Former owner of Edward Teach Brewing accused of assaulting restaurant employee

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The recent owner of Edward Teach Brewery is charged with assaulting an employee at a restaurant in Wilmington.

According to the Wilmington Police Department, it happened July 23rd at LongHorn Steakhouse on International Drive. Police responded after a customer reportedly threw a porcelain plate at an employee’s head. That customer was later identified as Gary Sholar, 49.

The plate cut open the victim’s scalp.

It was reported to detectives that while previously inside the restaurant, Sholar had a dog with him and was allegedly feeding the animal from his table.

Police say the employee informed Sholar that it was a health code violation to feed an animal within the restaurant, and he offered to place some food in a doggy bag. Sholar then is accused of yelling obscenities and insults at the victim for an extended period of time. The employee eventually told Sholar that he needed to leave the restaurant because he was disrupting other customers.

Police say as the victim reached to remove a plate from the table, Sholar grabbed the plate away and threw it forcefully against the employee’s head. The victim was taken to Novant Health NHRMC by EMS where he received medical treatment for serious injuries.

According to court records, the victim received several stitches at the hospital and had a hairline fracture of the skull.

Sholar has been charged with Assault Inflicting Serious Injury. He turned himself in to the sheriff’s office on Friday and posted a $1,000 bond.

Edward Teach Brewing, LLC was created by Sholar in 2014. According to records from the NC Secretary of State’s website, Sholar owned Edward Teach Brewing up until a couple of weeks ago. An amended annual report shows Amy Ottoway as the new Trustee of ETB Trust as of August 1.

Brooks Pierce law firm, who is representing Edward Teach Brewing, sent the following statement:

“A month ago Sholar transferred full ownership of Edward Teach Brewing LLC to a trust controlled by Amy Ottaway as sole trustee. The transfer occurred prior to the alleged incident occurring on July 23, and was for business reasons unrelated to that alleged incident. Ms. Ottaway is Mr. Sholar’s sister, and as confirmed in the amended Annual Report filed with the NC Secretary of State on August 1, Ms. Ottaway now has sole management authority over Edward Teach Brewing LLC. At this time the brewery does not intend to comment further regarding the recent news involving Mr. Sholar, or its new ownership.”

However, WWAY could not find records showing when the transfer occurred. We will update the story if those details are provided.