Remembering R.O.’s Bar-B-Cue

It was a Saturday. Five days before Christmas. That’s when the news started to slowly trickle out. It began like whispers in a quiet room.

“Psst… hey, did you hear R.O.’s is closing?”

“What? Not R.O.’s. They’d never close.”

At first, no one believed it. Just another silly internet rumor. Then people started calling. And the folks answering the phone at the nearly 80-year-old restaurant confirmed it.

R.O.’s Bar-B-Cue was, in fact, closing. Calling it quits on December 27. And not even a Christmas miracle could save it.

If the lines pouring out of the restaurant these past few days were any indication, R.O.’s was deeply loved. A true local institution. Locals and area food lovers proved it by waiting patiently in long lines one last time, paying their respects the best way they knew how, with one final meal.

I wrote about R.O.’s in this very space back on July 24. It was one of my first food stops when I moved to town 25 years ago.

The restaurant may be closing, but the orange slaw will live on in grocery stores near you.

That’s the silver lining in all of this. You can still unleash the flavor that made R.O.’s what it was. You just won’t be ordering it from behind the counter anymore.

And maybe the best part of all is this. We still get to keep that age-old debate alive.

Is that orange goodness a slaw, a sauce, or a dip?

The answer, as always, is in the taste buds of the beholder.

Before we wrap up the year, I just want to say thank you! Thanks for opening this little email each week, reading along, and supporting local stories and businesses. Truly, without you, there is no Hello, Gaston. I’m grateful for you and for another great year together!

We’ll be back to our regular weekly Thursday schedule in the new year starting on January 8.

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GASTON NTK (NEED TO KNOW)

🍖 R.O.’S BAR-B-CUE CLOSES ICONIC GASTONIA RESTAURANT

R.O.’s Bar-B-Cue has officially closed, ending a Gaston County tradition that began in 1946. Writing in Business NC, Kevin Ellis reflects on the restaurant’s legacy and wraps up with personal recommendations for enjoying R.O.’s famous orange slaw at home. [Read Nathan Bean’s tribute here.]

📸 GASTONIA TEACHER COMES FULL CIRCLE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

In his Faces of the Carolinas feature, John Le spotlights Gastonia teacher Emma King, now teaching first grade in the same classroom she attended as a child at New Hope Elementary. The story celebrates belonging, impact, and coming home. [Queen City News]

🟡 HELLO, GASTON! OPENING SPOTS FOR LOCAL ADVERTISERS

Hello, Gaston! is opening a limited number of advertising opportunities for local businesses. With thousands of loyal readers each week, it’s a smart way to boost visibility and reach hometown customers. Business owners interested in growing their audience are invited to connect and explore partnership options.

🍺 OMB RIVERVIEW BREAKS GROUND IN MOUNT HOLLY

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery has officially started construction on OMB Riverview in Mount Holly, overlooking the Catawba River near downtown and the greenway. The riverside biergarten is the brewery’s third location and is scheduled to open in September 2026, bringing beers, views, and connections.

🍽️ HELP THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MEET THE FOOD RELIEF CHALLENGE

A $50,000 challenge from Malinda and John Lowery, matched by an anonymous donor, has already delivered $100,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank. The need remains urgent. Gaston Community Foundation is accepting donations through December 31, 2025. Your gift helps feed Gaston County.

🧀 GASTONIA CITY SIGHTS VISITS GRAZE & PIECE

Laresa Thompson stops by Graze and Piece Charcuterie, where owner Cayse Phelps shares how each board is thoughtfully assembled. Everything is made fresh, with trays, boxes, and gluten- and dairy-free options available, proving this downtown Gastonia favorite is as inclusive as it is beautiful. 

📰  QUICK BITES

Disclaimer: News items marked with ($) in this section indicate sponsored content.

THE FOUR-DAY FORECAST

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GO-SEE-DO GASTON

PLAN AHEAD

The Chutes: Winter Tubing
📍 Crowders Springs, 4914 Linwood Road, Kings Mountain
📅 Now through Saturday, February 28
⏰ times vary
Snowless tubing lanes, campfire treats, and family fun supporting Crowders Camps near Crowders Mountain. Recommended for ages five and up. More Details. ($)

Festival of Trees
📅Now through December 30
📍 Stowe Park, Belmont
⏰ Dusk
Walk through a festive display of decorated trees celebrating the season, perfect for families, photos, and holiday cheer in downtown Belmont. More Details.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31

Noon Year’s Eve Party
📍 Cherryville Public Library, Cherryville
⏰ 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Ring in the New Year early with crafts, games, and a festive countdown designed especially for kids and families. More Details.

Noon Years Eve Party
📍 Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia
⏰ 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Families are invited to celebrate early with hands-on activities, a countdown, and festive fun throughout the museum. More Details.

Happy Noon Year at YMCA
📍 Warlick Family YMCA, Gastonia
⏰ 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
A family-friendly New Year celebration with games, music, and a balloon drop right at noon. More Details.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations
📍 Webb Custom Kitchen, Gastonia
📍 The Rooster, Gastonia
📍 Gaston Pour House, Gastonia
📍 Nellie’s Southern Kitchen, Belmont
📍 Drift on Lake Wylie, Belmont
📍 CityCade, Gastonia
📍 The Cherry Pit, Cherryville
📍 Jekyll and Hyde, Belmont
📍 Dallas Tavern & Taphouse, Dallas

New Years Shooters
📍 Cherryville
⏰ 12 a.m.
A long-standing Cherryville tradition marking the New Year with ceremonial gunfire and community pride. More Details.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1

First Day Hike
📍 Crowders Mountain State Park, Gastonia
⏰ 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Start the New Year outdoors with a guided hike celebrating fresh starts and scenic mountain views. More Details.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2

Birding Walks
📍 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont
⏰ 9–10 a.m.
Enjoy a guided birding walk led by longtime volunteer Gail Ice, exploring Garden trails while learning about local bird species. Open to all ages and experience levels. More Details.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
📍 Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
⏰ 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Regular season finale down in Florida. Playoff implications on the line. Go Panthers!

Malice Un Chained with Shrapnyl
📍 The Rooster, 1216 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia
⏰ Doors 6 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.
Malice Un Chained celebrates the music of Alice In Chains, joined by special guest Shrapnyl performing hard rock covers. All ages. More Details.

Cars & Coffee in the Park
📍 1515 Neal Hawkins Rd., Gastonia
⏰ 8–11 a.m.
All makes and models welcome at this casual morning car meetup. Enjoy coffee, conversation, and cool rides in the park. More Details.

MONDAY, JANUARY 5

LitFlix Book Club: January
📍 101 N. Main St., Belmont
⏰ 6–8 p.m.
Bi-monthly book club exploring book to film adaptations. January features One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Expect discussion, clips, laughs, and free popcorn. More Details.

America 250 Historical Fiction Film Series: 1776
📍 Gaston County Main Library, Gastonia
⏰ 6 - 8 p.m.
Enjoy a free showing of 1776, the Tony-winning musical film celebrating the founding of the Declaration of Independence. Starring William Daniels and Blythe Danner. Rated G. More Details.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7

Skate and Date
📍 Whitewater, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte
⏰ 6:15–9 p.m.
Enjoy ice skating at the Whitewater Center followed by a chef-curated three-course meal at River’s Edge. A fun winter date night experience. More Details.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8

Downtown Gastonia Caffeine and Conversation
📍 CaroMont Health Park, 800 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia
⏰ 9:30–11 a.m.
Enjoy coffee and conversation with downtown Gastonia business leaders, residents, and community partners during this casual networking meetup hosted by the Gaston Business Association. More Details.

Disclaimer: Event details are subject to change or cancellation. Please check with the event organizers for the most up-to-date information. We are not responsible for any changes after publication. Events marked with ($) in this section indicate sponsored content.

#GASTONGRAM

SEE YA LATER, GASTON!

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