Durham food truck venue's future remains uncertain

Co-owner Steve Frasher said that the operations and management side of the business departed at the end of the year to pursue other projects.

"With the remaining owners all involved in other businesses, and not experienced in bar or restaurant operations, we closed to determine what we would do moving forward. We are still looking at options," Frasher wrote via email to WRAL.

Frasher owns the venue with Gil Scharf and brothers Richard and Peter Savarino.

The venue is located on property that used to be the Lakewood Amusement Park. From 1902 to 1932, there was a Ferris wheel, rides and even a streetcar line there. To pay tribute to the venue's past, County Fare has two murals showcasing admission tickets and a Ferris wheel with a brief history of the park.

Designed to resemble a barn, County Fare offered indoor seating for about 100 people in a climate controlled environment with TVs. All drinks, including soda, wine and beer, were available for purchase inside at the bar. There was also a small kitchen on site serving state fair-inspired food, including sausage and peppers sandwiches, fried Twinkies and funnel cakes.

"Our location and venue are prime, and the Lakewood neighborhood, and its developing Lakewood commercial community, is an amazing and exciting place to be in Durham. We had an extremely successful opening year and whatever course is taken we are confident that the venue will be active again relatively soon," Frasher wrote.