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Charlie & Debbie

Financially Troubled North Carolina Mall Adds New Stores

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Author Charlie & Debbie

Just the other day we were talking on the air about things in our lives that have evolved rapidly in the last 25 years.  One topic that came up was retail shopping, specifically, the shopping mall.  Online shopping has grown exponentially.  The Covid-19 Pandemic certainly didn’t help brick and mortar shopping.  Those, along with continuing incidents of violent crime leads me to believe that I’ll live to see the total demise of the shopping mall experience.

Northlake Mall in Huntersville says, “Not so fast!”  When both Apple and Buckle left the mall following three shooting incidents in the spring, occupancy fell to near 70%.  However, with the addition of several new stores (and more on the way) since June, occupancy at Northlake Mall is now near 85%

According to The Charlotte Observer, the mall’s website lists recent or planned openings of several stores: 3SIX92, women’s apparel store; American Eagle, casual clothing, accessories and footwear, based in Pittsburgh; Custom Place, a customized T-shirt, hoodies and hats shop; and temporarily Spirit Halloween.

Additionally, the mall reports renewals of Locker Room by Lids and Spencer’s, and ongoing negotiations for renewals with five other retailers.  This is important as Northlake Mall has been in receivership since May of 2021 after failing to make good on some debts.

For my generation, the mall was more than just the place mom took you to back-to-school shop.  The mall was the social epicenter of my teenage life.  Lots of great memories for me, including working a job, at the mall.  I’m not ready to see it go.

Hopefully, with these additions, Northlake Mall in Huntersville can continue to move forward.

10 Places to Go Thrift Shopping in the Charlotte Area

One of the best things about living in or near a major metro…the affordable shopping! Well, second-hand shopping that is. Thrift shopping is one of my favorite things to do. The pure joy I get from finding an incredible deal is almost euphoric. I seriously think I was a pirate or some sort of treasure hunter in my past life.

Thankfully Charlotte has a ton of different places to the thrift shop. Check out our list of ten places to go and get your treasure hunting on. See my looks below.

  • 1. Hidden Treasures Thrift & Consignment

    Located just outside of South End, this consignment store is a unique place to find hidden treasures. This 6,000 square foot facility features furniture, clothes, odds and ends, and antiques. I’ve been before and I actually found my old nightstand (which was originally from IKEA) at the store. It was a $50 piece which I got for only $25. I would recommend going here if you have a solid amount of time to look and for great furniture finds. You can see more on this store here.

  • 2. Assistance League of Charlotte Thrift Shop

    The Assistance League thrift shop can be found just off South Tryon Street. It is only Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. The proceeds of the Thrift Shop are used to support the philanthropic activities of the Assistance League of Charlotte. Thrift shop items include furniture, clothing, books, toys, jewelry, household items, electronics, computers, shoes, sports equipment, and baby items. The discounts at this shop are really awesome. Each month, 2 different colored tags indicate a discounted price of 50% or 75% off. You can also receive a military discount. The jewelry section at this thrift shop is my favorite. You can see more here.

  • 3. The Goodwill

    The Goodwill has several locations in the Charlotte area. I feel lucky because three are within 10 miles of where I live. I go all the time! You can find clothes, hats, shoes, items, home goods, books, and more at these thrift shops. If you like reselling too, Goodwill is one of the best places to find cheap clothes with tags. Recently on November 1st, Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont became bagless. They eliminated using plastic shopping bags in 26 of their area stores to help the planet! You can see more on this thrift shop here.

  • 4. The WearHouse

    The WareHouse is a new one in Charlotte. I haven’t been yet, but it’s on my list to visit. According to their website, they are located at 127 Stetson Drive. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. The store offers the option for people to buy clothes, shoes, books, home goods, and furniture at affordable prices. The merchandise comes from donations and money earned from sales is cycled back into the community. From their Instagram account, the clothing looks super trendy. See more here.

  • 5. The Salvation Army Thrift Store

    Salvation Army thrift stores are located throughout Charlotte. By shopping at one of these stores, you give back to the community. Furniture, books, clothing, home decor, and even vehicles can be bought at a discount. The store located in Plaza-Midwood is my favorite to visit. There are tons of retro clothes there. You can see all the locations in the Charlotte area here.

  • 6. Bargain Hunters Thrift Store Charlotte

    Charlotte, North Carolina, is home to Bargain Hunters Thrift Store Charlotte, located at 7020 Albermarle Road. The store is open from 9 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday. It is also open on Sundays from 11 am until 7 pm. They have wide selections of discounted furniture and designer goods. I really enjoyed their home decor section. There was a wide variety of holiday decor which I rarely find. You can see more about this shop here.

  • 7. Community Thrift Store

    Community Thrift Store is located off Freedom Drive. It is open from 10 am until 6 pm Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sunday. The shop offers low-cost jewelry, books, electronics, and even sports equipment. When I lived in the area, I used to visit the store all the time and shop in the clothing section. You can see more on this thrift shop here.

  • 8. Value Village Thrift Store

    Value Village is well known in the Charlotte area for being an affordable thrift store with a wide variety of high-quality, high-end clothing. The company currently has six locations in Charlotte and surrounding areas. I once bought a brand new pair of Cole Haan boots here for only $6! Women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, collectibles, costume jewelry, household items, and books can be found in the family-run thrift store. You can see more on this thrift store here.

  • 9. Plato's Closet

    Plato’s Closet is all over the Charlotte area. I love selling and shopping at this thrift store. The largest location is actually right here in the University area! You can recycle your used clothing, shoes, or accessories at Plato’s Closet and get paid on the spot for your unwanted items. Each Plato’s Closet location is individually owned and operated by local business owners, so you can feel good about shopping small. You can find a location near you here.

  • 10. Uptown Cheapskate

    The award-winning resale franchise concept offers top brands like Coach, Michael Kors, Polo, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, J. Crew, Banana Republic, and more, as well as shoes, bags, and accessories. Four Uptown Cheapskate stores serve Charlotte metro area residents with affordable prices and gently used gear. I love reselling here as well and then shopping for major discounts with the money I earn. It’s a great way to refresh my wardrobe. You can find your store here. 

Charlie Nance is the Afternoon Drive co-host (along with his wife) of "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple have been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent more than a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, SC; Augusta, Ga; and Birmingham, Al. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery windfalls, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.

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