The new owners of an old home in Shallotte plan to breathe new life into the historical space and eventually open a restaurant there.

The Rourk House, 422 Village Road, had been in the Rourk family for multiple generations before Mandy and Aubrey Faatz bought it in October. They purchased the house and its 2.4 acres for $735,000, according to property tax records.

The current house dates back to 1927.

“Everyone in town loves that property,” Mandy Faatz said. “And when we went to look at it, we just knew that it was something very special and that it would be great to do something there.”

The couple has other businesses, including a residential and commercial general contracting and remodeling company, Aubrey Faatz Home Crafters, and a wedding venue, Ruby Anna Acres, only about 2 miles from the Rourk House.

“We knew that it (the Rourk House) would work well with that for bridal showers, events, pictures, getting ready for the weddings and things like that, and as an Airbnb,” Mandy Faatz said. “But ultimately, we envision creating … a really nice restaurant where people can come and have a great meal.”

Mandy Faatz’s family has been in the restaurant business most of her life, she said, and the Faatz’s Rourk House endeavor will also be a family affair. She said she thinks low-country cuisine, reminiscent of Charleston, South Carolina, would be a good fit.

The Faatzes have gotten the ball rolling on adapting the space.

“We are already working on the permitting process, the engineering, the drawings. But because of this being our line of work … we know that these things take time,” Mandy Faatz said. “Our goal and prayer is that at least by December of 2027 we can celebrate the 100-year anniversary with the restaurant being open.”

In addition to the restaurant, she said they hope to have a few rooms set aside for people to stay in, like an inn. Other potential features include a boutique for shoppers, a bar, a coffee shop and an outdoor entertainment area where customers can enjoy live music.

She said she and her husband will not be changing the structure of the existing home. For example, they plan to put a kitchen off the back of the house, Mandy Faatz said.

Eileen Stammetti, executor of the Rourk family estate, said family members hoped the property’s new owners would want it for its history and importance to the area.

“My grandparents, the Rourks, were incredibly philanthropic, very influential in the community, and believed very, very strongly in giving back to the community,” Stammetti said.

Her favorite part of the house? “Probably the library, and I say that because that’s where we congregated. There’s just a certain warmth to the room. The other thing I love about the house is that all the rooms are, especially on the first floor, just huge. You walk in, and you get that feel of an older time when there would have been gatherings and people had ‘living’ rooms … there was just a certain beauty to them.”

Of her family’s decision to sell the property, Stammetti said, “We just felt like it needed somebody that could be there full time and could love it.”

Kelly Stuart of Carolinas Commercial, a real estate team of Wilmington-based Sun Coast Partners Commercial, represented the Rourk heirs in the sale.

“It was truly an honor to represent the estate in the sale of the Rourk House, and even more meaningful to work closely with a family that has contributed so much to the fabric of Shallotte,” Stuart said. “We approached this listing with great care, knowing how important it was to find a buyer who would both understand the commercial potential of the property and respect the Rourk family’s legacy. I’m grateful we were able to achieve that.”

The Carolinas Commercial listing for the property described some of the home’s attributes.

“Classic architectural features include original hardwood floors, custom millwork, large sun-filled windows, a grand staircase, multiple fireplaces and built-in shelving in the library,” the listing stated. “The multiple spacious rooms, welcoming foyer and charming front porch with original brick offer flexible layout potential for a wide variety of business uses.”

William Asbury Rourk and Sarah Stone Rourk completed the current home in 1927 after the original house burned down in 1925.
“Dr. Malcolm Henderson Rourk and his wife, Marie Foscue Rourk, later made it their residence and were known for their philanthropic contributions to Brunswick County, particularly within the Shallotte community. The home underwent a full renovation in 1996-97, preserving its historic character while updating it for modern use,” the listing stated.

Aubrey Faatz said he and his family want to honor the house’s legacy.

“There’s not a lot of history left in our area,” he said.

Mandy Faatz said their three children – a 22-year-old son and a 19-year-old son and a daughter in high school – help in the family’s businesses and will help the couple with the Rourk House project, along with many other family members.

“We’re very hard-working people, and we saw something really special there,” she said, “and we’re going to work really hard to share it back with the community.”