Everything to know about MoRa (yes, we know you hate the name), including a new Lidl
You may not love the name, but you will love the transformation of this East Side neighborhood near the intersections of Monroe and Rama roads. From street art to businesses, community events to restaurants, the MoRA area is growing and creating its own unique vibe. Today, it adds another retailer to its expanding list with the grand opening of German grocer Lidl.
The 15,000-square-foot Lidl MoRA store opens today at 8 a.m. The grocery chain touts high-quality goods at low prices and operates 10,800 stores across 32 countries. To celebrate its grand opening, the first 100 customers will be presented with gift cards ranging from $5-$100. The store will also be giving away Lidl reusable bags and food samples while supplies last.
Meanwhile, yogis rejoice — NoDA Yoga is currently building out its second studio location in Oakhurst on Monroe. The ground-level studio will allow for more accessible yoga and is slated to open in February. The space will offer a bilingual Spanish/English flow class, as well as chair/adaptive yoga classes. As a partner of Veterans Yoga Project and Love Your Brain, NoDo Yoga offers $5 classes for military personnel and individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Mental health therapists, firefighters and EMTs are also eligible for discounts.
After sweating it out at NoDA Yoga, head on over to Swirl Bakery for a treat. Opened in March, the bakery is the brainchild of Ella Stone, owner of Celestial Cakery. She and her husband Curtis, MoRA residents themselves, wanted to create a space where they could sell cakes big and small. Patrons can design their own custom “insta-cake” by selecting a cupcake, a frosting and toppings. The team has sold more than 10,000 cupcakes and counting. Chocolate, cream cheese, Oreo with raspberry sauce cupcake, anyone?
New brewery
Cheers to MoRA getting its first brewery in 2020. With plans to open around March, Edge City Brewery will feature about a dozen rotating beers on tap and a dog-friendly outdoor space.
John Thomas, who owns the brewery with his brother Jared, said, “We choose the MoRA area because we saw a vibrant community of people eager to see the area grow. Our hope for Edge City Brewery is to be a place where people can gather and for us to be another addition to the excitement and creativity that MoRA brings.”
Edge City Brewery will join the recently opened A List Smiles and Vista Family Dentistry in Meridian Place. Just down the road in MoRA Point, Aldi, Starbucks, Verizon, Supercuts and Iora Health opened earlier this year. They are slated to be joined by Oscar Nail Bar and an ABC Store.
Public art, green space
Beyond the business growth, the public art scene has made its stamp on MoRA. Unveiled just last month, the Tapestry art mural at Monroe and Idlewood roads welcomes visitors with vibrant artwork inspired by the diversity of the East Side community. It’s the second major art installation in the area, with the 16-foot mosaic Embrace art sculpture becoming a landmark and community gathering spot at Monroe and Conference Drive.
This Saturday, the 4th Annual Holiday Fest will take place there with a food drive, raffle, wine, beer and food from Famous Toastery. The East Meck Choir will provide music and caroling, and there will be free hot chocolate.
Despite the building taking place around MoRA, the green space has not been forgotten about. Funding has been allocated in 2020 to extend the Briar Creek Greenway from Central Avenue to Monroe Road. This approximately 1.7 mile stretch of greenway is currently being designed. The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation office does not have a definitive timeline for completion, but be on the lookout for a public meeting on the project, likely in the new year.
Home prices
So what has this expansion done to home prices? According to Michael Nester of real estate firm Dickens Mitchener, prices in the area are rising but still remain more reasonable than many surrounding neighborhoods. A resident himself, Nester noted that while the area has attracted an influx of investors and flippers, the character of the neighborhood has remained, with a good mix of new and original residents.
“There are great things happening in this area like new businesses, public art and neighborhoods that are evolving,” said Monroe Road Advocates chair Kathy Hill. “It’s been exciting that MoRA has been ‘discovered’ by families who are new to the area, as well as by residents who have been here for years.”