CharlotteEAST

Community development org dedicated to serving the people and places making East Charlotte great. Founded 2003.

08/11/2026

Join us for our monthly call 🌞 Please email for link!

08/03/2026

☕️ 🌞 A new third space for Hickory Grove - Starbucks opened its newest location last week next to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and WHY NOT PIZZA? . A very unique vibe that makes a great atmosphere for a long work session or meeting. Welcome to the neighborhood!

eastcharlotte

07/28/2026

We were hanging out at Solstice at Eastland Yards yesterday and were able to get some great progress shots of Eastland Park and the Katie Blessing Center! With the first retail at Eastland Yards opening in the fall CHARLOTTE SUITES | Suites By Alvaranga Collection and the sports complex coming online in 2028 Eastland Sports , Eastland is well on its way 🚧 🛝🌞

07/27/2026

Part three in WCCB Charlotte “Voices of East Charlotte” series with Derrick "Fly Ty" Jacobs and Jacinda Jacobs - a spotlight on QC Javi and Legends Ice Cream 🌞 🍦

07/20/2026

We’re excited to welcome New South Properties as the new owner of Hickory Grove Market, following its $10 million acquisition of the shopping center earlier this summer. The purchase marks the first major commercial property acquisition in the Greater Eastland footprint in nearly a decade.

Hickory Grove Market has long served as a neighborhood anchor, featuring: 🛒 Food Lion, anchored since 1996 with a renewe commitment to the center in 2025 🏪 Family Dollar, serving the community since 2007 with $1.9 million in 2024 sales 👥 More than 300,000 annual visits from area residents and shoppers

The transformation is already underway. New South Properties has begun capital improvements with the shopping center’s façade receiving a fresh new white paint scheme—new branding and monument signage are coming soon.

The timing couldn’t be better, as Hickory Grove Market is positioned to benefit from the Starbucks opening next month immediately adjacent to the property (next to Hickory Grove Library).

Interested in leasing? Shoot us a DM or reach out to management on the graphic.

07/18/2026

Welcoming Kilimanjaro Kitchen to the East Side 🌞 Open for just a few months, this Somali-owned restaurant is the first venture from owner Maslah, bringing authentic food and one of the most beautifully designed dining spaces we’ve visited in Charlotte. Their menu is intentionally focused, making it easy to explore Somali cuisine without feeling overwhelmed.

🍽️ What we had:  • Malawax & Chicken Suqaar – Malawax is a lightly sweet, spiced Somali crepe served alongside suqaar, a traditional dish of diced meat sautéed with onions, peppers, and aromatic spices. Together, they created one of the most memorable flavor combinations we’ve ever had on the East Side.  • Beef Sambusas – Crispy, flaky pastries stuffed with seasoned beef and onion that are a perfect appetizer.  • Somali-Style Fries – An incredible mix of chicken or beef with fries and sauce that can be its own meal.
 • Chicken or Beef Suqaar – A Somali staple that’s simple, comforting, and packed with flavor, served with federation—a combination of seasoned rice and spaghetti on the same plate, a delicious reflection of Somalia’s unique culinary heritage.  •Don’t leave without trying Vimto, an iconic British, berry-flavored drink  
One thing to know before you visit: this isn’t a place to rush through a meal. Order a cup of Somali tea, enjoy the welcoming atmosphere, and settle in for an experience where good food and good conversation go hand in hand. 
With Kilimanjaro Kitchen joining Enat Ethiopian Restaurant and Tima African Restaurant, the Shoppes at Citiside (4430 The Plaza) has become Charlotte’s premier destinations to experience the incredible diversity of African cuisine.  

Part two of our team spotlight series 🌞 Interested in serving? Shoot us an email at secretary@charlotteeast.com!

07/14/2026

Part two of our team spotlight series 🌞 Interested in serving? Shoot us an email at [email protected]!

07/07/2026

🌞 🗓️ Join us for the only community meeting dedicated to sharing news and updates about the East Side!

07/02/2026

If you’ve driven down Kilborne lately, chances are you’ve spotted El Pulpo Pirata. Its branding is as bold as its idea: authentic Mexican (Pacific coast) seafood to Central Avenue via a food truck.

Owners Daniela Blanco and Cito Martinez—who brings more than 20 years of experience in Mexican coastal cuisine and ceviche—opened the food truck last June.

With a perfect 5.0 Google Reviews score, folks rave about the ceviches, empanadas, and tacos; after our visit, we get it. We ordered the California fish tacos, pulpo tostada, ceviche, and shrimp empanadas with sofrito... every bite delivered.

You’ll catch them at pop-up markets and events throughout the city, but you can reliably find them parked outside on Central Avenue Tuesday through Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until about 8:30–9:00 p.m. You won’t leave hungry. 🐙🌮🍤🌊🇲🇽

06/30/2026

Part two in “Voices of East Charlotte” series with and - a spotlight on Jayla Alvaranga of who will, this fall, be opening the first brick-and-mortar business at Eastland in more than 16 years! 🌞

Address

3400 Shamrock Drive Ste. 16
Charlotte, NC
28215

Website

https://docklandsdesign.com/charlotteeast, http://www.charlotteeast.com/, https://www.instagram.com/_charlotteeast/, htt

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