Old Town Public House will close on Jan. 11 to make way for a project in downtown Cornelius.
CORNELIUS, N.C. — After nearly a decade of serving as a community hub for live music, drinks and conversation, Old Town Public House will soon close its doors to make way for an $80 million redevelopment project in downtown Cornelius.
Owner Case Warnemunde opened the venue in 2015 when downtown Cornelius had few entertainment options. He said the idea was to create a place where people could come together every day — not just for special occasions.
“The consensus was there needed to be a spot everyone could get together not event by event but every single day,” Warnemunde said.
Since then, Old Town Public House has become a local favorite, hosting musicians, trivia nights and community gatherings that helped shape the town’s emerging identity. Regulars said it’s hard to imagine downtown Cornelius without it.
“End of an era for sure had many many good times, played with my band there maybe 50 times,” said Chris Sewell, a musician who frequently performed at the venue.
Warnemunde announced the closure earlier this week, saying the bar will officially shut down on Jan. 11, 2026. The property will be redeveloped by Highline Partners as part of a large-scale project called Mills Market, which includes 239 housing units, commercial space and a European-style alleyway with storefronts and outdoor seating.
While the project will change the look of downtown Cornelius, Warnemunde said he understands that growth was always part of the plan.
“It was always in the plans this downtown will change and it’s been a good ride,” Warnemunde said. “A lot of development coming, we’re not opposed to it. I’ve lived here raised a family here and I’m excited to see this new chapter.”
Warnemunde emphasized that the decision to close was made on his own terms — not because he was forced to. He said the team wanted to end on a high note and begin planning for what he calls “OTPH 2.0.”
“It’s been a wild ride,” Warnemunde said. “It’s been fun and we want to pave the way for something new not only this development, but for what OTPH 2.0 might look like so we decided let’s start the farewell tour and that’s why we chose January 11th.”
The redevelopment is part of a broader effort to revitalize downtown Cornelius. Once complete, the Mills Market project is expected to include retail, restaurants and housing, reshaping one of the most recognizable corners of Main Street.
Old Town Public House will continue hosting live shows and community events through the end of the year, giving customers a few more chances to raise a glass before the lights go out for good.
WCNC Charlotte reached out to Highline Partners for a project timeline but has not yet received a response.
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