Just Opened - Feb & March '22
Happy springtime, Charlotte! Jump right into this warmer weather by visiting these newly opened businesses.
by Allie Papajohn Mar 31, 2022
Food & Drink
Benny Ferrovia’s
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Thursday 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 a.m.
Love those giant pizza slices from Benny Pennello’s in NoDa? Now you can grab them in South End, too. Enjoy 14-inch slices and 28-inch whole pizzas until late into the night (just when you need them the most).
Broken Promises
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Closed Monday
This new bar from the owners of Lost & Found just opened in South End. Mixologist Bob Peters has crafted the cocktail menu for this 25+ lounge and food will come from a permanent Asian street-food food truck. There’s no dance floor at this bar but rotating DJs on Thursdays-Saturdays will be pumping out Deep House music.
Gilde 1546 Brewery
Neighborhood: LoSo
Hours: Sunday and Tuesday, 3-10 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday, 3-11 p.m.; Closed Monday
A German brewery with 475 years of history has opened a location here in Charlotte. The taproom will offer six staple beers as well as rotating craft beers and German food. The indoor and outdoor space can seat 350 customers across its bier haus and bier garten, and semi-private event space is available, too.
Harry’s Grille & Tavern
Neighborhood: Pineville
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
After 10 years at Ayrsley, the Harry’s team has opened a second location in the Quail Corners shopping center off Park Road. The menu will feature its classic American fare for lunch and dinner plus a curated cocktail list by mixologist Bob Peters.
HopFly Brewery
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday 1 p.m.-midnight; Saturday noon-midnight: Sunday noon-7 p.m.; Closed Monday
The former Unknown Brewing building is now home to HopFly, a brewing company out of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The taproom now has more open space and seating, and an updated outdoor patio with picnic tables. Not a beer drinker? They also offer craft cocktails and, if you’re hungry, you can grab food from their in-house food truck, Katsu Kart.
La Capital MX
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 3-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 3-10 p.m.
The former Luciano’s spot is now home to an upscale Mexican restaurant featuring tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and plenty of tequila and bourbon. Enjoy a spot on the patio and close proximity to a stroll down the rail trail.
LuLu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
After much fanfare, the city’s second LuLu’s is now open. Come get your fill of Maryland-style seafood like jumbo lump crab cakes plus favorites chicken and waffles, salmon and grits and all the fixins. Enjoy the dining room’s indoor-outdoor vibe, thanks to garage doors opening onto Central Avenue.
Madison Perk
Neighborhood: LoSo
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Say good morning to this new coffee shop, also known as The Mad Perk. Owners Stacy and Patrick McFall are serving lattes, cappuccinos and other classic coffee drinks using local coffee roaster Pure Intentions. Pickup food, like breakfast wraps and lunchtime salads and sandwiches, are available for grab-and-go and you’ll often find musicians playing live music right when you walk in the door.
Night Swim Roastery & Cafe
Neighborhood: LoSo
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
This collaboration between Not Just Coffee and Undercurrent Coffee is taking Charlotte by storm. Their fourth location in under a year is now open and is considered their flagship store. This location is where they roast beans, but you can also hang out in the cafe for your favorite coffee drink.
Noble Smoke
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fans of this premium BBQ off Freedom Drive can now find it at a stall in Optimist Hall. Fill up on all the meats, sides and Southern desserts (like a Hand Fry Pie or Heath Banana Pudding). Curious where they are in the hall? Find them between Pet Wants and Xiao Bao.
Slim Chickens
Area: North Charlotte
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
Quality chicken sandwiches are never going out of style! Two North Carolinians have opened this Arkansas-based franchise here in Charlotte. On the menu you’ll find crispy chicken sandwiches and wraps (regular, cayenne or buffalo) plus chicken tenders and hand-spun milkshakes. Time to treat yourself.
Sumaq Coffee
Area: South Charlotte
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Closed Monday
This big, bright new cafe is owned by two brothers, Joseph and Nick Castro, from Colombia. The menu includes flavors from South America with the Paqarin Sandwich and Lulu Gratin Sandwich, plus the super intriguing Sumaq Cheese Waffle (cassava starch, cornflour, cotija cheese, queso fresco and mozzarella). Be sure to try an artisan bread or sweet treat with your Colombian coffee, too.
Yunta Nikkei
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-11 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Closed Monday
Peruvian and Japanese cuisines blend at this new spot in South End. On the menu you’ll find a nice selection of raw fish through ceviche, tiradito and nigiri plus maki rolls and entrees like Lomo Saltado and Arroz Chaufa. Don’t miss the cocktails, many of which feature Pisco, the national spirit of Peru. Plus, it is another list expertly curated by mixologist Bob Peters.
Things to Do
Cinergy Dine-In Cinema
Neighborhood: Concord
Hours: Open daily; hours vary
Get ready to watch movies in total comfort at this new movie theater. It features heated seats, reclining chairs and a full food and alcohol menu. On Tuesdays, showings are $5 so you’ll want to stay tuned to showtimes and plan ahead.
Parachute Home
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.
This Venice, California-based home store is now open in Charlotte and accepts shopping appointments as well as walk-ins. Get ready to be fully inspired and ready to re-do your home with their furniture, linens, rugs, towels and even loungewear. Fun fact: Parachute has made a timely commitment to become certified carbon neutral by April 22, 2022 (Earth Day).
