Magnolia Café and Culinary Club is set to open in January of 2025 at 325 E Broad St. in Dunn, NC. This new dining option is a nonprofit community restaurant that was birthed from Dunn United Ministerial Association. 

“We had a restaurant in this building for many years, and it has transitioned to different things. And when D.U.M.A. took this part over, we just thought that it needed to serve the community, instead of just as a regular restaurant. We wanted to model it after A Place at the Table in Raleigh and Feed All Regardless of Means in Boone. And then we wanted to take that even one step further–instead of a pay as you can restaurant only, we wanted to offer after school culinary programs for at-risk youth,” explained D.U.M.A. Executive Director Todd Snyder.

The café will be open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free afterschool culinary classes for middle and high school students will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturdays, Executive Chef David Atkinson, known as “Chef D” in the community, will offer popup classes to adults. 

One item on the menu that has community members eager for opening day is Chef D’s Banana Puddin Cookies. Other staple dishes include a seven-layer lasagna and sweet tea brined smoked chicken. There will also be specials offered that change regularly and introduce new items to the menu. 

The pay-what-you can business model serves to ensure that everyone in the community can come enjoy a meal at the new restaurant. 

To keep up with Magnolia Café’s journey to serving Dunn and the surrounding areas follow their Facebook page.