The Commonwealth aims to be a shopping and restaurant destination in Plaza Midwood. | Rendering via Thrift Commercial Real Estate Services
Plaza Midwood is adding more players to its roster of options for dining, retail, and wellness. And they’ll be found in the heart of one of Charlotte’s most eclectic neighborhoods.
The Commonwealth, an upcoming 12-acre, mixed-use development located at Central and Pecan avenues, will gain four new tenants: Sweetgreen, Bartaco, Sweathouz, and sugaringLA.
Sweetgreen, a Los-Angeles-based fast-casual restaurant serving salads and grain bowls, is slated to open by the end of the year, marking its third location in Charlotte.
Get ready to make lunch plans when Sweetgreen opens at Commonwealth.
Anyone craving a more savory meal can visit Bartaco, a laid-back Mexican eatery dishing up tacos, rice bowls, and cocktails with a location now open at Birkdale Village in Huntersville.
Wellness advocates can rejuvenate with a cold plunge or feel the heat of an infrared sauna at Sweathouz or receive organic skincare visiting sugaringLA.
Drop in Art at Mint Museum Randolph | 5-8 p.m. | The Mint Museum Randolph | Free | Flex your creative muscles exploring fiber art, drawing, painting, and collage making.
Pre-Galentine’s Day at The Chamber | 6-9 p.m. | The Chamber by Wooden Robot - NoDa | Cost of purchase | Grab your besties and sip drink specials while crafting your own Valentine’s Day cards + peruse local vendors.
Thursday, Feb. 13
Valentine’s Dinner at the Founders Dairy Barn | 5-8:30 p.m. | Founders Dairy Barn at Dairy Barn Entrance | $200 per couple | Enjoy an atmospheric four-course prix fixe dinner, along with champagne and live music.
The Brit Pack: The Ultimate British Music Experience | 6 p.m. | Cain Center for the Arts, Cornelius | $35 | Rock to the band covering the spectrum of the UK’s musical best performers including The Beatles, The Who, and Rolling Stones.
Candlelight: Tribute to Queen | 6:45-8 p.m. | Great Aunt Stella Center | $32+ | Unleash your “Killer Queen” hearing the iconic band’s greatest hits performed under candlelight.
Valentine’s Day Dinner | 5 p.m. | Gallery Restaurant at The Ballantyne Hotel | $125 per person | Begin a romantic weekend with a four-course prix-fixe dinner + an optional sommelier-selected wine pairing for $52 per person.
Charlotte Symphony: Elgar’s Enigma Variations | 7:30 p.m. | Belk Theater | $11+ | Spend an elegant evening hearing a rousing rendition of Robert Schumann’s masterpiece “Piano Concerto.”
Saturday, April 26
6th Annual Kinetic Derby Day featuring iMAGINE | 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | State & Meeting Streets, West Columbia, SC | Free | Enjoy a day of creativity, competition, and family fun in West Columbia, featuring the Kinetic Sculpture Parade, soapbox races, and the iMAGINE STEAM Festival.*
Clark’s Snack Bar is coming to Plaza Midwood. The comfort food concept will occupy the space where Good Wurst Co. recently closed at 3001 Central Ave. A tentative opening date is slated for mid-March. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Civic
Charlotte City Council approved a $93 million financing plan for the Norfolk Southern O-Line corridor. It’s a critical next step in the Red Line commuter rail project — a future passenger train service between Charlotte and the Lake Norman region. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 24. (WCNC)
Job
DetraPel, Inc. is moving its headquarters to Charlotte. The clean-tech advanced materials company is bringing more than 30 jobs to southwest Charlotte, including engineers and research and development. The company expects to begin operations in late spring or early summer.
Announced
A new Formula 1 team has its sights set on opening a manufacturing site in Concord. The proposed engine facility for the Cadillac F1 vehicle would be located at Hendrick Motorsports’ site at 4295 Defender Way, creating more than 300 jobs. Concord City Council is scheduled to consider incentives during tomorrow’s meeting. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Edu
The University of South Carolina will soon offer a new Master of Sport and Entertainment degree based out of Charlotte with a primary focus on the business of sports media. (Perfect for a sports city like CLT, huh?) The university is still determining curriculum details and where classes will take place.
Development
Mattamy Homes is eyeing a 3.8 acre, 78-home subdivision near Lake Norman, drawing environmental concerns from neighbors. The Mooresville Board of Commissioners is scheduled to address the project on Monday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. (The Charlotte Observer)
Sports
The Charlotte Hornets announced support to bring the Charlotte Sting back to the Queen City. A bid was made prior to the Jan. 30 deadline for WNBA expansion bids. If chosen, the new team would play as the “Sting” at Spectrum Center. (WCNC)
Charlottean
You’ve probably visited Romare Bearden Park in Uptown, but who was Romare Bearden? Turns out he was a 20th century artistic prodigy. Check out Larry Sprinkle’s story sharing what’s behind the namesake to one of Charlotte’s most popular landmarks. (WCNC)
Question
Could Charlotte ever host the Super Bowl at Bank of America Stadium? WCNC dug deeper into the requirements an NFL city must meet to host the biggest game in sports. (WCNC)
Listen
Speaking of Super Bowl hopes... will the Panthers acquire a top-tier pass rusher this offseason? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Real Estate
Looking for something move-in ready? New two-bedroom townhomes and three-bedroom duets are for sale in Sycamore Trail, a community on Matthews Mint Hill Road conveniently located near schools, shopping, and downtown. Plus, you could snag up to $20,000 in flex cash. Learn more + ask about financing options.*
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Shop the No. 1 new face powder release: Laneige’s Neo Blurring Powder. It absorbs excess oil, leaving you with a more natural, softer complexion.*
Finance
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Category
Active
🇺🇸 Walking in heroes’ footsteps
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation Charlotte Climb honors fallen service members, law enforcement, and Gold Star families. | Photo by Wanda Koch + Tunnel to Towers Charlotte via Facebook
“Patriotism for our heroes who help keep us free, I think it’s a small ask,” said Suzanne Bergen, race director for the Tunnel to Towers Charlotte climb.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation honors those in the line of duty by helping provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families and by building adapted smart homes for injured veterans and first responders.
This year’s climb in the Queen City will honor four law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in an attack on April 29, 2024.
Registration for the climb is open. Anyone can register as individuals or teams, with special rates available for first responders and military personnel + all proceeds will support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s programs.
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It’s exciting to report how much growth is happening right now in Plaza Midwood. It’s one of my favorite Charlotte neighborhoods to visit and hang out. Once The Commonwealth is finished, I’m looking forward to grabbing food and exploring the upcoming green space.
