Charlotte’s first “car vending machine” is coming to South Blvd, directly across from the Scaleybark Light-rail Station. The new facility will be about 71 feet tall with 8,270 total square feet, according recently filed permit documents.

Carvana is a new online-focused car dealership that allows customers to go through the entire buying experience at home, then choose to have their new car delivered to their front door, or pick it up from one of their unique ‘vending machines’. They boast a 7-day ‘no-questions-asked’ return policy, which basically makes up for not being able to test drive the cars.

The CEO of Carvana recently explained the entire process on Fox Business:

The company stores most of its used-auto inventory away from — but within easy delivery distance of — the densely populated areas where most customers live, very similar to how Amazon.com runs their business.

They originally expanded to Charlotte in 2014, but their new vending machine concept will be a first for our city.

Here’s what the “car vending machine” process looks like in action:

The company has not yet released an opening date for their new South Blvd. car vending machine.

What do you think of Carvana’s new concept?

Corning Optical Communications is about to break ground on their new $38 million headquarters in Charlotte’s new large-scale mixed-use development, Riverbend Village, at the intersection of Brookshire Boulevard and Mount Holly-Huntersville Road.

In addition to the new Corning Optical Communications headquarters, Riverbend Village will include a 78,000 sq. ft. Harris Teeter and a Harris Teeter Fuel center, and several dozen other restaurants, shops, and service providers. The entire new Riverbend Village will include roughly 330,000 sq. ft. of retail space and over 500 residential units.

Grading of Riverbend Village is almost complete and vertical construction will begin withing the next few weeks, with an expected completion of Summer 2018.

Corning’s new headquarters will move about 400 jobs to Charlotte from the current headquarters in Hickory, and the company promised the state that they will also add 150 new jobs in Mecklenburg County. All 650 workers will earn an average salary of nearly $91,000, according to the Mecklenburg County Commission.

Corning Optical, a division of New York-based Corning Inc., stated that they wanted a more centralized location, as well as easy access to one of the South-East’s largest airports.

You can now browse all available openings at Corning Optical on their career site here.

Johnny Fly Co., the makers of eco-friendly and sustainable eyewear and leather bags, is about to open their first brick and mortar retail store in the heart of NoDa.

To celebrate its opening, Johnny Fly will be throwing a launch party from 6:30 to 8 pm on July 19th followed by a free “Johnny Fly Co. Presents” concert at Neighborhood Theatre featuring local bands Millennial, Victoria Victoria, and Reaves.

The Johnny Fly Co. NoDa Store is located at 519 E. 36th Street, right next to NoDa’s iconic Neighborhood Theatre. The location is part of a historic building and as such, the goal was to bring back the industrial feel of its original state while styling with the modern and clean feel that the brand represents. The shop, approximately 800 square feet, will include similar elements to those used in the products, such as leather and wood, but will also have refreshing and bright white walls, ceiling & piping.

“My wife and I were both born and raised in Charlotte, the brand was started here and we really just love this city,” said John Freeman, Founder of Johnny Fly Co.. “We chose Charlotte for our first store because it’s a place we believe in and want to grow with. We hope everyone will be able to join our family now that we’ll have a space to invite them to.”

Johnny Fly Co. celebrates not only the opening of its first retail space, but also 5 years in operation. The brand is run locally by owners John and Tara Freeman. The two came together in 2012 when Tara came into the picture to help with branding. The duo has since become a team and with the support of a strong creative family, that has come to grow the brand into what it is today. The brand goods that are truly original. Johnny Fly Co. works tirelessly to source the best materials from around the world to create sustainable wooden eyewear and chemical free leather bags by using recycled cotton, ethically grown wood, and chromium free leather.

“I think it will really be a special space that will fit right into our unique neighborhood here,” said Tara Freeman.

You can check out their full product selection here and check out their store hours on johnnyflyco.com

Charlotte Stories readers can claim free tickets to the concert here.