What’s in Store

Birkdale Village redevelopment brings in a new restaurant, several stores. What to know

A seafood restaurant and three other stores will open next year at Birkdale Village in Huntersville, north of Charlotte, as a longtime restaurant expands.

Chicago-based Brown Bag Seafood Co. is a fast-casual, counter-service restaurant. It is expected to open early next summer, real estate company North American Properties that owns Birkdale Village said in a news release Thursday.

Customers choose from a variety of seafood, such as grilled salmon, shrimp or rotating daily catch, as well as chicken, vegetarian and vegan options.

Last year, Brown Bag Seafood owner Donna Lee expanded the seven-year-old concept outside of Chicago by opening two stores in Atlanta. Next year, Lee plans to open at least three Charlotte-area locations, North American Properties said.

Another restaurant at Birkdale Village also is making changes. Locally-owned eeZ Fusion & Sushi, which opened at Birkdale Village 16 years, is preparing to expand with a complete renovation, according to the news release.

Brown Bag Seafood Co., fast-casual, counter-service restaurant based in Chicago, will debut in North Carolina opening early next year at Birkdale Village in Huntersville, north of Charlotte.
Brown Bag Seafood Co., fast-casual, counter-service restaurant based in Chicago, will debut in North Carolina opening early next year at Birkdale Village in Huntersville, north of Charlotte. North American Properties

The new stores coming to Birkdale Village

Three other retailers also will join the mix, North American Properties said: Apricot Lane, Girl Supply and Lovesac.

It’s all part of the center’s redevelopment plan to bring in more smaller-format stores, including chef-drive restaurants and pop-up shops.

The company does not disclose the investment amount.

Girl Supply, from Girl Tribe Co. and Girl Tribe Pop-Up, will open in February at Birkdale Village in Huntersville, north of Charlotte.
Girl Supply, from Girl Tribe Co. and Girl Tribe Pop-Up, will open in February at Birkdale Village in Huntersville, north of Charlotte. North American Properties

Birkdale Village’s transformation will include a mix of dining, fashion, home goods and self-care in one connected location, said Adam Schwegman, NAP partner and senior vice president of leasing.

The new retailers will join other recent additions Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop, Sephora and Kendra Scott. Previously announced Green Brothers Juice Co. is expected to open in the spring.

More about those new stores

Here’s what we know about the other three new retailers and when they’ll open:

Apricot Lane, a women’s fashion franchise, will open its third North Carolina location in February. There’s also a location is in south Charlotte on Rae Road and the other in Morehead City. The boutique sells women’s apparel, jewelry, handbags, accessories and gifts. Apricot Lane at Birkdale Village will be owned and operated by mother and daughter Georgina and Leah Susswell of Huntersville.

Girl Supply, from Girl Tribe Co. and Girl Tribe Pop-Up founders Sarah Baucom and Carrie Barker, will open in February. Girl Supply supports and features women-owned businesses exclusively.

Lovesac, a modular furniture company based in Connecticut will open its third North Carolina location at Birkdale Village in the spring. The company sells couches called Sactionals, beanbag chairs called Sacs, and home décor accessories and home audio.

Lovesac, a modular furniture company based in Connecticut, will open at Birkdale Village in Huntersville.
Lovesac, a modular furniture company based in Connecticut, will open at Birkdale Village in Huntersville. North American Properties

More about Birkdale Village

Birkdale Village has more than 60 other stores and restaurants including Regal Cinemas, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Barnes & Noble and Total Wine & More.

Along with 250,000 square feet of retail, Birkdale Village has 320 apartments and 50,000 square feet of office space. Birkdale Village was built in the early 2000s by Crosland and Pappas Properties in Charlotte.

A new plaza for outdoor concerts and events is part of the redevelopment plan at Birkdale Village in Huntersville.
A new plaza for outdoor concerts and events is part of the redevelopment plan at Birkdale Village in Huntersville. North American Properties

In October, North American Properties got town approval for its redevelopment plan of Birkdale Village to enhance walkability and connectivity. The project is expected to break ground in late 2022, with construction to be completed by summer.

North Carolina Properties is a privately held, multi-regional real estate company is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and manages more than $7 billion in properties across U.S.

This story was originally published December 16, 2021 at 4:10 PM.

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