What’s in Store

Six openings shape the evolving Charlotte-area mall scene in 2025

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Charlotte malls are seeing a wave of new openings, adding more options for shoppers and diners. Gibson Mill Market in Concord will welcome Piatto Fresco, a Mediterranean eatery, and Gelato di Luna, known for Italian desserts. Over at Concord Mills, shoppers can explore the new Cavender’s Boot City and attend the Tianyu Lights lantern festival.

At SouthPark, luxury brands like Bally and Boss are joining, while Zara plans its first North Carolina store in the mall by 2026. Belk is also expanding with new outlet stores at Eastridge Mall in Gastonia and other locations, bringing more deals to the region.

NO. 1: TRENDY FASHION RETAILER ZARA IS MAKING ITS NC DEBUT IN CHARLOTTE, REPORT SAYS

The popular fast-fashion store from Spain is expanding in the U.S. | Published March 17, 2023 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

NO. 2: HERE’S WHAT’S NEW AT SOUTHPARK MALL, CONCORD MILLS AND CHARLOTTE PREMIUM OUTLETS

All three Simon shopping centers have seen recent openings with more planned. | Published February 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

NO. 3: AMERICAN FASHION DESIGNER COUPLE TO MAKE NC DEBUT WITH CHARLOTTE STORES IN SOUTHPARK

The husband-and-wife duo opened their first store in 2007 in Atlanta. | Published November 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

Belk Outlet store in Greeneville, Tennessee, sells clearance items from larger Belk stores.

NO. 4: BELK OPENING MORE OUTLET STORES IN NC, INCLUDING NEAR CHARLOTTE AND RALEIGH

The Charlotte-based department store chain opened its first outlet store in 2023. | Published February 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

Gibson Mill Market in Concord is expanding its lineup in May with two new additions: Piatto Fresco, a Mediterranean eatery, and Gelato di Luna, a gelato shop from the owner of Taco Street. By Catherine Muccigrosso

NO. 5: TWO EATERIES TO DEBUT, ADDING NEW FLAVORS TO GIBSON MILL MARKET FOOD HALL IN CONCORD

The market was the city’s first food hall, opening three years ago in a repurposed mill. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

Tianyu Lights Festival is on exhibit at Concord Mills mall. By www.devinpense.com

NO. 6: CONCORD MILLS EXPANDS LINEUP WITH LANTERN FESTIVAL, NEW STORES AND RESCUED TURTLE

The Simon mall expands to 190 stores, plus a new limited time exhibit. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.