The Charlotte Ledger
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast
Trends in Charlotte's hospitality and retail scene
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Trends in Charlotte's hospitality and retail scene

Three industry experts discuss the Charlotte Hospitality and Retail Guide 2025 — and the emerging trends driving the city's evolution

This podcast episode is brought to you by Coca-Cola Consolidated, Charlotte’s local bottler and the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the US. Coke Consolidated recently invested $15 million into its Monroe facility, which included a new technical training academy, the first of its kind within the Coca-Cola System. Learn more at www.CokeConsolidated.com/media.


Charlotte’s hospitality and retail scene is changing rapidly, but what’s really driving the evolution?

Industry experts agree that Charlotte’s hospitality market is thriving but becoming more competitive, with new players entering the scene and raising consumer expectations. Neighborhoods like South End have been pivotal in putting Charlotte on the map. However, the suburban retail market is now gaining momentum, responding to changing lifestyle needs.

A new report, called the Charlotte Hospitality and Retail Guide 2025, lays out the key trends shaping the city’s retail landscape. In this episode, Ledger editor Tony Mecia is joined by three contributors to the report:

  • Daniel Gibson of NiceDay, a marketing agency that specializes in retail, hospitality and real estate

  • Adam Williams of Rebel Rebel, an urban retail advisory firm that provides full-service brokerage and consulting services

  • Bryan Southwick of Southwick Architecture + Interiors, a hospitality-focused architecture and interior design firm

They break down the city’s shifting development patterns and the rise of smaller-format retail, new expectations from consumers and how developers and restaurateurs can adapt to stand out in a competitive market. They also discuss:

  • Why South End remains a retail and restaurant powerhouse

  • How suburban areas such as Ballantyne, SouthPark and Huntersville are redefining placemaking

  • How new businesses in Charlotte should think about where to locate

  • The rise of “eater-tainment” — the blending of dining with activities such as pickleball

  • How shifting work patterns are changing neighborhood retail

  • Trends on the horizon that will affect the hospitality industry in the next few years

We hope you enjoy the conversation with Daniel Gibson, Adam Williams and Bryan Southwick!

This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.


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