Six New Eateries Coming to The Alley at Latta Arcade
Larry Suggs cocktail concept among new arrivals in renovated property
Northpond Partners on Wednesday announced the completion of renovations inside The Alley at Latta Arcade, with six new food and beverage outlets set to open soon at the Third Ward destination.
New businesses scheduled to open inside The Alley later this year include a cocktail bar from renowned Charlotte mixologist Larry Suggs called Jean’s Cold Drinks and a beer-and-breakfast concept from the team behind Protagonist Beer.
Named for his grandmother, whom he credits with teaching him everything he knows about hospitality and cooking, Suggs plans to offer an inventive cocktail menu, including spirit-free options, at Jean’s Cold Drinks.
Guests will have the option to bring in food from neighboring food outlets at The Alley to enjoy with their drinks during daytime hours or choose from Jean’s curated menu of small plates and bites during the evening, according to Wednesday’s release.
“As a third generation Charlottean, I wanted to bring a little bit of nostalgia to Uptown,” Suggs stated. “My grandmother, Jean, wasn’t a native to the city but she moved to Charlotte in the 1940s and saw a lot of growth here. I look forward to honoring her legacy in this historic property.”
Read more: Jason Tapp of Spooky CLT Talks Latta Arcade and Haunted Hotels
Though details are still being finalized, the Protagonist team announced plans to offer an all-day concept that will serve breakfast in the morning and beer after 10 a.m., opening in late 2024.
Four more concepts set to open in the coming weeks include Two Scoops Creamery; Knowledge Perk Coffee Company; Burgers, Fries & Franks; and Biryani Bliss.
Chicago-based Northpond Partners bought what was formerly known simply as Latta Arcade in March 2020, rebranding to The Alley at Latta Arcade in 2023.
Longtime tenants such as Fujiyama and Pie in the Sky Pizza were forced out as their leases expired while Arcade Men’s Room, which occupied a space inside Latta Arcade that was home to a barber shop for more than 100 years, moved outside to a smaller space in Brevard Court — connected to The Alley at Latta Arcade but with different owners — earlier this year after not receiving an official offer to renew their lease.
The changes are part of the new ownership’s efforts to make the property more of an “elevated lunch, happy hour and late-night eats destination.” Only one more retail space remains available for lease in the historic arcade, according to the release.
Current tenants include 800° Carolinas, Crisp, Felix Empanadas, Gather Flower Studio, Ohana Poke, and Tony’s Shoe Shine. The shoe shine business, one of the few left in Charlotte, has operated in Latta Arcade for close to 60 years, taken over by Tony Knox in 2014.
The Dumpling Lady and Maneki, a Japanese robata concept from the owner of Counter-, also plans to open at The Alley this year.
Read more: Maneki Pop-Up Set to Become Permanent Late-Night Spot in Uptown
The Alley at Latta Arcade recently introduced expanded hours to include mornings and late nights. The Alley is open 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; 7 a.m.-midnight, on Thursday; 7 a.m.-2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 6-10 p.m. on Sunday. Individual retailers’ hours may vary.
