Police escort former popular diner down streets of Charlotte to new home. What’s next

Under the cover of white plastic wrap, a 42,000-pound stainless steel building was moved Monday morning through the streets of Charlotte to its new spot in the Plaza Shamrock neighborhood.

It took less than 2 1/2 hours to escort Mattie’s Diner to its new home.

The 42-foot long, 16-foot wide and 11 1/2 foot high roadside diner building was moved by police escort from its storage site at the corner of Double Oaks and Newland roads to 3100 The Plaza, about 3 miles away.

Mattie’s Diner grew a following in its five years at its original location at the AvidXChange Music Factory, before closing six years ago.

Now, the restaurant that serves comfort foods like macaroni and cheese and fried chicken is expected to reopen in about eight weeks, owner Matt King exclusively told the Observer on Monday.

Simmons House Moving moved the diner onto blocks Monday and on Tuesday morning, it will be placed on its foundation by crane, King said.

A neighborhood gathering spot

Already nearby neighbors and diner fans have been showing support for Mattie’s Diner through social media and calls, King said. In January 2020, King told The Charlotte Observe he found a new home for his diner at the 0.37-acre property.

“Diners are neighborhood places to gather, where people can walk to,” King said.

The roadside diner has seating for about 40 people in booths and at the counter, King said. And The Plaza site will add another 90 seats.

The diner’s expansion plans include upfitting an existing building already at The Plaza that King said will attach to the diner.

In June, construction began on the former tire shop that will include the kitchen, bathrooms and garage doors opening into a second dining room with seating for up to 60 people. King said this will allow for large gathering spaces and party rental space.

A patio has seating for up to 30 people. King expects to hire about 30 full -and part-time employees.

About the diner building

King bought the 70-year-old former Bound Brook Diner building, complete with original jukeboxes, in 2005 after finding it in his home state of New Jersey in a used car lot.

He moved it to Charlotte and spent five years renovating before opening Mattie’s Diner in 2010.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership helped store the mobile portion of the diner when the restaurant closed six years ago to make way for plans at AvidXChange Music Factory.

Also new to the diner

The new location isn’t the only change diners will see at Mattie’s.

Along with original menu items like breakfast items pancakes and French toast, and favorites of meatloaf, fried chicken and milkshakes, healthier options will be added. That includes vegan sloppy joe and vegan meatloaf.

King said since closing Mattie’s, he continued catering and has grown more health conscious, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. He got certified as a personal trainer and is co-owner of The CLT Gym, which had opened the day before COVID-19 shutdowns.

“You’re not just stuck eating salad,” King said about Mattie’s Diner new menu.

This story was originally published September 13, 2021 at 2:47 PM.