swampfox43

Maybe I'm the last to know this.... but it looks like The Counter has closed. That's the burger place at Southpark near Crate & Barrel. I had only eaten there a few times but liked the concept. The place was always crowded so I was surprised to see that it was no longer there. I was hoping that maybe they had just re-located, but after checking their website, the Charlotte location has been removed.

Hmmm....I work really close to there and we had heard this was coming a while back due to the fact the owner had not paid his taxes. Honestly, I am not the least bothered by this. The owner (or co-owner, not really sure, but the yankee guy) was a jerk with an attitude. We saw him going about 80mph behind the shopping center once. He could often be heard in the kitchen loudly swearing and cussing his employees. And there was a particular waitress who, besides having a zero personality, was typically rude. Just my 2¢.

I have really enjoyed seeing these old pictures of Charlotte. I threw together one of my "then & now" photos showing one of my favorite places to go as a kid. My grandparents lived right behind the ballpark and I use to love standing outside the fence between 2nd & 3rd bases waiting for the inevitable over-the-fence home run ball. As most of you know, the ballpark burned in 1985 and never rebuilt. The red line on each photo signifies the same corner in both photos for perspective.

LOL, I mentioned what was going in the old Quaker Steak building just 3 post above yours. But who reads posts that far back, lol? I admit I've been guilty of that as well. Anyway, the same guy who owns Flying Biscuit at PRSC has bought the QS building and is going to open a Monkey Joe's there.

Looks like the NC Whitewater Center has a live webcam now.

I had mentioned some time ago that the old Quaker Steak building was coming down and McDonald's going to build a large restaurant there. Those plans are not going to happen thank goodness. That building is nearly 50 years old and some of you may remember when it started as an S&W Cafeteria. Of course, it's been many, many restaurants since then. I was kinda sad to hear it was coming down, mainly for sentimental reasons. Well, the owner of the newest Flying Biscuit at Park Rd Shopping Center has bought the building and is going to open up a Monkey Joe's. From what I have been told, the building will not be torn down, just remodeled. According to the website, there is one in Pineville, Matthews & University City. I guess you can't have enough places to let your kids run wild though.

I've often wondered why none of the Lynx overpasses, like Woodlawn, Tyvola or I-277 don't say "Lynx" on the side, just so newcomers or the clueless know what they are passing under. Marta has it's name posted on every overpass in Atlanta. Also, why isn't the Lynx bridge at least lighted at night? I know these are costly and more or less cosmetic, but a little signage and bridge lighting can go a long way in advertising.

Speaking of Abbey & Montford, it just occurred to me that the former Blockbuster space is now also vacant. That would make a pretty good site for a restaurant. Anyone have a clue what might be going there? Like I said, there is still LOT'S of potential for this area to become even better with all the recent vacancies.

Hmmm, that's interesting news. Thanks for sharing. Certainly gives them better visibility than their current spot around the corner, down in the hole.

Suarez Bakery is still there. The Flying Biscuit will be in the old El Frieda's Florist spot. They had originally planned to open back in Dec. but ran into lot's of asbesto's and it took them a while to clean it out. It's been a real mess in there. And thank goodness Suarez is still there. I pay them a visit at least once a week. Carlos, the owner has no plans to move anytime soon. In fact, Tizzerts has recently started using Suarez's ovens for their cakes. I mentioned in another thread some time ago that the former Quaker Steak building (started off in the 1950's a the S&W Cafeteria) is coming down for a McDonald's. Montford still has lot's of potential. I like the new Brazwell's Pub (formerly the Press Box) and look forward to seeing what develops in the now vacant building behind Taco Bell. The Loop was a pretty good place to eat and I was sad to see them close. The Bombay Cuisine place didn't last more than a couple months. Hopefully something else good will move in there.

He also climbed onto the new roller coaster at Carowinds recently. http://nopromiseofsafety.com/2009/12/25/coller-roasters/

Looks like our crane climbing friend just posted photos of his most recent venture to The Vue. Awesome photos!

I snapped this going to work last Tuesday (12-1), north on Park Rd at Tyvola.

Umm... not soon enough, imo. I understand that he is one of the reasons light rail may never make it's way to the airport, to prevent losing parking revenue. I heard this from someone who use to work there years ago. Not really sure if this is true but I have always found it strange that Charlotte wants to send the light rail everywhere EXCEPT the airport. I do look forward to the expansion and the rental cars being moved in front of the terminal. I always love flying in to Columbus, OH. It's very convenient.

I ate there Sunday and they had the garage doors up. The inside tables sit about 3ft below the sidewalk so feet of people walking by are about even with the table. When the garage doors are up, you get the feeling of being outside. One of my friends said this reminded him of a places he ate in Montreal. I like the new East Blvd Grill. I will miss the big outdoor patio. The musty "old house" smell is gone, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

WBT said on the 11pm news that they talked to the developers today and were told this will not be another situation like The Park condos and that they fully intend to finish the project on time. Yeh, I know better than to believe hearsay like this but it does give a glimmer of hope that this will be resolved.

I bet you were coming in for a landing, right?

Flying Biscuit has decided not to open a location at the EpiCentre. I was told from the current store manager at the Stonecrest location. Instead, they are opening a location at Park Rd Shopping Center in the Fall. It will be in the now-vacant Elfreida's Flower Shop, which is 2 doors down from Blackhawk Hardware. A great addition to the shopping center I must say!

Well, I am replying to my own post from over 2 years ago. Today, I noticed the Turkish restaurant Sofram has closed. I rode by there tonight and the lights were on inside and the place has been gutted. Not sure how long ago this happened but I don't think it's been closed very long. I know this isn't an unusual site to see these days but I thought I'd pass it along if anyone thought about going.

I just heard the Trump interview on Fox News seconds ago. Trump said (exact quote) "I am looking at buying something very interesting and if it happens, over the next few months".... OK, makes me wonder now if he is talking about buying an existing tower, the Bobcats?? But we will know within the next 2 months so he says.

Donald Trump was in Charlotte today (Sunday) as a guest speaker for the ACN International sales training event and according to him, he is still interested in building a combination commercial-residential in Charlotte. He said we should no more in the next few months. So, take that for whatever it is worth.....but it appears the deal ain't dead just yet.....

RHJames, look at it this way. I will finally be going to the park next year after a 4 year absence! It will stretch from the front of the park where the flume was, to the back of the park (bordering the parking lot). This area is already marked off at the park, so I am not disclosing anything that a 1st grader couldn't figure out. I am forbidden to disclose any details other than what is obvious at this point. And yes, Simon & Watson already disclosed (in great error I may add) that the "2010 coaster" blueprints were on line. Cedar Fair wasn't too happy about that. Just luck I have a friend in the contracting business and I happen to catch a glance at the prints. The park will be making an announcement within the next month or so I am told.

OK, I just did something on my Early Years site I have never done. I added 2 music files in the mp3. Now, I may need some feedback (pm's would be fine) on whether or not there are problems with them playing on your computer. With PC's and Mac's and a variety of music players out there, I am wondering if the average user will be able to play these or will they have to download Quicktime. Any advice will be helpful. The link is: http://www.carowindsearlyyears.com/songs.html thanks!

I will confess that I have seen the plans for the 2010 coaster but cannot divulge details. They will be made public soon enough. And Simon & Watson got in trouble with Cedar Fair for posting the term "2010 Coaster" on the plans online site and that was removed. They should have coded it with anything other than the word "coaster". Duhhh..... Cedar Fair is very secretive about their new coming attractions. You mention the strict height limits due to the flight path. The skytower is 340ft high, so I assume you mean we won't be seeing a 400ft+ at Carowinds. I'll settle for 200ft any day though. Although I have ridden the 400ft Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point and would love to see something like that at the park one day... Major, major updates and additions to my Early Years site for those interested. Added park brochures here. More White Lightnin' here. Cyclone opening year photos here. More cable skyway photos here. many more photos too.

Well, there is just one, the Morrocroft tower here. I've been to the penthouse once with a friend that had business up there more than 10 years ago, and the skyline view is superb from the north side. It's just one of those buildings that you really never hear about as having great skyline views but I think it could rival the best. I'd love to get up there now to take some photos!