Old west Charlotte cafeteria in line for historic designation
The building that once housed a big piece of Charlotte’s Black history could receive landmark status on Monday.
John McDonald, a Black entrepreneur born in Charlotte, started his well-known McDonald’s Cafeteria at 2023 Beatties Ford Rd. near LaSalle Street in 1970.
“That cafeteria was the heart of our community,” 82-year-old Elloree Erwin told the Observer’s Gordon Rago earlier this month. “Everybody met there.”
A Chase bank branch now occupies the site, but the building’s owner, developer Christopher Dennis, has asked the city for the historic designation.
The designation, if approved by Charlotte City Council, would give design review authority over the property to the city’s Historic Landmarks Commission. It does not, however, prevent demolition.
Council members on Monday also will revisit a discussion on restoring criminal penalties for some city ordinances after a new state law stripped the city’s authority for criminal enforcement in December.
Among the ordinances up for discussion is the city’s camping ban, which drew criticism from some council members and housing advocates for criminalizing homelessness, the Observer’s Lauren Lindstrom previously reported.
The council will review action items at 5 p.m. Monday, followed by its regular business meeting and public forum at 6 p.m. The meetings will be broadcast on the Government Channel and the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
Epicentre hearing
A court hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday over the foreclosure and planned sale of the Epicentre complex.
Once the focal point of nightlife in uptown, the three-story mix of retail, restaurants and entertainment venues fell into receivership after defaulting on its $85 million loan with lender Deutsche Bank Trust Co. in June, the Observer’s Catherine Muccigrosso previously reported.
During a video conference earlier this month, William Kirk Jr., a trustee in the foreclosure, said Epicentre is expected to be listed for sale but no time frame was given.
Bob Dylan in Charlotte
American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, 80, brings his “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour to Charlotte on Wednesday.
The show begins at 8 p.m. at Ovens Auditorium. Tickets start at $62.
And in case you missed it, after nearly 20 years since publishing his first book, Dylan plans to release another one this fall. “The Philosophy of Modern Song” is expected to go on sale Nov. 8, according to news reports. Dylan’s “Chronicles, Volume One” published in 2004.
County government
Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners: The board is not scheduled to meet until 5 p.m. on April 5.
Play ball at Knights Fest
For the first time since 2019, the Charlotte Knights are giving baseball fans a chance to play catch on their home field next weekend.
The minor league baseball team, the Class AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, will hold its Knights Fest at Truist Field at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $5, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the club’s charities.
Fans can bring their own gloves for a one-hour catch session, which will be followed by a media softball game. Face painters, balloon artists and inflatable games also will be available. And, of course, Homer The Dragon will be joining the fun.
More sports
▪ The Hornets’ postseason chances could hinge on their final eight regular-season games. They play Brooklyn in New York on Sunday night, then return to Charlotte for Monday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets. Trips to New York to face the Knicks on Wednesday, and Philadelphia to play the Sixers on Saturday round out the week. All games will be shown on Bally Sports Southeast.
▪ Charlotte FC heads to Philadelphia to take on the Union at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Watch the match on WSOC and Telemundo Charlotte.
▪ March Madness comes to an end next weekend. Duke and North Carolina entered Friday with a chance to head to New Orleans for men’s semifinals on Saturday. On the women’s side, South Carolina and North Carolina squared off Friday night. Could one reach the Final Four in Minneapolis on Friday?
▪ The Carolina Panthers need a quarterback of the future — again. Could they have an eye on former North Carolina standout Sam Howell, who grew up in Union County? Howell will have his pro day Monday morning.
From CharlotteFive
▪ Ticket prices for Untappd, the June 18 beer festival at Memorial Stadium, go up Monday. Info: https://bit.ly/354E16K
▪ Visit the free CRAFT Fest on Sunday at Sleepy Poet Antique Mall on South Boulevard. Info: https://bit.ly/3ivkbV3
▪ Second-round voting ends Monday at noon in C5’s search for the Charlotte area’s best doughnut. Cast a vote for your favorite place for the sweet treat at CharlotteFive.com.
Don’t Miss
▪ Paws in the Park will feature at least 15 dog rescue groups and shelters with dogs available for adoption, plus contests and entertainment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Pineville Lake Park.
▪ Rea Farms in south Charlotte will host its Where My Peeps At? festival celebrating the sweet Easter treats. Look for swag bags, peep hunts, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and a showing of “Peter Rabbit 2.” The event starts at 10 a.m.
▪
Compiled by Rogelio Aranda