Feeling hungry? Fortunately, we know a food destination found only in Charlotte promising something for everyone's tastes.

Step inside Optimist Hall at 1115 N. Brevard St. in Charlotte's Optimist Park neighborhood where you'll find a vibrant hub packed with 20+ food stalls, three dine-in restaurants, a craft cocktail lounge, and brewery.

"My favorite thing when I walk in is to see a variety of food," said property manager Bernie Smith. "Everybody's sitting together and somebody's got a hamburger, somebody's got Dumpling Lady. It's all over the map. I love it. That's exactly what [the designers] envisioned."

Much like the Queen City, Optimist Hall has seen a dramatic transformation. The site was originally home to Charlotte’s largest textile mill built in 1892 and operating up until 2015. Charlotte-based White Point Paces Partners purchased the property in 2016 to transform the 150,000-sqft mill into the city's first food hall.

Optimist Hall officially opened in August 2019, with dozens of popular food options under one roof + new tenants like Marina's Tapas recently joining the party.
Editor's note: Optimist Hall tenants are offering discount specials and festive events to ring in the holiday season.

When CLTtoday spoke with Smith in the courtyard on a sunny afternoon at lunchtime, people mingled, carrying their meals with the Uptown skyline visible on the horizon. It's clear to see Optimist Hall offers guests not only a wide variety of dining options, but also a safe and clean environment bustling with a community atmosphere.

"You couldn't duplicate this place if you tried" said Smith.