At a time when many towns are working hard just to retain their local businesses, Lake Norman just keeps adding more great options for our lucky area residents!  The growth since my family arrived in 2005 is truly amazing.  When I drive  relocating buyers around the Lake Norman communities I point out many of these recent additions which have added so much variety and convenience to our lifestyles. While growth definitely slowed starting in 2008 we have continued to get some exciting new restaurants and retail stores; and this trend is increasing as our Lake Norman area economy recovers.

Here are some of our latest additions:

Restaurants/Food and Beverages:

• Mooresville Ice Cream Company’s old fashioned ice cream parlor  is celebrating its grand opening at the corner of Broad and Moore Ave this Friday, May 18th. This comes on the heels of the launch of their new Front Porch Carolina Churned Ice Cream Brand featuring “Southern-inspired flavors”  including “Sassy Strawberry, Chocolate Rocker, Blackberry Crumble and Home-style Butter Pecan.” YUM!
• Michael Bay, developer/owner of Mooresville’s old Burlington Mill is planning to open “an authentic, Old World Pizzeria“ on September 25th following the traditions of Naples Italy.  The 120-seat pizzeria will be located on Main St. in the former power house building at the old Mill.  4 brick ovens, all organic…can’t wait!
• The Prickly Pear just opened in their new location next to Vinnie’s on Williamson Rd in Mooresville.  Same great food but now awesome lake view dining as well!
• La Patisserie on Brawley School Rd continues to be a hot spot since opening about a year ago.  GREAT bakery, lunches and Sunday brunch.
• My husband and I have become quite fond of Blu Star Grill which opened recently in the Harris Teeter Shopping Center at the corner of Brawley School and Williamson Rd.  Their main feature is the build your own burger which can start with Black Angus Beef, Bison, Ground Turkey, Chicken Breast or the Black-bean Burger. “Fresh, natural food is what this whole concept is about,” Bass said in a recent Mooresville Weekly article. “We all see a lot about farm-to-fork and using fresh, locally grown/made products in higher-end restaurants, so why not apply that to a fast-casual setting?”
• The Davidson Beverage Co. just opened last week at 442 S. Main Street in Davidson.  This specialty wine and craft beer store not only sells craft beers and wine but has a tasting bar, wide-screen TV, wi-fi as well.  I think this will definitely become a popular hangout very soon!
• Paddy’s Poor House just opened recently in the Shops on The Green in Cornelius.  They offer “upscale pub grub” with a goal of creating a friendly, “Cheers vibe” to attract locals and neighbors.  Owner Tim Flynn, a disabled veteran, was attracted to Lake Norman from New York by our warm weather and nice people.  There is a lot of this going around!
• Now here is a really cool idea: a restaurant/hangout for dogs and dog lovers!  Opening this summer in Cornelius on Hwy 21, Lucky Dog will not only offer many dog services including day care, a doggy park and grooming, but will have The Lucky Dog Bar, serving coffee, espresso, beer, wine and cocktails for the humans that frequent the great dog facility.
• Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar opened recently in one of my favorite destinations: Birkdale Village in Huntersville. Bad Daddy’s offers something for everyone, including vegetarians, with great burgers, giant chopped salads, homemade chips.  You can even build your own burger. They offer breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 8-11am.
• Coming soon to Birkdale Village is Bonefish Grill.  More to follow as I find out more. 5/18/12 Update:  Bonefish Grill is now open! This is a restaurant chain and as its name suggests has a wide variety of wood-grilled and baked fishes as well as grilled meats, salads and soups.  The only review I have found was positive so check it out and let us know what you think!

Last week I had a potential Lake Norman homebuyer ask me if we had a Sam’s Club in the area.  Well, guess what?  it was just announced that Sam’s Club plans to locate a new store on Ervin Rd just off Hwy 150 and Morrison Plantation in Mooresville.  Now, if we could get a Whole Foods…anyone listening?

Finally, something I think could only happen in our car crazy area.  The Auto Country Club  is coming.  Yes, a country club for car lovers!  The Auto Country Club will consist of  ten 20,000 sq ft buildings on 27 acres on Hwy 73 in Huntersville.  The club will consist of individual car condominiums that can be customized to the owners specifications.  Each condo can be outfitted with a loft to create your ultimate “Man Cave”?  And, their clubhouse will include a kitchen, lounge, conference room, show room for car events, outside fireplace and grilling area, dining both inside and out.

Have anything to add?  Feel free to email me or leave a comment!

“From nostalgic patriotic parades to community festivals with firework displays to myriad planned and spontaneous raft- up (boat) parties on Lake Norman, there truly is something for everyone here in the greater Lake Norman area this 4th of July. Get out of your home, save gas and have a great time!”  I wrote this three years ago and it is still just as true this year.  So, here is the run down on Lake Norman’s 4th of July festivities 2011:  

Saturday, July 2nd at 11:00am the 7th Annual Troutman Independence Celebration Parade  will be held on a 3-mile route from the Iredell County Fair Grounds ending at the Troutman Elementary School.  (Highway 21).If you want to experience a slice of true, old-fashion, small-town Americana, this is a must attend parade.  The streets are lined with flags, yellow ribbons and folks of all ages, many with signs honoring our military past and present.  The parade itself  has over one hundred entries including floats with United States Veterans from all of our wars, military units, WWII Vehicles, local clubs and civic organizations, beauty queens and just about any thing you can imagine including at least one John Deere Tractor!  This year they are honoring Purple Heart recipients as their Grand Marshals.  And they will have a special recognition of World War II Merchant Marines.  New this year the parade is followed by  the Town of Troutman’s Independance Celebration festival “ending with a breathtaking fireworks display!

 For the younger crowd, on Saturday, June 25th, Vinnie’s Raw Oyster Bar  is holding their popular annual bikini contest (it’s not too late to enter!). VIP Tables available.

Celebrate our country’s freedom at the Lowe’s YMCA’s Summer Celebration on July 3rd for one of the biggest, baddest Independence Day fireworks show in the area. 20,000 people are expected to gather at and around the Y for family fun, music, food vendors and – of course - FIREWORKS!   The celebration will kickoff at 4pm with activities for the kids including inflatables, face painting, games, and balloons.  Lowes Home Improvement is also providing ” Build and Grow” building kits for kids and families to work on together.  At 8:30 the Peninsula Baptist Church will present a flag ceremony which will be followed by the fireworks at 9:30pm. The event is free and open to the public but all proceeds from sponsors and vendors will benefit the Lowes Community Support Campaign.

The Town of Huntersville will be hosting their 9th Annual Fourth of July Celebration on Monday, July 4th from 10:00am – 1:00pm at Birkdale Village…a family-friendly celebration! Activities include a parade, a bike decorating contest, a water fight between the fire stations, childrens’ arts and crafts, face painting, a clown bounce, music, food and “A whole lot of fun!!!”.  For more details: 704.895.8744

The Town of Davidson will hold their annual Fourth of July Celebration on Sunday, July 3th from 5:15 – 8p.m.  Festivities include their annual small-town parade.  All are invited to “patriotically dress their bicycles, wagons, pets and strollers” and participate by meeting at Davidson Town Hall and lining up by 5:15pm.  Da Throwback Band will perform at The Concert on the Green beginning at 6pm.  Music and games for all ages will be set up on the Village Green and a children amusement area will be available for a $5 admission.  There will be no fireworks this year.  More information: 704.892.7591.

The Town of Cornelius will also be celebrating on July 4th in a “laid back” family-friendly way.  Starting at 6:30pm, families can play games, dance and picnic at this casual patriotic presentation.  At 6:30pm: Acoustic Soulution,  kids can ride the trackless train, concessions, Coca-Cola activities including touchscreen Coke games, wii games, free product samplings and more!  At 8:30pm the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader will be shown on the blimp screen.  Located at the Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.  704.892.6031 ext 160.

Just Confirmed: Fireworks displays are officially planned for Queens Landing on Lake Norman on Saturday, July 2nd. They are billing this “the largest fireworks celebration on the lake!” Fireworks are expected to begin at around 9:15pm.  For more information:  Queen’s Landing Website 

If you want to party, The Sandbar is always a lot of adult fun. Their party runs from 1:00pm – 9:00pm on July 4th.  For more information from their 2009 event: LKN Social.    Where is the Sandbar? Here are the  directions  to the Sandbar.  Be sure to check out LKNfun.com where you will find a great list of celebrations at our many restaurants and bars.

Coca Cola 4th of July Festival at the U.S. Whitewater Center: ” The Coca-Cola 4th of July Festival is the biggest event of the year with 3 consecutive days of free live music and fireworks. The weekend-long celebration will begin on Saturday, July 2 and conclude on Monday, July 4″.  Free!
 

Presbyterian Hospital July 4th Spectacular  (Red White and BOOM!) will offer a spectacular fireworks display at the Memorial Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. From 4:00pm to 10:00pm on July 4th.  There will be plenty of “family-friendly activities including watermelon eating contests, sack races, tug-of-war and more!”  Live music.  At 9:30 p.m., one of the area’s biggest and longest fireworks displays begins so come early and bring a blanket.

Finally, if you want to have your own, legal, fireworks display, in past years they have set up a stand where they sell fireworks at the corner of Williamson Rd. and Brawley School Rd. about a week before the 4th. 

Have fun and be safe!

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It has been a while since I have written any news related to our greater Lake Norman developments because, quite frankly, most of the exciting projects I have written about have been stalled for the past year due to the national economic downturn.

However, some large and small developments are moving forward.  Here is an update on these:

Four Points Sheraton:  Construction is expected to begin very soon at Exit 28.  The Four Points Sheraton is expected to have about 2,200 square feet of meeting space.

Langtree at the Lake:  While delayed for about a year, Langtree at the Lake developer Rich Howard says he plans to start construction in the coming months.  Also, the Missouri based John Q Hammonds recently announced a 12-story 300 room Embassy Suites will break ground later this summer or early fall and is expected to be completed by early 2011.  It will have a 75,000 square feet conference center which is something our Lake Norman area has needed for quite some time!  Langtree at the Lake.

Augustalee:  Once called the Village at lake Norman, the Augustalee is a $515 million mixed-use development at I-77 and Westmoreland Rd (at a new Exit 27) which will include The Grand Hotel, a 250 room, 10-story building featuring ballrooms, conference facilities, a full service restaurant as well as a boutique hotel with 100 rooms and retail on the first floor.

Cornelius One: This three-story mixed-use project located at 18615 West Catawba in Cornelius will include a restaurant and retail on the first floor and offices on the second and third floors.  Developer Kenny Habul is awaiting rezoning approval.

The Widening of West Catawba Blvd:  While those of us are watching the progress of the widening of  Brawley School Road which is slated for completion in 2011, the widening of West Catawba Blvd will be completed in the next 60 days!  Simonini’s The Preserve at Robbins Park that I have written about previously is also making progress.  Once completed, Catawba Blvd will be fully landscaped and according to Commissioner Dave Gilroy, will be “simply gorgeous”!

New Exit 32:  Our new Exit 32 is expected to open this summer!

Courtyard by Marriott and a Holiday Inn Express:  Both of these hotels in Statesville are due to open this month!

TownPlace Suites by Marriot:  Located off of Exit 33 in Mooresville, this hotel is scheduled to open in October of this year.

Larkin:  I first wrote about this massive multi-use development project just south of Statesville about two years when it was ramping up to high gear.  There was great excitement and property around Exit 45 was scooped up by potential investors and developers.  The site has been annexed by the City of Statesville and and some of  the plans have already been approved by the Statesville City Council.   According to the Statesville Record and Landmark, since then “nothing of any substance has been done with the site.”  “I honestly believe that Larkin will happen” said City Manager Rob Hites.  “But it’s really hard to say right now when it will happen.”

Equestrian Subdivision in Mooresville:  NASCAR race car driver Jeremy Mayfield’s former home located at 3245  Jackson Rd in Mooresville was purchased by Ron LeGrand who has teamed up with Sill Creek Team and developer Urchel Hill to launch a 73-home equestrian subdivision on 135 acres.  While the land is currently empty, developers have already put in the road and other community amenities and are optimistic about its future.

The Club at Westport:  I recently wrote a separate blog post about the opening of the Club at Westport and the new residential plans for the rest of the development in Denver on the west side of Lake Norman.

Lake Norman’s new community sailing and rowing is open!: After years of work, the North Carolina Community Sailing and Rowing Center is now open.  Located at Huntersville’s Blythe Landing Park,  this facility is truly for anyone interested in learning to sail or  row, from Senior citizens to the disabled to our youth.  A non-profit organization and its volunteers operate the center in partnership with the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation.

It is interesting to look back several years and read news articles and my old blog posts focused on building moratoriums and smart growth plans.  Our national recession has actually provided our fast-growing Lake Norman communties the time to take a deep breath and prepare for the future growth that is sure to return once our economy has stabilized.

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This past week the Mooresville-South Irdell Chamber of Commerce launched a new program “Buy Local, Invest in Your Community” in an effort to raise awareness to the need,  especially during these financially challenging times, to support our local business.

Today I am launching my own effort to support our local businesses in the Lake Norman communities by creating a new weekly feature here on Lake Norman Real Estate:  Business of the Week.  Each week I will write an informative article about one business in our community including pictures, links and contact information so that all of my readers can support this business.

I have quite a few stores and restaurants that I would like to feature but I am also inviting you to submit your favorite local business or even your own business.  The only rule it that it must be owned, operated and located in Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrills Ford or Terrell.  Either email me the information or leave it in the comment section.

These are tough times for everyone, even in our normally thriving Lake Norman communities.  It’s not just about housing and real estate anymore.  I have friends and clients in all kinds of businesses and industries that are struggling and I want to help!  By all of us working to support each other we CAN make a difference!

PREVIOUS ARTICLES ABOUT LAKE NORMAN BUSINESSES

What’s New in Mooresville, Lake Norman

Lake Norman’s Birkdale Village: Great Shopping, Dining and Housing!

Lake Norman’s New Mooresville Town Square is Coming to Life!

Mooresvile Lake Norman Has Plenty to Offer Wine Lovers!

Lake Norman Newcomers Bring Their Favorite Foods With Them!

Historic Downtown Mooresville: Mangan Martial Arts Gallery

New Lake Norman SK8 shop in Downtown Mooresville

Lake Norman’s Cool Breeze Cyclery:  It’s Not Just About the Bikes!

Ferrucci’s Market in Cornelius: Now That’s Italian Lake Norman!

Lake Norman Has Gone to the Dogs…and Cats!

Historic Downtown Mooresville: New Shops, Restaurants and Art Galleries!

Julia’s Talley House Restaurant:  One of Lake Norman’s Treasures

27 Reasons to Visit Historic Downtown Mooresville Part 1

Lake Norman: Where to Find Fresh Produce Stands and Farmers Markets

There is no doubt that the two most talked about real estate communities in Lake Norman are The Point in Mooresville and The Peninsula in Cornelius.

Both offer spectacular waterfront estates and the best of Crescent Communities amenities including renowned golf courses, tennis, swimming pools and myriad activities.

The Peninsula was build before The Point, so the neighborhoods are more established for the most part and it is almost completely built out with only a few new homesites still available.

Located in Cornelius, The Peninsula is only about 28 miles from Charlotte yet has the benefits of two great clubs, the beautiful Yacht Club, and The Peninsula Golf Club .

The Yacht Club offers a state-of-the-art marina with 400 boat slips, fine dining in the Yacht Club dining room overlooking the marina, and a competition sized swimming pool plus activities and boating classes.

The Peninsula Golf Club offers an 18-hole championship course designed by Rees Jones, recreational facilities at the Swim and Tennis Center, and a 35,000 square foot private clubhouse overlooking Lake Norman and the golf course.

Looking for hiking and nature trails? Beautiful Jetton Park is also right in their neighborhood!

There are currently 76 active listings in The Peninsula ranging in price from $432,000 to $3790,000. 48 of the 76 active listings are $1 million+.

I have found that The Peninsula and The Point are different enough that when my buyers tour both they usually decide to look seriously in only one of them. They each have their own personality and culture which is hard to describe until you see them in person!

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