Dilworth Neighborhood Grille: ‘We are not going anywhere’

That’s according to owner Matt Wohlfarth, who says the landlord hired Keith Corp to get their original zoning back. He says that the city changed its zoning as part of the 2040 plan.

Zoom out: The Nov. 15 rezoning filing, first reported by the Charlotte Business Journal, calls for the property at 911 E. Morehead to be rezoned from business to mixed-use development. The plans would allow for up to 275,000 square feet of office space, along with 15,000 square feet of retail.

• Along with DNG, the Cavalaris Village shopping center includes tenants such as Sassy Nail Bar and Big Chill.

“I know this looks bad but we are not going anywhere,” Wohlfarth says, adding that the business just signed another 10-year lease.

Why it matters: DNG is a beloved neighborhood restaurant and bar that’s been around since 2004. You’ll find it packed for all kinds of sporting events, from UNC basketball to World Cup games.

• In a city with new bars and restaurants opening all the time, longstanding ones like DNG are increasingly hard to come by.

Between the lines: You may have recently noticed that DNG has been putting sassy messages on its sign at the intersection of East Morehead and South McDowell streets.

The goal: To call attention to how the city’s ongoing construction is creating traffic and causing headaches for the business and its customers, WBTV reported.

• A portion of East Morehead Street is down to one lane. According to the city, work has been underway in the intersection since November 2021 to install wastewater and storm drainage infrastructure. Construction is anticipated to continue through early 2023.

“We will still be around the next time they tear up Morehead Street,” Wohlfarth told Axios.

Over the weekend, DNG erected a new sign: “Our landlord is not selling or redeveloping,” it read.

• Keith Corp. representatives did not respond to Axios’ request for comment.