ReportWire

Tag: South End Charlotte

  • 4 new restaurants (+ an Indian grocery store) are opening in Charlotte

    [ad_1]

    Charlotte is gaining more than a few new dining options, and any one of them could be your new favorite.

    This week, I reported on five recent or upcoming restaurant openings, including a woman-owned social club and café, a popular sandwich spot and an all-in-one supermarket and food hall serving traditional Indian cuisine.

    Plus, a Charlotte-area café known for its all-day breakfast and lunch is getting a second chance.

    Here’s what’s set to join the city’s growing food scene:

    A women’s social, co-working and wellness club taking shape in Charlotte’s Eastover/Myers Park neighborhood.

    Moxie will be a member’s only club offering locals the space to work, foster connection and prioritize their wellness. The space will also include on-site café and cocktail bar.

    A black and white portrait shows a smiling woman standing outdoors while holding a large woven basket filled with wildflowers. She is wearing a denim button-down shirt over a white tee and jeans, with a soft-focus garden and trees in the background.
    “Charlotte has social clubs and it has coworking spaces, but there isn’t a place designed specifically for women who need both,” said Margaret Cheatham Williams, owner of Moxie. Michelle Lyerly Photography

    “As remote work rises and loneliness increases, we believe women need more than flexible desks — they need belonging, support and infrastructure that matches their ambition,” owner Margaret Cheatham Williams said in a news release.

    Moxie is slated to open in early 2027.

    Read the full story here.

    The Juice Pod, a fast-casual wellness café, officially opened Feb. 21 in South End Charlotte, marking its first location in North Carolina.

    The chain is known for its superfood smoothies and acai bowls, and prioritizes using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Featured menu items include specialty avocado toast, cold-pressed juices, lattes and more.

    An overhead shot shows a bottle of “Glammunity” green juice centered among various healthy options, including a berry bowl and an avocado wrap. The flat-lay composition highlights the fresh, raw ingredients like kale, spinach, and coconut shavings on a clean white surface.
    The Juice Pod’s “Glammunity” green juice made with kale, spinach, grapefruit. apples, celery, ginger and more. The Juice Pod

    “Expanding to North Carolina has been a milestone for us,” said Danielle Leonhardt, who launched the health food concept with her sister, Christine Wyatt. “This new location allows us to bring that mission to even more people and be a part of more communities.”

    Read the full story here.

    Chicken Salad Chick is bringing its gourmet sandwiches and soups to the Lake Norman area.

    The fast-casual chain, known for its various flavors of chicken salad, is slated to open a new restaurant at Magnolia Plaza in Cornelius. The grand opening celebration is Tuesday, March 10.

    Two white plates are set against a light background, showcasing different meal combinations like a chicken salad scoop with broccoli salad and a croissant sandwich with potato soup. Both plates are garnished with a signature pickle spear and a frosted sugar cookie.
    Chicken Salad Chick is known for its varied chicken salad flavors, from traditional to fruity and nutty. Chicken Salad Chick

    This will be its sixth Charlotte-area location, joining spots in Matthews, Concord and Rock Hill. (Chicken Salad Chick once had restaurants in Steele Creek and uptown, but those closed).

    Chicken Salad Chick offers more than a dozen varieties of made-from-scratch chicken salad along with sandwiches, soups, signature sides and desserts.

    Read the full story here.

    A Concord kitchen and bar is open again after it was briefly forced to shutter.

    Less than two weeks after Village Corner shared news of its impending closure, the restaurant hosted a grand re-opening celebration Feb. 17.

    The exterior of Village Corner features a brick facade with a black awning and a large sign above the entrance. Several cars are parked on the street in front of the building, which is framed by a white-flowering tree to the left.
    Village Corner, known for its breakfast and lunch offerings, has closed in Concord after six years, the owner said. Google Street View image from August 2023 ©2026 Google

    Owner Ryan Bybee said backing from a new investor made it possible to welcome guests back to the all-day breakfast and brunch spot.

    “Last weekend the show of support and love was incredible,” he wrote in a message shared on Instagram. “It was emotional to know that would be the end. And then, an amazing person reached out wanting to make this happen. And this week it all came together.”

    Read the full story here.

    Triveni Supermarket, a South Asian grocer and food hall, has officially opened the doors on a new store in Waxhaw.

    The grand opening was Saturday, Feb. 21.

    Triveni’s dessert case is stocked with cakes, macarons and other sweet bites.
    Triveni’s dessert case is stocked with cakes, macarons and other sweet bites. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

    It’s part of the brand’s continued expansion in the Charlotte metro, joining locations in Concord, Pineville and, most recently, Tega Cay, South Carolina.

    At Triveni, customers can find groceries, spices and halal meat. There’s also an in-house bakery and prepared Indian dishes that guests can enjoy in the food court.

    Read the full story here.

    Triveni Supermarket is located at 1160 Stonecrest Blvd. in Fort Mill.
    Triveni Supermarket is located at 1160 Stonecrest Blvd. in Fort Mill. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

    Tanasia Kenney

    Sun Herald

    Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.

    [ad_2]

    Tanasia Kenney

    Source link

  • Fast-casual cafe chain opens first NC location in South End Charlotte

    [ad_1]

    The Juice Pod has officially opened in Charlotte, joining the city’s growing wellness scene.

    The fast-casual cafe, known for cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies and nutrient-dense acai bowls, marked its grand opening Saturday, Feb. 21, with a community celebration in South End, according to a news release sent to CharlotteFive.

    It’s The Juice Pod’s first foray into North Carolina and its 23rd location overall, with existing shops in Delaware, Florida and New Jersey.

    Two bottles of cold-pressed juice, one vibrant green and one bright orange, stand behind two thick slices of artisanal avocado toast. The toasts are heavily garnished with microgreens, seeds, and red pepper flakes, all presented on a wooden board against a white brick background.
    The Juice Pod offers specialty avocado toast and cold-pressed juices, among other healthy food options. The Juice Pod

    “Expanding to North Carolina has been a milestone for us,” said Danielle Leonhardt, who launched the health food concept with her sister, Christine Wyatt. “This new location allows us to bring that mission to even more people and be a part of more communities.”

    Leonhardt co-owns the new South End cafe alongside owner-operator Mike Blank, the release said.

    “My vision was to create a space that’s centered on our customers: warm, inviting, and committed to serving healthy options people can feel good about,” Blank said in the release.

    “I’m also proud to offer meaningful opportunities to those looking for jobs in the community.”

    Two employees in black branded T-shirts and gloves carefully prepare smoothie bowls behind a cafe counter during a grand opening event. They are focused on layering fresh ingredients into clear plastic cups in a bright, modern kitchen setting.
    The Juice Pod hosted a grand opening at its new spot in South End Charlotte on Saturday, Feb. 21. The Juice Pod

    The Juice Pod’s menu has something for everyone and emphasizes using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Beyond acai bowls and smoothies, offerings include specialty avocado toast, wellness shots, iced coffee, lattes and more.

    Other popular picks include:

    • The Coastal Bowl: Pitaya topped with granola, strawberry, banana, pineapple, peanut butter
    • Good Morning Smoothie: Bananas, cinnamon, cold brew, almond butter, almond milk, dates
    • Avocado Crunch Toast: Toasted Sourdough topped with an avocado blend, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, crispy onions, red pepper flakes, and your choice of regular or hot honey
    • Liver Flush Shot: Grapefruit, beets, cayenne, lemon, echinacea

    The Juice Pod is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    An overhead shot shows a bottle of “Glammunity” green juice centered among various healthy options, including a berry bowl and an avocado wrap. The flat-lay composition highlights the fresh, raw ingredients like kale, spinach, and coconut shavings on a clean white surface.
    The Juice Pod’s “Glammunity” green juice made with kale, spinach, grapefruit. apples, celery, ginger and more. The Juice Pod

    Location: 2151 Hawkins St, Charlotte, NC 28203

    Cuisine: Juices, smoothies, acai bowls + more

    Menu

    Instagram: @juicepod_southend and @juice_pod_

    Three colorful smoothie bowls from The Juice Pod are lined up on a rustic wooden serving board. The bowls feature vibrant pink dragon fruit, white coconut and berry, and green superfood bases, each topped with fresh fruit, nuts, and granola.
    There’s a new wellness cafe serving superfood smoothies, juices and more in Charlotte’s South End neighborhood. The Juice Pod

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

    Tanasia Kenney

    Sun Herald

    Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.

    [ad_2]

    Tanasia Kenney

    Source link

  • Gone but not forgotten: Which closed Charlotte restaurants do you miss?

    [ad_1]

    Sometimes, I can still see myself walking up those back steps to the Pewter Rose in South End, dodging tables and catching a glimpse of butterscotch scones on my way to a seat. It’s hard to believe it’s been at least 13 years since my last brunch there.

    The Pewter Rose was a Charlotte institution long before I arrived on the scene; it actually got its start in Spirit Square in 1978. When it moved to its iconic upstairs location in 1988, it beat the “South End” branding by nearly a decade — it was there before the neighborhood even had its name.

    By the time my friends and I were spending our 20s there in the late 90s and early 2000s, it felt like the established heart of the neighborhood. We’d tuck away in that private glassed-in room with the French doors for bachelorette parties and baby showers. While I enjoyed dinner there a few times, it was the brunch — especially after a grueling hot yoga class — that truly had my heart.

    Whether a restaurant stays for two years or two decades, losing a local favorite feels like losing a piece of the neighborhood. These are our “third places,” and losing the chance to catch up with a favorite barista or bartender is a real loss to the community.

    Pewter Rose was one of those places for me. So was Charley’s, Pike’s Soda Shop, Letty’s, Owens Bagels … I could go on and on.

    Patrons at the Pewter Rose during the 11:30AM Sunday brunch. Pewter Rose restaurant, located at 1820 South Blvd, held its last Sunday brunch on Sunday, Jan. 20,2013. The restaurant owners decided to close the restaurant after 25 years.
    Patrons at the Pewter Rose during the 11:30AM Sunday brunch. Pewter Rose restaurant, located at 1820 South Blvd, held its last Sunday brunch on Sunday, Jan. 20,2013. The restaurant owners decided to close the restaurant after 25 years. Robert Lahser Charlotte Observer archives

    After Tim wrote about restaurants that closed then came back again, it made me nostalgic for some old school Charlotte restaurant memories. I want to know about your old favorites!

    Share Your Story

    Help me remember the spots we’ve lost. I’m pulling together a list of Charlotte’s “gone but not forgotten” favorites, and I want to hear from you.

    Email me at charlottefive@charlottefive.com with:

    • Your full name
    • When you used to visit
    • What you loved about it
    • Your “usual” order or a specific memory)

    I can’t wait to see your replies!

    Patrons at the Pewter Rose during the 11:30AM Sunday brunch. Pewter Rose restaurant, located at 1820 South Blvd, held its last Sunday brunch on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. The restaurant owners decided to close the restaurant after 25 years.
    Patrons at the Pewter Rose during the 11:30AM Sunday brunch. Pewter Rose restaurant, located at 1820 South Blvd, held its last Sunday brunch on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. The restaurant owners decided to close the restaurant after 25 years. Robert Lahser Charlotte Observer archives

    Melissa Oyler

    The Charlotte Observer

    Melissa Oyler is the editor of CharlotteFive. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find her running, practicing hot yoga or snuggling with her rescue dogs, X and Charlie. Find her on Instagram or X: @melissaoyler.
    Support my work with a digital subscription

    [ad_2]

    Melissa Oyler

    Source link

  • Dancing, drinks and hot dogs are coming to a South End space with vinyl vibes

    [ad_1]

    A Charleston bar moving into Charlotte is bringing an LED dance floor and a disco-ball ceiling instillation to South End soon.

    Groovers Listening Bar will soon be open in the South End space where Cloud was located. A timeline for opening at the 23+ club has not yet been shared.

    Groovers’ original location opened its doors in the 1990s as a DJ-driven bar and was then reintroduced in 2024 in the same space by Take Me There Hospitality, owned and operated by Eric and Kate Gussin, and Bo Memering. The same team operates Trio and Blue Door.

    A direct, eye-level view behind the bar, focusing on the extensive vinyl record display. Two large wooden grids are filled with various album covers, ranging from rock to soul, serving as the main backdrop for the bartenders. The bar surface in the foreground is a dark, polished stone, featuring a single small candle and organized stacks of glassware and POS systems at either end.
    Inside Groovers Charlotte. Rico Marcelo Photography

    Now in Charlotte, Groovers will start the night with vinyl-led sets and transition into “high-energy disco and late-night dancing” on a LED dance floor set underneath an immersive disco ball-filled ceiling installation designed by iDesign — the same production team behind Trio.

    Another unique feature: Groovers is partnering with locally owned Hardy Boys Records to feature vinyl selections on site that are available for purchase.

    A wide shot of a sophisticated bar interior with a long, dark countertop and golden-yellow upholstered bar stools. The back bar is lined with multiple wooden shelves displaying a large collection of vinyl record covers. The room features deep red walls, a dark textured ceiling, and a mix of amber-tinted pendant lights and white globe lights, giving the space a moody, mid-century modern vibe.
    Inside Groovers, vinyl from Hardy Boys Records will be available for purchase. Rico Marcelo Photography

    What to expect at Groovers Charlotte

    The beverage lineup, crafted by Groovers Charleston general manager Ashleigh Bublinec, will offer 10 cocktails to choose from and a rotating draft selection of local beer.

    A colorful collection of seven unique cocktails arranged on a light-colored, tiled floor. The scene is illuminated by vibrant, multi-colored club lighting in shades of purple, blue, and pink. The drinks vary in glass style and garnish, featuring elements like fresh mint, edible orchids, dark cherries, and rosemary sprigs, creating a festive and high-energy atmosphere.
    Groovers Charlotte will feature 10 handcrafted specialty cocktails. Rico Marcelo Photography

    Food will be available in an exclusive partnership with Lissette Ocampo of the Lizzy’s Glizzys food truck. Choices will include a core menu plus weekly rotating specialty hot dogs and grilled cheeses with Hot Cheeto dust chips, plus a grown-up spin on a happy meal called The Shifty Box.

    A high-angle, flat-lay shot of a dark wood table featuring three hot dogs topped with bright red, crunchy crumbles, each served on black-and-white checkered deli paper. The spread includes three colorful cocktails—one pink, one white, and one amber—and a small white candle. Several hands are visible in the frame: one reaching for a hot dog, another holding a drink, and a third holding a “BYO Glizzy” menu card.
    Lizzy’s Glizzys will provide food at Groovers Charlotte, including hot dogs dusted with Hot Cheetos. Rico Marcelo Photography

    “We’re thrilled to bring our modern spin on the classic vinyl club vibe to Charlotte with Groovers,” Take Me There Hospitality owner Eric Gussin said in a news release.

    “From handcrafted cocktails and local beers on tap to the specialty hot dogs and grilled cheeses from local favorite, Lizzy’s Glizzys, we’ve got the ideal setup to kick off the night, or keep the party going well into the evening.”

    Location: 1510 S. Mint St., Charlotte NC

    Menu

    Cuisine: American, bar food

    Instagram: @grooversclt

    A close-up shot of a corner in the venue featuring deep pink and burgundy geometric-patterned wallpaper. Attached to the wall is a large, stylized 2D figure resembling a brown disc with cartoonish arms and legs in a walking pose. Above the figure, several white globe-style pendant lights hang from a dark, textured ceiling, casting soft light and shadows against the bold wall pattern.
    The decor inside Groovers Charlotte. Rico Marcelo Photography

    This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 11:16 AM.

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

    Heidi Finley

    The Charlotte Observer

    Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits.
    Support my work with a digital subscription

    [ad_2]

    Heidi Finley

    Source link

  • A yet-unnamed restaurant is moving in to the former Futo Buta space in Charlotte

    [ad_1]

    Noodles are coming back to the South End Charlotte space where ramen shop Futo Buta once stood.

    B-Side Group — the hospitality group for hotspot VINYL and gastro-cantina The Story of Mi Cariño, opening in January — has a “modern pasta bar” in the works for the 1,600-square-foot space along the Rail Trail, a news release said.

    Plans call for opening in spring 2026.

    “This address carries a meaningful culinary legacy,” the news release said. “And B-Side’s intent is to uphold the level of craft, quality and hospitality guests expect and that B-Side has become known for delivering.”

    Well-loved ramen shop Futo Buta closed in 2024, about a year after the death of chef/owner Michael Shortino. His other restaurant, Lincoln’s Haberdashery, closed first in 2023.

    What’s coming to the former Futa Buto space

    Now, the B-Side Group is transforming the space into a modern pasta bar and cafè with a “warm, moody interior.” The restaurant will include a chef’s window and a chef’s table open to the dining room, along with a patio open to the Rail Trail.

    Diners can expect a simple menu from B-Side culinary director Vince Giancarlo that’s focused on handmade pasta, along with seasonally-driven chef specials.

    A daytime espresso bar will caffeinate customers in true Italian fashion, and the “Italian-leaning beverage program” from beverage director Henry Schmulling will include cocktails centered on Negroni and amaro.

    The restaurant name and additional leadership will be announced at a later date, the news release said.

    A close-up of a glass storefront door with an opaque interior. A promotional poster taped to the glass features red text that reads: “Something’s stirring behind these doors. THE STORY’S JUST GETTING STARTED. DON’T WANDER FAR.” The poster also includes a small graphic of twirling pasta.
    A new restaurant is coming to the former Futo Buta space in South End Charlotte. B Side Group

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

    Heidi Finley

    The Charlotte Observer

    Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits.
    Support my work with a digital subscription

    [ad_2]

    Heidi Finley

    Source link

  • Pizzeria with ‘fast fired’ pies closes in South End Charlotte. What we know

    [ad_1]

    Blaze Pizza, a fast-casual chain serving fast-fired pies, has shut its doors in Charlotte’s South End.

    The pizzeria’s Camden Road location was listed as “closed” on Blaze’s website as of Tuesday, Oct. 21, and an auction is scheduled for next month, per VanishAuctions.com.

    A close-up view of a baked pizza with a puffy, golden-brown crust sits on a wooden peel. The toppings include tomato sauce, melted cheese, fresh arugula, black olives, diced vegetables, and dollops of white fresh cheese, possibly ricotta or mozzarella.
    The Art Lover Pizza at Blaze. Courtesy of Blaze Pizza CharlotteFive

    All items will “be sold as-is where is” Tuesday, Nov. 4, the auction house said. Shipping is not available, and winning bidders must pick up their items on a designated removal day.

    A reason for the closure wasn’t immediately clear. CharlotteFive reached out to Blaze Pizza for more information on Tuesday and was awaiting a response.

    The Blaze Pizza in Greenville, S.C., has closed, as have two locations in Columbia, S.C., leaving the only remaining location in that state in Boiling Springs. But several remain in North Carolina, including Charlotte-area pizza shops in University City, Concord and Gastonia.

    Opened in Charlotte in 2016, the pizza joint offered artisanal, personal-sized pies with custom toppings and sauces. Customers could “build-your-own” 11-inch pizza with options including spicy red sauce, feta cheese crumbles, pepperoni and even cauliflower crust, CharlotteFive previously reported.

    A detailed shot of a custom-built pizza, possibly from Blaze Pizza, highlights a well-charred crust and fresh toppings. The pizza features a red sauce base with fresh mozzarella, crumbles of sausage, black olive slices, and thin rings of red onion and fresh spinach leaves.
    At Blaze, you can pick your pizza toppings from a wide array of choices. Blaze

    Fresh salads and pesto garlic cheesy bread are on the menu, as are brownies and s’mores pies for dessert.

    This is a developing story and will be updated.

    Location: 1750 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203 (permanently closed)

    Location: 8948 J M Keynes Drive, Charlotte, NC 28262

    Location: 8915 Christenbury Parkway, Suite 30, Concord, North Carolina 28025

    Location: 401 Cox Road, Unit 178, Gastonia, North Carolina 28054

    Menu

    Cuisine: Wood-fired pizza, bread and salads

    Instagram: @blazepizza

    An overhead shot displays three different pizzas arranged on a light wooden table, each with a thin crust and various toppings. The pies include one with pepperoni, sausage, and red onion; one with pesto, chicken, red peppers, and arugula; and one with mushrooms, red onion, zucchini, and distinct dollops of thick red sauce.
    The Veg Out pizza (with gluten free crust) at top, on left, The Meat Eater pizza, right,The Green Stripe (chicken) pizza at Blaze Pizza Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram

    This story was originally published October 21, 2025 at 11:35 AM.

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

    Tanasia Kenney

    Sun Herald

    Tanasia is a service journalism reporter based at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She recently joined the NC Service Journalism team and covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide stories. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.

    [ad_2]

    Tanasia Kenney

    Source link