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!

For the 6th time in 8 years, Mooresville-Statesville was named top Microplitan area by Site Magazine thanks to nearly doubling the number of economic development projects in 2011!  And, Governor Perdue recently announced that our state of North Carolina has risen to 4th place for states based upon the number of new and expanded corporate facilities also by Site Magazine.  Both local and state officials say that these awards are evidence of our business-friendly climate.

More evidence of the health of our future ecomony came from a recent Penkse Truck Rental press release that ranked Charlotte in the top 10 of one-way truck rental destinations in the US.

Now, if this isn’t enough evidence of our strong local ecomonic future, guess what “The Donald” said about the Lake Norman area when interviewed recently about his interest in buying The Point Lake and Golf Club  and asked why he targeted the Lake Norman area?

“North Carolina and the Lake Norman Market in particular are a much safer investment than some of the higher-profile resort locations teeming with speculative and unproven markets” according to a recent Business Today article entitled: Trump says Lake Norman market is big draw….Market ‘stable, well occupied’. 

In fact, while in town for his meeting this week with members of The Point Lake and Golf Club in Mooresville, Trump went on to say to the Charlotte Observer:

“We love this piece of land, the lake, the tremendous lake…The views from the (golf) course are magnificent…I think Charlotte has a great future.  I think the whole area is great.  The people, the energy.  That’s why we’re going to be doing this deal…I think we can bring that course to the next level…It will be a magical place.”

Now who am I to question “The Donald”?  Of course, I already think that Lake Norman is a magical place.

More Articles of Interest 

Growth is Creeping Back to Lake Norman

Redline Commuter Rail: Good or Bad Idea?

Lake Norman’s Brawley School Road is has gone from a nightmare to a dream!

Lake Norman is Growing and Improving Despite the Recession!

New Restaurants and Retail News in Mooresville Lake Norman

St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays where just about everyone  feels at least a wee bit’o Irish simply because it is such a fun day.

That is why the news that Mooresville is holding its first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in over 20 years is welcomed by so many!  While a full week before St. Patrick’s Day, this Saturday, March 10th from 2-4 pm promises enough shamrocks, leprechauns and green to get everyone in the spirit.

“Hosted by the Mooresville Downtown Commission, the parade will feature a bagpipe band and local dance groups, said MDC Executive Director Kim Atkins” according to a recent article in the Mooresville Tribune.

The parade will be on Main Street in Historic Downtown Mooresville starting at Iredell Avenue at 2pm.  While there, you might want to check out the many wonderful shops and restaurants as well and help support our local businesses!

Learn More About Historic Downtown Mooresville

New Restaurants and Retail News in Mooresville Lake Norman

Lake Norman Real Estate’s Business of the Week: The Corner of Art and Main

Mooresville’s Second Annual Historic Home Tour

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 26, 2011 is the second annual “Shop Small“, a national effort to turn holiday shoppers’ focus on small businesses.  I say, let’s not only think small but also local!  What better way to support our Lake Norman communities than shopping at our many locally owned and operated business?

Need some inspiration?  Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Check out the list of members of the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce  or the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce!

Another great resource is Yelp Charlotte  where you can find reviews and information about shopping, restaurants, events and more.

Here are a few of my favorites as well:

Mooresville:

• Lavendar Boutique  (Great designer jean selection in Mooresville Town Square)
• Landmark Galleries (Cotton Ketchie’s gorgeous art, photography as well as pottery, frames and his latest books)
• The American Classic Antique Mall  in Downtown Mooresville
• La Patisserie  (See my Business of the Week review)
• The Daily Grind  (see my Business of the Week reviews)
• The Prickly Pear
• Carolina Ribs on the Run
• Joel’s and JJ Wasabi
• The Meat Center (New on Williamson Road)
• Epic Chop House (Downtown Mooresville)
• Mint (Great Indian restaurant in the Best Buy Shopping Center on Hwy 150)
•  Joe Fish Casual Seafood (Mooreville)

Davidson:

• Davidson Chocolate
• Monkee’s of Lake Norman Boutique
• The Wooden Stone Gallery
• Flat Irons Restaurant
• Toast Restaurant
• Red Mango Frozen Yogurt
•  North Harbor Club
• The shops along Downtown Main Street

Cornelius:

• 131 Main Restaurant
• Ferrucci’s Italian Market
• Marrakesh Morroccan Restaurant

Huntersville

• Birkdale Village
• Wild Birds Unlimited
• Dearness Gardens
• Red Mango Frozen Yogurt
• The Bradford Store

These are just a few that come to mind but please feel free to add more in the comments and I will add them to this list!

Related Articles

Lake Norman Relocation and Resource Guide

New Restaurants and Retail News in Mooresville Lake Norman

Lake Norman Real Estate’s Business of the Week: La Patisserie Cafe and Bakery

Lake Norman Sports (Participation) Resource Guide

How to get the Lastest Lake Norman News, Events and Coupon Savings!

Mooresville’s 67th Annual Christmas Parade is being held Tuesday, November 22nd (2011) on Main Street in Historic Downtown Mooresville kicking off at 3:30pm!

What, Mooresville’s Christmas Parade is before Thanksgiving?  It is a long story, but I guess each town around Lake Norman and Charlotte was designated a different week for their parades and Mooresville ended up with the Tuesday before Thanksgiving!

Every year our annual Mooresville Christmas Parade just keeps getting bigger and better  yet organizers work hard to make sure it retains its ‘home town’ feel.

With 160 floats, bands and vehicles (3500 participants in all) this year’s parade will be the longest in Mooresville’s 67 years!

The Parade, as always, will be on Main Street in Historic Downtown Mooresville beginning at Statesville Avenue and ending at Mills Avenue at the former Burlington Mill–a block farther than in previous years.

You really must stay until the end, not only to see Santa but, according to parade organizer Ron Johnson, “The float preceding the bearded fellow’s — sponsored by a business called Keeping it Green– will contain a small forest of lighted Christmas tress engulfed in blowing snow.  It’s pretty incredible!”

The Mooresville Christmas Parade is put on by the Mooresville Convention and Visitors Bureau.  For more information, call 704.662.8210.