Sad News from Hendersonville

Family, friends and co-workers of David Brannock are in mourning today following the sudden death of the downtown businessman.

Brannock, who owned the Flat Rock Wine Shoppe and the Blue Note Grille, died in his sleep Tuesday morning, according to Jade Rushin, who manages the business. Rushin said Wednesday she will miss her friend terribly.

“I just know that I depended on him greatly, and I have missed him every minute of this day,” she said.

Several of Brannock’s friends were at the Blue Note on Wednesday trying to cope with the loss. His best friend, Mark Stewart, a Charlotte firefighter who helped Brannock renovate the Main Street location, said the Blue Note will continue operating. Sadly, Brannock’s passing comes just over a month after he relocated his business of six years from Flat Rock to downtown Hendersonville.

“He was just a guy that had a real zest for life,” he said. “He was bubbly and ready to come to work every single day. He loved his wine shop, and he loved the music up here. It was kind of his dream to get up here and have a place like the Blue Note. He was really happy to be up here. We’re just all sad that he couldn’t be here to carry it through.”

Stewart said he spent two months with Brannock renovating the space at 114 North Main Street.

“He was my best friend and golfing buddy,” Stewart added. “We did a lot of stuff together, and I worked a lot with him. He was a jovial, funny guy, and we all enjoyed being around him.”

In October, Brannock told Bold Life magazine about his move to downtown Hendersonville. Like any small business owner, he spoke of the hard work involved and of the dreams he had. Brannock wanted to make the Blue Note a destination for jazz lovers. He compared his business to the bar in Cheers where everyone comes to have a good time.

“Been working on it for a long time, and now it’s coming to fruition. I’m excited beyond belief,” Brannock said in October.

Rushin said funeral arrangements have not been announced.

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