Starting Tuesday, the Plaza-Midwood Harris Teeter will be closed for a year, while the company demolishes and rebuilds the store at 1704 Central Avenue.
The location has been a supermarket since W.T. Harris moved into it in 1938, and Harris Teeter said the current building needs to be expanded to offer a full range of goods. The new store will be a 2-story, 45,000-square-foot, art-deco location with a partial green roof and an outdoor mezzanine seating area.
The Matthews-based grocer plans to start demolishing the store later this month, and plans to have a roof on its new building by the end of the year. Harris Teeter first announced the plan more than a year ago. Here's what Harris Teeter says the new store will offer:
"The store will feature expanded chef prepared foods; a soup and salad bar; greater specialty cheese selection; a greater selection of wine; and an expanded produce, seafood and service meat. In addition, Harris Teeter will incorporate a variety of sustainable features in the new building including water conservation devices and a green roof. The company will also reclaim wood from the existing location and integrate it into components featured in the new store.
Harris Teeter also has plans to enhance the streetscape along both Central Avenue and Plaza Road. Along the street frontage on Central Avenue, Harris Teeter will construct new brick sidewalks, new trees in planters and on street parking. Along the Plaza Road frontage, the company will incorporate new plant strips and brick sidewalks, all consistent with the City’s long range vision for the Central Avenue corridor and Harris Teeter’s intention to build a pedestrian friendly location."
Harris Teeter also has plans to enhance the streetscape along both Central Avenue and Plaza Road. Along the street frontage on Central Avenue, Harris Teeter will construct new brick sidewalks, new trees in planters and on street parking. Along the Plaza Road frontage, the company will incorporate new plant strips and brick sidewalks, all consistent with the City’s long range vision for the Central Avenue corridor and Harris Teeter’s intention to build a pedestrian friendly location."
The new store will open in late spring or early summer 2013. Associates at the current store will be offered the chance to transfer to other stores during construction, Harris Teeter said. The grocer said customers can shop at nearby stores, such as the uptown Harris Teeter or the East Boulevard location.
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65 comments:
let the Harris Teeter bashing begin
The grand opening will be shortly follwed by the inaugural armed-robbery...
Why pay to demolish it? Abandon the property and leave the doors open. The denziens of that area will destroy it free of charge in less than 3 months.
I shop at Wal-Mart because nobody ever got rich by needlessly giving their money away.
And don't start with the argument that Wal-Mart shoppers are gross. This Harris Teeter is still in the hood, so regardless of whether you choose to shop at HT or WM, in that neighborhood you'll still be surrounded by undesirables. Just paying more for the "priveledge" at Harris Teeter.
Did you mean "privilege"?
This Harris Teeter isn't in the hood...it's in the middle of Plaza Midwood, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, bars, and retail. And not to mention that this is the HT that services Charlotte Country Club and the surrounding affluent neighborhood. Further down central, it gets a bit sketchy...but PM is not a bad neighborhood.
If you shop at Walmart you are poor, sorry to break it to you. Plaza is a great buy going into the future. I realize rednecks in union county are scared of the urban environment and minorities. However, the days of suburbia are coming to and end.
That's awesome. Plaza Midwood is the best neighborhood in Charlotte and will only keep getting better!
This Harris Teeter is certainly not in "the hood" as an ignoramous, clueless poster above erroneously stated. Plaza-Midwood is actually a thriving, vibrant part of this city and hosts the Charlotte Country Club as well as many very valuable homes. You don't know it if you think it is "the hood" or maybe you're just dumb.
It is about time that this particular store finally got an upgrade. It is always crowded, understocked, and busy. The pedestrian friendly neighborhood it serves deserves better and, frankly, I'm tired of driving to Cottswald and the Tajma Teeter just to get the fine foods I enjoy feeding myself and my family.
I am especially glad to hear that it will try to be an eco-friendly store for this progressive neighborhood. Kudos to HT!
Plaza Midwood is the best neighborhood in Charlotte. It actually is urban and walkable which is nearly impossible to find in Charlotte.
I was there last week. It's in the hood. Period.
Wow, 4:08. Are you this pleasant in real life too?
I'm frightened of the Plaza Midwood area. I prefer to shop at Aldi anyway, but I alwasy carry a weapon. And for the record, I'm very well to do. ($23/hour for all you haterz!)
Stay safe out there.
This location is my regular grocery store, and I'm delighted it's being expanded. The Harris Teeter chain has always been about quality & variety, but because this was such a small store, the choices have been limited.
While it won't compare to the Taj mah Teeter (the ENORMOUS HT at Southpark), it will be nearly double in size. And based on the architectural images included in this article, looks like it'll be a lovely place to shop.
As for the fear-filled commenters who STILL think this area of town is unsafe, they need to check out the vibrant nightlife scene on Thomas & Pecan Avenues, and the vast number of restaurants.
I'm glad to hear about this new HT in our 'hood. Not happy about the new HT on Providence where they demolished a great old building (the old hardware store)...it's sad.
I know it's subjective, but that's one ugly 80's looking building...haven't we learned the lessons of bad design?
Thumbs up to the new store; it looks nice and HT is doing a great thing here. Thanks, Harris-Teeter.
I hope they will recycle all that beautiful lumber in the old roof; I know we are all sick of how small the old store is, but the building itself is really a good reminder of past times.
They'll be able to hire more crack dealers in da hood.
No more 'denziens' in Plaza Midwood than there are in that trashy Ballantyne. Stay down there and don't comment about areas you don't know squat about. This new Harris Teeter will be welcomed, even though I do believe they are overpriced and they have misrepresented true prices that they claim to put 'on sale'.
One thing my parents taught me is to try and support the locals as much as possible. Those of you who shop at Walmart...tell me what good has Walmart done for Charlotte? HT is constantly giving back to the community same with Food Lion.
Go ahead wish for your Wegmans, Publix and Walmarts. I'll keep supporting those stores who invest back into the people of Charlotte.
Oh yeah, looking forward to seeing the new store.
5:24 - what the heck does Ballantyne have to do with it? Hate much? You're the first to mention it, and out of context to boot.
Love how the negative comes rolling out when you're "Anonymous." It's sort of like the Wizard of Oz. Anonymous is the curtain that makes 'em bold, but you realize it's just a small person when you pull back the curtain.
-Brian Green
It's not "Plaza Rd," it's "The Plaza."
I love how the PM folks really believe that they are not in the hood. If you believe it, then it must be true.
Like it or not PM folks, you ARE in the hood.
HT is the only "quality" supermarket in Charlotte. You can find cheaper and you get what you pay for. Their steaks are second to none and I have always had good customer service. "Commie China-Mart" who imports 85% of their stock from that "freedom loving" "democratic" People's Republic of China, can't even come close in terms of service and cleanliness.
*This location is my regular grocery store, and I'm delighted it's being expanded. The Harris Teeter chain has always been about quality & variety, but because this was such a small store, the choices have been limited.*
WTH? Work for HT much? Been here my whole life and yes their meat is excellent but unless your well to do, your a moron for spending 2.50 for a small box of mac and cheese.
Though I love the plaza's pubs, story be told its the hood end quote
It's interesting to ponder the idea of a "bad" neighborhood. The folks that rob stores get away in cars for the most part. They can drive to any part of town. It's interesting how so many people look down at middle to lower income neighborhoods as "bad". Plaza Midwood is not a middle/low income area, btw. This idea that people that are poor have some sort of moral failing isn't logical. Thriving cities need places for rich and poor alike to live in decent housing. Not every neighborhood can or should look like SouthPark and just b/c it doesn't look that way doesn't mean the people that live there are bad.
Note to Everyone: The whole world is a ghetto. Some parts are just nicer than others.
Plaza Midwood isn't a "ghetto", but it borders a rough area, and there is a large police presence there to ensure the gentrification proceeds. Still there are break-ins, burglaries etc. in the area from time to time. Only a matter of time before someone whines about being "profiled" and the CMPD will be completely hand-cuffed and the area will descend into chaos. A year is a long time to go without a grocery store in the area, what's the other option, Food Dog? Ugh.
yes...PM is totally "the hood." so for all of you who clearly don't live here (as i do, in the "hood"), please stay on your side of town. we don't like it when you come down here and trash the place up.
I have lived here my whole life & grew up in the Plaza Midwood section. We once walked everywhere knew everyone & even walked to school. We played in the parks until night fell & slept with our windows opened, sorry but thugs 7 gangs roam that area now , like it or not , redone or not it is a very dangerous area & natives know this. PM has changed & I would not walk anywhere in that area & many others including downtown, that is what we all called it downtown. Now you park your car & hope it is there when you get back so we no longer go there as there isn't much to see but thugs & drunks. This once great town has gone to hell & the history has all but been wiped out. It is so sad as this is now everywhere USA as it is the same in most cities & some of the smaller areas as well. Guess those of you that think it is so great haven't been robbed yet, give it time & I give the new HT a year before it looks like trash as well. Why do you think so many of us moved out & away? Open your eyes it hurts I know,but it was great once a long long time ago, wish you could have know it then.
Thank you 8:13pm Anonymous, for your very thoughtful input. I'm like a lot of you, I'm not from here, but the way so manyof youare tripping all over yourself to make yourself seem like such a big deal is pretty funny. You're in the hood, if you shop at Wal-Mart you are poor, go wish for your Publix, the stating of your salary/hour... do you realize how truly shallow and hallow you sound in substance??? Is all that matters in Charlotte to people is how high you perceive you have climbed on the social chain? Why should I care that the Charlotte Country Club might use this HT location? This ain't 1956 people. I don't need to pay double for the same item at HT to feel good about it if I can purchase it at Wal-Mart for much less. Most people have certain things they get from store to store and I will agree that HT's meats are very good most of the time, but that's about it. I don't need to just give a lot of money away to some Matthews corporation just because it may be like a difference between a polo shirt made by Van Heusen versus Polo.
But if so many poor people shop at Wally World then why are there so many newer cars and luxury cars like Mercedes and BMWs at my local Super Center? This ain't high school anymore, folks, so grow up and forget the cliques.
Anonymoys 4:26 - I'm not sure why you would be afraid of Plaza Midwood. And your definition of well to do is really low-balling it. You do realize to own a home in Plaza Midwood, you'd have to be making much, much more than your $23 an hour?
Based on the 2009 American Community Survey, Plaza-Midwood's median household income increased by 53% since 2000 to $78,929. Meanwhile, Ballantyne's median income dropped by 17% to $100,193.
You must be kidding. They arent building such a grand structure because the area is going down. Duh
"Armed robbery"?
"The denziens of that area"?
"The hood"?
"Frightened of the Plaza Midwood area"?
"Crack dealers"?
Are you rednecks serious? It's an obnoxious, trendy area for obnoxious, trendy people to shop, drink, and feel "urban" when they move into the neighborhood. The way some of you spend your entire lives in fear is pathetic. If Charlotte is so big and scary, pack up and head for Eric Rudolph country. You won't be missed.
And if you're going to question another's intelligence, you may want to consider a more effective method than, "your a moron." If you're sweating $2.50 for a box of processed garbage, get off the internet and go do something to better yourself.
Lived in Plaza-Midwood 35 years, and never had a problem. For those of you ignorantly shooting off your mouths about the neighborhood, try this: Go to zillo.com, the real-estate web site, and call up plaza-midwood, charlotte, n.c. Check the charts on property value trends. You'll see that Plaza-Midwood values not only are way above the Charlotte average, but have fallen far less than than others during the housing bust. I only regret that H-T isn't taking advantage of the chance to preserve a historic store. It's quite classy. I'm sure there would be expansion room, into perhaps an addition. BTW: Ghetto? Not many ghettos have the classiest country club in the region with a world-class golf course, $1.5 million houses, walkable and beautiful tree-lined streets and an extremely popular and well-used park. Plus an extremely active and effective neighborhood association.
"The grand opening will be shortly follwed by the inaugural armed-robbery..."
Laughable. As if a gorcery store that has been extremely successful and profitable in the same location since 1938 should let the possibility of an armed robbery stop their expansion... Seriously ridiculous. Armed robbery is always a possibility. according to your logic, we shouldn't have businesses because armed robbery is possible... Some people can't stand economic growth. Typically it is because the economic growth doesn't benefit them and they are jealous
"Why pay to demolish it? Abandon the property and leave the doors open. The denziens of that area will destroy it free of charge in less than 3 months"
Sure, the Harris teeter that has been thriving inthat location since 1938 and has spawned a economic giant in the grocery industry is building a larger state of the art store because the area is going downhill. Somehow that defies logic.
"They'll be able to hire more crack dealers in da hood"
Doesn't even make sense. The area is thriving. Hint they are building a state of the art store, expanding, and continuing to offer premium service and products. if you need crack you will have to look elsewhere. I sold a house on Commonwealth 4 blocks away for four times what I put into it. Have lived in the area since that store expanded three times and still going up.
I love the comment from Anonymous, they are well off at $23.00 an hour!! Too Funny...
"I shop at Wal-Mart because nobody ever got rich by needlessly giving their money away."
I shop at harris teeter because no one ever got good service and good quality and freshness paying as little as possible for a product. i can verify that the shopping experience at that Harris Teeter definitely has better srvice, better quality, and more pleasant clientele overall than the nearest Wal-Mart on Eastway. I shop at both. And apparently you are insecure, which is why you felt the need to denigrate Harris Teeter and tell us how much better Wal-mart is simply at the mere mention of them expanding.
Looks like a nice plan for HT. We have been living in the upstate of SC @ Lake Wylie for the past three years after living in metro Houston for ten years. H-E-B set the tone in that market by erecting this type of "concept" venue and it is a HUGE success. Our favorite was in the River Oaks area of the Galleria and it was called the Central Market. We had a blast shopping there and still have happy feelings whenever we mention it. Had to drive 1.5 hours round trip from our home in The Woodlands to get there, but it was well-worth the trip.
...so, back to the future of HT. BEFORE I looked at a map to see where this fantastic idea was to be put in place, I was excited to know that Charlotte was getting ready for a great experience with this new "concept" market. I am happy for everyone in that area, but for us it will be "wait-and-see" before we make the 1.5hr round trip to that location. Independence Blvd is the only access route from the west of the city and I shudder every time I have to hit that mess. I have ample time and resources to go there, but it is not as likely as heading over to South Park (SP) which has everything you can possibly ask or shop for. The new Whole Foods concept store grand opening is highly anticipated by those of us who frequent SP.
Conclusion: While the Taj Mahal aka Taj MaTeeter is a VERY nice venue, I would have been more excited to learn today that HT’s new store would have been built closer to Dilworth or South Park.
And as to comments about demographics of the typical Wal-Mart shopper, I say Hmm? Our household income is srong enough to shop anywhere we choose and I am more concerned with saving as much as I can for the finer things in life that I cannot buy at Wal-Mart that whether or not the person standing near me in line barely survives at or near the poverty level. In fact, I have sometimes helped disadvantaged families under special circumstances when they don’t have enough money at the checkout. Also, I know for FACT, that HT charges DOUBLE the amount for many items that I purchase at Wal-Mart. So if you are too prideful to save a few bucks, then more power to you. I don’t have money to burn like that but I have more than enough to finish my “Walk with Him” on this earth. So, you can count your money ...or count your Blessings. You have been given the right to choose, so choose wisely. And, oh by the way, if you take the time to notice, the Wal-Mart Corporation makes charitable donations for many causes both locally and internationally, especially in the area of educating your children. Of course many of the comments posted on this blog have clearly come from uneducated people and if that finger points at YOU, then you probably don’t care. But please be aware that most “kids” don’t fall very far from the uneducated “nest” they are living in. Spend wisely and may God Bless You one and all.
I don't need Zillow.com or median income data to know that Plaza Midwood is the textbook definition of ghetto.
If half of you want to wait until you're staring down the barrel of a sideways held Hi-Point to learn the lesson, have at it.
Life must be a bowl of cherries while lumbering along wearing blinders to OBVIOUS danger.
"the days of suburbia are coming to and end."
while you made some other good points. this one is ridiculous. Tecnically PlazaMidwood is/was a suburb of Charlotte when it was developed. The Harris teeter mentioned in this article was the suburban expansion of harris' grocery Uptown to the plaza-midwood suburbs at the time of it's development in the 30's and 40's Considering Charlotte has exisiting suburbs the suburbs aren't going away. Considering the suburbs continue to grow as does the population moving to Charlotte and the population of the species is increasing, what you claim is essentialy impossible.
Sadly, it appears that ignorance is alive and well. Plaza-Midwood is a fantastic neighborhood, one of Charlotte's treasures.
How to you get to the 2nd floor with a grocery cart? Motorized? Elevators? Gradual incline?
True story: I was propositioned for sex by 3 hobos near this store...In the daylight...I am a man. Do the math people, this area is not safe!
The delusional youths here claiming that Plaza Midwood is a desriable place to live, are the same posers that try to convince the wiser amoung us that NoDa is cool and safe.
Wow. Laughable. When it all goes down, those neighborhoods will be the first to burn. Gang graffit doesn't lie. Open your eyes, sheep.
Take it from someone who actually lives in the heart of Plaza Midwood. It is not the hood - its the greatest neighborhood in all of Charlotte. It is safe and thriving. Those who hate on it are just racists, pure and simple.
If you know what's up and you've lived in a real city before then you know that PM is the best neighborhood in Charlotte with NoDa in a close second. The fluff and puff of south Charlotte is superficial and boring, nuff said. If you want ghetto, there's plenty of that in Charlotte too but not in PM proper or NoDa. And yes, real estate values speak for themselves. Get a clue you suburbanites!
This idiots that don't like it are the same ones dripping at the mouth for the Hunter'sville Walmart. Who want to live in a never ending mass of suburban sprawl. The shoes about to drop and no one will want 3500 Sqft McMansion in union county. Generation Y doesnt like the suburbs. Cities are back
Oooh, a lively discussion. I'll chime in. Only pretentious dummies would risk their lives to live or visit Plaza Midwood or NoDa.
I'd seriously love to see these dummies pass a simple logic test. You're not smart enough to make these decisions, dummy.
You or you're family will be murdered. It's inevitable. Like zebras trying to hob knob with a pride of lions because they somehow feel enlightened or progressive.
Maybe MS13 will invite you to Thanksgiving dinner. LOL. Darwin at work.
Just an addendum to my earlier post.
I wonder if the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Properties Commission shouldn't weigh in on this. Best I can figure, the store is 73 years old, and its architecture is certainly interesting- the domed ceiling/roof with the exposed wood and so forth. Just a thought. It also has status as, I think, the first Harris-Teeter and one of the last old-fashioned grocery stores in Charlotte.
"The delusional youths here claiming that Plaza Midwood is a desriable place to live, are the same posers that try to convince the wiser amoung us that NoDa is cool and safe."
I am by definiiton not a delusional youth considering I have lived there almost 40 yeas
the fact that this store has cntinued to expand and thrive since 1938 while continuing to improve it's qulaity and selection is clear evidence of the desireability of the area, it's safety, and the home prices also reflect that. Additionally, we did not see the same degree of a drop in equity that most of Charlotte has experienced in the past 5 years. The solid home prices through the recession is a great indicator of the long term success in the present and future for the area. Sorry you don't live somewhere that has good news like a major retail expansion in the middle of a recession
"True story: I was propositioned for sex by 3 hobos near this store...In the daylight...I am a man. Do the math people, this area is not safe!"
I am doing the math. excludind all of the irrelevant information and that you were propositioned at which point were you unsafe? I have been all over Charlotte and had unusual things happen and witnessed crime. That doesn't mean HT is unsafe or that Midqood is inherently unsafe.
I bumped into Hugh McColl one day on Albemarle Rd. at a meeting a few years back and he mentioned that getting Albemarle Rd back to prosperity would require the security of Uptown and Midwood where people feel safe enough to walk around with their families on the street and sop or walk at night. interesting Hugh mentioned Midwood as an example of doing things right and acknowledged Midwood is a great place to do business because it is safe enough that people walkwith their families at night.
"I don't need Zillow.com or median income data to know that Plaza Midwood is the textbook definition of ghetto. If half of you want to wait until you're staring down the barrel of a sideways held Hi-Point to learn the lesson, have at it.
Life must be a bowl of cherries while lumbering along wearing blinders to OBVIOUS danger."
--Funny, I have lived there for almst 40 years and never had a violent crime occur in my presence, or been the victim of a violent crime. Apparently you have some misgivings and streo-types. a lot of your poor choices in life are probably related to ignoring median home prices and median incomes, which are quite reflective of whether a community is thriving or not. i am fortunate to live in a community that continues to see retail and nighlife grow even in a national recession while the rest of the city is generally treading water or losing equity and retail. There was a story about Ballantyne Commons suinf for 10 million dollars to a bankrupt tenant. But I am lucky enough to live in a community that I haelped buid and have made out quite well in life due to my belief in the real estate market in Midwood. And lucky enough to live in a community that was the start of a mjor chain of high end grocery stores throughout the southeast. My little neighborhood in the so called hood responsible for all that economic development in the region. And now the first store cannot expand again and has to be torn down and doubled in size to meet demand.
"Only pretentious dummies would risk their lives to live or visit Plaza Midwood or NoDa."
That is interesting so people who live in the so called ghetto where tehy are theoretically living in unsafe conditions re "pretentious"
So the people that make the area a so called ghetto are pretentious?
Makes no sense
"You or you're family will be murdered. It's inevitable."
clearly a delusional statement that is not true.
Maybe MS13 will invite you to Thanksgiving dinner. LOL. Darwin at work.
To the person that got propositioned by three bums...just face it, you're hot.
To the people extolling the virtues of Charlotte Country Club...GAG! Those of us not born with trust funds just can't appreciate your enthusiasm for that sort of thing.
HT Plaza Midwood is tiny and cramped and parking so awful. This needed to be done years ago.
To the person above that claims to shop at Wal Mart on Eastway....are you aware that store closed months ago?
I found your post really helpful. Thanks for posting such informative content. Keep posting.
To all the sorry south charlotte people who are slandering Plaza Midwood, you should go back to middle school to play your jealousy games. We have more culture and appeal than any of your soccer mom cookie cutter areas will ever hope to have. Good luck with your lies and hate.
There is nothing up at your trashy Epicenter except drug addicts, thugs, and drunk teenagers. Give me a break with all your condecension on Plaza Midwood. We have a nice neighborhood and so far the worst part about it is Whiskey Wharehouse that brings in the low life epicenter crowd. We have happy for Harris Teeter and will be glad to use Food Lion on the Plaza until then.
I wonder where all the people who think PM is a 'bad' neighborhood actually live? I also wonder what criteria they use to measure the liveability and desirability of a neighborhood. Some people are simply suburbanites. Some people love the feel of city living. City people are more accepting of others, more open to differences and change and don't require 'sameness' to feel comfortable where they live. We enjoy people from all walks of life in Midwood and actually LIKE rubbing elbows with people who are not like ourselves. My neighbors and myself actually feel blessed to have such a great place to live!
Midwood is a wonderful place to live - I've lived here since 1980. And it's getting better!
Midwood had gotten very seedy and run-down (80's and 90's) but certainly isn't that at all anymore. To say otherwise is simply willful ignorance.
I am truly looking forward to the new Harris Teeter.
Dear Hayseeds,
Please continue this asinine commenting session. I'm thoroughly enjoying you goobers characterize a neighborhood with a plethora of houses valued at more than $400,000 as the ghetto. You'd be advised to set foot in Plaza-Midwood before criticizing it. I live here (in a house the $23/hour guy couldn't afford) and have never had a single problem with crime of any kind.
Now go back to your Golden Corral buffet and leave us alone.
PS: Crime travels. Read the paper from time to time; break-ins, etc. occur all over the city, including such "safe" neighborhoods as Ballantyne and Dilworth.
Plaza-Midwood before criticizing it. I live here (in a house the $23/hour guy couldn't afford) and have never had a single problem with crime of any kind. plumber in chino hills
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