New at SouthPark: department store wine bar
Arthur's expands to main floor of Belk, between perfume and Izod shirts
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Riesling meets retail at new wine bar inside Belk at SouthPark Mall
Arthur’s Wine Bar opened Saturday near the interior entrance to Belk that faces Neiman Marcus.
The Belk at SouthPark Mall has a new addition, located between the perfume section and racks of Izod shirts: a stylish wine bar, operated by the longtime Charlotte restaurant Arthur’s.
A bartender at Arthur’s Wine Bar said it opened on Saturday. It has not been publicly announced, and Arthur’s — which also operates a restaurant and a wine shop on the bottom floor of Belk — has not mentioned the new wine bar on its social media accounts, opting instead for photos of club sandwiches and Reubens.
Arthur’s did not reply to an inquiry from The Ledger on Thursday.
Adding a wine bar inside of a department store is part of a trend known as “experiential retail,” in which stores and malls become not just places to shop, but are also about making memories with friends and living your best life, with things to do and interactive experiences. It follows, for instance, newer and remodeled Harris Teeter stores, which have added bars with local beers on tap.
Arthur’s, founded in 1972, is one of Charlotte’s oldest restaurants. In its early years, it sold sandwiches at the old Ivey’s department store uptown, before relocating to Belk at SouthPark in 1991.
The new wine bar is located on the main floor of Belk, near the interior entrance that faces Neiman Marcus. It has a bar with about a dozen seats as well as a few small tables and a casual seating area with couches. There were three customers at the bar when The Ledger visited Thursday around lunchtime, including one drinking a glass of red who exclaimed that he was excited the wine bar was open.
The menu lists about 12 wines. Glasses range from $8 to $15, with bottles going for between $22 and $99. Food options consist of charcuterie board ($15), “Hubbs Happy Hour Mix” ($7) and assorted chocolates and pastries ($10). It also serves beer.
SouthPark Mall lists the wine bar’s hours during the holiday season as 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., except Sundays, when it is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The mall referred inquiries about the wine bar to Arthur’s.
N.C. ABC Commission records show Arthur’s received alcohol permits last month. — Staff writer Lindsey Banks contributed to this article.
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