30+ Charlotte-area restaurants that closed in 2022
Charlotte has seen its share of businesses close in 2022 — especially restaurants, which have suffered the lingering affects of COVID-19, including rising food and rent costs, and staffing shortages.
Longtime stalwarts and newcomers alike have felt the strains. Some including Alino Pizzeria, Blue Olive Lounge, Central Coffee Co. and Kabob-Je have shut down just one location, while some simply moved, like Amelie’s did. Others have gone out of business altogether — including The Randazzo’s Grid Iron and Carolina Prime Steakhouse.
There’s such a sense of community in Charlotte that it’s a sad day when any restaurant or retail shop shuts its doors permanently.
Among the 2022 closings have been:
Alchemy
Location: 2517 Distribution St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Plant-based restaurant Alchemy closed Sunday, July 10, after two years in business. “We sincerely thank all our guests, friends, artists, and clientele for the opportunity to share Alchemy’s story, food, and staff with you and your families,” Alchemy co-owner Glen Nocik said.
Alino Pizzeria
Location: 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., #129B, Concord, NC 28027
Alino Pizza’s Concord Mills location permanently closed May 12. Customers were directed to visit its Merino Mills location for Neopolitan-style pizza at 500 S. Main St., #401, Mooresville, NC 28115.
Alton’s Kitchen and Cocktails
Location: 19918 N Cove Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails in Lake Norman’s Jetton Village shopping center closed Jan. 29 to make way for a new concept. Cambridge Hospitality Group purchased the restaurant with plans to make renovations, and it has reopened as Peninsula Prime Seafood & Steakhouse.
Amelie’s
Former location: 2424 N Davidson St #102, Charlotte, NC 28205
New location: 136 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Amelie’s closed its original flagship bakery and cafe in Charlotte’s Villa Heights on April 22, and moved to a spot nearby in NoDa on April 28. The French bakery had announced the plans before COVID-19, but the pandemic delayed the move.
Around the World Cafe
Location: 5110 Park Rd 1-K, Charlotte, NC 28209
Around the World Cafe closed its physical location mid-December but plans to continue operating as a catering and pop-up business. It had served boba tea and rolled ice cream.
Babe Cave/Good Life at Enderly Park
Location: 2122 Freedom Drive, Ste. D. Charlotte, NC 28208
This cocktail lounge and photo studio hangout space was created by the team from Brunch on Sunday to give women a place to gather. It opened Saturday nights for cocktails and small plates and on Sundays for brunch in early 2022, then closed later in the year, citing landlord disputes.
Blue Olive Lounge
Location: 14021 Conlan Cir, Charlotte, NC 28277
Blue Olive Lounge closed its Ballantyne location on May 12, and Charlotte-area customers wondered why — as the nightclub seemed as busy as ever over recent weeks. “I was just there a few weeks ago! Was packed. Didn’t seem like business was problem,” customer Em Dill wrote on the bar’s Facebook page. The lounge also has a location in Fort Mill’s Tega Cay Village.
BOCADO Bar + Diner
Location: 2000 South Blvd #150, Charlotte, NC 28203
The Atlanta-based restaurant closed May 10, noting on its social media that a new concept would be taking over its space. It had moved in to the former Big Ben location in June 2021, serving new Southern American food.
Cafe 100
Location: 100 Huntersville-Concord Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Cafe 100 — known for brunch items such as stuffed French toast and its lobster mac and cheese — closed Jan. 23. The restaurant reopened in late July under new ownership with a new name — The Neighborhood Cafe — after a short renovation.
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
Location: 327 W. Tremont Ave., Charlotte, NC 28203
Charleston-based Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit closed its Charlotte location in January after opening in early 2020, serving handmade biscuits and breakfast sandwiches. The location at The Penrose apartment building had struggled through COVID-19, then staffing difficulties.
Carolina Prime Steakhouse
Location: 225 E Woodlawn Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
After a nearly 17-year run, the restaurant owned by George and Mary Liapis closed on May 9. Tributes poured in from regular customers who were sorry to see it close.
Central Coffee Co. - South End
Location: 1700 Camden Rd #101, Charlotte, NC 28203
The coffee shop tucked in The Kingston Condos building closed May 16. A message on its Instagram thanked customers and employees, adding: “We’ve also had some trying times, but hey, we survived the pandemic and the last 2 years. However, we cannot combat skyrocketing rent prices and a proposed lease that does not benefit us. Add that with rising food costs, product supply issues and staffing problems, this is the reason for our closure.”
The Charlotte Cafe
Location: 8200 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
The Charlotte Cafe served its last meals in mid-December after its lease was not renewed or renegotiated by The Arboretum, owners Jimmy and Mary Roupas told The Charlotte Observer. “Everything comes to an end,” Jimmy Roupas said. “The mom-and-pop shops are just a dying breed right now. They’re being swallowed up.”
Coaltrane’s Char Grill
Location: 1518 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Coaltrane’s Char Grill closed abruptly in early October, making way for a new location of Que Onda’s Tacos + Tequila.
Crepe Cellar
Location: 3116 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205
Owners Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel closed the European gastropub on Jan. 30 to make way for a new Italian concept, Ever Andalo. “As a family, we have been touched by how much this place has meant to people over the last 13 years, and we are so grateful to have been a part of our community’s lives,” the owners told CharlotteFive.
Davidson Ice House
Location: 416 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036
Davidson Ice House is closing Dec. 31, with plans to reopen in 2023 with a brand new concept. Owner and chef Jennifer Brulé is teaming up on the project with Robert Maynard, CEO of Won Life Holdings and co-founder and CEO of Famous Toastery.
Global Restaurant
Location: 314 Main St, Pineville, NC 28134
The restaurant closed April 16, posting a note to its website that said: “Chef Bernard and Shannon are retiring from the restaurant industry after 16 years.” It featured high-end dishes and specialty cocktails. In its place, The Garrison opened.
HideAway
Location: 2710 Tuckaseegee Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Hideaway Bar & Lounge has closed, but Lulu’s. owners Jay and Miketa Davis still own the property. Current plans call for the building to be leased.
Jyoti’s World Cuisine
Location: 7128-A, Albemarle Rd, Charlotte, NC 28227
Vegetarian and vegan restaurant Jyoti’s World Cuisine was owned by Philippines native Josephine “Jyoti” Bayog Friedland, who died in May after battling cancer. The restaurant temporarily closed in September after her diagnosis, and it is now permanently closed. Friedland was also the founder of the Asian-American Pacific Islander Democrats of Mecklenburg County.
Kabab-Je Rotisserie & Grille
Location: 7828-b Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Kabab-Je closed its doors at Stone Crest on May 12. A note on the restaurant’s website said, “You can still satisfy your craving for authentic, delicious Mediterranean cuisine just a short drive away at Kabab-Je in Sycamore Commons. We look forward to serving you there soon.” That location is at 2233 Matthews Township Pkwy., Matthews, NC 28105.
Krazy Fish
Location: 2501 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
The fusion restaurant featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” closed in early 2022. In April, Morningside Pub opened in the space to serve beer, wine and liquor.
Local Dish
Location: 217 Main St, Fort Mill, SC 29715
The farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Fort Mill, Local Dish, announced plans to close Friday, May 27. Restaurant owner John Colwell told CharlotteFive that the buyer planned to rent out the space rather than keep the restaurant open.
Picante
Location: 1500 W Morehead St # A, Charlotte, NC 28208
The counter-service Mexican spot closed, making way for Que Fresa Taqueria + Bar to open in the space in October instead. The new concept offers soft-serve margaritas and house-made puffy chips.
The Pizza Peel & Tap Room - Matthews
Location: 110 Matthews Station St #1a, Matthews, NC 28105 (opening early 2023)
The Pizza Peel location in Matthews will close Dec. 31, making way for a third Charlotte-area location of The Flying Biscuit Cafe to open. Owner Will Bigham will remain at the helm. “The flip will help offer a better quality of life for our teammates and put more money into their pockets,” he said.
The Randazzo’s Grid Iron
Location: 13105 S Tryon St #9, Charlotte, NC 28278
The Randazzo’s Grid Iron closed its doors on April 4. The restaurant originally opened in 2001, then Bobbi Randazzo and her late husband, Joe, took over in 2011, serving Italian food, steaks and more.
Rocket Pizza
Location: 1213 W. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28208
After a rocky start with months-long construction delays, Rocket Pizza opened in August 2021. It served 10-inch and 14-inch New Haven, Connecticut-style pizzas with a cracker-like crust, along with salads, pasta and wings. By early May, the restaurant had quietly closed.
Sister/Tattoo
Location: 1500-A Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
The European cafe in Commonwealth/Plaza Midwood closed July 31. Restaurateurs Andy and Lesa Kastanas had opened Sister in January, where their former restaurant Kiki Bistro had operated and Tattoo Lounge, in the same building. “While we’ve experienced growth during the last six months and have been hopeful about the future, rising food, labor and rent costs have made it impossible for us to continue,” they said via Instagram.
Soul Gastrolounge
Location: 1500 B Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Lesa and Andy Kastanas also closed tapas restaurant Soul Gastrolounge, with plans to relocate in spring 2023. The restaurant open since 2009 was facing rising rent after the building it shared with Sister and Tattoo came under new ownership.
The Stanley
Location: 1961 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
James Beard-nominated chef Paul Verica’s restaurant closed at the end of business on May 13. “The last two years have been difficult for everyone in our beloved industry, to say the least, and I feel the effect deeply,” Verica said in a statement.
The Sweet Life Coffee House
Location: 1627 Sardis Rd N #4a, Charlotte, NC 28270
Owner Julie Shrader purchased the cafe in 2019 (then called Kona Snow) as a way to save it from closing. “We just found you. We’re losing you, and the community is, too,” Shrader told CharlotteFive was her reaction at the time. “We didn’t want this to disappear from the community,” Shrader said. In September, it was time for Shrader herself to say goodbye. “Today was our last day serving you, and we are so thankful for the opportunity,” the cafe posted on Instagram on Sept. 25. “We pray you find and share kindness, authenticity and wonder in your lives as you go forth creating your own ‘sweet life”. Thank you all for the memories, we will treasure them always.”
Twenty Degrees Chocolates
Location: 1930 Camden Rd Suite 135, Charlotte, NC 28203
South End chocolate shop Twenty Degrees Chocolates closed on July 23, and the space became a new location for wine shop Petit Philippe, owned by retiring chocolatier Casey Hickey and Mark Meissner. Hickey cited family and health needs as reasons for her retirement as a chocolatier.
Unwind Tea & Coffee House
Location: 333 Main St, Pineville, NC 28134
Unwind Tea & Coffee House closed in downtown Pineville in fall 2022, making way for a new Charlotte-area location of Waterbean Coffee.
VelTree, The Vegan Experience
Location: 14825 Ballantyne Village Way, #150, Charlotte, NC 28277
VelTree Vegan, which moved last December from University City to Ballantyne Village with big plans for expansion, instead announced plans to close just before Christmas. The owners cited staffing issues, as well as supply-chain issues.
Xiao Bao
Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N. Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206
The Asian food stall in Optimist Hall is closing Dec. 31. Taking its place in the spot between Boxcar Betty’s and Collier Candy Company will be Schreiber’s on Rye, a New York-style deli.
This story was originally published December 29, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
