Today, Historical West End Partners (HWEP) announces the acquisition of a new shopping center located at 1121 Beatties Ford Road. Through collaboration with LISC Charlotte, HWEP’s $1.3 million purchase was financed by Uwharrie Bank and a PRI grant from Fifth Third Bank’s Neighborhood Investment Program.
Known as the Thrive Food Hub, the 6,148 square-foot shopping center has a corner store, a renovated commercial kitchen space for up-and-coming restaurant owners and an open space for meetings and dining. DPR Construction provided in-kind renovations totaling $300,000 to upfit the existing space.
“The retention of commercial properties, recruitment of small businesses, and filling the gap in services and amenities is an important part of our mission,” said Founder and Executive Director of HWEP, J’Tanya Adams. “This purchase is one of the tools that will empower us to offer the services our community needs, by taking space and activating it.”
The space has two current tenants: Beatties Ford Corner Mart and Bite Your Tongue Authentic New Orleans Cuisine. HWEP will hold monthly small business meetings for its Historic West End Business Association in the meeting space. The organization has a goal to add two restaurateurs as resident chefs and a rotating list of pop-up restaurants that may utilize the kitchen space.
The convenience store will offer fresh food options, including EBT-eligible foods, relieving one of the city’s largest food deserts.
“Historic West End Partners is making incredible strides in supporting the small business ecosystem in Historic West End,” said LISC Charlotte Executive Director, Ralphine Caldwell. “We offer capacity support to HWEP to see more and more businesses receive the technical support, funding and training that they need to grow and thrive. This acquisition of 1121 Beatties Ford would not have been possible without our partners, and we look forward to seeing the great return on their investment to this locally-owned commercial property and space.”
HWEP is currently interviewing potential business owners. Operating hours will vary based on each business.
Updates and more details can be found on the Historic West End Partners website here.
