Amélie’s cancels plans for a new NoDa flagship bakery

Amélie’s CEO and managing partner Frank Reed also told the Agenda there’s a chance the bakery could reopen its Uptown location. The Charlotte Business Journal first reported the news last week.

Why it matters: Amélie’s has been a staple in Charlotte since 2008, when its original location in Villa Heights opened. Over the years, the bakery opened new locations all over the region, including at Park Road Shopping Center, Uptown, and at Carmel Commons. But the pandemic has forced the company to shift its business model to stay afloat.

• In March, the French cafe and bakery halted indoor dining at all locations and created al fresco (outdoor) dining options instead.
• In November, Amélie’s in Uptown closed its doors to the public after facing pandemic-related challenges.
• Also in 2020: In July, community members called for a boycott of Amélie’s after former employees accused the company of unfair labor practices, among other complaints. Amélie’s apologized and laid out steps to improve.

Details: Amélie’s announced plans for the new NoDa location, at Benard and 36th, last summer. [Go deeper]

• The 7,800-square-foot NoDa location at 136 E. 36th St. is in the former Hart Witzen art gallery.

• Aston Properties, which bought the property last year, has been renovating the building for months.
• Aston recently agreed to let Amélie’s terminate the long-term lease they’d signed for the space.

What’s next: When asked if the Uptown location would reopen, Reed says, “We really hope so.” Amélie’s, Reed says, is still in contact with its landlord at the Two Wells Fargo building, and has been given the opportunity to reopen in six months.

“Everything really depends on the state of the world and whether or not workers, events, and conferences return to Uptown,” Reed says.