Philosopher’s Stone will become a dog bar, and other development news
Happy Monday! It’s time for some development news.
First there’s this story from the Observer’s Ely Portillo about the changing face of Stonewall Street. There are so many developments in the works along that street. It is going to look totally different in a couple of years.
Now let’s jump into what’s coming, opening and closing (?) around Charlotte.
Philosopher’s Bone?
Jackalope Jacks owner Rob Nixon said he plans to turn Philopher’s Stone Tavern next door into a dog bar.
Nixon said he’s signed an 18-month lease on the location at East Seventh Street and North Caswell Road. Philosopher’s Stone closed last month after its owners apparently fell on “hard times.”
When P-Stone closed, business started to dwindle at Jackalope Jacks, according to Nixon. He hopes the dog bar will help bring business back to the area.
Possible names: “The Watering Hole” or “Hare of the Dog.”
Is VisArt Video closing?
Short answer: No.
A “For rent” sign in front of the video rental store in Elizabeth is confusing customers, but VisArt Video co-owner Gina Cerniglia told the Observer: “We are definitely not closing.”
From VisArt Video… #horror #vhs #cult #cinema #movies #film #trashculture
A photo posted by Adam Frazier (@thefraze84) on May 10, 2015 at 8:23am PDT
The store could move, though. VisArt will either resign the lease at its current space at 1945 E. Seventh Street at the end of August or move to a different space.
UPDATE: The Observer’s Katherine Peralta reports that VisArt will move to a new location at 3104 Eastway Drive in September.
Still working on it
The developers of an EpiCentre hotel tower and apartments at Kenilworth Avenue and Morehead Street say both projects are still happening.
Vision Ventures and McKibbon Hotel Group are still planning to start construction on a 20-story hotel tower above the EpiCentre complex uptown. It is planned to open in 2017.
Not much work has been done on the still-vacant apartment site at Kenilworth and Morehead since Forestar Group finished demolition. A spokeswoman for the developer said the project remains “in our pipeline.”
Plans call for a 379-unit apartment complex with 25,000 square feet of retail space.
Corner Bakery Cafe coming to Charlotte
Corner Bakery Cafe, a Dallas-based chain of restaurants offering salads, sandwiches and pastries, plans to open several stores in the Charlotte area.
No stores or specific locations have been identified yet, but a spokesperson told the Observer that Corner Bakery wants to open 10 to 12 stores in the Charlotte metro area.
Now for some tasty food pics.
A fresh, new & spicy choice in salads. Meet our Southwest Salad with Chicken. Don’t forget your #SaladSelfie! pic.twitter.com/PD5In94F2h
— Corner Bakery Cafe (@CornerBakery) May 17, 2015
Are you checking out our sweet Bundts? pic.twitter.com/gJwNBBjbUw
— Corner Bakery Cafe (@CornerBakery) May 16, 2015
Wanna buy an old fire station?
The city of Charlotte was collecting bids last week for land at 1215 South Blvd., which currently houses an old fire station.
The half-acre parcel is next to Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church.
What should go there? A fire-themed brewery?
Photo: Mark Hames/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published May 18, 2015 at 12:15 AM with the headline "Philosopher’s Stone will become a dog bar, and other development news."