Historic Dilworth store finally authorized for relocation now faces logistical challenge
At last, the 120-year-old Leeper & Wyatt building in Dilworth appears to be out of danger and the fear of losing yet another historic building in Charlotte is easing.
The city’s Historic District Commission recently signed off on a plan for a pair of restaurant owners to move the former grocery store, which had once faced demolition because of an apartment building project.
Restaurant owners Jeff Tonidandel and his wife Jamie Brown made plans to save the building at 1923 South Blvd. Their Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group would move it to an empty parking lot near the former Bonterra restaurant that they own at 1829 Cleveland Ave.
Charlotte City Council approved the request in October and meetings with the Historic District Commission followed. It was approved in mid-December following a presentation by Peadon Finein Architecture, the restaurant said.
The building at the edge of Dilworth and South End is one of about 400 historic landmarks in Mecklenburg County. It was a grocery store for more than 50 years and is the oldest brick commercial property in Dilworth.
Brown and Tonidandel took action to save the vacant space after Southern Land Company, a Nashville based developer and owner of the property, announced plans to build a high-rise apartment building on the corner of East Tremont Avenue and South Boulevard.
Tonidandel said they are pleased to move forward with the project after reaching a consensus with the district commission.
“We’re grateful for their efforts in maintaining the historic nature of of the Dilworth neighborhood, and we’re excited to begin the next phase of this project,” Tonidandel said in an email statement.
Official plans have not been made yet, but it may become a hospitality business.
What’s next for the Leeper & Wyatt building?
The restaurant will work with Southern Land in early 2024 to move the building across several lots and up to Cleveland Avenue which is 750 feet away.
Southern Land is planning to demo the South Boulevard site where Tyber Creek operates. The Leeper & Wyatt building will be left alone until it can be moved, the restaurant said.
A specific date has not been set for demolition or the move for the building.
Who else will be involved?
The effort will involve nearby property owners and will require “a massive” effort, according to Tonidandel and Brown. This includes Wolfe House & Building Movers, Duke Energy, nearby businesses, architects, engineers and masonry workers.
This story was originally published December 26, 2023 at 1:35 PM.
