By TM Petaccia

The historic McNinch House restaurant will stay in the family and remain open. TM Petaccia/UP

Charlotte is still mourning the loss of McNinch House’ Ellen Davis, as well as that of Ellen’s daughter, Beth, but her nephew and current caretaker of the property says he intends to keep the doors open.

“It’s just gonna be bizarre, her not being here anymore,” says Mitch Clark, who will be inheriting the Uptown property. “I’m hoping to see if we can keep it going. I’m getting a feel for exactly how everything works, what’s doing good, both profit wise and staff wise. She had a great year last year and the crew she has is perfect.”

The late Ellen Davis with long-time McNinch sommelier Anthony “Wes” Wesley. TM Petaccia/UP

Currently the McNinch House management team consists of Tracy Webb, front-of-house manager who has been at the restaurant since 2016; sommelier Anthony Wesley, who came from Charlotte’s iconic Lamplighter in 2002; as well as Cyndi Stickney, who was named executive chef this past September.

“Everyone has a lot of pride in what they are doing here,” Clark says. “I’m so thankful to all those who worked so hard for her and want her dream going.”

The restaurant has received numerous accolades over the years, including AAA’s Four Diamond status every year for the past 24 years, and Awards of Excellence for its wine list from Wine Spectator every year since 2011.

Clark’s current priority is to undertake some repairs to the 130 year-old house. “There’s a pretty pretty big leak in the roof,” Clark says. “My goal is to clean everything up and to keep everything 100 percent.”