Everything you need to know about South End’s Atherton development

Why it matters: When national retail developer EDENS purchased Atherton Mill in 2006, they had big plans for what they felt could be the new center of gravity for South End.

• Their bet paid off. Atherton is now 116,000 square feet of top-notch dining, shopping and entertainment that continues to drive development in the area.

Layout: Atherton is made up of three buildings located between South Boulevard and the Rail Trail. The single-story brick building, home to Free People and O-Ku, is the original property. The newest building running along South Boulevard has an apartment complex stacked on top, and Legion Brewing’s highly anticipated Trolley Barn Fermentory will be in a two-story building behind it.

Opening soon:

• The Eagle – Fried chicken restaurant with Southern sides, craft beer and live music. It opens in January.
• Legion Brewing’s Trolley Barn Fermentory – Expect indoor and outdoor seating, a second-floor mezzanine, and patio with unobstructed views of Uptown Charlotte. Expect it to open late spring, early summer 2021.

Open now (original building):

• Not Just Coffee
• O-Ku (No. 1 sushi restaurant)
• Big Ben (English-style pub)
• Anthropologie
• Free People
• Brideside (Chicago-based bridesmaid dress retailer)

• Alton Lane (custom menswear)
• Living Kitchen
• Bookout Blooms (flowers)
• Society Awards
• Savory Spice Shop
• Sola Salon Studios
• Vin Master (wine shop)
• Warby Parker
• Society Social – Furniture store that specializes in punchy custom designs made in-house and gifts for interior design lovers and people who love hosting.

Open now (new building):

• Uniquities – This women’s boutique is comparable to Monkee’s in terms of helpfulness/friendliness of staff, price point and variety of cool-girl brands (including Loeffler Randall, Rag & Bone, Misa, Citizens of Humanity, Amanda Uprichard, AG).
• Madewell – Size-inclusive women’s clothing store known for their denim and easy-to-wear, laid-back style.
• Arrow – Cool barbershop that offers haircuts, shaves, and beard trims — and a free beer with your service.
• Barry’s – Trendy, high-intensity, interval-based workout class that can help you burn up to 1,000 calories per session.
• Drybar – Salon that only does blowouts and updos, and that has incredible hair products.

• Bonobos – This men’s retailer features everyday wear, suits, swimwear and golf apparel.
• Lululemon – Fitness and lifestyle clothing brand for men and women.
• Sephora – High-end makeup and beauty retailer that carries some of the best brands in the business.
• Indaco – This highly rated Charleston-based Italian restaurant specializes in pasta, pizza and cocktails.
• West Elm – They have furniture bedding, and other home goods with a contemporary design.

• Cava – Build-your-own Mediterranean bowl and pita concept.
• The Golden Carrot – This jewelry store carries a curated selection of whimsical jewelry from multiple independent designers.
• Las Olas – Charleston-based bathing suit shop with bikini separates priced around $100.
• OVME – Medical spa specializing in Botox, CoolSculpting, dermal fillers, and laser hair removal.
• Boem – Local boho-chic boutique with brands like Free People, Wooden Ships, Show Me Your Mumu, Blank NYC, etc.

Apartments: NOVEL Atherton, a 346-unit apartment community on top of the ground-floor retail, is now leasing. Rent starts at $1,422 for their 594-square-foot studio up to around $3,000 for their fanciest two-bed, two-bath, 1,172-square-foot unit.

•  Go deeper: 36 best apartment communities in Charlotte

Read more: 28 things to do, eat, and drink in South End