The District Exchange is expected to have 17 shops and two restaurants. | Rendering via Kristen Adamczuk
A two-story shopping and dining hub is coming to downtown Concord this summer. The District Exchange will revive a former theater and capitalize on the city’s social district designation to grow Union Street as a gathering place for years to come.
Renovations began in March on the 20,000-sqft building set to transform the former Cabarrus Theater, honoring its history as a theater and bank. The District Exchange will resemble Uptown’s The Alley at Latta Arcade, offering 17 micro-retail spaces, ranging from 200 to 400 sqft, with two anchor restaurants.
The District Exchange is aiming to become a hub and extension of Union Street.
Renderings via Kristen Adamczuk
Editor’s note: A restaurant will be found on the first floor, with a tavern or bar-type space expected for the second floor.
“We’re trying to curate makers, bakers, and creators and pair it with a restaurant and tavern,” Kristen Adamczuk, owner of The District Exchange, told CLTtoday. “Hopefully, we’ll bring a really unique space for historic downtown Concord.”
Events
Events
Friday, April 4
Heritage Invitational Concours | Friday, April 4-Saturday, April 5 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | $56+ | Marvel at hundreds of the world’s most sought-after collector cars before racetime.
Coffee Cupping | 2-3 p.m. | Hex Coffee, Kitchen & Natural Wines | Free | Learn the roasting process while tasting various coffees in this intimate course.
StrEATs Uncorked | 6-9 p.m. | Johnson & Wales University Charlotte Campus | $65+ | Sip a selection of North Carolina wines paired with flavors crafted by chefs at Johnson & Wales.
Carolina BBQ Festival | 12 p.m. | Victoria Yards | $35+ | Pitmasters from across the Southeast will celebrate the “whole-hog” tradition while raising money for charitable causes.
Empanada Fest 2025 | 12-6 p.m. | Boileryard | Cost of purchase | Taste your way through Latin America by sampling a variety of filled pastries.
Nola Gold vs. Anthem RC | 7 p.m. | American Legion Memorial Stadium | $18+ | Cheer on the Carolinas’ professional rugby team during this high-energy showdown.
Sunday, April 6
Strength in the City Wellness Fest | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | $0+ | Enjoy yoga, HIIT, sound baths, and workshops on the BofA field.
Norfolk Tides vs. Charlotte Knights | 1:05 p.m. | Truist Field | $23+ | Celebrate Homer the Dragon’s birthday at the ballpark as the Knights look to score a win at home.
Sunday Supper at L’Ostrica: Tuscany | 5:30 p.m. | L’Ostrica | $85 | Celebrate the wines and flavors of Tuscany through a multi-course tasting meal.
The Bowl at Ballantyne is kicking off its monthly Bowl Street Pop-Up tomorrow, April 5. On the first Saturday of every month, vendors will line The Bowl from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., selling goods, clothing, and jewelry.
Opening
Speaking of The Bowl... Pop Up Bagels announced its opening a shop in Ballantyne this summer. The popular New York-style bagel shop was ranked Yelp’s No. 1 Bagel in New York City + will serve a variety including plain, poppy, and everything bagels + crave-worthy spreads.
Charlottean
Happy birthday, Homer. The Charlotte Knights’ beloved mascot is celebrating his birthday during the game on Sunday, April 6 at Truist Field. Homer has been cheering on the Knights since April 15, 1989 and is considered Charlotte’s oldest continuous mascot.
Community
A new 302-multifamily development is now open near NoDa. Matheson Mill by Broadstone is welcoming tenants for one- and two-bedroom apartments with rent starting at $1,335. The community boasts a 24-hour fitness center, saltwater pool, outdoor dining area, grilling stations, dog park, and coworking space. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Coming Soon
Construction on Suffolk Punch Brewing’s third location is back on track at Birkdale Village. The two-level brewery encountered permitting and construction delays. An opening date is TBA. (The Charlotte Observer)
Development
Rock Hill’s Planning Commission recommended approval to rezone the former Carolina Panthers practice facility. The 215-acre site may be developed for commercial and development use in the future. Rock Hill’s City Council will discuss during their meeting on Monday, April 14. (WCNC)
Biz
Novant Health is expanding its imaging network across the Carolinas. The healthcare system acquired 18 fixed and mobile MRI units from OrthoCarolina. The deal will help provide affordable imaging services to the community. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Sports
It’s official. LaMelo is off the court after surgeries following season-ending injuries. How does the team fare for the rest of the season? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Congrats to Kristine S. on winning our Lovin’ Life Music Fest Giveaway in partnership with Southern Entertainment.*
Number
$100. That’s how much you can save on the HP Smart Tank 7602 printer for a limited time. Plus, you’ll get free shipping + two years of ink. Order it now.*
Shop
Don’t waste time bouncing between dealerships when shopping for a car. With CarGurus, you can browse millions of cars + compare dealer ratings all in one place. Shop smarter.*
Finance
Could you save an extra $1,300 a year? A 2024 survey found that switching car insurance providers could save you that much money annually. What would you do with the extra cash? (We see a “White Lotus"-esque vacation in our future.) See if you could save.*
Category
Eat
💕 No sibling rivalry here
Customshop and Marina’s Tapas are both favorites in the Charlotte restaurant scene. | Photos via Kenty Chung and Black Wednesday
Family trees can be interesting — you never know who you could be related to. The same goes for Charlotte’s restaurant scene. Did you know there are 30+ restaurants and lounges that are “sister” concepts? With Thursday, April 10 considered National Sibling Day, here’s a list of “sisters” found across the Queen City.
A pair of 5” lined track shorts from lululemon. Designed for running, the shorts have a built-in liner for extra coverage and wick away sweat fast. Psst — these Soothfeel athletic shorts are a great workout option, too.
I’m so excited for the Greater Charlotte Book Crawl. Twenty-two book stores across the area are participating and, I don’t know about you but, I can’t seem to go to a book store without getting something. So, on cloudy days, you’ll find me with a book in hand from my ever-growing reading list.
