Brooklyn South Pizzeria

In this episode of The Best of LKN, Jeff sits down with Craig and Lucy, the owners behind Brooklyn South, one of Cornelius’ most beloved local restaurants and a longtime staple of the Lake Norman food scene.

Craig and Lucy share their journey from Long Island, New York, to Lake Norman, and the story behind opening Brooklyn South in 1998—long before Cornelius became what it is today. They reflect on the early days of the restaurant, the challenges of building a business in a growing community, and the importance of consistency, community, and customer experience.

The conversation explores what’s made Brooklyn South a repeat winner of Lake Norman’s Best Pizza, the role of long-tenured staff, and why word-of-mouth has always been their most powerful form of marketing. Craig and Lucy also discuss their other local concepts, Brooklyn Boys and Novanta Pizzeria Napoletana, including the inspiration behind each and the lessons learned from expanding—and later refocusing—close to home.

They close by reflecting on nearly three decades in business, the strength of the Cornelius community, and what longevity really means as local restaurateurs.

Brooklyn South Pizzeria
19400 Jetton Rd # 201
Cornelius, NC 28031
(704) 896-2928
https://www.brooklynsouthpizzeria.com/

About the Host:

Jeff Hamm is the creator and producer of The Best of LKN. He’s a licensed real estate broker and accomplished digital marketing professional.

Since 2020, Jeff has been sharing the stories of Lake Norman’s most inspiring small businesses and nonprofits.

When he isn’t working, you can usually find Jeff boating, playing pickleball, cycling local greenways, and taking walks with his dogs Sam and Maisy.

Photo credit: LKN Images by Kathleen Martin