Now open: 20 cool new openings in Charlotte in 2021 so far
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Our Now Open series is proudly presented by Charlotte Center City Partners. New businesses are part of what makes Charlotte great but don’t forget to take some time to say hello again to the people and places that made us fall in love with our city in the first place. Check out UptownCharlotte.com + SouthEndCLT.org to find even more spots to explore.
As the pandemic eases up, new restaurants and retailers are opening every week.
Challenges remain for Charlotte’s small business owners — especially when it comes to staffing — but customers have returned in droves in recent weeks.
Here are 20 cool new openings in Charlotte this April, May and June.
This guide is part of our larger “Now Open” series. View the hot new openings from January to March 2021 here.
FOOD + DRINK
Prime Fish
Sushi and sake restaurant in Ballantyne
What to order: Squidward sushi roll with crispy calamari, avocado, spicy kana and sweet chili aioli. The menu is small for a reason, chef and owner Robin Anthony says. “We don’t do quantity, we do quality,”
Location: 11212 Providence Rd. W., Ste. B.
Read more: New sushi restaurant wants Ballantyne to be Charlotte’s “epicenter of sushi”
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Bocado
Atlanta-favorite Southern restaurant in former Big Ben space
What to order: Double-stack burger
Location: 2000 South Blvd., Ste. 530
Read more: Atlanta-favorite Bocado is now open in South End
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Ace No. 3 in Myers Park
Third location for the popular burger restaurant
What to order: “The Ace” burger ($8.65) made with two patties, American cheese, onions, pickles and Ace’s house “comeback sauce.” That and a boozy shake is *chef’s kiss*.
Location: 829 Providence Rd. in a former Boston Market in Myers Park.
Read more: Ace No. 3 opens new Myers Park location this week
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Babe & Butcher
Cheese and charcuterie company with a large following expands into first brick and mortar space
What to order: Build your own cheese and charcuterie board from dozens of options.
Location: 301 Camp Road, next-door to Leah & Louise in Camp North End.
Read more: Build your own cheese board at Babe & Butcher’s new storefront
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Golden Cow Creamery
Ice cream shop in Uptown
What to order: Salted oreo ice cream and a Belgian waffle.
Location: 601 South Tryon on the corner of Stonewall and Tryon in the new Ally Charlotte Center development.
Read more: Golden Cow Creamery now open in Uptown with Belgian waffles
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Vaulted Oak Brewing
Bank-turned-brewery concept with great indoor-outdoor space
What to order: Pineapple gose with a pizza from Sal’s across the street.
Location: 3726 Monroe Rd.
Read more: The bank-turned-brewery Vaulted Oak is now open
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Sosu
Anime- and hip hop-inspired ramen shop at Eastway Crossing
What to order: Ichiraku ramen. which was inspired by the anime series “Naruto.”
Location: 3718 Central Ave., Ste. B
Read more: Sosu ramen shop now open in Eastway Crossing
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HideAway
Sports bar from one owner of the crab-cake-famous Lulu’s
What to order: Given the bar owner’s Maryland roots, order the Baltimore Raven cocktail, a fittingly purple drink made with vodka, strawberry, lemongrass and blue curacao.
Location: 2710 Tuckaseegee Rd.
Read more: New sports bar called Hideaway is now open in west Charlotte
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AmiMya
Family-run Latin American casual restaurant
What to order: Empanadas. Options include chicken (the most popular), carne (my favorite) and cheese (the staff’s favorite). You should order all three. They range in price from $2.50-$2.90 each.
Location: 1610 Oakhurst Commons Dr.
Read more: Dominican restaurant with 3 tasty empanada options is now open in east Charlotte
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Konnichiwa
Sushi, steak and seafood restaurant in heart of Dilworth
What to order: One of the Charlotte-inspired sushi rolls like the Queen Roll or CLT Roll.
Location: 1315 East Blvd., Ste. 130.
Read more: New Japanese restaurant called Konnichiwa is now open in Dilworth
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Three Amigos’ second location
Longstanding Central Avenue spot expands into south Charlotte
What to order: Enchiladas, especially if you’re there on a Thursday when it’s $8.99 all-you-can-eat enchiladas night.
Location: 7741 Colony Rd., Ste. A1.
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Morelia
Gourmet paleta shop in South End
What to order: Choose your popsicle base, your dip layer and your toppings. Whatever you do, go with the crunchy hazelnut dip on top.
Location: 1425 Winnifred St., Ste. 104.
Read more: Shopping guide: Micro-retail storefronts now open at Centro Railyard in South End
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Day & Night Cereal Bar
Bright-colored Uptown cereal shop with milkshakes and more
What to order: “Unicorn Breath” shake.
Location: 127 Brevard Ct.
Read more: Charlotte’s first cereal bar is now open
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YaMe Asian Noodles
Restaurant known for its noodles and bubble tea across from Park Road Shopping Center
What to order:Shanghai soup dumplings.
Location: 4435 Park Rd. Ste. 300.
The Jimmy
Restaurateur Jim Noble’s latest restaurant, now open in Myers Park
What to order: The funghi pizza ($18) also known as “Jimmy’s Pie.” It comes with roasted mushrooms, taleggio cheese and a balsamic reduction.
Location: 2839 Selwyn Ave. in Myers Park.
Read more:
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RETAIL
Moxie Mercantile in Matthews
Popular family-run Plaza Midwood boutique expanded into downtown Matthews in May
Offerings: The store sells gifts, artisan-made wares and clothing.
Location: 159 N. Trade St. in Matthews.
Read more: Moxie Mercantile is opening a third location
House of Nomad in Dilworth
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Interior design studio and home goods store
Offerings: You can find furniture, pillows and throws, decor, rugs and more.
Location: 1405 East Blvd.
Ruxton Mercantile
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The modern general store in Myers Park
Offerings: A little bit of everything from housewares to gifts to clothing.
Location: 102B Middleton Dr.
Tecovas
Texas-based retailer now in Atherton Mill
Offerings: Cowboy books, leather accessories and more. Plus: The shop has a bar that serves local beer and bourbon while you shop.
Location: 2036 South Blvd. next to Madewell.
THINGS TO DO
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Mac Tabby Cat Cafe in Concord
NoDa cat cafe’s second location
How it works: Reserve a time slot in advance and play with a dozen cats inside the Mac Tabby space. All cats are adoptable. There’s also an attached coffee shop and bar.
Location: 25 Market St. S.W. in Concord.
Read more: Rent out this cat cafe for $95+
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