marriotthill

Mercury NoDa, what a bore it's become! Wow, Circle, South End, looks inspiring compared to this. Also, where the heck are they going to park with no parking deck in the mix? Neighbors aren't going to be very happy considering the "parking congestion" in the area now.

Great map!!!

Ok New york chicago and san francisco have pizza that costs more than Charlotte but I was talking about Revolution versus the Chicago style pizza that I had in Chicago which was $18 but was atleast 1/3 larger than the similarly priced pizza at Revolution. What I didn't state was again this was Chicago style so in addition to being the 1/3 larger in diameter, it was covered with 5lbs of cheese and a whole pot of homemade pizza sauce on top(just kidding about the exact amounts but it was alot) while my partner's had a whole stick of pepperoni, again kidding about exact amounts. This pizza place was in downtown Chicago so it's lease couldn't be too cheap. I'm really not trying to be rude but when they brought me that pizza I actually felt offended that they would charge me $18 for that pie, or I mean cookie sized pizza with few toppings to boot. I'm not saying all of this to be mean or offending to the owners. I just wish we could find a place that's not going to go out of business in a few years because it failed to do a adequate marketing study and economic survey of the present business climate when deciding on its business concept and who it will cater to. I also want an affordable pie, not cheap. Fuel has great pizza, no not the best but that huge pie will feed you for days not minutes like the particular pizza that I had. But I will move on so I don't make this chat the findabettercheaperpizza room. Anyway, does anybody know what's going in the Jamaican restaurant. I've spied people renovating when I could see in. Also, Jack n Chill moving up it's going out of business date to Feb. 6. Another different tangent, but look at that 28th row. It's now finally really coming along. I can't wait to see the real, finished project. Hopefully it will force the city to add and mow the sidewalks along N.Davidson in this area up to uptown. Then if the cops would stop those crazy red light runners, life would be perfect.

Revolution's pizza is good but are where are the affordable pizza places? The small pizza the size of a large cookie is $7 without any toppings and if you are anorexic then you can eat large. They still have more beer on tap than the others in NoDa but even it's costs more and no specials like my mellow mushroom. I paid almost $18 for a pizza that I normally get elsewhere, for $5 less and it's 1/3,maybe 1/2, smaller atleast. I bought a huge pie in Chicago,pan, for the exact price and I wasn't still hungry afterwords and I had leftovers. There's a problem when you can get a cheaper pie in Chicago than this place in Charlotte. Again, the area is becoming more affluent but without the shoppers/diners that can afford to shop or eat there. Notice most of those going under sell art/clothes/etc... beyond the means of the average NoDa neighbor. I know there are alot of nice, new homes here but you need to attract the neighbors that live beside, behind and around them as well when opening in today's economic climate. Am I wrong? Are there studies to show something different? I would love to be wrong, but I don't think I am on this.

I don't necessarily think retail can not make it in NoDa. I just believe certain stores can't. I don't want to offend the owners of the Niche store but I would've catered to the existing neighborhood, "artsy" families and tailored it them. I'm not talking about "artsy" diapers or anything like that but maybe an affordable boutique, a local affordable small furniture store,etc.... They could still sell some premium items but cater to lower to mid income families. As far as the Jack n Chill, I just don't think the concept was fully accomplished. It didn't seem like much of an ice cream place for me. Maybe freshly made ice cream on premises, as well as another winter type of snack, food, etc... I think if you aren't a franchise, it is tremendously hard to continue if you sell only ice cream. I know it's also a gallery but the ice cream/other food snack is what should attract the customer and while he/she is there they may purchase a piece. We need a diner type of restaurant that serves breakfast all day, and even open 24 hrs. certain days. I disagree about not needing a grocer. That few minutes it takes to get to Trader's can easily turn into much longer at certain times. I do think the area could support a larger grocer like a Harris Teeter, maybe in the factory across from the "future" 28th lynx station. I think it's far enough from the main NoDa that it wouldn't negatively impact it and it would create more traffic in and around the area.It could be a simple way of actually spurring more success in NoDa. I know Harris Teeter or Lowe's Foods isn't everyone's cup of tea but I for one think if done right, it could have a hugely positive impact in NoDa. I also think it also would be nice if a couple of the abandoned NoDa buildings would be developed soon as well as improved roads and sidewalks. With all the money they are spending with the Sugar Creek by the Metropolitan development in "midtown", I would think they could at least pave the roads and "mow" the sidewalks and add a few speed bumps near the main NoDa drag (before someone gets hit).

We just noticed that Jack & Chill is closing also, I think 2/14.

I live 5 houses away from 28throw and no framing has started. I would like to say something to the developer of 28th, I didn't mean to get you so excited. Sometimes it seems certain neighborhoods seem to have the majority of say in how developments proceed though they aren't even in the same area. I was just trying to touch on that issue. I'm not blaming NoDa, but I've seen this in other sections of Charlotte as well as everywhere else that I have lived. As far as development is concerned, I think the land owners and developers shouldn't be given such a hard time when they try to develop property. I have kept up w/ our neighborhood newsletter and didn't see these meetings listed or I would have tried to at least get information concerning what happened at the particular meeting prior to next newsletter. Unfortunately, these meetings seem to always be at a bad time for me or I would attend them more often. For some reason, people assume if we don't attend these meetings that we don't care and shouldn't have a say. I think companies who really want to know what neighbors feel should actually survey the neighbors (via internet or mail in). One house, One survey would be the easiest way of getting ideas from those who are closest. I personally think the sketches of the development I've seen on the 28th row website are beautiful even though it will possibly block my view of uptown, but that's the price of progress. I just wish you could attract a large grocery store somewhere near the area for a more city within a city atmosphere in the Villa Heights/NoDa area. A Whole Foods would be awesome but probably impossible to attract. There are a couple of vacant lots/warehouses near the 28th/N. Davidson "intersection". I would love for a grocer to develop one of these lots. (Whole Foods, Lowes food, Harris Teeter) Again, sorry if I upset anyone.

There were open for lunch when I last walked by.

So do we the Villa Heights neighborhood have a vote on development that occurs in NoDa? Did I miss a meeting? I didn't even know anything about the 27th row project. As a Villa Heights homeowner, I find it unsettling that NoDa has had a strong voice in this development when I feel we haven't even been informed of a meeting concerning this project. Sorry, I don't want to sound rude. I've tried to word it so it isn't. Also, the ice cream shop is coming along. I noticed chairs inside as well as someone inside working just the other day. I don't know if it will be prime ice cream timing being in the fall though. One last thing, what's wrong with Steel Gardens? I absolutely loved the combination of modern/rustic feel of it and why does Renaissance feel like College Apartments? I also like that development. I'm not being smart but I just want to know what about these developments seem off compared to what you would rather have. Is modern bad? thanks

Hi, I have a question. I'm in the part of NoDa which hasn't experienced the housing appreciation like the heart of NoDa has had. We live three houses away from the 28thRow project. Will that help very much or will it be a little while for homes in the neighborhood to be affected? I've read of the other project near 27th street which is a block away also and of course the light rail station if it is approved. Also, to the person who mentioned the grocer near us, well the prices really suck there(I can't remember the name). As far as the Food Lion, well if you like luke warm milk that goes bad before the expiration date or the awful re-frozen ice cream which I purchased at least 3 different times and 2 different brands, then by all means shop at that Food Lion. The Bi-Lo isn't much better. We need a real grocer like Lowe's Foods, a real Harris Teeter, or of course I'm reaching.... a Whole Foods. If you don't like big corporate owned companies then you're almost out of luck if you want decent selection w/ decent prices. Hey it's better than a Wal-Mart.