Bruce Brown, co-owner of the popular Bruce’s Fabulous Foods in downtown Marion, died Monday at age 63.
“Bruce was a restaurant pioneer in downtown Marion,” said Freddie Killough, executive director of the Marion Business Association. “He started with a simple and basic take-out food business and grew it into a downtown destination.”
In October 2019, downtown Marion was featured on UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Weekend” show. Producer John Litschke interviewed Chef Bruce Brown of Bruce’s Fabulous Foods for the broadcast. For more than 20 years, Brown frequently appeared on the WLOS Asheville TV station’s “Carolina Kitchen” segments where he demonstrated making his many dishes for viewers.
She added, “Bruce’s colorful personality and colorful chef pants will be greatly missed.”
The announcement of his death was made Tuesday morning on Facebook by his wife, Barbara Brown.
“He had a great weekend with family and friends,” she said Tuesday on Facebook. “He turned 63 on Sunday. I ask that you keep myself and our staff in your prayers.”
In recent years, Brown experienced several health problems, and his wife said on Facebook that they “have talked a lot about life and death.” She added “he is with Jesus” and “he lived life right up to the last breath.”
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Bruce’s personality will surely be missed
Doug Watson, co-owner of Flavors on Main General Store, said on Tuesday of his fellow downtown business owner: “Bruce and Barbara created an anchor business on Main Street that pulled people from miles away … true Main Street Heroes. Bruce’s outgoing personality will surely be missed.”
Attorney Christopher Rumfelt, who has a law office in Marion, said on Facebook that Brown’s death was “a very sad day today for downtown Marion.”
“Bruce Brown was one of those people who would brighten your day no matter how dark it was,” Rumfelt wrote on Facebook. “He was much more than a restaurant owner and chef. He was a genuinely good guy with a wonderful caring personality who always had a joke or some other witty words to put a smile on your face. He will be greatly missed and will leave a huge void on Main Street and beyond. RIP Bruce. God bless you and Barbara, your family, friends, employees and customers who will all miss you dearly.”
Although he will be greatly missed, the restaurant and legacy he built will continue, said his wife Barbara on Facebook.
“Bruce’s Fabulous Foods will continue to be a staple in Marion,” she wrote on Facebook. “Bruce wanted the staff and I to continue on.”
“He loved Marion, and he loved all of you,” wrote Barbara on Facebook.
In 2001, Brown and wife Barbara started the downtown restaurant Bruce’s Fabulous Foods, which also has a catering operation. Bruce Brown was also well known for his appearances on the Asheville TV station WLOS and its program “Carolina Kitchen.”
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Brown relocated to North Carolina and had a long career working in restaurants. From 1997 to 2001, Brown worked at Josephine’s, which was a popular restaurant located in the landmark Lone Beech mansion in Marion.
Restaurant opened in 2001
Bruce’s Fabulous Foods first started serving customers in downtown Marion on Sept. 21, 2001. Originally opening as a catering shop, it served more than 200 people on opening day. “Beginning with one full-time employee, Bruce’s had only two tables and everyone had to share the tables,” reads a 2015 citation from the Marion Business Association. “Friendships from those lunches still flourish.”
Bruce and Barbara Brown started Bruce’s Fabulous Foods in 2001. It was honored as the Marion Business Association’s Small Business of the Year in 2015.
The Browns moved their business to the current and larger location in 2006 with three full-time employees and two part-time catering assistants at that time. It has since become a downtown Marion landmark and hungry folks flock to it for a tasty lunch. The Browns were supporters of downtown events and new businesses and were recognized as Marion’s Main Street Champions in 2011. In 2015, Bruce’s Fabulous Foods was honored as the Small Business of the Year by the Marion Business Association.
In 2015 upon receiving his honor, Bruce Brown said when they hire new people, he and Barbara tell their new workers that God, family and education all come before work.
“And because of that, good things come back to us,” he said in 2015. “We are a family. We do it as a family.”
135 cheesecake flavors
The restaurant became known for a wide selection of cheesecakes. In 2015, Bruce’s Fabulous Foods had a lineup of 135 different cheesecakes “As I kept expanding and experimenting with more flavors and crusts, the more popular the cheesecakes became and the more we sold,” he said to The McDowell News in 2015. “None of the recipes are written. All 135 are in my head.”
“Bruce and Barbara Brown’s commitment to excellence has brought regional and state recognition to Marion,” reads the 2015 citation from the downtown business association. “Articles have been published in Roam magazine, Our State magazine and WNC magazine on the restaurant and the 135 cheesecake flavors. They have set the bar high for dining in downtown Marion.”
Starting in 2003, Bruce began appearing on the WLOS television station in Asheville. He taped his “Carolina Kitchen” segments for more than 20 years and cooked live many Sunday mornings on News 13 This Morning show, according to a previous story by The McDowell News.
This door at Bruce’s Fabulous Foods is a tribute to Bruce Brown’s personality and his fame as a chef.
Bruce Brown was also known for his sense of humor and outgoing personality. He enjoyed performing in local musical productions by Foothills Community Theater.
“Active members of the Marion Business Association Board and McDowell Tourism Board, they are strong supporters of many community projects,” reads the 2015 MBA citation. “Whether it is singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to a special customer, or performing for the local theater, Bruce and Barbara Brown have set the stage for Marion.”
This article was originally published by a morganton.com . Read the Original article here. .