“Owning a business in Edenton has been a dream come true. The community has thrown its arms around us and helped us grow. I don’t know if other places are like this, but I love that this place embraces entrepreneurs like me so that we can help create the next generation of a thriving community.”
A few days ago, we sat down with the Chef/owner of one of the most exciting new restaurants in Edenton. I say new, because it has only been open for a couple of years, but you probably wouldn’t know that if you came by.
Downtown Roots is busy every day and has become one of Edenton’s top lunch spots. With its unique artisan sandwiches and salads, it now attracts people from all over the state.
Locals love stopping before heading back to work for the afternoon, and tourists often visit because it’s right downtown, conveniently located near Edenton’s historic landmarks.
If you’re from Edenton, you probably know Kris Bateman. His food has been enjoyed by many in town and beyond. When he opened Downtown Roots, it quickly became a must-try spot. And the name is an ode to the deep roots he has in this community.
We talked with Kris about his business, his love of food, and his commitment to the community.
Why did you launch Downtown Roots?
I’ve always wanted to run a restaurant. When I was younger, I pictured myself running a high-end French place. COVID changed those plans, but I’ve always enjoyed using classic French techniques in new ways for people who might not try them otherwise. At Downtown Roots, we take simple things like sandwiches and salads and use creative techniques to make them special and unexpected. Each dish is a blank canvas, whether it’s for a local grabbing lunch or a tourist visiting on the weekend.
You’ve been open for a couple of years now. How have things changed between then and now?
When I first launched Downtown Roots, I had no idea what was really going to happen. I had a dream, but we had recently come out of COVID, and the world was still adjusting. But the community has embraced us in ways I could never have imagined. Today, I have more employees than I thought I would, we’re serving more people and more food than I ever anticipated, and the business just keeps growing!
At first, I pictured Downtown Roots as a small neighborhood place. But it’s grown really grown beyond my expectations. Now, people are traveling from hours away because they’ve heard about us. It’s exciting and humbling to see how quickly the word has spread about this place.
What are some of the greatest challenges you have faced since opening Downtown Roots?
We’ve grown faster than I ever thought we would. It’s been exciting, but managing that growth, keeping our food quality high, and making sure we serve good food to everyone who walks in the door has been a lot of work. We’ve tried things like staying open longer on weekends and evenings. The big challenge is making the most of slower times, since we’re always packed from 11 to 2. We’ve added more tables, outdoor seating, and gotten help from nearby businesses, but as things keep changing, we just have to keep adapting, which is a good problem to have, but still requires us to think creatively.
And, you know, one of the biggest challenges is managing my changing role as the business grows. When we first opened, I was on the line every day, making food. But as the business has grown, I’ve had to grow with it, focusing on the health of the overall business, leading the team, and developing a strategic vision for how we can fit into what is happening in Edenton for years to come. Today, I’m having to think more like a CEO than a chef, which, again, is exciting, but challenging.
Tell me about the community. How has Edenton embraced you?
Locally owned businesses are what make Edenton special. Along Broad Street, most businesses are run by people who live here in the community. We all know we’re in this together. We solve problems, support each other, and help out in big and small ways. Sometimes Malcolm [who owns a business locals simply refer to as Malcom’s] sends people our way during trivia nights, or we share ideas with other restaurants. We recommend each other, and everyone benefits. It’s like that with a lot of us restaurants downtown.
Your food has quickly become almost legendary around here. What is your creative process like, and how do you keep innovating?
I spend a lot of time here, even when no one else is around, I’m in here cooking new things and trying out different techniques and flavor combinations. Every dish is a mix of three things: flavor, texture, and temperature. Getting all of those just right is an art. Before I started cooking, I was an artist, painting and drawing. To me, a sandwich is like a blank canvas. We’re always looking for ways to reinvent classics, like adding spinach artichoke dip to a turkey club or making our popular Chowan Club with my secret herb mayo. It’s all about keeping a sense of adventure about what something new could taste like, you know?
What does 2026 look like?
Things are really taking off so far this year. In 2025, the business has almost doubled, and even though it’s January, we’re already on pace to grow again. It looks like this will be a record year for us. Last year, we tried a lot of things, we started opening on Mondays and Sundays, and with business still strong, we’re keeping those expanded hours, and even looking into new and different ways to serve our customers.
What is your favorite thing about owning a business in Edenton?
I get to live out my dream. I get to see my dream succeed, watch people enjoy the hard work and the art of the food, and see the years of learning, trying new things, and honing my craft pay off. And, the team I get to work with every day is just amazing. The more the business grows, the more I get to help, support, and invest in them, because they really make this place go. And, I get to be a valuable and productive member of the community. I was born and raised here. I went to school here. And, now, I get to invest in the community that helped shape me.
There are so many reasons to visit Edenton, and one of them is certainly Downtown Roots. Stop by, say hello, and grab a sandwich; you’ll love it.
Kris’s hard work and talent are always on display at Downtown Roots. Next time you are in Edenton, make sure to stop by so you can see what all the buzz is about!
