Brooks’ Sandwich Shop, ‘but on wheels’: What will happen after the NoDa land is sold
The property that belongs to Brooks’ Sandwich House in Charlotte is officially for sale. The future of the restaurant, a staple at the edge of NoDa since 1973, remains up in the air.
The restaurant currently has no plans to close, its real estate team told CharlotteFive on Tuesday evening. Owner David Brooks did tell the Charlotte Business Journal on Wednesday that he is ready to retire and plans to close the restaurant once the land is sold, turning over any future plans to his children.
The team already has begun planning its next steps, too. “We aren’t sold!! But we are selling!! We will be sure to let everyone know when that happens,” Brooks’ posted on Instagram on Thursday morning. “But as of now, get Brooks’ while you can! Until we’re sold we’re not leaving!!!!”
Once the land is sold, the rest of the team plans to open food trucks, the post explains. “Will make sure you can still get your chili fix! It’ll be just like Brooks’ but on wheels! David just wants to retire and put some hours on a fishing pole! The Brooks’ business will continue! Just in a different form! We love you all so much! And appreciate every single one of you!!”
Commercial real estate firm The Nichols Company broker Lauren Bremer told CharlotteFive on Tuesday that the Brooks family feels the land is more valuable as a developed property. They’d rather see that land go to good use.
“Listen, the whole city knows the lot is for sale. There’s no hiding it at this point. Let’s just put a sign out front,” Bremer said Brooks told her. In May, the family was considering a sale of its property.
The news of the land sale was originally reported by Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC.
On Wednesday just after 1 p.m., the line for the lunchtime crowd curled around to the street, with customers waiting to order double cheeseburgers or chili cheese dogs.
The Nichols Company’s John Nichols said the property, which is zoned as transit oriented development, includes about an acre — and the little building that houses the restaurant only takes up about 500 square feet. One possibility is a mixed-use project, with the restaurant moving back in once any new development is complete, he told CharlotteFive.
Over the years, Nicols said that developers have noticed the small building next to a big parking lot, so they have periodically called the Brooks family to ask about selling it.
The land hasn’t been priced yet, Nicols said.
“We’re just trying to find out what’s best for them, first and foremost. They’re probably the longest standing business over there these days. It’s a family business, they’ve been there a long time.”
On June 24, the restaurant celebrated 50 years of business, serving burgers, hot dogs and fried bologna sandwiches.
“We’re just kind of exploring all options,” Nicols said. His firm is focused on helping small business owners as they make changes.
Nicols formerly owned the Pinky’s restaurant property in Wesley Heights — he sold it to the restaurant and is also responsible for helping the VW bug remain on top of the building. His firm also helped sell the Mr. K’s property, which allowed the owner to retire.
A Charlotte classic since 1973
The restaurant has been a staple in Charlotte since its founding in 1973 by the late Calvin “CT” Brooks Jr. Later on his twin sons David and Scott ran the business together until 2019, when Scott Brooks was killed while opening the cash-only restaurant.
Since then, the family has carried on with Scott’s trademark saying, “Too blessed to be stressed.”
This story is developing and may be updated.
Brooks’ Sandwich House
Location: 2710 N. Brevard St., Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: American, burgers
Instagram: @brookssandwichhouse
This story was originally published November 7, 2023 at 7:36 PM.
