Businesses near massive SouthPark fire start to close, as does health care site

A five-alarm fire in SouthPark Thursday morning has nearby businesses on alert, and some are closing early.

Tryon Medical Partners -Southpark, just west of the fire in the 7700 block of Liberty Row Drive, is closed for the day, according to the office’s Facebook page. Patients cannot safely access the office at 6060 Piedmont Row Drive, Tryon Medical said.

Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse SouthPark on Piedmont Row Drive about a block west of the blaze was told to evacuate by city of Charlotte officials due to the air quality, an employee answering the phone told The Charlotte Observer at noon. Leo’s Italian Social, also in Piedmont Town Center, had planned to open as usual at 11 a.m. but General Manager Victor Galu said the restaurant is closed after being told to evacuate.

Piedmont Town Center property manager Lincoln Harris said it received a Charlotte Mecklenburg Alert System from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to evacuate all areas near Fairview Road, Park South and Barclay Downs. “Do not delay evacuation,” the alert said.

Other businesses in the town center include Potbelly sandwich shop, Mal Pan Mexican, Tous Les Jours bakery, Peppervine and Bentley’s.

Nearby Ruth’s Chris Steak House at 6000 Fairview Road won’t open at 4 p.m. today and referred customers to the uptown location.

“Our thoughts on prayers are with all the companies and individuals involved, including the fire department. We will be open as soon as it’s safe for our guests and team members,” the steakhouse said on Instagram.

Talent Bridge, a job recruitment and temporary staffing office at 6100 Fairview Road, has also closed, according to the firm’s Facebook page.

“Our Charlotte office has been evacuated due to a significant fire event in an adjacent, under-construction building,” Talent Bridge said just after 10:45 a.m. “If you’re in the South Park Mall area, please take caution as there are multiple emergency vehicles in the vicinity.”

SouthPark mall remains open

Other nearby businesses remain open.

SouthPark mall, less than a half mile from the burning apartment buildings under construction and billowing smoke, is open, a mall official who answered the phone at 10:35 a.m. Thursday said.

The mall has not yet determined if it will close, as roads are closed nearby. As of 12:45 p.m., the mall remained open.

Despite road closings, 131 Main Restaurant plans to remain open at 5970 Fairview Road, a person answering the phone at 12:50 p.m. said. The restaurant is just west of Liberty Row Drive.

Panera Bread at 5940 Fairview Road told customers the store is closing at 2 p.m. Orders for pickup and delivery were not being accepted on the restaurant’s website after 1 p.m. with the next available time at 6:30 a.m. Friday.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill about 1 1/2 miles northeast of the fire, is open as usual, said host Devyn Beck at 11:30 a.m. However, she said expect traffic delays near the steakhouse due to road closures near the fire.

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This story was originally published May 18, 2023 at 11:21 AM.