Eddie’s on Lake Norman Gears Up for Busy Summer Season

MOORESVILLE, North Carolina—Ann-Margaret Wagner, owner and proprietor of Eddie’s on Lake Norman, knows it takes a team to run a successful restaurant. The former owner of The Muscoot Tavern, an iconic “Cheers-like” bar and grille in Westchester, New York, fell in love with the area after visiting Lake Norman and decided to relocate to North Carolina with her daughter, Lacey. After purchasing what was previously Vinnie’s Sardine Grille and Raw Bar, she renovated the entire space, adding new appliances to the kitchen and updating the bar, dining room, and back patio. Most recently, she created The Sunset Garden , inspired by her mother, Barb Wagner, who earned her degree as a Master Gardener from Penn State University in the 90s, and the Sunset Walkway, where guests can sip on cocktails and choose from multiple seating locations overlooking Lake Norman while waiting for a table.

While she’s proud of these accomplishments, Wagner understands that success in the restaurant industry requires more than state-of-the-art appliances and beautiful settings. She credits her employees for Eddie’s on Lake Norman’s tremendous success, even through the darkest days of COVID-19 , which turned out to be a record-breaking year for the restaurant.

“We treat our employees like family,” says Wagner. “There are lifetime employees who have been with us for over 35 years, like Raul , who started working at Eduardo’s in Mount Kisco in the early 1980s, then moved to North Carolina to work at Eddie’s on Lake Norman as a waiter and host. Two other kitchen staff previously worked for us in New York and relocated to North Carolina to work here. One cook relocated from New York and then to Florida to work at Uncle Eddie’s Ristorante.”

Many employees are generational, with brothers and sisters staffing the bustling restaurant. During the hectic summer season, Wagner employs 95 people, and for many young adults, it marks their entry into the workforce.

“I love to hire younger people to give them their first job,” she says. “It is a risk because they have never worked before, and working at Eddie’s on Lake Norman is extremely overwhelming for first-time employees in the service industry. But they always rise to the occasion, thanks to our extraordinary long-term employees, who help train them. It’s truly a family atmosphere at Eddie’s on Lake Norman. We all work together to support each other’s and the restaurant’s success. I’m grateful to my dedicated team, regular customers, and the tourists who flock to Eddie’s for our fresh seafood, authentic Italian cuisine, sparkling beverages, mouth-watering desserts, and live entertainment by the lake. We look forward to another successful summer.”

Eddie’s on Lake Norman does not take reservations. For more information, call (704) 799-2090 or visit https://eddieslkn.com/.

Ann-Margaret Wagner brings her hospitality and restaurant expertise from New York to the shores of Lake Norman with Eddie’s On Lake Norman. Ann-Margaret is the former owner of a successful restaurant in Westchester County, New York, called The Muscoot Tavern, an iconic “Cheers-like” bar and grille. After visiting Lake Norman, she fell in love with the area, saw potential in the restaurant, and decided to make North Carolina her new home with her daughter Lacy.

After purchasing the business, which was previously Vinnie’s Sardine Grille and Raw Bar, she completely renovated the entire space, sold the other restaurant, and moved south. The kitchen is filled with all new appliances, while the bar, dining room, and back patio were all touched up to create a clean, comfortable, and relaxed atmosphere. Whether in North Carolina, New York, or anywhere else, Ann-Margaret’s mission is always to provide the freshest seafood, prime meats, produce, pasta, and bread, for every meal.

“I hope you enjoy eating our delicious cooking as much as we love making it for you!”

– Ann-Margaret