We’ve said goodbye to these Charlotte-area restaurants in 2023 — and a few returned
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Gus’ Sir Beef closes
Owner Thrace Bacogeorge announced on April 10, 2023, that he would permanently close the iconic Charlotte restaurant after 54 years.
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In Charlotte’s restaurant industry, change is constant. Especially at a time when food and rent costs are up, staff shortages are prominent and supply chain shortfalls are plaguing businesses.
Sometimes the challenges prove too much — even for longtime favorites such as Green’s Lunch and Gus’ Sir Beef — and a local business has no choice to but to shut its doors. Others may find new life with different ownership, such as Your Mom’s Donuts, Dollar Cone and The Royal Tot, or a new business concept or relocation, as was the case with Sandwich Max, Blacow and What the Fries.
Here are the Charlotte food-and-drink businesses that have closed, or are planning to close, in 2023 — plus a few that closed and reopened:
Akropolis Cafe
Location: The Arboretum Shopping Center, 8200 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Longtime fan favorite Akropolis Cafe closed in October, making way for a Curry Junction location to move in after some renovations. Akropolis owner Make Sadri told CharlotteFive, “The lease is up and due to my age and some sickness, I cannot continue working in this restaurant any longer. It’s been a long journey — I’ve seen so much the last 31 years. It’s a tough business. ... Not too many people can say they’ve lasted in the restaurant business this long.”
Bei Jing
Location: 1603 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203.
Bei Jing, along with its South End neighbor Sandwich Max, closed after its building was sold for a planned apartment tower. The Chinese restaurant’s last day open was March 31.
Biblio
Location: 2001 W. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28208
Biblio, a wine-focused tasting concept where diners’ food was based on their drink choice, closed in early December. Moving forward, the space — which adjoins James Beard Award finalist chef Sam Hart’s Counter- tasting menu concept — will be used to expand that restaurant.
Black Eye’d Pea
Location: 862 Brawley School Rd Suite 107, Mooresville, NC 28117
New owners have taken over the Black Eye’d Pea restaurant in Lake Norman, turning it into Mama Katie’s. The cafe now serves many of the same breakfast and lunch dishes, with a few additions — including a gluten-free menu.
Blacow | Burger Sushi Bar
Location: 517 University Center Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28262
Location: 1515 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28203
Blacow’s University City location closed in May and reopened less than a week later as a new concept, Magic Sushi. It traded in gourmet short rib burgers for all-you-can-eat sushi in the switch. The South End location followed in July, with a switch to a similar new concept, Sushi Hana.
Bohemian Cattle Co.
Location: 8178 Island Ford Road, Sherrills Ford, NC, 28673.
Farm-to-table restaurant Bohemian Cattle Co., opened in August, then closed permanently at the end of September over a conflict with Catawba County health inspectors. Catawba County said it was concerned about food safety and public health at the 64-acre regional attraction.
BW Sweets
Location: 5820 E W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28215
BW Sweets Bakery, which was created in 2011, closed its retail locations. “In this ever changing world, as a business owner, we must constantly look for ways to maintain and expand our business while navigating the rising costs of goods and services and payroll. An opportunity has presented itself, one that will change the trajectory of BW Sweets Bakery forever,” it said in an Instagram post. Later in the year, owner Frankie White introduced a new venture, Destination Sweets.
Cabarrus Creamery
Location: 21 Union St S #5009, Concord, NC 28025
Cabarrus Creamery, which opened back in 1923, announced its closure — at least temporarily — because of ongoing development in downtown Concord. “The sad reality is, our business has been struggling due to the street closures and the construction all around us,” the team announced on social media. Its owners planned to consider reopening in the spring.
Cantina 1511
Location: 4271 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 120 Marketplace Ave D, Mooresville, NC 28117
Cantina 1511, a longtime staple, has closed its two remaining restaurants in Charlotte and Mooresville. “Due to circumstances beyond our control, we regret to announce that Cantina 1511 will not be opening for service today,” a post said on the Charlotte restaurant’s Facebook page on Aug. 7. It has not reopened.
Catawba Brewing Co.
Location: 933 Louise Ave #105, Charlotte, NC 28204
Catawba Brewing Co. permanently closed its Charlotte location in the Belmont neighborhood in August. “Thank you for the years of support. You are the best part of us. Thank you for entrusting us with your first dates, wedding receptions, first birthdays, friend get-togethers, and more,” a sign placed on the brewery said.
Cloud Bar by David Burke/Red Salt By David Burke
Location: Le Méridien hotel, 555 S McDowell St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Red Salt by David Burke and Cloud Bar by David Burke, both situated inside the Le Méridien hotel, have closed. The rooftop lounge will remain open and the hotel will still serve cocktails and light food fare while the team at Le Méridien reinvents the spaces, according to David Burke Hospitality Management.
Dogwood: A Southern Table & Bar
Location: 4905 Ashley Park Ln, Charlotte, NC 28210
Dogwood: A Southern Table & Bar, which opened in 2014, closed in August. “We are sad to say goodbye to this homegrown concept, but we are extremely proud of Dogwood and the almost nine years we’ve shared with our guests and team there,” Jon Dressler, co-owner of Rare Roots Hospitality, said in a statement emailed to CharlotteFive. Celebrity chef and restaurateur David Burke took over the space and brought in The Fox & Falcon.
Dollar Cone
Location: 4021 Weddington Rd (Hwy 84) Monroe, NC 28110 (closed)
Location: Caffiend Coffee Shop, 5910 Waxhaw Hwy, Suite D, Waxhaw, NC 28108 (opening early 2024)
Dollar Cone, an ice cream shop in Monroe that closed in March, reopened in July with new owners. Longtime customers Pam and Jeff LeBlanc added new food items to the original menu and creating a renovated, colorful space at Dollar Cone. The new owners also introduced a kid-size $1 cone in keeping the tradition of the name. But the space soon closed again, due to electrical issues. In November, the team announced an early 2024 move to Mineral Springs inside a shared space with Caffiend Coffee Shop.
Dressler’s - Huntersville
Location: 8630 Lindholm Dr, Huntersville, NC 28078
Dressler’s Restaurant at Birkdale Village closed on Sept. 26, and renovations are underway to transform the space into one of its sister concepts, Fin & Fino, by early 2024. “With all of the exciting changes coming to Birkdale Village, we feel it is time to bring in something new ourselves,” owner Jon Dressler said.
The Dunavant
Location: 2322 Dunavant St #200, Charlotte, NC 28203
South End staple The Dunavant closed permanently over Labor Day weekend after it was bought out of its lease. “Thank you so much Charlotte for letting us into your lives, it was a pleasure to serve you.” The Dunavant posted on social media.
Dust Off Brewing Company
Location: 30 W White St, Rock Hill, SC 29730
Veteran-owned Dust Off Brewing in Rock Hill announced via Facebook in October that its doors were shutting permanently. “It has not been an easy decision to make and we appreciate your support over the last five years,” the post reads.
Egg Cafe - Huntersville
Location: 9525 Birkdale Crossing Dr #101, Huntersville, NC 28078
The Egg Cafe in Huntersville has been sold and is now operating as Rise Cafe. But the Lake Norman restaurant’s customers won’t see too much change in the switch. Egg Cafe owner Robert McCrary told CharlotteFive that his plans to expand with new locations of The Crazy Pig led to the move. “We decided to close one door so we could open 2 more and give some young entrepreneurs a chance to own a cute little cafe.” McCrary and his wife still own the Egg Cafe location in Davidson.
Emmet’s Social Table - Fort Mill
Location: 100 Main St, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Emmet’s Social Table closed its Fort Mill location on July 9, citing the difficulty of operating its small plate concept with the restaurant’s size and staffing. Its Waxhaw location will remain open, and a new concept for the space from the same owners, Center Theatre Pizza & Ice Cream, opened in its place.
Famous Toastery - Colony Road
Location: 7741 Colony Road, Charlotte, NC 28226
A Famous Toastery restaurant in south Charlotte permanently closed just six months after opening in June. The location was testing a smaller footprint for Famous Toastery, company president Mike Sebazco said in a statement to The Charlotte Observer. “(We) quickly learned that this space was simply not large enough,” Sebazco said.
Fat Cat Burgers & Bakeshop
Location: 2410 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Longtime restaurateur Fran Scibelli’s Fat Cat Burgers + Bakeshop was closed abruptly in mid-November. “Thank you Charlotte for allowing me to serve you for 14 terrific years in Dilworth!,” Scibelli said on social media.
Fuel Pizza
Location: 1801 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Fuel Pizza’s South End location closed in March amid a trend of rising rents in the area. Its original location on Central Avenue remains open.
Green’s Lunch
Location: 309 W 4th St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Green’s Lunch, which has been open in Charlotte since 1926, announced it would close Wednesday, June 28. The restaurant had suffered a spate of challenges, including the sale of its building and the February death of co-owner Pete Sikiotis, who took over running the restaurant with his wife, Joanna Sikiotis, in the 1980s after his father-in-law’s retirement.
Gus’ Sir Beef
Location: 4101 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Gus’ Sir Beef, a Charlotte staple since 1969 and the city’s first farm-to-table restaurant, announced it would close permanently as owner Thrace Bacogeorge has struggled with a knee injury. On Monday, April 10, Bacogeorge posted the news on Facebook, saying: “This is one of the hardest moments of my life, and I am sorry it took so long to post.”
The Hideaway LKN
Location: 20910 Torrence Chapel Rd, D7, Cornelius, NC 28031
The Dive Bar, which has locations in Mooresville and Hickory, took over The Hideaway LKN space in October and planned a short closure to rebrand with a focus on arcade gaming. Another new location in High Point is opening Dec. 27.
Hot Box Next Level Kitchen
Location: 165 Brumley Ave NE Suite 3001, Concord, NC 28025
Hot Box Next Level Kitchen is closing Sept. 30 inside Southern Strain Brewing. Chef and owner Michael Bowling cited health issues combined with rising costs and waning sales. “It breaks my heart to see this project end, but if I am going to stay alive to see my grandbabies grow up, I must step back,” he said.
Hot Mess
Location: 416 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036
Davidson Ice House closed on New Year’s Eve to transform into a new concept — Hot Mess — serving burgers, bowls and lobster rolls. Chef and owner Jennifer Brulé and Robert Maynard, CEO of Won Life Holdings and co-founder and CEO of Famous Toastery, teamed up on the venture that opened April 20. The restaurant closed a few weeks afterward, intending for the move to be temporary, but it didn’t reopen.
La’Wan’s Soul Food
Location: 7520 S Tryon St #19, Charlotte, NC 28217
Family-owned La’Wan’s Soul Food Restaurant closed in August after 23 years in operation, a few months after the death of co-owner Kenneth “Kenny” Adams, who had fought a three-year battle with colorectal cancer. The well-known spot specialized in dishes like grilled pork chops and barbecue turkey ribs.
Lincoln’s Haberdashery
Location: 1300 South Blvd suite s, Charlotte, NC 28203
Lincoln’s Haberdashery closed in early October, shortly after the death of its chef and owner, Michael Shortino. A new concept paying homage to him will be taking its place in the South End space.
Loretta’s
Location: 8500 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226
The French Creole restaurant featuring live music opened this spring at the former Fox & Hound sports bar site for full-service dining. The menu included shrimp and grits, jambalaya and duck poutine before it closed in July, citing HVAC issues.
The Lost Cajun
Location: Northcross Shopping Center, 9709-A Sam Furr Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
The Lost Cajun closed permanently on Jan. 29, citing the “continuing impact on guest traffic from COVID and, now, the inflationary economy.” A note posted via Facebook added, “Thank you for all your support during these past few difficult years.”
LuLu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood
Location: 2308 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
The Central Avenue location of Lulu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood closed at the beginning of 2023 after being open for less than a year, citing challenges with the supply chain (including problems getting crab for its signature crab cakes), staffing and other operational roadblocks. The restaurant’s original location on Tuckaseegee Road has reopened as Lulu’s Express Fry House after a temporary closure for renovations and rebranding.
My Cuban Corner
Location: 417 Catawba St, Belmont, NC, 28012
My Cuban Corner — which opened in spring 2023 to serve Cuban favorites such as croquettas, pan con bistec and cafe con leche — closed in October. Owner Nicole Montero cited conflicts with the building’s landlord over HVAC problems, electrical and plumbing issues.
Paper Plane Deli & Market
Location: 933 Louise Ave., Unit 301, Charlotte, NC 28204
Paper Plane Deli + Market permanently closed up shop in its Belmont neighborhood space Sept, 30, and its employees moved to sister restaurant Dish. “We’re sad to leave our home in Belmont and to say goodbye to our regulars and day-one fans, but it’s time to move on to the next adventure,” owner Amanda Cranford said. Late in the year, Sandwich Max moved into the space.
Piper’s Tavern at Lake Norman
Location: 17044 Kenton Dr Cornelius, NC 28031
The 20-year-old Irish tavern that was built in Ireland and reconstructed in Cornelius at Lake Norman closed on Jan. 1 , but said a new concept was on the way. “Piper’s Tavern at Lake Norman is closed permanently, and we thank you for being a great guest,” a message on the tavern’s voicemail said. “Look out for the new concept this spring.” In November, Ed’s Tavern opened in the space.
Papi’s Puerto Rican Cuisine
Location: McCullough Commons, 440 E McCullough Dr Suite 123, Charlotte, NC 28262
Family owned Papi’s Puerto Rican Cuisine in Charlotte’s University City area closed May 27 to make a move to catering after just under four years in business, citing overhead costs and staffing challenges. Chef and owner Tara Quiñonés told CharlotteFive that she would continue to offer the restaurant’s food via catering.
Plant Joy
Location: 1801 N Graham St #101, Charlotte, NC 28206
Plant Joy announced that its food stall at Camp North End was closing after nearly three years in mid-October, and another vegan restaurant that got its start as a food truck — Soul Miner’s Garden — moved into the same space. “We can’t thank you enough for the support and love this community has shown us,” an Instagram post said.
Poplar Tapas
Location: 224 W 10th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
The owners of Poplar Tapas announced the restaurant would close permanently Oct. 7. Co-owners Lucia Zapata Griffith and Bruno Macchiavello said a new concept in a new spot is in the works. Later on, acclaimed restaurateur and chef Sam Hart announced he would open Spaghett in the Poplar Tapas space.
The Press Box Bar & Grill
Location: 9609 N Tryon St A, Charlotte, NC 28262
University City nightlife venue The Press Box Bar & Grill announced it was closing to make way for development. “It’s the end of an exciting era,” Press Box management posted to the bar’s social media pages. “We’re filled with deep regrets to announce that The Press Box will be closing its doors. We’ve shared so many incredible memories over the years, and we’re truly grateful for the support you’ve shown us.”
Red Rocks Cafe: Red Stone
Location: Red Stone, 9648 Red Stone Dr, Indian Land, SC 29707
The Red Rocks Cafe location in Red Stone closed toward the end of the year, posting a note on its website saying, “After years of serving the Red Stone area, we regret to inform our guests that our location at Red Stone Shopping Center has closed. It has been our pleasure to serve the Indian Land area.” Soon afterward, AROMA Indian Grill & Bar opened in its place.
RePour CLT
Location: 932 Seigle Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
RePour shut down in early January, posting on Instagram and Facebook: “RePour has officially closed … thank you to all who supported us! On to new and exciting things!!”
The Royal Tot
Location: 933 Louise Ave., Suite 350 Charlotte, NC 28204
Tiki bar The Royal Tot in Charlotte’s Belmont neighborhood closed in late May with an announcement on Instagram. “Closed as of may 2023. Thank you to everyone who loved and supported us,” the message on The Royal Tot’s profile read. It reopened under new ownership shortly afterward.
Sandwich Max
Location: 1601 S. Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203 (now reopening at 933 Louise Ave., Unit 301, Charlotte, NC 28204)
Sandwich Max’s building was sold and slated for apartments, leading the sandwich shop’s last location to close April 12. The business moved to a ghost kitchen concept via South End Eats with the hope of eventually finding a new brick-and-mortar space. The plan came to fruition in December, with the restaurant closing its ghost kitchen location and working on reopening in the former Paper Plane location.
True Crafted Pizza
Location: StoneCrest at Piper Glen, 7828 Rea Rd F, Charlotte, NC 28277
True Crafted Pizza closed its StoneCrest pizzeria at the end of May, citing an expiring lease. The restaurant does plan to search for a new location, however, and will continue catering through its Big Red Pizza Truck.
Urban Sweets
Location: 222 West Blvd #S114, Charlotte, NC 28203
Urban Sweets closed its South End ice cream shop in late December, but planned to remain a presence in Charlotte’s dessert scene. “We’ll still be around for events (we had three this week) and will be popping up and collaborating lots in 2024,” the shop posted via Instagram.
VANA
Location: 1440 South Tryon St., Suite 100, Charlotte NC 28203
VANA in Charlotte’s South End closed, and the team from nearby bar Vinyl has taken over the space to open a new concept in 2024.
What the Fries
Location: 10707 Park Road, Suite F, Charlotte, NC 28210
What the Fries, which had both a brick-and-mortar restaurant and a food truck, closed both operations, although you could occasionally find it via pop-up. Later in the year, the restaurant returned at City Kitch West End.
White Duck Taco Shop
Location: 1020 E 10th St, Suite 3, Charlotte, NC 28204
Asheville-based White Duck Taco Shop closed its Belmont neighborhood location in Charlotte for good in November, after a temporary closure. It said its Matthews location — which closed after a fire — would reopen in spring 2024, however.
Wild Wing Cafe
Location: Ayrsley, 2132 Ayrsley Town Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273
Wild Wing Cafe’s Ayrsley’s location quietly closed in February, followed by other locations later in the year, the Charlotte Observer’s Catherine Muccigrosso reported.
Your Mom’s Donuts
Location: 11025 Monroe Rd, Matthews, NC 28105
Location: Park Road Shopping Center, 4205 Park Road Charlotte, NC 28209
Your Mom’s Donuts, a Charlotte-area favorite known for its square doughnuts and inventive flavors, planed a Feb. 5 closure. Owner Courtney Ahern said, “We’ll just miss 10 years by a few short months. In food and bev, I’m pretty sure that’s several lifetimes.” However, the business sprung back to life about a month later — under new ownership by Dustin and Colleen Wanemacher.
Melissa Oyler, Catherine Muccigrosso, Joe Marusak, Chyna Blackmon and Shannon Greene contributed to this article.
This story was originally published January 27, 2023 at 5:45 AM.
