Restaurant to open in former Dixie III building

Paw-Paw’s Place to add location

ASHEBORO – Paw-Paw’s Place is expanding, with a second location to fill a void at a recently closed business.

The family-style restaurant will take the spot where Dixie III long held a presence on East Dixie Drive in Asheboro.

“We’re adding a location,” Paw-Paw’s Place owner Mitchell Simmons said Monday. “I’ve been looking to expand. It was a good fit for us.”

Simmons said he’s aiming to open the second location within the next 30 days, hoping to nail down a date within a week or two.

“I’m pushing for the next 30 days,” he said. “We’ll see how quick everything gets lined up.”

Simmons is leasing the building from the Davidson family, which had operated Dixie III. He’ll purchase the restaurant equipment.

The hours will be the same as the former Dixie III location, which is about a 10-minute drive from Paw-Paw’s Place on North Fayetteville Street. The new location will be open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The original Paw-Paw’s Place is open from 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, so the hours at the two locations will be staggered to some degree.

Dixie III had been in operation for 39 years until closing Sept. 9. Owner Mark Davidson said business had been brisk, but the family sought a break from the restaurant business.

Simmons is a third-generation owner of Paw-Paw’s Place, which opened in July 2007. Simmons’ grandfather, Mike Key, began the business.

The transition from the Davidson family is something that should be smooth.

“It’s good for everybody,” Simmons said.