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Suffolk, Virginia — North Suffolk will have a new neighbor offering delicious wood fire barbecue food later this year. Redwood Smoke Shack, which currently houses two locations in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, will be adding Suffolk to their lineup this fall. The “Texas-inspired BBQ joint” will take over the 3881 Bridge Road building, originally home to the beloved Bennett’s Creek Farm Market, which closed abruptly last February. Suffolk Economic Development announced the new addition on Thursday, March 21, in a Facebook post welcoming Redwood to the community.

According to land transfer reports, the property was purchased for $1.9 million.

In a March 22 interview, Redwood Smoke Shack Owner and Pitmaster Bob Roberts discussed what the shack will offer the community, noting Texas-inspired barbecue and moist beef brisket.

“We have spare ribs, we have pulled pork, pulled chicken, house made sausages, scratch made sides, scratch made rubs, sauces, everything that comes out of our location is made in house,” Roberts said.

Part of the Hampton Roads area, Roberts says that Redwood has been open for five years in Norfolk and three years in Virginia Beach. He has worked in the food service industry since graduating from college in 2001 and says that food service is just something that he likes to do.

“Every day is a different day, and it’s very social. I like to communicate with the customers in the community,” Roberts says. We’ve been pretty successful so far, and I expect it to keep growing.”

Roberts says choosing the Suffolk community as part of his business journey was easy because he lives in Churchland. He noted the closure of Bennett’s Creek Farm Market and says the building’s space is a good fit.

“The space was something that I needed with our business because we [have different] locations, and there’s [an] adequate amount of room to actually have the amount of smokers and prep space and cold storage for our concept,” he said. “And the Harbour View area of Suffolk is just a great community, and for us to be able to be part of that, it’s kind of an honor.”

Roberts continued.

“It doesn’t really come about very often to be able to take over a location that’s been there for 60 years. So, hopefully, we’ll be able to pick that rate up and we’ll be there for another 60 years,” he said.

Roberts says that the building’s 24 weeks of renovations will start in April, with a goal of opening in October. Finally, in a message to the Suffolk community, Roberts says that he and his team at Redwood can’t wait to serve Suffolk.

“… We’re asking for support from the locals, and bear with us in this time of growth,” he said. “My team and I are super excited.”