Several concepts have closed in Epicentre on College and Trade streets. Kristen Wile/UP

Several restaurant closures have hit the Epicentre, with boarded up spaces peppering the Uptown retail and entertainment venue. Confirmed to be closed permanently are Jason’s Deli, Firehouse Subs, and Moe’s Southwest Grill. The windows have also been covered at pizzeria Papa Rossi’s and Pokeatery. The website and phone line for Vida Cantina are no longer in service, though the Mexican restaurant’s windows remain uncovered with chairs on the tables inside. 

None of the restaurants made formal announcements that they were closing, but phone lines are disconnected and websites are no longer in operation for Jason’s Deli, Moe’s, and Firehouse Subs. Jason’s Deli and Moe’s also have paper taped over the windows, and both have been removed from the Epicentre directory. 

“A number of factors go into the decision to close a location,” a representative of Moe’s told Unpretentious Palate. “Moe’s continues to grow, opening new restaurants across the country.”

The Moe’s Uptown location was an independently owned and operated restaurant. Urban Bricks has also removed the Charlotte Epicentre location from its restaurant locator; the Texas-based pizza chain opened in Charlotte in late 2018.

When asked for comment and confirmation of the closures, a representative for Epicentre declined, stating “Epicentre has no announcements at this time.”

We recently reported on the difficulty restaurants Uptown are facing as a result of workers remaining at home. The high Uptown rents are feasible only when restaurants can turn over significant volume during lunch and happy hour.

Late last year, several news outlets reported the Epicentre was considering shifting focus away from nightlife following a shooting there. The following statement was published in a story on WBTV:

“Epicentre is a vital part of the Uptown community and is an involved stakeholder along with other Uptown businesses and property owners who participate with CMPD, Charlotte Center City Partners, civic leaders, and government agencies in ongoing efforts to foster a safe and welcoming environment throughout all of Uptown Charlotte. Epicentre is a destination for the community that offers a mix of restaurants and bars, entertainment, service providers, and office space. Management has and will continue to honor the terms of lease agreements with Epicentre’s tenants.”

With bars still unable to operate in North Carolina, more concepts may choose to close their doors — clearing the way for a shift in the Epicentre’s focus. It is unclear whether the closures are solely due to Covid-19, or a result of Epicentre’s desire to rebrand. —Kristen Wile