South Block brings acai bowls to Ballantyne in first North Carolina expansion
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South Block opens Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Bowl at Ballantyne. Photo: Courtesy of South Block
South Block, a fast-casual restaurant chain known for its acai and cold-pressed juices, is opening its first North Carolina location in Ballantyne, with another Charlotte shop planned for Plaza Midwood later this year.
Why it matters: Charlotte is the company's first market beyond Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The move signals confidence in the city's growing fitness and wellness scene.
Driving the news: South Block opens Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Bowl at Ballantyne.
Zoom in: South Block's acai bowls are made to order using fresh fruit, natural nut milks, juices and superfood supplements.
- Founder Amir Mostafavi learned how to prepare acai the "traditional way" from a surfer in San Diego nearly 20 years ago, and South Block still follows that method.
- "People think they've had an acai bowl before, but they've never tasted anything like the bowls that we make," Mostafavi tells Axios.
Flashback: Mostafavi opened his first juice stand in 2006 inside the gym at George Washington University, after quitting a corporate job.
- In 2011, he opened the first South Block in Arlington, Virginia, and has since expanded to 21 locations.
- In 2024, South Block received a strategic growth investment from Savory Fund, a Utah-based private equity firm focused on health- and sustainability-driven brands. "We're really focused on growing in a healthy way — maintaining our culture and local vibe as we expand," Mostafavi said.
Between the lines: South Block donates a portion of every purchase to Fruitful Planet, the brand's nonprofit focused on increasing access to fresh produce.
- At the Ballantyne location, South Block will also support Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, tying its national mission to local food insecurity efforts.
What's next: Mostafavi is targeting a spring opening date for South Block's Plaza Midwood location at 1711 Commonwealth Ave. in the Commonwealth development, next to Solidcore and Van Leeuwen.
If you go: The first 100 guests at South Block's Jan. 17 grand opening will get a free mini acai bowl. There'll also be live music, giveaways, swag and face painting.
Stop by: South Block is at 14020 Stream Way, near PopUp Bagels and Harriet's Hamburgers.
- Open daily from 8am—7pm.
Go deeper: 20 best restaurants in Ballantyne in 2025