CityView Magazine

34 | October • 2014 "General Campbell (Commander of the International Security Assistance Force) knew Chef Irvine from various sources and through the general conver- sations between them they agreed that it would be really cool to find a way to have Restaurant Impossible be filmed on an Army installation," said omas Mc- Collum, Fort Bragg Garrison Public Af- fairs Officer. Aer the Army ran a quick assessment of which restaurants were not turning a profit and close to shutting their doors, Caddy Shack (Fort Lewis) and Fort Bragg's Green Beret Club were contending for the final spot. "e pro- duction company sent out a scout who interviewed a lot of our folks and took photos of the club. It was their decision to come to Fort Bragg," said McCollum. is was not the first time the build- ing had undergone a major renovation. In fact, the building has lived many dif- ferent lives since its construction in the 40's. "It's been a school house, a library, a gym and a restaurant," said McCol- lum. "It was actually the old Green Be- ret sports parachute team that gave it its name. e name of the club itself was indirectly honoring the Green Berets," McCollum added. Located on Smoke Bomb Hill, just down the road from the All-American exit on Gruber Road, it was the home of the Army Special Operations Forces. It received its unique name in the 1930's from the way the smoke billowed over the hill, demonstrating the wind direc- tion for artillery fire. At the time, the Green Beret Club was "reducing hours and operating costs which was postponing the inevitable," McCollum said. "We were just open for lunch and not too late on Fridays. Weekend hours were cut and most of the evening hours were eliminated," McCollum continued. "Plus, the Special Forces community was no longer locat- ed around the club, so that didn't help". Chef Irvine and his crew arrived at Fort Bragg on July 8th and recruited vol- unteers from the area. "ey were most- ly active military and their spouses," said Michelle. Although exciting, the renova- tion has proven bittersweet for some. A Fort Bragg soldier and patron to the res- taurant, who wished to remain anony- Tucked in a corner is the Green Beret Club Memorial area where patrons can sit among the quiet and solemn dignity of those who have passed. We've expanded 1218 Ft. Bragg Road (Haymount Hill) 910-323-0264 www.smithtailor.com Come Celebrate our Expansion With Us! "Catering to the Well -Dressed" One Stop Shop for Men We are proud to announce that we have a full line of men's Suits • Pants • Shirts • Ties • Tuxedo Rentals & Sales

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