The Rocket Pizza location at 1213 Morehead St. had been open for less than a year.
CharlotteFive
Charlotte has seen its share of businesses close in 2022 — particularly restaurants, which have suffered the lingering effects of COVID-19, including rising food and rent costs, and staffing shortages.
Longtime devotees and newcomers have felt the strains. Some, including Alino Pizzeria, Central Coffee Co. and Kabob-Je, only closed one location, while others simply moved, like Amélie’s. Others have gone out of business altogether, including Randazzo’s Grid Iron and Carolina Prime Steakhouse.
There’s such a sense of community in Charlotte that it’s a sad day when a restaurant or retail store closes for good. Among the 2022 closures are:
Alino Pizzeria
Location: 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., #129B, Concord, NC 28027
Neighbourhood: Concord Mills/Concord
Alino Pizza’s Concord Mills location closed permanently on May 12. Customers were invited to visit his Merino Mills location for Neapolitan-style pizza at 500 S. Main St., #401, Mooresville, NC 28115.
Alton Food and Cocktails
Location: 19918 N Cove Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Neighborhood: Lake Norman
Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails in Lake Norman’s Jetton Village mall closed Jan. 29 to make way for a new concept. Cambridge Hospitality Group bought the restaurant with renovation plans, and it reopened as Peninsula Prime Seafood & Steakhouse.
at Amelie’s
Former location: 2424 N Davidson St #102, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighbourhood: Villa Heights
New location: 136 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Neighbourhood: NoDa
Amelie’s closed its original flagship bakery and cafe in Charlotte’s Villa Heights on April 22 and moved to a location near NoDa on April 28. The French bakery had announced the plans before COVID-19, but the pandemic delayed the move.
BOCADO Bar + Dinner
Location: 2000 South Blvd #150, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighbourhood: South End/Atherton
The Atlanta-based restaurant closed on May 10, noting on its social media that a new concept would take over its space. It had moved into the old Big Ben location in June 2021, serving new South American dishes.
Coffee 100
Location: 100 Huntersville-Concord Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Neighbourhood: Huntersville
Café 100 – known for its brunch dishes such as stuffed French toast and lobster mac and cheese – closed on January 23. Plans called for the restaurant to reopen under a new name with a new menu after a short renovation.
Callie’s Hot Cookie
Location: 327 W. Tremont Ave., Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighbourhood: South End
Charleston-based Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit closed its Charlotte location in January after opening in early 2020, serving handmade cookies and breakfast sandwiches. The location of The Penrose apartment building had struggled with COVID-19 and then staffing difficulties.
pancake cellar
Location: 3116 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighbourhood: NoDa
Owners Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel closed the European gastropub on January 30 to make way for a new Italian concept, Ever Andalo. “As a family, we have been touched by all that this place has meant to people over the past 13 years, and we are so grateful to have been part of the life of our community,” the owners said. by email.
Carolina Steakhouse
Location: 225 E Woodlawn Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Neighbourhood: York Road
After nearly 17 years in operation, the restaurant owned by George and Mary Liapis closed on May 9. Tributes poured in from regular customers who were sorry to see it close.
Central Coffee Co. – South End
Location: 1700 Camden Rd #101, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighbourhood: South End
The cafe tucked away in The Kingston Condos building is set to close on May 16. A post on his Instagram thanked customers and employees, adding, “We’ve had some tough times as well, but hey, we’ve survived the pandemic and the last 2 years. However, we cannot fight against soaring rental prices and a lease project that does not benefit us. Add that with rising food prices, product supply issues and staff issues, this is the reason for our closure.
Global Restaurant
Location: 314 Main Street, Pineville, NC 28134
Neighbourhood: Pineville
The restaurant closed on April 16, posting a note on its website that read, “Chef Bernard and Shannon are retiring from the restaurant industry after 16 years.” It offered high end food and specialty cocktails.
Kabab-I Rotisserie & Grill
Location: 7828-b Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Neighborhood: Stone Crest/Piper Glen/South Charlotte
Kabab-Je closed in Stone Crest on May 12. A note on the restaurant’s website read, “You can always satisfy your craving for authentic and delicious Mediterranean cuisine just a short drive from Kabab-Je in Sycamore Commons.” We look forward to serving you there soon. This location is at 2233 Matthews Township Pkwy., Matthews, NC 28105.
Krazy Fish
Location: 2501 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighbourhood: Plaza Midwood
The fusion restaurant featured in Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” closed in early 2022. In April, the Morningside Pub opened in the space to serve beer, wine and spirits.
Randazzo’s Iron Gate
Location: 13105 S Tryon St #9, Charlotte, NC 28278
Neighbourhood: Steele Creek
Randazzo’s Grid Iron closed on April 4. The restaurant opened in 2001, then Bobbi Randazzo and her late husband, Joe, took over in 2011, serving Italian cuisine, steaks and more.
Arugula pizza
Location: 1213 W. Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC 28208
Neighborhood: Edge of Wesley Heights and Third Ward
After a rocky start with months-long construction delays, Rocket Pizza opened in August 2021. It served 10-inch and 14-inch New Haven, Connecticut-style pizzas with a cracker-like crust, as well as salads, pastas and wings. At the beginning of May, the restaurant had quietly closed.
The Stanley
Location: 1961 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Neighbourhood: Elizabeth
James Beard-appointed chef Paul Verica’s restaurant is scheduled to close when operations end on May 13. said in a statement.
This story was originally published May 12, 2022 6:15 a.m.
