‘Smoke on the Water’, ‘Fork n Cork’ owner James Smith dies

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Local restaurant owner James Smith has died.

Smith owned Smoke on the Water and Fork n Cork, both of which posted condolences on social media.

“James was a son, brother, uncle and friend and he will be missed by so many,” Smoke on the Water said in a statement. “We ask that the community be kind and send love to his friends and family at this time.”

Fork n Cork posted an equally-somber statement.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we had to say goodbye to our Son, Brother, Uncle and Friend today, James Smith,” the post read. “We are closed for observance and mourning tonight and will be open tomorrow (Tuesday) to serve the city and people he loved…because he wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Details surrounding the cause of Smith’s death haven’t yet been released.