Kitty City Inc

I could see a venue like the Comedy Zone thriving in the Music Factory, but only AFTER the complex was well-established and successful. Having them there from day one sounds a tad risky. I guess they have their reasons (or limitations;fiscal or otherwise) for not opting for a more high-visibility/central less isolated location like the Epicentre.

I can't imagine this project coexisting with the Epicenter for very long. Seems like one of them will ultimately fail. Other than the Live Nation-booked, HOB-type concert venue, what will attract folks and/or prospective tenants/business owners to the NCMF? Is it going to feature a separate 5000 seat Amphitheatre as well?Not really understanding this, as last I heard the concert biz was in the tank. Revenues are at an alltime low. Despite the road extension construction, I'm not convinced huge crowds of people will flock to this desolate little pocket of land. Is some kind of pedestrian access from uptown part of the plan? How does one plan (in advance) a district that in theory would be more or less organic. You can't "plan" a Beale Street or Deep Ellum. They evolve over a period of time. Lazes seems to think it will attract an artistic, bohemian sort of element when in reality, these types of people avoid condos and chain establishment. All the plans I've been hearing about are full of contradiction, starting at the very top with the oxymoron "Uptown Village". Laze's confidence is high as always, but as we've seen before, this means absolutely nothing.

Well, the poster paraphrased the article. It actually reads "Previously announced restaurants include BlackFinn Restaurant & Saloon and The Fox Sports Grill". Lots of things were "previously announced", including the bowling alley and an AMC theatre, neither of which are happening. Still not convinced Fox Sports Grill is onboard.

Sounds like your typical foodcourt fare, but I guess thats what those cubicle rats love. Still no sign of any real nightlife.

You would be wrong. Lucky Strike is definitely not putting a location in the Epicentre. Thats not to say someone wouldn't attempt to imitate the concept and go ahead with it anyway, which is exactly what will happen if there's a bowling alley in the Epicentre. Not sure about Fox Sports Grille, except to say they are going to be opening a Charlotte location for sure, but not necessarily in the Epicentre. Whatever the case may be, it doesn't sound like this project will be redefining nightlife here in Charlotte like everyone was led to believe. Also, I'd like to add if someone has decidely negative info about a project to share, doesn't mean he/she hopes that it will fail.

The bowling alley isn't going in either. I'm pretty sure FOX Sports Grille has pulled out of the project as well. Hopefully. Tinderbox and Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels are still onboard. This is turning out to be nothing more than an Overstreet Mall Annex. Very dissapointing, but not surprising, considering the various entities involved.

Like I said, it's a mall. Why don't they just call it Cityfair II? I can't wait to see the Food Court and McBars. Still not convinced FOX Sports Grill is in, either.

Ok, so how do you get to the 2nd and 3rd floor?? Outdoor steps?? Glass elevators, what??

Not so sure about that . Don't see how you can ascertain that from the renderings either, that are probably little more than something for potential condo buyers to look at.

I disagree with you about the Epicentre resembling those places you mention. Those descriptors seem much more on par with the NC Music Factory project. Those are all much more spread out than the Epicentre will be and ultilize seperate free-standing buildings and almost all have street level entrances and aren't enclosed for the most part. The Epicentre....Well, from what I gather there will be only be maybe 2 restaurant/bar/clubs with street level/independent access, and the rest are all enclosed inside along with retail shops and chain eateries. Sounds like a mall to me. I'm not trying to be negative, I'm just trying to gain some perspective on the project.

Well the Epicentre seems to resemble a mall, which makes me wonder about the non-retail/ nightlife end of things.. People don't like to go out drinking/partying in a mall. This has been proven time and time again in cities much larger than Charlotte.

Still don't get why they cann't announce tenants, unless of course, they have no deals in place. Okay, what about the restaurant/Nightlife/Entertainment end? Lucky Strike isn't happening, and the FOX Sports Grille thing is sounding really iffy. Whats the real scoop???? It certainly isn't that puffy feature in "Uptown Charlotte magazine".

I've been hearing rumblings about Lucky Strike Bowling & FOX Sports Grill have both pulled out on the Epicentre project, and that leasing the (enormously expensive) space to legit entertainment/retail operators has become a problem. Also, I think the rendering in Uptown magazine is a couple of years old by now, so I wouldn't put too much stock insofar as the logos that were used in rendering(s). Why is the 210 Trade/Epicenter project so shady,vague, and mysterious?? For a project of this scope and size, there seems to be almost no concrete info available. Does anybody know whats really going on over there?