|  | ![]() | 131 Main, Brixx, Chili’s and Starbucks Bring Flavor to Crosland’s BlakeneyCharlotte, NC, November 16, 2005 – Crosland, one of the Southeast’s leading developers, is adding 131 Main, Brixx, Chili’s, Starbucks, Wachovia and Petro Express to its Blakeney community. The new arrivals will bring local flavor and convenience to one of southeast Charlotte’s fastest-growing areas.
Blakeney is a 270-acre multi-use development two miles outside I-485. Anchored by Target and Harris Teeter, both of which are scheduled to open by April 2006, Blakeney is zoned for 495,000 square feet of specialty retail, casual and upscale dining, and a mix of local and national retailers. Crosland’s retail, land development, office, apartments and contracting divisions are all involved in Blakeney, which encompasses four quadrants at the intersection of Rea and Ardrey-Kell roads – key thoroughfares connecting southern Mecklenburg and Union counties. The pedestrian-friendly community will link retail, commercial, recreational and residential amenities through a network of sidewalks and trails, highlighted by a 2 acre community park adjacent to Blakeney’s restaurants and specialty shops.
While Target and Harris Teeter set the initial tone for Blakeney’s retail success, the announcement of 131 Main is just as significant an endorsement. The acclaimed restaurant was started by former real estate developers who are keenly aware of how critical it is to find the right location, especially given that this is their first foray outside the original Cornelius restaurant.
“We are thrilled that our second location will be at Blakeney,” said Joe Douglas, CEO of 131 Main. “We want to bring the successful recipe we’ve created in the northern suburbs to other parts of metro Charlotte. With its great visibility and access to a rapidly expanding area of town, Blakeney just seemed like a natural fit for our customers.”
Everything prepared at 131 Main is made from scratch with fresh ingredients. Classic American food will be prepared daily in an open kitchen with an array of specialties including hickory-grilled chicken and steaks, iron-skillet cornbread and seasonal seafood. Scheduled to open in spring 2006, 131 Main will open for lunch and dinner, and will feature a patio with a fire pit for outdoor dining. The menu also features an extensive wine list and homemade desserts such as banana crème and key lime pies.
Brixx also knows the value of location, which is why four of its five newest restaurants are in Crosland shopping centers (Birkdale Village in Huntersville, Foxcroft East in Southpark, The Shops at Greenridge in Greenville, S.C., and now Blakeney). Known for its wood-fired pizzas, Brixx is a neighborhood restaurant serving hand-crafted pizzas hot out of the wood-burning oven. It also offers a selection of signature sandwiches, pastas, salads and desserts.
The Brixx name is a play on the eatery’s brick oven and on a term used for measuring the sugar content of grapes, which is appropriate given the restaurant’s selection of 14 wines by the glass as well as 24 beers on tap. House pizza favorites include the margherita, served with mozzarella cheese, roma tomatoes and basil, or the barbeque chicken, with wood-roasted chicken with barbecue sauce, smoked gouda, red onion and fresh cilantro. Also opening in spring 2006, Brixx will serve lunch and dinner daily with drink specials throughout the week.
National restaurant chains also like the demographics at Blakeney, as the recent opening of Chili’s attests. Chili’s is known for quality food in a lively atmosphere with signature items such as its famed double-basted baby back ribs, sizzling fajitas, boneless buffalo wings, grilled steaks and Southwestern egg rolls. Offering full lunch and dinner menus with steaks, sandwiches, appetizers and children’s fare, Chili’s delivers something for everyone in the family. To-go service is also available.
A welcomed complement to the restaurant offerings, Starbucks will occupy 1,600 square feet among Blakeney’s small shops overlooking the park. Starbucks provides a wide variety of consumer products including fresh brewed coffees, signature items such as hot or iced espresso, blended Frappuccino, Chantico drinking chocolate, Tazo Tea’s line of innovative premium teas and classic favorites such as caramel apple cider and white chocolate mocha. Starbucks also offers a line of fresh food products including bagels, biscotti, cakes, cookies, croissants, muffins, scones and sweet rolls.
Charlotte-based Wachovia will open a full-service banking center next to Chili’s on Rea Road. Wachovia Corp. is one of the largest providers of financial services to retail, brokerage and corporate customers, with banking operations from Connecticut to Florida and west to Texas, and retail brokerage operations nationwide.
Locally owned and operated, Petro Express is a gas and convenience store that provides quality products and superior service in a manner that is safe, fast and convenient. Opening in late January, the Petro Express store at Blakeney will feature an automatic car wash, and will offer varying monthly sale items.
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