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Charlotte businesses stood in support Friday for activists’ calls for a nationwide general strike, urging people not to go to work or school and not to purchase anything in protest against the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants with ICE and U.S. Border Patrol raids.
A statement on the Friday, Jan. 30 National Shutdown website says:
“The entire country is shocked and outraged at the brutal killings of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Silverio Villegas González, and Keith Porter Jr. by federal agents. While Trump and other right wing politicians are slandering them as ‘terrorists,’ the video evidence makes it clear beyond all doubt: they were gunned down in broad daylight simply for exercising their First Amendment right to protest mass deportation.”
The statement continues: “Every day, ICE, Border Patrol and other enforcers of Trump’s racist agenda are going into our communities to kidnap our neighbors and sow fear. It is time for us to all stand up together in a nationwide shutdown and say enough is enough!”
Alyssa Pressler, owner of That’s Novel Books at Camp North End, is among those speaking out in Charlotte’s business community. She told CharlotteFive that she’s “absolutely horrified by what is going on in the world today. I have been horrified for months.”
She continued, “It’s deeply saddening and concerning, and things do not seem to be getting better. Which is why a day like today can be so important. It lets the people who we’ve elected and are in charge know we are not happy with the way things are going and they need to make some changes or we will make some changes at the polls in November. It also helps let corporations know that we mean business with our money and we will put our money where our beliefs are.”
Many shops didn’t close, saying as small local businesses, they couldn’t withstand the loss or didn’t want to negatively impact employees. Instead, many participated by making donations or taking a stand in some way. Those businesses include:
Location: 1218 E 36th St A, Charlotte, NC 28205
The Artisan’s Palate remained open Friday but said via Instagram: “We stand with our immigrant neighbors and continue serving with intention and care. And we’re reminded how important it is to support truly local businesses — the ones rooted right here in our community.”
Location: Station West, 901 Berryhill Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
“LESS ICE, more icing,” The Batchmaker shared Friday via Instagram. “It’s personal. It hits close to home. We will not be closing today. It’s not a decision that comes lightly (if you’ve seen my stories the last two weeks you KNOW). BUT I will continue to speak up, and educate, and call my representatives and vote and post. We have these cookies available today and we will donate a portion of those sales to Carolina Migrant Network.”
Location: 510 E. 15th St., Charlotte, NC 28206
Bird Pizzeria is remaining open Friday, saying: “Today we stand in solidarity with immigrant communities affected by ICE actions and the fear they create.” Its Instagram post continued: “As you many of you already know, BIRD is a women owned/minority owned business, built by people who know that fear firsthand. “For many of us, shutting down isn’t a symbolic choice, it’s a real economic risk to our families, our staff, and our community. “So today we keep building and advocating for dignity, safety, and humanity for immigrants while continuing to provide livelihoods.”
Location: 105 Dover Street, Pineville, North Carolina 28134
Carolina Scoops is open Friday, although the ice cream shop posted: “I stand in solidarity with those participating in today’s nationwide ice out protest.”
Location: 1800 Camden Rd #102, Charlotte, NC 28203
Girl Tribe posted Friday on Instagram that it’s staying open “with purpose,” planning to donate 10% of daily proceeds to a private food pantry drive for a local immigrant community.
Location: 2202 Hawkins St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Glory Days Apparel is remaining open, with 10% of all sales going to Refugee Support Services, the store shared via Instagram.
“We encourage you to use your voice in whatever way you can,” the message said. “There is no pressure to purchase today, but if you do, know you are helping your community. We love you all and stand in solidarity with you.”
Location: Camp North End, 270 Camp Rd Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28206
“Closed today for the National General Strike,” Grow CLT’s Friday Instagram post says, “If you have to spend money today, please try to keep it to local businesses + use cash if you can. Together we can force change.”
Location: 601 South Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 170 West Summit Ave. Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 720 Governor Morrison St. Charlotte, NC 28210
Golden Cow is remaining open while standing in support of efforts, sharing via Instagram: “People today across the nation are finding ways to take a stand. In recognition of the nationwide movement, Golden Cow is donating 10% of company-wide revenue today to Refugee Support Services in support of our neighbors in need. But our donation is not enough. If you want to take action please take today to reach out to your Congressional representatives and demand change now.”
Location: 126 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036
Davidson’s Main Street Books is holding a community day Friday with no expectation of purchases, saying via Instagram: “We will be open as a place to gather, create, read, and resist.”
The bookstore also plans a donation to Circle de Luz, whose work in Charlotte supports and empowers young Latinas.
Location: 2008 Commonwealth Ave Charlotte NC 28205
Location: 159 N. Trade St Matthews NC 28105
Location: Betty by Moxy Mercantile, 1219 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Moxy Mercantile is open Friday, noting the move is “not for profit — but to offer a warm, welcoming space for anyone who needs it.” A portion of any proceeds will be donated to Carolina Migrant Network, its Instagram post says.
“We stand firmly against ICE actions that terrorize immigrant families and destabilize our communities. No one should have to choose between safety and survival. “If you’re able to take action today, use your voice where it counts. Vote. Call your reps. Demand better. 5calls.org makes it easy to contact your North Carolina state representatives in minutes.”
Location: Camp North End, 270 Camp Rd Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28206
Oh My Ganache is remaining open Friday, saying via Instagram: “Please understand this is not because we don’t stand with the movement it’s because we have a team to support and make sure they are ok as well. “With that being said we still stand to defund ICE but we are choosing to share, donate and contribute in different ways to support! Thank you so much to all that are participating in any way and thank you everyone for your support!”
Location: 4139 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209
While remaining open, Park Road Books invited guests in to get warm, or write letters or call congressmen, adding: “Remember, reading is one of the best forms of resistance we have.”
Location: 1700 Camden Rd., Suite 102., Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 1115 N Brevard St., Charlotte, NC 28206
Pet Wants remained open but shared: “We stand in solidarity with all immigrant families and communities who are being impacted. “Solidarity does not look one single way. For us, it means staying open, continuing to support our staff and neighbors, and putting our values into action. “A portion of our proceeds from today and this weekend will go to our Give.Match.Feed program, which donates directly to the Carolina Migrant Network in support of migrant families and community care.”
Location: 1331 Central Ave., Ste 104, Charlotte, NC 28205
Pilot Brewing is sharing 15% of sales Friday with Carolina Migrant Network, saying via Instagram that “our values don’t change because our doors are open.”
Location: 2615 Central Ave A, Charlotte, NC 28205
Premium Sound closed Friday in support of the strike.
“We reject the United States government’s continued funding of ICE, and their racist militarist fascist terrorism of people who live and work in this country and abroad,” a statement on Premium Sound’s Instagram said. “There is no ethical consumption under capitalism, so please consider joining us in starving these bloodthirsty bankers for a day. Don’t spend a dime and if you do, keep it local — keep it cash.”
Location: Camp North End, 701 Keswick Ave, Suite 201, Charlotte NC 28206
Location: 1308 The Plaza, Suite A, Charlotte NC 28205
Location: 224 East Blvd, Charlotte NC 28203
Seemingly Overzealous is staying open Friday but donating a portion of sales to Refugee Support Services, sharing: “We believe this matters every day, not just today as nationwide protests are happening, but always. “Everyone deserves basic human rights. We stand in frustration and solidarity with those who are having those rights stripped away.”
Location: Monarch Market, 101 North Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Seoul Good CLT is staying open Friday and offering free soup for protestors, sharing via Instagram: “We know that participation doesn’t look the same for everyone. Access, safety, and resources vary and all forms of care matter. “While fully closing isn’t financially possible for us, we stand in solidarity with immigrant communities and all those calling for dignity, accountability, and care. “If you’re out protesting and need a moment of rest, warmth, or a small comfort, we’ll be offering free miso soup (In Korea, miso soup is a small comfort and a symbol of survival that brings a sense of ‘home’ and stability, even when you are far away) on Friday.”
Location: 917 Central Ave unit b, Charlotte, NC 28204
While Sip City remains open Friday, it shared its support for efforts via Instagram, saying: “Sending love to all of those that can and are able to strike today and help raise awareness! If we could afford to close I promise we would.”
Location: Camp North End, 1801 N. Graham St. ste 101, Charlotte, NC 28206
Soul Miner’s Garden is staying open Friday but standing in support and offering a meal to those in need, sharing via Instagram: “It is no secret that we have morals and values, otherwise this business wouldn’t even exist because let’s face it-vegan means compassion. “We will be open today because we cannot afford to be closed as business is already slow for us this time of year. However, we support everyone peacefully protesting & do not agree with families being torn apart and innocent humans being assassinated and kidnapped,” the message continued.
Location: Multiple
Summit Coffee is remaining open, saying via Instagram: “10% of our sales are going to Our Bridge for Kids today in recognition of the injustices happening in our communities and across the country. Take care of yourselves, of each other, and of our communities, today and everyday.”
Location: 4715 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 4640 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 201 W Arrowood Rd F, Charlotte, NC 28273
Tacos El Nevado remained open but said it, “takes a stand not only as a business, but as part of the targeted community being harassed by ICE. Not by our legal status, but the color of our skin.” Its message via Instagram continued: “We are a family business and with that, we stand with our immigrant families dealing with the injustices happening all across the country.”
Location: Camp North End, 330 Camp Rd Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28206
That’s Novel is remaining open as a community gathering space while encouraging participation in the strike.
“We have no expectation of sales or monetary interactions,” its message on Instagram says. “Instead, everyone is welcome to come, get information about how to call your representatives, read (feel free to pull up a chair SBC-style and post up inside the shop), connect and rage.“
Location: Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Ave #103, Charlotte NC 28206
From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Thrift Pony at Camp North End is holding a $1 sale to raise money for Carolina Migrant Network.
“We encourage you to participate in any way that you can — paying in cash, donating, registering to vote, cancelling subscriptions to any corporations supporting ICE, etc.,” it said via Instagram.
Location: 1516 Lyon Ct, Charlotte, NC 28205
Trope Bookshop “wholeheartedly” supports the Friday blackout, although it is remaining open as a community safe space, it shared via Instagram. The message noted it has donated to Stand with Minnesota, Maine Needs, Carolina Migrant Network, Siembra and Indivisible Charlotte, adding, “We hope you’ll join us in supporting these organizations today and every day until this tyrrany ends.”
Location: 2338 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
Twenty Two West is remaining open Friday, sharing via Instagram: “We will be open as a safe space if you need some connection or artful refuge in these heavy times.”
Its message says: “We stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. In honor of the nationwide shutdown we will be donating 20% of sales to Carolina Migrant Network . They are doing such amazing and important work here in Charlotte to provide free legal service for immigrants. “Today and every day we encourage you to act on your values, make sure you’re registered to vote, and donate if you’re able.”
This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 10:08 AM.
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Heidi Finley
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