A Sense of Place for All

Town halls have their origins in 12th-century Europe, as feudal systems collapsed and urban residents began to claim a more active role in their communities. Once strictly governed by royalty and local churches, the citizens of a place claimed their right to gather, speak, and play a part in directing their own futures.  A town hall served as the social and cultural centerpoint of the city, solidifying the bonds of all who participated.

In Highlands, North Carolina, the new Town Hall restaurant invites longtime residents and weekend visitors alike to share in the warmth and reverie that define our mountain town. Here, we come together to feel a part of the greater whole.

The multi-purpose space was conceived by owners David Perrin and Mat Barnwell, who recognized a need within the community. Town Hall is a restaurant and bar, but also flexibly serves as both a public hangout or private venue space.

“We basically solved a problem for ourselves,” Perrin laughs. With three young children, he and his wife, Christie, often confronted a problem that resonates with most parents and grandparents. Where could the family dine out and enjoy time together in a way that is fun and fulfilling for both adults and youngsters? Town Hall, with its welcoming atmosphere and expansive outdoor space, fits the bill.

On this summer evening, children roam happily while parents keep a watchful eye nearby. The ambiance is joyous, yet never rowdy, as adults enjoy conversation and connection while the kids play cornhole and tussle on the lawn. Soccer fans converge on the rear bar area to watch a game on the jumbo screen, and live music fills the air as local-favorite musician Will Starnes entertains the crowd. A young girl nervously approaches him to make a request. Moments later, she’s sharing the spotlight in a touching moment as onlookers smile, proving Town Hall is a place that welcomes everyone.

That sense of place is important to Perrin, who renovated the former Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro after it closed in the winter of 2024. He was already familiar with the property: “I’ve been coming to Highlands since I was a kid, and I ate at Wolfgang’s many times,” he recalls. “When it closed, we recognized that this space spanning Main Street to Oak Street was so unique and felt that we could do something meaningful to add something great to the town.”

Wolfgang and Mindy Green express their enthusiasm for the property’s new incarnation: “For many years, our greatest joy was welcoming friends, neighbors, and visitors through our doors and watching the restaurant become a gathering place for the community. We are delighted to see that tradition continue under David Perrin’s stewardship. His enthusiasm, vision, and commitment to hospitality make him a wonderful fit for this special place, and we wish him every success as Town Hall begins this exciting new chapter.”

Before Wolfgang’s 30-year history as a local town favorite, the building had housed Hildegard’s Restaurant, also fondly recalled by Highlands’ old-timers. “We understand how important it is to the local community to be good stewards of this property,” Perrin promises. Vowing to stay true to Highlands’ distinctive culture but determined to add something new to the area, he says renovations were conducted thoughtfully to honor the heritage of the building. While much of the interior was completely refurbished, nods to the restaurant’s history remain. The courtyard, which hosted Wolfgang’s guests on many a mountain eve, is reimagined as a casual lawn and outdoor venue. Inside, Wolfgang’s rustic chairs remain in the dining room, and a framed picture of the original Hildegard’s hangs in the lobby.

Inside, guests can claim a table in the revamped dining room while still enjoying a view of the lawn through a wall of windows. The atmosphere is quieter, echoing memories of Wolfgang’s, and the front bar allows for additional drink service options.

However, the space can shift gears quickly. Designed as a multi-use venue, Perrin says the interior can transform to host private parties—wedding parties, birthday celebrations, family reunions, and cocktail gatherings are already booked into 2027. The entire property can be rented as space for larger events, or the front room and bar can provide privacy for smaller parties while public festivities continue outside. The layout and decor of the space allow party planners to design a fete to match their imagination, and Perrin says the staff endeavors to customize to the customer’s preferences.

The menu reflects the spirit of the restaurant’s conception: An array of appetizers, such as Pot Roast Sliders and the enormous Sheet Pan Nachos, encourages sharing. The soups, salads, sandwiches, and tacos are well suited to the laid-back atmosphere but elevated in quality and flavor. And for those in search of a traditional dinner-style entrée, favorites like the Southern Pot Roast with sumptuous gravy or the Pan-Roasted Salmon with blistered tomato-caper butter sauce hit the spot.

But what’s a great gathering space without dessert? Perrin and Barnwell have already envisioned the next phase of Town Hall’s evolution, with plans in motion to add an ice cream shop in the old wine room at the rear of the property. To be called TH Scoops, the space is sure to become a local favorite of young and old alike; eight soft-serve flavors and an array of fun toppings will offer the chance to customize your treat.

In a place that harkens to tradition while redefining what Highlands has to offer, Town Hall is set to become a community favorite. “Maybe in 30 years, we’ll be passing the torch to a new owner,” Perrin foretells. “We hope the town loves our restaurant and recalls it with the same fondness as they do our predecessors.”