Now open: Summit Seltzer expands into new Uptown outpost with Queen City Grounds

The combo space, called The Landing at Fourth Ward, opens today in Uptown.

The big picture: The spiked seltzer trend is poised to stay, and Summit Seltzer owner Kristin Cagney is leading the charge locally with her popular seltzery in Wesley Heights.

[Related Axios guide: 8 Charlotte spots with craft spiked seltzer *and* great patios]

Details: The landing is located at 644 N. Church St. in Uptown’s Fourth Ward neighborhood inside the existing, two-story Queen City Grounds coffee shop.

• The Queen City Grounds side of the existing space didn’t change much. But you’ll notice a new bar and fridges for grab-and-go beverages on the left side of the space, where the Summit Seltzery bar lives.
• Hours: Mondays 7am-3pm, Tuesday-Friday 7am-10pm, Saturdays 8am-11pm and Sunday 8am-8pm.

What to expect: A dinner menu, cocktail menu, brunch menu on the weekends, seltzers and beer on draft, and coffee of course. “We want it to be a well-rounded space,” Cagney said.

• They’ll also have daily drink specials and nightly events, like trivia on Tuesdays, live music on Thursdays and open mic nights on Fridays.

On the menu: The full lineup at Queen City Grounds will stay. It’ll also have a full bar, more spiked and nonalcoholic seltzer and a grab-and-go selection.

• They’ll serve breakfast classics like coffee, bagels from Poppy’s and breakfast burritos. They’ll also have a new dinner menu with flatbreads, salads and vegan-friendly options.
• One favorite is called “The Big Mahoney,” a play off the Queen City Grounds’ family name, made with two Impossible Burger patties, white cheddar, Bibb lettuce, local pickles and red onions on a Duke’s potato bun.

Background: Cagney runs the business with help from her family. Her brother, for instance, manages distribution — Summit is now in 46 Harris Teeters. Kristin’s mom, Jolene, makes all the Jell-O shots. That’s a very important job.

• Queen City Grounds is also a family-run business, and that’s a big part of what drew the teams together.

• “We all like to drink,” Bill Mahoney of QCG told Emma in May with a chuckle. That goes for coffee and seltzer alike.

Vibe: Keeping The Landing family-oriented is something the group wanted to prioritize. They want it to feel approachable and inclusive, with something for everyone — from plentiful vegan and non-alcoholic options to drag shows and live music.

• “We want it to be an everyday spot,” Cagney says. “Whatever you need, it’s here.”

What’s next: Cagney tells us big changes are coming to the original Summit Seltzery location in west Charlotte. “We’re not going to be just a seltzery anymore,” she says. “We want to embrace our neighborhood and cater to the west Charlotte area,” she adds.

• She wouldn’t elaborate further but tells us they’ll be switching things up to offer something the neighborhood is currently lacking.

Editors note: This story was originally published on. May 13, 2022 and updated September 9 to reflect new opening details.