cltgirl

If we have to get another fast food place, Chick-Fil-A would be my choice just based on the food itself. But I really hope by "fast food" they mean something similar to a Zoes, Panera, Newk's, Crisp.... we really need some places that offer healthier options here.

Here is a news clip about the Van Landingham development... http://www.myfoxcarolinas.com/clip/10571385/vanlandingham-estates This is great news for the neighborhood because it preserves the estate. Without this creative plan, we would have surely lost the entire property/home to more apartments or condos. Note that the plan posted that shows the homes along Thurmond was just one of the possible options. There is another option that would put the homes along Belvedere and move the pool over to the Belvedere side, utilizing the old carriage house as the pool house.

There are so many new residential projects in PM, both small and large, it's getting hard to keep track of! Does anyone happen to have a summarized list of them all - from Intermezzo area all the way to Morningside? Also, does anyone know the numbers for how many people this means will be moving to PM as these projects complete (assuming most of the units get filled)? It feels like it's going to practically double our population in PM! I foresee major traffic/parking problems, but on the good side, maybe the population increase will start attracting more retail.

The place next to Pint Central is going to be a shop called TUFT. They will have upcycled furniture and other home decor. Here is their facebook page, looks like they are opening August 30th. www.facebook.com/4029designs

I noticed a new sign pop up on the main stretch of shops on Central Ave, between Pecan and Thomas - Hong Kong Vintage! I am happy to see a cool store like this moving to the more walkable area of PM!

You must be talking about Common House. Looks like it will open in Jan 2009 because the big Rockhouse Events NYE party will be held there this year and will serve as the restaraunt's grand-opening. The party used to be held at Hawthorne's Pizza in Elizabeth, and same guy that owns Hawthorne's owns Common House. I also found this article that gives a litte more detail about the site, it appears that there will be 2 restaraunts in that building, but no details yet about the second one.... http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte...ewscolumn3.html (Scroll down to the section titled, "Makeover for Central Ave. building")

Oh good to hear that at least 2 tenants have signed up for the green building. I guess I am getting a little impatient, I really hope we get something good there!! As far as the Family Dollar site, I would much rather see the whole thing torn down and new pedestrian friendly shops/restaraunts be built, but since there is no chance of that happening for a while, it is nice to see that somebody is taking the time to make it nicer for now... even if it is just that one unit. Hopefully if it turns out good, it could spur on other businesses to utilize that shopping center as well. Wishful thinking, I know

Has anyone else noticed the windows that are being put in on that end unit in the Family Dollar shopping center? It's the unit that is closest to Central, and there are about 5 holes for windows on the Central side, and then I saw another one being put in on the side facing uptown. I imagine its a pretty nice skyline view from that spot. Anybody have any insight on what will be going in that location? I'm hoping it will be a new restaraunt, how nice that would be!! Also, any news on what will be going into that newly renovated building on Central across from Family Dollar, the green one? I had heard a Starbucks or Einstein's Bagel a long time ago, but with no signs up yet, I'm beginning to think they are having trouble leasing it out to anyone at all

I agree that it is highly unlikely Thomas Street would sellout like that. After all, the owner of Thomas St is the same person that is getting ready to open up Zada Janes. I don't know the actual owner, but it seems like he is pretty dedicated to making this neighborhood a fun and vibrant place, so I am hoping his dedication stands up to any high-dollar offers from condo developers. Regarding the HT relocation, I am all for them taking over the entire Family Dollar area! Seems like it would make sense, but I wonder what would go in HT's place? And if the rumor is true, I hope that they are planning on really re-thinking that whole area to make it as pedestrian-friendly as possible with plenty of green space. On another note, I noticed a sign for Jackalope Jacks at its new site yesterday! Looks like things are going to get started there soon!! Woohoo!!

You guys may have noticed this already, but ZadaJane's has some more info on their website since the last time I checked. It sounds like it's going to be a great place, and the best part - Breakfast All Day!!

I found this PDF on the Providence Group's website, with some info and renderings on the Starbucks development off Central Ave: http://www.provgrp.com/Space%20for%20Lease...Ave%20Flier.pdf I am still excited about the potential of this place, but very dissappointed to see that the parking will still be in front of the building. I was really hoping to see them build up to the sidewalk and move parking to the back. Also, I thought the Starbucks was supposed to be 2 stories with a deck on top of that. From the renderings, it looks like it is just a one story coffee shop with a 2nd level deck. Still nice that they are planning the deck, but was hoping for more space overall. The renderings also show a Travel shop, a Hobbies shop, an Art studio, and a place called The Blue Goose. Not sure if those really have any meaning, but does anybody know what The Blue Goose could be?

Ok, I can see that. But do we really know what is happening to the community center in this deal? I don't think anybody has confirmed that it is going away. Let's hope there will be a nice space for them in the new building.

Doesn't anybody see the positive side of this development?? Rebuilding that area will make the walkable part of Central Avenue much longer. The development is going to be bigger than just the Starbucks, but the fact that it will include a Starbucks will only bring in more people and more businesses to the area. Plus they are going to take advantage of the gorgeous skyline views we have from Central with a rooftop deck. I think this part of it will make it a very unique Starbucks and hopefully will encourage other businesses to take advantage of outdoor space and views as well. I agree that Nova's and CM have great coffee as well, but they aren't designed in a way to allow people to hang out and want to stay for a while, and they don't really offer any outdoor space. That is what is great about the Starbucks on Dilworth, it is big and cozy with indoor and outdoor space, and encourages people to come and hang out and then walk to the shops and restaraunts near by. So, I am hoping that the Starbucks on Central can offer the same function while being its own unique style that fits into the eclectic vibe of Midwood. Just like Charlotte_native mentioned, there are plenty of great places that will ensure PM keeps its vibe no matter how the Starbucks turns out.

According to president of the CMNA, Providence Development has announced that the building currently occupied by the White Rabbit and the Community Center will be going through a huge renovation. It will include office space, retail space, art galleries and a 2 story Starbucks with a roof top terrace facing uptown!

I totally agree. Central has so much potential and already has such a good base. I think it's already very strollable from the Library down to Fuel Pizza. With the amazing views of the skyline from that strip, I can't imagine this area not growing into a much larger strollable area. It would be such a waste!