The Beginning: A Fallen Giant

It all started with a tree. In May 2020, Sam Trexler reached out to Grant, a local woodworker, about an old oak tree that had fallen in his parents’ yard in Poplar Trails. This wasn’t just any tree—it was the last of three oak giants that had stood side by side since the 1850s, weathering over 160 years of storms and seasons. The other two had succumbed to summer storms over the years, and now, the final oak had met the same fate.

When Sam brought the milled oak to Grant’s shop in May 2021, he faced a challenge unlike any he had encountered before. Grant had never bought an entire tree, and Sam’s asking price was steep. Unsure of what to do with so much lumber, Grant initially purchased only a portion. But when the rest of the tree failed to find a buyer, Sam and Grant renegotiated, and Grant ended up with the entire oak, storing it behind his shop to dry—a process that would take a year for each inch of thickness.

A New Opportunity:
The Restaurant Project

In May 2022, we approached Grant to discuss how we could get him involved in our new restaurant. As we discussed ideas, Grant suggested something bold: what if he used the oak tree to make all the tables for the restaurant?!? Initially, the plan was to outfit just the front space, but as our conversations progressed, we thought why not offer Grant the opportunity to craft every table in Towel City Tavern.

Before Grant could begin though, the oak had to be carefully dried to a moisture content of less than 10%, to prevent warping and cracking. Once it was ready, Grant embarked on the meticulous process of transforming the rough boards into table tops. He worked on the tables between other projects, not wanting to be the reason the restaurant didn’t open on time.

By the end of 2022, Grant had completed 70 small table tops, with the restaurant’s anticipated opening date set for April 2023. But as construction delays pushed the timeline forward, the tables sat untouched for months. It wasn’t until the fall of 2023 that Grant began applying the finish to the table tops, with a new target opening date of April 2024.

The Final Pieces:
Crafting the Heart of the Restaurant

As the restaurant’s opening drew nearer, Grant turned his attention to the final and most challenging pieces: three large tables for the front of the restaurant, each made from the original 12-foot slabs of the oak tree. These slabs, measuring three inches thick, over 30 inches wide, and 10 feet long, were both beautiful and daunting to work with. Their size and weight required the help of multiple friends just to move them.

Each slab had its own story, with cracks that needed to be stabilized with inlays and filled with epoxy. These tables were the epitome of craftsmanship—a labor of love that showcased the oak’s natural beauty and Grant’s dedication to the project.

In early 2024, with the restaurant’s opening finally in sight, Grant built the host stand from the remaining milled slabs. This solid piece of furniture was special in its own right, with one unique detail: the menu holder on the side was crafted from a church pew salvaged from Plaza Baptist Church in Charlotte, the only piece of wood in the entire project that wasn’t from the oak tree.

A Labor of Love:
The Legacy of the Oak

This project marked the first time Grant was involved in every step, from handling the raw log to delivering the finished tables four years later. The journey from fallen tree to finished product was long and challenging, but it was also deeply rewarding. Each table in the restaurant tells a story—a story of an oak that began its life in 1853, stood tall for generations, and now, over 170 years later, lives on as a part of the community. It’s been an honor for Grant to be part of this journey, and he hopes that everyone who dines at the restaurant feels a connection to the history and craftsmanship behind these tables.