After 46 years in Charlotte, Zack’s Burgers is closing its doors.
For over 46 years, George Demopoulos and his wife Elaine have worked tirelessly to run Charlotte’s Zack’s Hamburgers, and after the close of business this Thursday, July 1, they will close the restaurant’s doors for good.
Zack’s is located on the corner of Scaleybark and South Boulevard and has been serving Charlotte customers since 1975. The family-owned and operated restaurant was founded by James and Anna Demopoulos with their three kids who all worked there, Bessie, Zack and George. Fifteen years later, George took over the business with Elaine.
For over four decades, Zack’s has served burgers — the Zack’s Special being the front runner — and hot dogs, Southern plates, onion rings and milkshakes to regulars and passersby, offering a hint of nostalgia with each visit.
After battling through COVID-19, however, the Dempoulous family has decided to close the business. Demopoulos told CharlotteFive last Monday, June 21, that vulnerabilities have surfaced with COVID — ones that restaurant owners could have never dreamed of preparing for. He asked us to wait until June 28 to share the news of the restaurant’s closing.
“After so many years working 14 to 15 hour days, it has taken a toll on my body,” Demopoulos said. “You know when it is time.”
Charlotte was rocked earlier this month after learning Charlotte staple Price’s Chicken Coop would be closing. Lines were wrapped around several blocks where people waited for hours to savor the legendary fried chicken one last time. In the past year, Charlotte has seen Bill Spoon’s, Chris’ Deli, Mr. K’s, Oakhurst Grill, Sammy’s Deli and other iconic restaurants shut their doors for good.
“We’re glad to be here today. It’s a sad, happy, sad day. Our prerequisites, unfortunately: You know the story with Mr. Ks, great guy, George is, a great place. And then we got another prerequisite from The Chicken Coop, excellent guys there also. We try to make sense of all that’s going on. There’s times where I have found trying to do the right thing is the hardest thing in the world, but it gets easier as it goes by,” Demopoulos told CharlotteFive on Monday, June 28.
“One factor, to try to make sense of this: They had a story out of 17 restaurants that are older, some of them are not around anymore. I started thinking about what kind of businesses that we all are. I told my wife, “‘I generalize all of us, we’re part of a fleet of four-generational family-owned businesses. As things progress, each generation gets a little smarter. I know my kids moved on to do other things and that’s what’s happening with these businesses. And it is sad.”
What needs to change before another Charlotte business closes its doors?
Zack’s Hamburgers
Location: 4009 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28209
Neighborhood: South Charlotte/Collinswood/LoSo
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. until Thursday, July 1
Cuisine: American
This story was originally published June 28, 2021 at 5:55 AM.
