It was named Charlotte’s best coffee shop. Now, it’s suddenly forced to close
A Charlotte coffee shop has shut its doors after the owner said it was suddenly booted from its spot.
CHNO Coffee, a woman-owned coffee shop and mobile espresso bar, was listed as “temporarily closed” as of Tuesday, Oct. 28, according to Google and the business’s Instagram page.
In an update, owner Carlea Recinos said the “decision came out of nowhere.” She posted a screenshot of the notice informing her that her business needed to vacate its space inside the Crown & Honey Boutique by Saturday, Nov. 1, citing “recent developments.”
“It’s devastating, especially this close to the holidays,” Recinos wrote on Instagram. “We’ve poured our hearts, time, & every bit of our finances into building CHNO inside that space — having it taken from us so abruptly has left us heartbroken & utterly confused.”
CHNO was one of several vendors within the family-run boutique on Morningside Drive in Chantilly. Just last year, it was crowned Best Coffee Shop in the city in The Charlotte Observer’s Charlotte’s Best awards.
The reason for CHNO’s sudden removal wasn’t made public. Amanda Dwiggins, co-owner of Crown & Honey Boutique pointed to an “increasing number of contract violations” and “overstepping of boundaries,” but didn’t elaborate.
“The accelerated termination was done to preserve the best interest of all vendors within our store,” Dwiggins told CharlotteFive via email, calling the decision “difficult.”
What’s next?
Recinos hinted that the vision for her coffee shop and the direction of the boutique “were no longer aligned,” but promised the departure isn’t the end of CHNO Coffee.
“Our family is choosing to see it as the push toward something new that is already waiting for us,” she told CharlotteFive.
“We’re already dreaming up what’s next & searching for the perfect new home where we can continue to grow & serve Charlotte the way we love most, in a space that radiates the warmth & sense of belonging that we want everyone who walks through our doors to feel.”
Until then, Recinos said CHNO Coffee will continue “popping up” around the city.
Local love for CHNO Coffee
Coffee lovers took to Instagram to drop words of encouragement as CHNO Coffee plans its next steps:
- “We’ll see you bloom in a place where your presence is respected and honored. Sending you a big, warm hug amiga,” La Bonbonniere Bakery wrote.
- “Something bigger and better is coming your way, I just know it 🫶🏼 I’ll be the first in line when you’re back open,” Millhause Sewing Co. commented.
- “We’ve never met but for every door that has been shut in my face - 1 or 2 even better ones opened quickly after in my business journey! ❤️ sending you love and strength to find your next big thing!” Shop KIKI wrote.
CHNO Coffee Co.
Location: 1110 Morningside Dr Suite E, Charlotte, NC 28205 (temporarily closed)
Cuisine: Coffee shop + mobile espresso bar
Instagram: @chnocoffee.co