment with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and grassroots political campaigning for former Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson. 

Reminiscing on her early days as an entrepreneur, McMillan shared that she began her career with an earring business she launched at the age of seven. 

“I was very crafty, and I wanted to make some earrings…I wanted pearl earrings for a pageant. So I made it happen. Then from there, I started making earrings, and I would sell them on Saturdays at my great uncle’s booth that he had at the flea market. My family is full of entrepreneurs,” explained McMillan. 

With her family’s help, McMillan developed the skill of observing the needs of the greater Fayetteville community and creating resources to meet those needs. McMillan shared memories of her family throwing parties and hosting events designed to provide the Fayetteville community with entertainment and a sense of connection. These events brought in extra income for her family, and they served a larger purpose within the culture of the city. 

McMillan recalled fond memories of Sylvia Ray, founder of the NC Center for Economic Empowerment & Development (CEED), opening her home to host community events. 

“Sylvia was my self-proclaimed god-aunt. She had this beautiful, 200-year-old home in Haymount. She would open her home to guests and host beautiful parties in her English garden-styled backyard. I got to see what elegant hospitality could look like,” shared McMillan. 

McMillan noted that these parties helped her learn how to anticipate the needs of guests and provide a luxurious experience. These parties were partially responsible for the creation of one of McMillan’s additional business ventures, Bougie Bites and Boards (BB&B).

BB&B is McMillan’s charcuterie business that offers take-home boxes, custom boards for events and even grazing tables. Bougie Bites and Boards will set up boards or tables at any event venue within the greater Fayetteville area, and every customer who hosts an event at Ace 19 Cafe has the option to add McMillan’s charcuterie boards to their menu. She noted a need within the Fayetteville community to have an event venue that provides both space and food. 

“The biggest gap was a true multi-purpose, elevated venue. There are places to eat, and there are places to host events – but very few that do both. That versatility, paired with quality, is what was missing,” shared McMillan. 

In addition to Ace 19, McMillan is currently overseeing renovations of Beckwith Lodge on Fort Bragg with plans to open a second event venue called Cedar and Smoke. The military community may be more familiar with Beckwith Lodge’s previous name, McKellar’s Lodge. This beautiful lodge has been closed for multiple years, and McMillan sees the potential to resurrect its original purpose as a center of celebration. 

“We’re not just reopening a building – [we’re] helping redefine what a space means to this community. There’s a real sense of responsibility in taking something people were familiar with and elevating it into something that reflects the future of Fort Bragg. For me, it’s about creating a place that people feel proud of again – where memories are made, relationships are built and the experience feels intentional from the moment you walk in,” stated McMillan. 

The military community hosted a renaming ceremony for Beckwith Lodge in December 2023. The community expressed a desire for this space to be updated to meet modern needs while maintaining its charm. McMillan shared that feedback from the community has been integral in her preparations for opening Cedar and Smoke. She is “keeping the warmth and familiarity people loved, while upgrading the experience across the board.” 

When asked what she hopes people think of when they hear of Beckwith Lodge in five years, McMillan said, “I want them to think, ‘That’s where everything happens.’ Whether it’s a promotion ceremony, a wedding, a leadership meeting, it should be the go-to destination. A place that consistently delivers.”

Just as McMillan’s business endeavors aim to build community and bring people together, she acknowledges that her support system has played a vital role in allowing her to achieve the success she has found in each of her pursuits. 

“At the heart of everything I do is my daughter, Alana, my reason to push harder…Tyrrel, the love of my life – thank you for reminding me daily of who I am and who I’m becoming. My business partner, Sandra, thank you for keeping me balanced and sane. To Zoe, my “Accoutrement Queen” – your hard work means everything. I truly couldn’t do this without you. To my friends and family – thank you for your continued love and support of me and my business. I’m endlessly grateful for my circle,” remarked McMillan.

Contact Kia McMillan for Ace 19 Cafe event rentals and updates regarding Cedar and Smoke by visiting www.ace19cafe.com.