Just Opened - March 2023
We’ve stepped into spring, Charlotte! Face that pollen head-on and come explore these newly opened businesses.
by Allie Papajohn Mar 22, 2023
Food & Drink
Barcos Sports & Raw Bar
Area: Concord, N.C.
Hours: Wednesday-Thursday, 3-9 p.m.; Friday, 3-10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Closed Monday-Tuesday.
Concord’s first food hall is starting to fill up! This seafood restaurant is one of the newest tenants, offering scratch-made food and plenty of options from the coast. The space also includes fifteen giant TVs and an arcade, making it a great spot for some family fun and game day-viewing.
Benny DaCorsa’s
Area: Concord, N.C.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
Residents of Concord can now easily enjoy Benny’s infamous giant slices of pizza thanks to this location on Church Street. The newest Benny’s, named “DaCorsa” which means “racing” in Italian, is the Virginia-based company’s 29th location. You can keep it simple with a slice of cheese or pepperoni or go crazy with “The Soprano,” topped with bacon mac-and-cheese and crispy onions.
Change Please
Neighborhood: Belmont
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Closed Saturday-Sunday.
Charlotte is now home to the U.S.’s first Change Please, a U.K.-based nonprofit cafe dedicated to supporting people experiencing homelessness. Our city’s location aims to specifically support mothers by employment in the cafe and offering childcare for trainees, too. The shop is located inside Innovation Barn and serves coffee and tea (with food and other menu items to come).
Churn Buddies Creamery
Area: Concord, N.C.
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. & 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, noon-7:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Closed Monday-Tuesday.
Treat that sweet tooth with a cup or cone of housemade ice cream at this spot inside Gibson Mill Market. If you’re looking for a little more, try a sundae like the Unicorn (vanilla, caramel, whipped cream, sprinkles) or a milkshake with your choice of flavor.
Hemp & Tea Company
Neighborhoood: Southeast Charlotte
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
This cannabis and tea store opened in Huntersville several years ago and now has a second home in Charlotte. The shop offers hand-crafted hemp teas infused with Delta-8 or CBD (and non-infused teas, too) plus THC gummies and other edible products. If you have time to hang out, consider chillin’ at the bar and enjoying a tea.
Hestia Rooftop
Neighborhood: Ballantyne
Modern Asian cuisine, omakase and bottle service are available at this new rooftop restaurant on the 16th floor of the Panorama Tower, adjacent to AC Hotel Charlotte Ballantyne. Guests have a 180-degree view of the area and have the option of dining inside or outside, both complete with a cocktail bar and sushi bar.
Kuni’s Kitchen
Area: Concord, N.C.
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Closed Monday-Tuesday.
Find scratch-made Asian cuisine at this new restaurant inside Gibson Mill Market. The menu includes dumplings, fried rice and various bowls with protein and noodles. Named after the owner’s friend Kuni, who came here from Japan, Kuni’s Kitchen is all about “good food, good friends, and open doors.”
Loto Café
Neighborhood: East Charlotte
Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily.
This exciting new coffee spot opened by wife-and-husband owners Kellie and Leo Solis celebrates Hispanic culture with signature Latino espresso drinks and a rotating offering of Latin foods. They plan to host a “Loto Swap Meet” every first Saturday of the month to feature primarily Latino/Latina small businesses. Keep an eye on their Instagram to see what’s next.
Miri Nadler Cake Design
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Closed Sunday-Monday.
This popular social media baker and cake designer now has a shop in Plaza Midwood. Miri Nadler specializes in buttercream sculpting, specifically flowers, on her gorgeous cakes. Orders can be placed online and picked up at the shop, and she also sells cupcakes and 6-inch cakes in-store.
Nick’s Gyros & Seafood
Neighborhood: West Charlotte
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 a.m.
Indulge in fried seafood, chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, crab legs and so much more at this Columbia, S.C.-based restaurant on West Boulevard. The menu has something for everyone and is also dubbed as “kosher,” containing no chemicals. You’ll also find them open late-night so you can grab your favorite dish when the craving hits.
OpenTap
Neighborhood: South Charlotte
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m.; Friday, 3 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, noon-midnight; Sunday, noon-11 p.m.
Bring the whole family to enjoy this new self-pour beer and wine bar in South Charlotte. Choose from 64 beers plus wine, seltzer, cider and non-alcoholic options like craft soda. Rotating food trucks will be onsite, and the team plans to offer running and biking clubs plus yoga and meditation classes soon.
Provided Coffee
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Closed Sunday.
This coffee cart-turned mini café is now open inside Street Commerce, a luxury consignment store, and will continue to offer mobile service, too (you can book them here). Choose your favorite style, like a latte or cappuccino, and housemade syrup, like caramel or vanilla, to create a drink all your own.
Sugar Lounge
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, midnight-4 a.m. & 7 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, midnight-4 a.m. & 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Closed Monday-Tuesday.
Enjoy the atmosphere of a bar without the alcohol thanks to this new booze-free lounge in Uptown. The menu is full of mocktails that mimic their spirit-filled equals (like margaritas and martinis) plus pastries and coffee. Guests can indulge in hookah and cigar-smoking and enjoy live music and other entertainment.
SWIRL
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; Closed Sunday-Monday.
Fans of SWIRL in Oakhurst can now get their fix in South End, too. At this locally-owned shop, you can customize your own cupcake (from the flavor to the icing and toppings), blend various toppings into ice cream, craft your own milkshake and build an ice cream cookie sandwich. The possibilities are endless!
The Flying Biscuit Cafe
Area: Matthews
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Residents of Matthews are saying goodbye to The Pizza Peel and hello to The Flying Biscuit Cafe in its place. This popular breakfast/lunch spot offers all the favorites, from egg dishes and chicken and waffles to grits bowls and benedicts. Catch them March 20-24 for amazing deals, including $5 Shrimp and Grits on March 24.
The Lobby
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Hours: Wednesday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Sunday, 4-9 p.m.; Closed Sunday-Monday.
As Humbug exits to open in a new location, another cocktail bar takes its place inside Hotel Refuge. This joint venture between the owners of Black Moth Bars and Grow: A Plant Shop is paving the way for future projects and offers craft cocktails, snacks, plants and other retail grabs.
Your Mom’s Donuts
Area: Matthews
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Closed Monday-Tuesday.
Already missing this donut shop after its closure in February? Well, you’re in luck! The shop now has new owners and has re-opened in Matthews. For now, they’re operating only out of their original location and at the Davidson Farmers Market, but they plan to reopen the Park Road Shopping Center kiosk in the near future.
Things to Do
Bubbly Paws
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
If you’re tired of washing your pup in the bathtub, take that furry friend to this new self-service bath station instead. The experience includes an individual bathing station plus shampoo, towels and tons of grooming gear. If you’d rather a professional handle it, you can book an appointment online. Got a particularly messy dog? Consider joining their Scrub Club subscription service for discounts and unlimited bathing.
Mackins Bridal Boutique
Neighborhood: West Charlotte
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, by appointment only.
Find your dream wedding dress at an affordable price thanks to this new luxury bridal boutique. All dresses in the shop, excluding custom designs, are priced below $2,000 and come in a range of styles and sizes (00 to 30). Those interested in a private shopping experience at the shop can book it out for a fun experience complete with snacks and champagne.
