Happy 100th, Latta Arcade: Six facts from its past

Latta Arcade has long been a lunch staple for those of us working on the south end of Tryon Street. Today, it celebrates 100 years with specials, live music and historical displays.

Here are 6 tidbits about one of the few genuine old places in uptown:

(1) Latta Arcade was developed by Edward Dilworth Latta. Yes, that Dilworth. He bought the land for $44K and built the arcade for $80K. BTW, an arcade is a type of indoor mall with a central passageway sandwiched by shops.

(2) Because it’s listed on various historic registries, it can’t be torn down. Cheers to the past!

(3) It started with 22 stores – 6 facing Tryon, 16 in the courtyard. One of the inaugural businesses: a cotton brokerage firm that relied on the skylights to grade cotton. A YMCA (above, pictured on left) used to be beside it.

(4) 100 years means lots of businesses have come and gone. Some of the gone: Anntony’s (Carribean), Dilworth Coffeehouse and Gus Sir Beef – a meat and three vegetables joint where I had my first job interview. What we’re excited about coming: Queen City Beer and Chili.

Psyched for this mysterious #QCBC in Latta Arcade. More local stuff replacing national chains, please! https://t.co/Z48oK8p6Ap

— The Trolley Walk (@TheTrolleyWalk) April 20, 2015

(5) The Kugler photo gallery upstairs has photos going back to the era of ‘Mad Men’ in Charlotte.

(6) Gov. Pat McCrory (and Charlotte resident) gets his hair cut at the barber shop from time to time.

Photos by Charlotte Observer.

Jen Rothacker is the Charlotte Observer’s Innovations editor. She won’t tell you how long ago that first interview was.

This story was originally published June 2, 2015 at 10:52 PM with the headline "Happy 100th, Latta Arcade: Six facts from its past."