Toucan Louie’s takes over Sunstead Brewing space, keeps the beer

This is Toucan Louie’s second location; its first is in west Charlotte on Rozzelles Ferry Road. Owner Marc Kieffer says the collaboration comes at a good time for both Sunstead and Toucan Louie’s as Kieffer was looking to get into the craft beer scene as Sunstead owners were trying to find a sustainable way to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic. Sunstead opened in January, and it shut down two months later.

The new Toucan Louie’s is laid-back and unpretentious with a beachy vibe.

“We don’t want people to feel uncomfortable here if they don’t know anything about beer,” Kieffer says. “If you like Budlight, we have something for you. If you like a rare beer, we also have something you will like.”

Beer: All 12 craft beers on draft follow the summer theme with names like “Tiki Tiki” and “Flip Flops and a Lawn Mower.” Beer covers a wide range of styles, including IPAs, sours, and a classic porter. For those who aren’t big beer drinkers, red and white wine, rose, soda, and water are available as well.

[Related Agenda story: Toucan Louie’s, a cafe and micro-roastery in an old gas station, is opening on Rozzelle’s Ferry Road]

Food: Toucan Louie’s original location is a café with a focus on breakfast, sandwiches, and coffee. It has its own roastery. This Toucan Louie’s has bar snacks and sandwiches, including a pimento cheesesteak or the Caribbean BBQ sliders with home-roasted pork, jicama slaw, pineapple mint relish, and BBQ sauce. All sandwiches are $5.95 (includes two sliders). There’s also double-fried buffalo wings ($6 for six) and fries ($4.95). Eventually, Kieffer plans to add weekend brunch.

Vibe: The space is laid-back and beachy with brightly colored chairs, tables that look like surfboards, string lights throughout, and a mural resembling a postcard. A large bar will soon be covered in bamboo.

Safety measures: The large space makes it easier to social distance with tables spread apart and picnic tables outside for when it’s nice out. All staff members are wearing masks and gloves.

Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

Let’s take a closer look at the space:

Join us: This coverage is made possible and free to all (no paywall) with the help of Agenda Members. If you’d like to support more reporting like this, become an Agenda Member.