Meet Matt Harper! Matt and Amy Harper are the owners of North Georgia BBQ & Oyster Shop, just off the downtown Gainesville square. The couple also own locations in Cleveland and Dahlonega.
We want to thank Matt for spending time with us recently and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
A: “I am married to Amy Allison Harper, who grew up in Blairsville. We have been married for 18 years. We have 3 children, Patrick (24) who has a grading business in Blairsville, Allison (21) a senior at Terry School of Business at the University of Georgia, and Hayden (15) a freshman at Union County High School.”
Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
A: “I own and operate North Georgia BBQ in Cleveland and Dahlonega, along with our newest location, North Georgia BBQ & Oyster Shop in Gainesville. I love the people and the opportunity to bring them together with a meal, whether it be for lunch, dinner or catering special occasions and events. I love that everyday in the hospitality business is different and never dull.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “It’s too difficult to name just a couple. Gainesville has so many amazing restaurants to offer and we have so many favorites. It really depends on what time of day it is and how we’re feeling, however here are a few of our go to’s: Hops Kitchen, Scott’s on the Square, Decoy, Consuelo, Mellow Mushroom and of course North Georgia BBQ & Oyster Shop.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
A: “I was fortunate enough to attend Lakeview Academy 5th through 7th grade, then Gainesville through my freshman year of high school. Most recently, Amy and I had the opportunity to begin working on the Gainesville BBQ project in July of 2021.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A: “Tommy Aaron. I had the opportunity to meet him at a golf tournament. I had my first hole in one and he was next closest to the pin.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “I would travel to Scotland and play golf at St. Andrews Golf Club.”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: “‘My Cousin Vinny’ and anything Will Ferrell”
Q: What advice would you want to give or leave with people?
A: “Do NOT get in the left lane on Green Street! Never take criticism from anyone you wouldn’t take advice from.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: “In Between-Deli. My mom used to keep them in the refrigerator for after school snacks.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: “I love to have the opportunity to sit down with Bill and Lovett Bayne. They are restauranteer’s that I had the opportunity to come up in the food and beverage industry with. It was more of an education than a job. We have taken a lot from the culture they created and implemented to ours. I would proudly meet at North Georgia BBQ.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community? And secondly, what is something you hope our community has or does in the future?
A: “My memories of summers growing up on Lake Lanier…In the future, I would like to see more festivals/concert series on the square.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
A: “Still enjoying working in our restaurants and continuing to grow.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “Obtaining my pilots license.”
Q: What is something you have been proud to check off your bucket list?
A :”Opening our Gainesville location and on the square.”
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A: “Yacht Rock.”
Q: In hard times we can sometimes see and recognize greatness in those around us. Hard working. Positive attitudes. Helping on the front lines. Who is one of our local shining lights today?
A: “Darrell Chaney definitely comes to mind. Darell is a former MLB World Series champion that finished his career in Atlanta. I have been fortunate to donate and participate in the Darrel Chaney Invitational celebrity golf tournament since 2017 to raise money for United Way. Darrell goes above and beyond to bring other athletes together and organize this event for a great cause. He has become a good friend and mentor.”
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A: “I see it daily on the commute to Gainesville. There are other places equally as beautiful, but not more beautiful than the mountains of North Georgia in the fall.”
Q: Favorite month? Favorite holiday and single best day on the calendar?
A: “December because of the celebration of Christmas, decorations and great food that comes with it. Fourth of July. the super bowl of BBQ. And April 17th, my birthday.”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A: “An elegant glass of red with a perfectly prepared steak.”
Q: What are one or two of your favorite smells?”
A: “Smoke rolling off of the pits and breakfast cooking in the morning.”
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: “Our children and employees.”
