EATS & DRINKS | SPOTLIGHT
By Kari Adams | Photos by Kali Gay Photography
Pretty in Pink
Ozark Charcuterie and Wine Bar is made “for the girls, by a girl”
In an alleyway off East Avenue in downtown Fayetteville, a pink-painted oasis stands out among drab concrete and asphalt. Ozark Charcuterie and Wine Bar is a place where people can snack, sip and yap their troubles away.
Mallory Files, a self-described accidental restaurant owner, began her charcuterie journey years ago in an attempt to keep herself busy, creating boards for family and friends. Then, in 2021, she opened a charcuterie catering business to serve events such as weddings, tailgates, birthdays and everything in between. It wasn’t long before Files saw the opportunity to expand to a brick-and-mortar location.
Though Files often says it was made “for the girls, by a girl,” the idea was to create a space where everyone would feel safe, cozy and welcome. The interior is happy and girly, with disco balls, plants and pops of color. “Think about it as the antithesis of a sports bar,” Files said, laughing.
The menu was on the smaller side when the location opened in September 2024, offering two sizes of boards with 12 wine options as well as a few small bites that came from her already-established catering menu.
Today, Files has expanded. The menu offers many tasty treats, such as a 10-ounce pretzel stuffed with savory samplings and a side of beer cheese, and oil and vinegar plates to be sopped up by warm bread. Try the simplified version — oil, balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper — or the one with Italian seasoning, fresh garlic, crushed red pepper and basil. And the beautifully crafted charcuterie boards are always a favorite. Everything pairs perfectly with a glass of wine (or a non-alcoholic beverage)!
Ozark Charcuterie hosts about two to four events a month and often partners with other local woman-owned businesses. Themes include bingo, trivia, paint and sips, cake or cookie decorating, and more. Also, “yappy hour” is a must for all those who love to talk and sip.
Even with the new offerings, catering remains a large part of what Ozark Charcuterie does. With choices of grazing tables, cups and boats, platters, boxes, and letter- or number-shaped displays, any event can be made better with the addition of a curated display of tasty treats.
“It’s been a dream come true, and it is the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Files said. “I like to say we live in a world of ‘and,’ where lots of things can be true at once.”
Files’ driving force is her daughter, Lucy, who even has a booth at Ozark Charcuterie named after her. “She is only two and a half, so she won’t remember everything,” Files said, “but I think she’ll remember the feeling that her mom works hard for her.”
So, if you’re looking for a little escape, take a stroll down the alley between the Guisinger and Ledbetter Cline buildings in downtown Fayetteville, and look for pink. You can’t miss it.
For more information, visit www.ozarkcharcuterie.com or follow @ozarkcharcuterieandwinebar and @mallory.files on Instagram. Ozark Charcuterie and Wine Bar is located at 3 E. Mountain St. in Fayetteville.