Closing Crisis At The Epicentre; 5 Businesses Evicted

CHARLOTTE, NC – A closing crisis at the Epicentre in Uptown Charlotte. Five  businesses have now been evicted and more could be in danger of closing for good according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. 

“It’s sad man. It’s like the city dead,” said Jermeal Green. 

Green says he frequents the Epicentre and says it’s strange seeing the lights off and windows covered at dozens of businesses. 

“Apocalypse going on or something. I don’t see anybody,” said Green.

Only a handful of the dozens of businesses that make up the epicenter are open. Five of them have now been evicted. 

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s office says they executed evictions on the parent companies of Moe’s, Blackfinn Ameripub, Rooftop 210, Vida Cantina, and Suite. 

The five evictions were carried out due to non payment. And according to Dep. Chief Rodney Collins with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, there are six more businesses that are in some stage of the eviction process.

“Now there is just nothing,” said Anna Beachum. 

She and her friends used to come out to restaurants and bars a couple times a month. 

“It was just a really fun environment to be in. You know, it was a great place to go to go out,” said Beachum.

Beachum worries that the closures for many could be for good. 

“It’s just kind of sad because we were talking about how we’re not gonna, you know really get to go out and have a good time like that anymore,” said Beachum.

Beachum’s friend Jasmine Holley says the long term impact could devastate the Uptown economy. 

“I feel like the Epicenter brought in a lot of money and revenue for the city, so for it to be closed, that’s going to do a lot for the city’s economy and stuff,” said Holley.