Pierro's Owner Still Serves

Daniel Fair, owner of in downtown Fayetteville, served his country in the Army before serving fine food as a restaurant entrepreneur. Fair served for seven-and-a-half years, entering the military as 91 Bravo, or a combat medic, and reenlisting as 91 Charlie, or a practical nurse.

He served in Germany and at Fort Gordon, Fort Polk and Fort Bragg. Fair was deployed to Bosnia after training in Germany.

“In Bosnia, it’s a lot of uncertainty being in a third world country that’s war torn with potential land mines everywhere, warring factions that you’re getting in between, and being a young solider at the time, I was trying to do my job and stay safe,” Fair said.

His last duty station was as a nurse at Womack Army Medical Center.

“My experiences in the military are invaluable,” Fair said. “They are great memories. It took me from a young kid to an adult, as a leader of soldiers, as an NCO. I was a sergeant when I got out. It taught me a lot about loyalty, ethics and leadership.”

Fair then opened Pierro’s in 2002 at its first location, Ramsey Street, a 32-seat restaurant near Methodist College.

“I was looking for a challenge, something interesting and fast-paced,” he said. “My sister worked for a gentleman who owned several restaurants and I was intrigued by it.”

Pierro’s expanded to Clinton, a location Fair later sold, and opened its current location on Hay Street. Fair was interested in Fayetteville’s downtown revitalization and completed a 90 percent renovation to offer a rustic, old world feel with 100-year-old brick walls.

“When we first came to Hay Street, it was the first phases of revitalization,” Fair said. “I definitely feel that we are an anchor to downtown and a destination location for greater Fayetteville.”

Not only does Pierro’s serve Italian fare, such as chicken piccata, lasagna and chicken pamagiana, everything is homemade, including items in the expanded menu like salmon, steak and pork chop marsala.

The restaurant unveiled a new menu during the last week of June, featuring Italian inspirations from Fair’s travels abroad. Pesto lasagna, crab cakes, stuffed chicken and other items are on the new menu. Diners can enjoy their meals inside or on the patio and wash down a meal by choosing from a list of almost 100 wines.

For those more interested in drinking, Pierro’s modern and contemporary bar, Sky Lounge, offers just the ticket for relaxing over a drink.

“We try to give you everything you can get at fine dining without the expensive pricetag.”

Fair opened Pierro’s Express in late June on Person Street. That location offers pizza, stromboli, calzones and Panini subs, while focusing on speed, a lower price point and convenience. Food is available via delivery, dine-in or carryout.

With Pierro’s Express’ location on Person Street, which is adding more and more businesses, Fair is again helping out with downtown revitalization. And, again, he is finding another way to serve others.