Yes, they’re open: Where to shop and eat in downtown Concord (even during construction)

While Charlotte is a place where there’s always something fun to do, it’s surrounded by a variety of nearby cities that have their own aesthetic and pockets of excitement that can be a breath of fresh air.

Concord — which was named one of HGTV’s most charming small-town downtowns in America not too long ago — is about 17 miles from Charlotte’s city center. (Cabarrus County is also known for its NASCAR roots, of course. Plus, Concord is the hometown of the Avett Brothers .)

Right now, its locally-owned businesses are struggling through a streetscape construction project and could use a little extra love. While shops and restaurants remain open, it is a bit of a challenge to navigate the area. The personal service and welcoming small town vibes you’ll find there are more than worth the inconvenience, however.

[EXPLORE THE ISSUES: Is downtown Concord construction forcing shops and restaurants out of business?]

If you’d like to spend an afternoon enjoying a new area, here are some suggestions of things to do in downtown Concord:

Make a coffee stop

Location: Press & Porter, 8 Union St. S, Concord, NC 28025.

Start your day at Press & Porter , drinking a custom latte. Order a single or splurge for a double Build a Latte. Add vanilla, caramel, coconut, Irish cream or hazelnut syrup. The coffee and pourhouse also stocks a small case of pastries, so you can pair your drink with a cinnamon roll, chocolate chip scone or cream cheese danish.

Other options to grab a morning beverage:

• B&K Tea Café

• High Grounds Coffee House

Play with cats

Location: MacTabby Cat Cafe, 25 Market St. SW, Concord, NC 28025

Next, stop on in at MacTabby Cat Cafe , where you can play with adoptable cats in a historic building from 1886. (Reservations are encouraged.) There, you can also pick up a second coffee if you need a little something extra to power you through the day.

Shop around

Location: The Bead Lady, 1 Union Street, North, Concord, NC 28025

Stop to shop around at The Bead Lady , which makes custom jewelry and memory flower petal jewelry to commemorate weddings, funerals and other personal occasions. You can pick up a gift for create something meaningful for yourself at the store, whose work has been featured in pageants and television, as well as in Southern Bride Magazine, Shape Magazine and other recognizable publications.

Other shops to browse nearby include:

• Buzz City Games

• Ellis Jewelers

• The Enchanted Kitchen

• Goldberry Books

• MacPherson’s Diamonds & Designs
• ShoeBeeDo

Stop for lunch

Location: 2 Gals Kitchen, 80 Union St S, Concord, NC 28025

Make your way down the street, checking out the National Register of Historic Places signs as you go. Once you step inside 2 Gals Kitchen , you can take a seat and browse the menu of salads and sandwiches. We recommend getting a burger, though — 2 Gals is a two-time Cabarrus Burger Madness winner, and the receipts are all there. Treat yourself to a slice of pie, too.

Other lunch options nearby include:

• Benny DaCorsa’s

• Hawthorne’s NY Pizza and Bar

• Not Just Franks

• What-A-Burger

Concord’s 4-mile greenway loop

Location: 219 Corban Ave SE, Concord, NC 28025.

Head just a short walk away from downtown for some incredible nature views on the Carolina Thread Trail . The McEachern Greenway is about a mile walk from downtown. The section of the trail spans about one mile and is a part of the four-mile downtown greenway loop. Pose for a picture on one of the wooden pathways, or take a break at one of the many picnic benches along the way.

Thrift and sip

Location: Lil’ Roberts Place and The Mullet, 25 Union St S, Concord, NC 28025

Wade through the construction to cross the street and head down the other direction. If it’s a Friday, you can enjoy a pint at one of the area’s most well-known bars, Lil’ Roberts Place . What started as a bottle shop is now a must-see experience in downtown Concord, thanks to a collection of found items and the addition of The Mullet at Lil’ Roberts Place thrift store. Owner Robert Burrage put a bar in The Mullet, too, so Monday through Saturday you can look through vintage clothing, home goods and all kinds of interesting items while you have a beer or cider.

Other nearby places to get a drink:

• The Basement Arcade Bar

• Local Bottle Shop
  
  

• Kodiak

[MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Concord’s social drinking district is now open. Here’s what to know before you go.]

Browse a bottle shop

Location: Cellar Door Wine Shop, 2 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025.

Speaking of bottle shops, you can pop into Cellar Door Wine Shop and peruse wine selections from around the United States and the world. Staff at the family-owned business can help you pick the perfect varietal for your palate or something new to explore.

If you have a sweet tooth, nearby places to add on to your stops might be:

• Chocolatier Barrucand
• The Sweet Life

Sit down for dinner

Location: Havana Carolina, 11 Union Street South, Suite #108, Concord, NC 28025.

Finish your downtown Concord adventure with dinner and a tropical cocktail at Havana Carolina , a family-owned and operated Cuban restaurant and bar. At Havana Carolina, expect to be transported to Cuba (bonus points for not having to board a plane) as dining at the restaurant is more than eating food, it’s an experience. Its eclectic decor creates a homey vibe that makes you feel like you’re dining in a Cuban home. Order the Cuban Sandwich, which is a classic Cubano with mustard, roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese and pickles on pressed Cuban bread. You’ll want to order a traditional Cuban mojito, too, for the full experience.

Note: An earlier version of this story was published in 2022 and has been updated.

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