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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — White Point Partners and Atlanta-based Paces Properties are delighted to announce that Optimist Hall opened its doors to the public on Thursday, Aug. 1. Tenants that opened include Bao + Broth, Honeysuckle Gelato, Pet Wants, Undercurrent Coffee, and Zukku Sushi. Spindle Bar served a limited selection of beer and wine with an official opening planned for later this month, when a cocktail menu will be offered as well.

Additional tenants opening in the following weeks include Archer Paper, Dumpling Lady, Papi Queso, Suarez Bakery & Barra, and Village Juice.

The full list of confirmed tenants includes Aix French Market, Archer Paper, Ava Restaurant, Bao & Broth, Billy Sunday, Botiwalla, Duke Energy, Dumpling Lady, El Thrifty Social Club, Felix’s Empanadas, Fonta Flora Brewery, Honeysuckle Gelato, Papi Queso, Pet Wants, Spindle Bar, Suarez Bakery & Barra, Undercurrent Coffee, Velvet Taco, Village Juice, and Zukku Sushi.

“As anyone who has driven by Optimist Hall over the past several years can see, we have been hard at work methodically and painstakingly restoring and transforming the former gingham mill into a one-of-a-kind gathering place for Charlotte. Duke Energy has been a fantastic anchor since opening with its Innovation Center, and now it is with great pleasure that the development team can tell Charlotte that the Food Hall is open and the community can finally enjoy the beautiful space,” said Jay Levell, co-founder of White Point Partners.

Hours of operation will be Sunday-Thursday from 10:30 am to 9:00 pm and Friday-Saturday from 10:30 am to 10:00pm, except for Undercurrent Coffee, which will open at 7:00 am Monday-Friday and at 8:00 am Saturday-Sunday.

Transportation options to Optimist Hall are plentiful — by car, train, bike, scooter, or foot. The property sits just outside of Uptown and is easily accessible by car via I-277 or Parkwood Avenue, with 600+ parking spaces.

The LYNX Blue Line light rail runs adjacent to Optimist Hall with the Parkwood Station sitting at the northern edge of the property. Additionally, the Rail Trail (for bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians) runs from Uptown through the property. A welcome gathering place for Charlotte, 175,000 people are within 10 minutes or less by car, and 380,000 people are within 15 minutes or less.

A Landmark Redevelopment

Optimist Hall is a 147,000-square-foot redevelopment of a former gingham mill that features a food hall complemented by retail, restaurant, and creative office space. Located in the Optimist Park neighborhood between Uptown and NoDa, the development by Charlotte-based White Point Partners and Atlanta-based Paces Properties has transformed the turn-of-the-century textile mill into one of the most unique projects in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

The redevelopment retains many of the property’s original, 120-year-old elements including hardwood floors, soaring 14-foot ceilings, and brick and beam interiors with true industrial character. Duke Energy, Optimist Hall’s first office tenant, opened its 91,000-square-foot Innovation Center in early 2019.

Optimist Hall has been developed with an eye toward community, while staying relevant to the dining and cultural energy that has made Charlotte one of the most exciting markets in the Southeast today. With heritage rooted in the industrialization of the South, and a space dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and urban renewal, Optimist Hall melds the legacy of Charlotte’s rich history with the opportunity of tomorrow.

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CONTACT:

Anna Mintz
anna@sprouthouseagency.com
404.402.1032

Sarah Sporn
sarah@sprouthouseagency.com
919.632.8658