HENDERSONVILLE - A downtown Italian restaurant that has been open since 2020 has closed its doors for good, and the owner hasn't announced plans for opening a new location.
Nora's Off Main, 121 W. Barnwell St., now sits vacant. It was owned by Chef Jonathan Lavoie, who named the restaurant after his daughter, Nora, in 2020 when she was 5 years old. The restaurant served New York-style pizzas and Italian dishes.
In late February, Lavoie made a social media post, announcing that the restaurant was closing.
"It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell. Despite our unwavering dedication and resilience through countless obstacles over the past four years, Nora's must now close its doors here in Hendersonville," Lavoie said in a post on Facebook. "We had hoped to be a cherished part of this community for years to come. Yet, faced with insurmountable circumstances, including profound disagreements with the landlord and the disappointing state of the building despite our significant personal investments, we have reached this somber decision."
When Favilla's, which still has an Asheville location open on Patton Avenue, closed its Hendersonville location in 2020, Lavoie started his restaurant in the space and hired on the employees from Favilla's Hendersonville location. Lavoie named the restaurant Nora’s New York Pizzeria and later moved to the restaurant's current location on Barnwell Street, changing the name to Nora's Off Main.
"Our love for this community runs deep, intertwining with every pizza baked and every dish prepared. From the warm greetings exchanged at our door to the heartfelt conversations shared over meals, Hendersonville has been more than just a location — it's been our home," Lavoie said in the February post. "The outpouring of support and camaraderie we've experienced here has been nothing short of extraordinary, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts. As we bid farewell, know that our affection for Hendersonville and its people will endure, serving as a guiding light in our future endeavors."
Lavoie said he is now selling off most of the equipment. Anyone interested can contact him at 828-620-9471.
"Supplies are limited, and it will be first-come, first-served as we prepare to leave Hendersonville to pursue our next culinary endeavor," he said.
Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.
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