Introducing Now or Never Studio: Rethinking Hospitality, One Space at a Time
+2 Introducing Now or Never Studio: Rethinking Hospitality, One Space at a Time
Introducing Now or Never Studio: Rethinking Hospitality, One Space at a Time
Introducing Now or Never Studio: Rethinking Hospitality, One Space at a Time
Introducing Now or Never Studio: Rethinking Hospitality, One Space at a Time
Introducing Now or Never Studio: Rethinking Hospitality, One Space at a Time
Brooklyn-based Now or Never (NoN) Studio is turning the rules of hospitality design on their head. Founded by Jamie McGlinchey, former Design Director at Sweetgreen who helped scale over 150 store openings nationwide, the studio blends big-brand operational know-how with the intimacy and craft of boutique design.
For their debut project, Jamie teamed up with first-time restaurateurs Melissa and Dave Mountain—also the co-founders of Dia Beacon Café—to bring Dave the Butcher to life. This multi-faceted hospitality concept is part butcher, part gathering place, marrying Melissa’s Basque heritage with Dave’s devotion to slow craft. Here, the art of whole-animal butchery is celebrated alongside an elevated yet approachable guest experience.
The design evokes the spirit of old-world European markets through a contemporary Hudson Valley lens. Materials were carefully chosen to age gracefully, reflecting the founders’ commitment to craft. Nearly every surface is custom-made: hand-forged steel shelving frames products and views, built-in millwork integrates seating, displays, and refrigeration, and marble accents—from the front-window table to the chef’s counter and café tops on cast-iron bases—create a refined but grounded continuity. Even architectural details like the vaulted archway to the backyard and open sightline into the kitchen connect the butcher’s craft to the guest experience, making the entire space feel like a single, cohesive story.
The result is more than just a beautiful interior—it’s a blueprint for modern hospitality. Jamie and her team crafted a narrative-rich environment while shaping operations, guest flow, and programming, proving that thoughtful design can make even a traditional craft like butchery feel approachable, convivial, and modern.
