ASHEVILLE – A beer and grub hub’s spring transformation will bring a new name, menu and refreshed venue to an Arden neighborhood.
As of April 10, Voodoo Brewing Co. at 3578 Sweeten Creek Road will become The Flying Squirrel Pub, an entirely locally owned, independent establishment with local and regional bites and imbibes.
In October 2023, Bill Osborne debuted the franchise of the Pennsylvania-based brewery. Founded in 2005, the company has locations nationwide, including Colorado, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Voodoo Brewing Co. in Arden is owned by local franchisee Bill Osborne.
Osborne left electrical manufacturing for a career in food and beverage, choosing Voodoo Brewing to usher him into the industry.
Osborne said his beginning as a franchise owner has taught him a lot, as Voodoo Brewing provided a foundation for Flying Squirrel Pub. He said he’s received support from local, seasoned service industry entrepreneurs and credited his team with the business’s success.
“We did a year and a half with Voodoo, and they helped us with a lot of establishing processes and systems we were going to use,” Osborne said. “It’s given me a lot of insight, direction and knowledge into something I hadn’t done much coming out of my corporate America job.”
Osborne said it was an amicable parting between him and Voodoo Brewing. During the in-depth discussions, he shared his desire to deepen roots in the local food and beverage and Arden communities.
Customers dining at Voodoo Brewing in Arden, which will become The Flying Squirrel Pub on April 10.
“A lot of things happening in the Asheville area post (Tropical Storm) Helene were part of it as we looked at being more of an independent, local establishment,” Osborne said. “We’ve been doing good as a little local pub location, but we wanted more of that, and they were supportive of us going in that direction.”
Osborne shared early details about what guests can expect when returning to the restaurant and bar this spring.
Closing out Voodoo Brewing
Voodoo Brewing-Arden’s final day of operation will be April 6.
The establishment will be closed from April 7-9 for cleaning and light renovations, including a fresh coat of paint and changing out signage and other branded materials and products.
The Flying Squirrel will open on April 10 with extended hours, beginning at 11 a.m. and staying open daily until 9 p.m. or later with lunch, dinner and drinks.
“We’ll be more of a restaurant with 20 taps (than) a brewery under Voodoo Brewing, although we didn’t brew here,” Osborne said.
Introducing The Flying Squirrel Pub
The Flying Squirrel Pub’s name spawned from a face-off between Osborne and a pair of uninvited guests.
Two flying squirrels were discovered in the attic of Osborne’s neighboring property. He said they were humanely captured and set free.
Osborne said his brother, Michael, jokingly pitched the name “Flying Squirrel” during a brainstorming session, and customers responded most positively to it.
A logo from The Flying Squirrel Pub in Arden designed by Frank Whanger.
“We wanted to be the fun place,” Osborne said. “We love our regulars. As we started to talk to them, they loved the name of it, and things we could do with it.”
Frank Whanger, a local marketing and advertising professional and friend, designed the art, including the logo and other brand imagery, incorporating an aviator flying squirrel and a vintage airplane.
The public may have the chance to enter a contest to name the new mascot later.
Voodoo beer and food menu nixed and switched
Nearly 10 of the 20 beer taps were reserved for Voodoo Brewing’s craft beer. On April 10, the Pennsylvania imported brews will be replaced, expanding the local and regional brewery offerings across the Southeast. A few domestic beer labels will be added.
Osborne said the establishment doesn’t have a full liquor license due to alcohol laws designations, but cocktail slushies and other spirited mixed drinks will remain and be revamped.
“We are going to redo our hard seltzer cocktails because people have come to like those,” he said. “They’re gluten-free, and it gives people a different option if they’re not a beer drinker.”
A bacon cheese burger at Voodoo Brewing in Arden, which will become The Flying Squirrel Pub on April 10.
He said bottled craft sodas will be phased out in favor of fountain sodas, which will be more convenient for customers.
The dining menu will change, but Osborne said it will resemble the offerings diners have come to love and expect, though with original names and recipes.
Some dishes will be eliminated while new items will be added.
The Voodoo Burger will no longer be available, but a bacon cheddar burger will be offered. Its popular wings and fries are a permanent staple.
Osborne said that without being bound by a national franchise agreement, more local vendors and products will be offered, like Lusty Monk, Annie B’s Homemade Ice Cream and buns made by local bakeries.
The Flying Squirrel Pub reopening celebration
Re-grand opening specials and events are being planned for the weekend of April 10.
As of March 31, the business was in the interview phase for two positions: kitchen and front of house. More job opportunities may open as the pub extends its hours and enters the warmer, busier season.
For more, visit asheville.voodoobrewery.com and theflyingsquirrelpub.com and follow @voodooasheville on Instagram. New social media accounts will go live before the reopening.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram/Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Flying Squirrel Pub makes April debut: What to know about food, beer, more
