Thursday, April 1, 2021
The pandemic has changed Charlotte’s Center City. Businesses have closed, and office workers have been slow to return. It was a ghost town for the bulk of the pandemic, but signs of life are beginning to emerge.
After Gov. Roy Cooper's Executive Order No. 204, many restrictions are now easing, including allowing for indoor capacity to be at 75% at restaurants, breweries and gyms, and 100% capacity outdoors for those businesses. Bars and movie theatres can have up to 50% capacity for both indoors and outdoors.
In short: Businesses are now allowed to have more customers and things are starting to look up.
We're going to talkto a few business owners based in uptown and see how have fared during the pandemic. We're also going to sit down with a panel of experts, and ask how uptown changed throughout the year, the current state of our city's center and some future developments to look forward to.
Guests
Michael Smith, president and CEO of Charlotte Center City
Ely Portillo, assistant director of outreach & strategic for UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
James Bazzelle, owner of Mert's Heart & Soul
James Mack, owner of Epic Times Watches and Chains
