From Pitch to Plate

Two new restaurants open in downtown Burgaw through Own Your Own contest

By Judy Royal   »   Photos by G. Frank Hart

When local entrepreneur Richard Johnson launched the Own Your Own (OYO) nationwide restaurant competition in late 2022, the goal was simple but ambitious: to turn big ideas into real businesses. That vision has taken root in downtown Burgaw, where diners are filling tables at two of the town’s newest spots. Juniors Deli and Patty’s Place are direct results of the competition, which paired aspiring restaurateurs with mentorship, resources and a rare opportunity in an industry where barriers to entry can be steep. Three years after the search began, the impact is now tangible — and tasty.

“We just gave the town more gathering places and choices,” Johnson said. “I think what we’re doing is rounding out what was already there. There’s a lot going on in Burgaw, and I couldn’t be prouder of my part.”

Johnson, who has invested in Burgaw since 2018, launched OYO in December 2022. The contest sought a winner to receive a $1 million budget to design and build a restaurant in downtown Burgaw, a town of 3,071 about 25 miles north of Wilmington.

Johnson, a Wilmington resident, first became interested in Burgaw in 2016, when he purchased nearby Penderlea Farms. Trips downtown revealed empty buildings and a faltering central business district. He began buying commercial property and soon realized the value of those aging buildings depended on foot traffic. In 2018, he created Burgaw Now and built Fat Daddy’s Pizzeria and Burgaw Brewing Co., later passing both to others to operate. OYO grew from a desire to bring additional restaurant concepts to downtown.

The competition drew 500 applicants from 29 states and Canada. A panel of judges — local restaurant industry experts — provided input throughout the process. The field was narrowed to 24 finalists, who traveled to Burgaw in October 2023 for a Town Square Cook-Off. Each prepared a signature dish for community members and judges to sample and evaluate.

Two finalists advanced to a finale dinner: Karoline Schwartz of Tabernash, Colorado, and Vincent Mangual of Brooklyn, New York. Schwartz won but later declined the prize. Organizers regrouped and ultimately selected Mangual and another finalist, Khristen Hunter of Wilmington, to open restaurants in Burgaw.

Mangual’s Juniors Deli, at 102 W. Fremont St., opened in September. The 1,800-square-foot space was renovated to preserve its historic charm while creating a bright, welcoming deli centered on stacked sandwiches made with freshly baked bread and house-roasted meats.

“We’re really trying to create an atmosphere that’s comfortable for everyone,” Mangual said. He relocated his family from Brooklyn to Burgaw for the opportunity. “This is an Italian American-inspired New York deli that draws from the best sandwich shops.”

Menu highlights include the chicken cutlet and a Reuben with in-house smoked pastrami and house-made sauerkraut using cabbage from a local farm. Mangual and his team also make fresh mozzarella for sandwiches, with a goal of producing more items in-house over time.

“I’m a chef, and my restaurant is chef-driven,” he said. “As we grow, the goal is to make everything in-house, from all of our breads to all of our salad dressings.”

Juniors Deli also offers catering and plans to add breakfast — including bagels — in the coming months.

Hunter opened Patty’s Place, at 106 W. Courthouse St., in January. The 2,800-square-foot restaurant serves classic diner breakfasts, including omelets, pancakes and biscuits, along with Hunter’s signature chicken and waffles, the dish she presented during the competition. The renovated building blends modern amenities with historic character.

“The concept of a diner-style restaurant has always been my dream, and I knew I wanted to do a spot that was breakfast-focused,” Hunter said. “I love being the one who gets to start someone’s day with a smile after having one of our meals or coffees. When you walk in, we want it to feel like a home away from home.”

Patty’s Place is named for Hunter’s mother, whom she credits as a major influence. Many recipes, she said, were passed down from her.

The restaurant recently added patio seating for warmer weather. Future plans include weekend dinners and obtaining an ABC permit to offer alcoholic beverages.

Both owners said they’ve been encouraged by the community’s response and are glad to be part of a broader effort to draw people to downtown Burgaw — exactly as Johnson envisioned. While he once considered bringing the model to other towns, he said he is no longer pursuing expansion.

“It could have potentially been a vehicle or model for helping small towns, but just helping one town is good enough,” Johnson said. “I can look back and say we helped provide a spark and launched restaurants that have created gathering spaces. The town is so vibrant now. I can’t imagine where it’s going to be five years from now.”