Peek inside: New NoDa Amelie’s has huge Eiffel Tower replica inside

What’s happening: Amélie’s flagship at 2424 North Davidson St. will close its doors on April 22 at 10pm, and the new location at 136 E. 36th St. will open on April 28 at 7am.

Why it matters: Over the past two years, the status of the relocation remained in limbo due to the pandemic.

Flashback: In August 2019, Amelie’s announced plans to move into a “newer, fresher, better” space, as we reported at the time. The new, roughly 7,000-square-foot location is in the old Hart Witzen Galler, at the corner of Benard and 36th — just over a mile from the original Amelie’s in Villa Heights.

• But in January 2021, the bakery’s ownership canceled those plans amid losses stemming from the pandemic.
• Despite the hiccups, progress is underway at the new flagship location.

What to expect: The latest location has a more open floor plan with an event space that can be rented out, a main seating area in the front, a more intimate work and reading space toward the back and a patio with a love lock wall.

• Co-owner and artist/designer Brenda Ische says the space will still have its signature eclectic decor and Easter eggs hidden throughout.
• “Even though the building will be cleaner, fresher, newer, brighter … we still don’t want to lose that feeling that we brought into NoDa that was comfortable, inviting, cozy (and) warm,” she explained.

Zoom out: The new Amelie’s is situated in a stretch of Charlotte that’s evolving. New York developer Avery Hall is building a mixed-use project next door that will be anchored by a grocery store.

• Across 36th, Grubb Properties is underway on an apartment community on the old Herrin Ice site.
• Next to the light rail, the Community Builders is rehabbing the old Johnston Mill property into apartments and retail.

“We’re hoping that from the light rail (to) here will be an exciting new corridor of development. We want to be in the center of that (growth),” Ische says.

Timeline: Amelie’s new flagship is slated to open sometime this spring.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in November 2021 and updated in April 2022.