What's In Store

Surveying the retail landscape in the Charlotte region and beyond

Four locations in five years: What’s behind the fast growth of Rhino Market?

about 18 hours ago

A rendering of the RailYard towers under construction in Charlotte’s South End. Rhino Market will open at the RailYard in summer 2019.

about 1 day ago The popular Charlotte startup Skillpop is expanding into a renovated former textile mill in Davidson. This will be the company’s fifth location. Classes will be listed starting Aug. 28.

Food Lion will take over the former 201central beer and wine store in Huntersville. The store is at 13108 Eastfield Road.

about 5 days ago A Food Lion grocery store will open in the space that was previously occupied by Harris Teeter’s 201central wine and beer store in Huntersville. The 201central store closed in February.

FILE - In this May 26, 2009 file photo, a woman walks past a Staples office supply store in Danvers, Mass. Staples on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015 announced it is buying Office Depot in a cash-and-stock deal valued at nearly $6 billion. (AP Photo/Lisa Poole, File)

about 6 days ago Starting Aug. 16, airline travelers who want to have shorter lines at the airport can enroll in the TSA PreCheck program at the Staples store in south Charlotte. It’s the only Staples store in NC with this option.

Publix shoppers may have noticed some new signage that’s popped up recently in Charlotte stores.

about 1 week ago Publix supermarkets in Charlotte are reminding customers that only specially trained animals are allowed in the store. Other grocers do the same.

The longtime local gift shop City Art Works is relocating from its 22,000 space on Woodlawn Road.

about 1 week ago The longtime local gift shop City Art Works in Charlotte NC has outgrown its spot across from Park Road Shopping Center and will be relocating in a few months.

After less than two years in operation in Charlotte, Durham-based Rise Biscuits Donuts has closed both of its local stores.

about 1 week ago After less than two years in operation in Charlotte, NC, Durham-based Rise Biscuits Donuts has closed its local shops in Ballantyne and Steele Creek. Founded in Durham, Rise operates nine NC locations

Lyft has rolled out a subscription option in Charlotte that lets customers lock in consistent prices for their commonly traveled routes.

about 2 weeks ago Lyft has rolled out a subscription option, called the “Personal Plan,” in Charlotte that lets customers lock in consistent prices for their commonly traveled routes.

about 2 weeks ago German grocer Lidl will open its latest Charlotte-area store Aug. 22 at 8 a.m. in Indian Trail. The newly constructed store at 14600 E Independence Blvd. is Lidl’s fifth one in the Charlotte region.

about 3 weeks ago Kate Spade is opening an outlet this September at Concord Mills mall. The upscale design company, which sells women’s clothing and accessories, will be across from H&M.

A wellness center called The Invigory and an arch support retailer called The Good Feet Store are the latest tenants that will open in the Waverly development in south Charlotte.

about 3 weeks ago A wellness center called The Invigory and an arch support retailer called The Good Feet Store are the latest tenants that will open in the Waverly development in south Charlotte.

Rhino Market will open its third location early next year on North Davidson Street, in the same building as Free Range Brewing, according to Rhino owner Rob Rondelez, pictured above at his original market at 1500 W. Morehead St.

about 3 weeks ago Rhino Market will open its third location early next year on North Davidson Street, in the same building as Free Range Brewing in the fast-growing Villa Heights neighborhood.

Harris Teeter introduced a credit card Monday that offers shoppers perks for purchases they make at Harris Teeter stores, as well as at anywhere else Mastercard is accepted.

about 3 weeks ago To reward loyal customers, Harris Teeter is launching a credit card that offers shoppers perks for purchases they make at Harris Teeter stores, as well as at anywhere else Mastercard is accepted.

Goodwill is opening a GW boutique in lower South End.

about 1 month ago Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is opening a second GW boutique July 20 in lower South End. The boutique sells trendy designer clothing at discounted prices.

about 1 month ago A promotion at Build-A-Bear stores in Charlotte Thursday morning turned out to be much more popular than planned, drawing lines of hundreds of customers in a Black Friday-like frenzy at Carolina Place Mall and Concord Mills.

The German grocer Aldi is opening two new local stores, in Charlotte and in Huntersville.

about 1 month ago An Aldi store in Charlotte at the corner of Rama and Idlewild/Monroe roads will open in 2019. A new Aldi store in Huntersville — at 14126 S. Statesville Road, near the Gilead Road intersection — will open this fall.

The new midtown building at 209 S. Kings Drive, across from Target and BJ's.

about 1 month ago A midtown building under construction will house four national tenants that recently signed leases: CorePower Yoga, The Habit Burger Grill, Verizon Wireless and Bishops Cuts & Color.

As part of a plan to close 15 underperforming stores nationwide, Fresh Market will soon close its north Charlotte store on Prosperity Church Road.

about 1 month ago As part of a plan to close 15 underperforming stores nationwide, The Fresh Market will soon close its North Charlotte store on Prosperity Church Road.

Showmars, a Greek restaurant chain that first opened in Matthews, is expanding its footprint.

Katie Peralta covers retail and breaking business news for the Charlotte Observer. She previously wrote about the U.S. economy from inside the Beltway. If you have a tip or story idea, you can reach Katie at 704-358-5079 or by email. She's also on twitter: @katieperalta.