Charlotte smash burger joint expanding again with plans to open at Ballantyne

A popular local burger spot is expanding again, with plans to open at Bowl at Ballantyne.

Harriet’s Hamburgers will open in a stand-alone retro-modern building, the burger company said in a news release Tuesday. It’s expected to open next spring, Harriet’s spokeswoman Nicole Copsis told The Charlotte Observer.

Fly Kid Fly coffee shop also has plans to open next spring, according to the Bowl. The new coffee concept is from Charlotte-based HEX Coffee Roasters and Durban Hospitality. The name is a nod to the Wright Brothers.

The moves come a week after three tenants were announced at the Bowl, which is the retail portion of the Reimagine Ballantyne by developer Northwood Investors LLC. The 20-acre project includes 90,000 square feet of retail, a 6-acre park, two apartment towers and an amphitheater.

This will be Harriet’s Hamburgers third location since opening three years ago at Optimist Hall at 1115 N. Brevard St., north of uptown. The restaurant opened with pickup only because of the pandemic.

Harriet’s will open a second location with Bossy Beulah’s Chicken Shack at 3070 Derita Road in Concord, about a half mile from Concord Mills mall, CharlotteFive previously reported. It’s expected to open in summer 2024, Copsis said.

Each restaurant will have its own building but share a patio and parking lot.

Harriet’s Hamburgers will open in a stand-alone retro-modern building, rendering shown, at the Bowl at Ballantyne.
Harriet’s Hamburgers will open in a stand-alone retro-modern building, rendering shown, at the Bowl at Ballantyne.

About Harriet’s Hamburgers

Harriet’s has just four menu items: hand-formed, all-natural Black Angus beef hamburgers, french fries, soft drinks and water.

The restaurant focuses on natural, hormone-free, antibiotic-free black angus beef from Creekstone Farms in Kansas and premium cheese from an artisanal creamery in California, according to the company.

Harriet’s offers dine-in, pick up and delivery.

More retail at Reimagine Ballantyne

The Bowl will mix local, regional and national retail serving nearby hotels, apartment residents and corporate employees.

Harriet’s Hamburgers will join Charlotte-owned Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen, Honeysuckle Gelato, and Drybar opening next year.

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery expects to open early next year with 14,000 square feet of indoor space and a 7,000-square-foot patio.

Two other restaurants will open in the west Ballantyne campus.

Charlotte-based Summit Coffee will open in July across from Ballantyne Hotel between Chase Bank and Bank of America. Florida-based First Watch breakfast and brunch chain will open in the fall in a shared building with Summit Coffee.

And last month, Pittsburgh-based Walnut Grill debuted at 15719 Brixham Hill Ave. in Ballantyne, serving American fare in a casual setting.

New Orleans-style brunch chain Ruby Sunshine will open its second Charlotte-area restaurant this summer at 12330 Johnston Road in Ballantyne.

A rendering of the Bowl at Ballantyne, a 20-acre development in south Charlotte. The project is one part of the greater “Ballantyne Reimagined” project going on in the area. The Bowl will feature retail and apartments.
A rendering of the Bowl at Ballantyne, a 20-acre development in south Charlotte. The project is one part of the greater “Ballantyne Reimagined” project going on in the area. The Bowl will feature retail and apartments.

About Ballantyne Reimagined

In 2017, Northwood Investors bought the Ballantyne corporate park for $1.2 billion from local developer the Bissell Cos. Dubbed “Ballantyne Reimagined” the project creates an “urban, walkable” community

A 6-acre stream park is expected to open by fall and The Amp Ballantyne, an outdoor amphitheater with a 3,500-person capacity, will debut Sept. 26 with a concert by All Time Low.

The Bowl at Ballantyne signs three retailers, including a popular local restaurant

Harriet’s Hamburgers sets opening date in Charlotte with pickup only during COVID-19