Uptown restaurants are fed up, forced to close early after violence at big events

After Malik Lloyd’s shift ended on New Year’s Eve at Mellow Mushroom, across from Romare Bearden Park in uptown Charlotte, he headed to his car in a nearby garage when he heard a commotion from the park.

He assumed the pops he heard were fireworks, he said, until he saw crowds of people running down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. “I was nervous because of how many people were on the streets,” he said.

Five people were shot just before midnight Sunday in Romare Bearden Park, and police said Daevion Crawford, 19, is facing charges in the New Year’s Eve shooting.

It’s the latest high-profile incident at the park during a holiday gathering. Some business people said they are getting fed up with the violence and are closing their restaurants early or not opening at all during those times.

All the violence also could taint people’s perception of uptown, said Angelo Tsepelis, general manager of The French Quarter restaurant across from the park.

“It’s gonna hurt business if you’re having these kinds of problems,” Tsepelis said. “People are not going to come into the city. It’s not good for downtown Charlotte.”

Uptown restaurant won’t open during big events

In fact, The French Quarter is no longer open during big holiday events because of what happened on July 4th, Tsepelis said. Police arrested 17 juveniles and cited 15 parents or guardians after a brawl broke out across the street at the park, as tens of thousands gathered for the Charlotte Knights’ holiday fireworks show at Truist Field.

“We don’t open anymore. It’s just trouble,” Tsepelis said. We don’t want to deal with issues.”

Regarding Sunday’s shooting, he said, “It literally happened right in front of the restaurant. We have windows. What if a customer is sitting in the window and gets hit by crossfire?”

But criminal behavior at the park isn’t isolated to holiday events.

There have been fights between youths in the park during summer, Tsepelis said, and other incidents, including the November shooting of two teen girls near the park. Three teens were charged in that case.

Unruly teens a growing problem for some

Chex Grill & Wings opened three years ago on South Tryon Street, kitty-corner from the park. The late-night restaurant closed early on New Year’s Eve because of what is becoming an increasingly stressful problem — unruly teens, according to general manager Saad Alkahlout.

On Sunday, Alkahlout was handling security for seven hours, locking the door as customers came in and out. Then, some teens unlocked a door and let others in. They were dancing in the dining room and smoking and vaping in the bathroom.

“They ignore my requests to leave,” he said. “It drives customers away.”

It’s becoming an increasing problem, Alkahlout said, especially on weekends when he has to call police for help. Along with business, it’s affecting employment. Three employees recently quit, including one who had a drink thrown at him, Alkahlout said.

Even a security guard quit.

“Every year it’s worse and worse,” he said. “You don’t want to die because of kids.”

Alkahlout would like to see increased police presence, maybe a patrol car parked out front and another near the park.

“I hope something is going to change,” Alkahlout said. “It’s too much.”

More safety aware

Next door to Chex Grill, Rhino Market & Deli managers said they haven’t experienced the same problems as their neighbor. Since the pandemic, the market closes two hours earlier at 9 p.m.

Rhino night manager Guthrie Howard said he worked the day of New Year’s Eve. “I didn’t feel like I wasn’t safe,” he said. “Maybe if I was here later I would have.”

Over at Brevard Court near The French Quarter restaurant, Courtyard Hooligans bartender Jabari Kelly was working on New Year’s Eve. He wasn’t aware of what was happening at the time. Kelly has worked at the sports bar for over two years and said, “I definitely feel safe.”

Still others like Tedrick Spicer, manager of Day & Night Cereal Bar, said even though he feels safe, he’s more alert.

“I check my surroundings and look behind me” when walking to his car, he said. “I would feel more protected if there were more police officers around, especially on the holidays.”

At Mellow Mushroom during large events at Romare Bearden Park, employees leave in pairs or more as a safety precaution, Lloyd said.

Lloyd, a Charlotte native who has worked at Mellow Mushroom for about two months, said the New Year’s Eve shooting and other incidents in the park have made him more anxious and a lot more aware of his surroundings.

Still, he said, “I feel like CMPD did a really good job. I have no reason to fear for my life.”

This story was originally published January 5, 2024 at 6:00 AM.