Nik-Nak Shack: Holly Hill Mall’s Newest Restaurant Offers Great Food, Positive Energy

BURLINGTON, NC – Black excellence strikes again with a family opening their own restaurant. Thirty-seven-year-old RaShaunda Pettiford, along with her father Stanley Jones and brother Rashad Pettiford started the Nik-Nak Shack, a family-owned and operated business that is the first-ever Black-owned restaurant in Burlington’s Holly Hill Mall. The restaurant has been in business for ten months, and even though the restaurant is still new to the mall, the great food and positive energy have created loyal customers.

The Nik-Nak Shack opened on June 15, 2020, during the pandemic. They specialize in soul food, but soul food isn’t the only food they serve. Sandwiches, subs, salads, and burgers are a few of the other items offered on the menu. Homemade dessert is also available. Everyone in this family-owned business plays a part. Jones opens the restaurant each morning and is responsible for those flavors for which Nik-Nak Shack has become famous. Ivey Ghee, a cousin who handles the restaurant’s hospitality, is also a motivational speaker and founder of The Hospitality G. “Hospitality is the generous treatment of guests. It’s in our energy,” said Ghee. “She [RaShaunda] makes sure people feel good and walk away with a positive experience.”

“This is my brother Rashad Pettiford‘s first time being in this type of business,” said Pettiford. “I’m big on taking people by the hand and guiding them.” A friend who feels like family, BJ Bradsher, is an awesome cook and works alongside Jones.

Holly Hill Mall, located at  309 Huffman Mill Rd., has been in Burlington for over 50 years. As the years go on, more and more stores have closed or relocated. The Mall still has several restaurants and a couple of stores that people frequent. Others come to the Mall just to have a safe place to walk around.

“Just the energy and love we feel from them, coupled with our passion… this is the reason why we do what we do — the reason why we show up the way that we do,” said Ghee.

If you looking for delicious food, positive energy, and a place that makes you feel like family, check out the Nik-Nak Shack located in Burlington’s Holly Hill Mall, near Hibachi Buffet.