Popular NoDa neighborhood grocer is ready to open a second Charlotte store

Catherine Muccigrosso
·2 min read

The popular NoDa neighborhood market The Exchange at 36th is expanding with a second location in uptown.

The Exchange Uptown will open in early spring in an 880-square-foot space at One Independence Center, 101 N. Tryon St. The store will be adjacent to Monarch Market food hall, which opened in November.

The uptown store will sell sodas and cold beverages, artisanal and specialty snacks, to-go sandwiches, greeting cards, gifts, and beer and wine for retail purchases only.

“Our focus tends to be more on local brands and specialty products,” The Exchange co-owner Andrea Franceschelli said. “We are a small business, and we want to support the small business community in Charlotte.”

Unlike the NoDa location, which includes a full-service bar and kitchen, plus lounge area, the uptown location will have limited seating.

“It’s going to be more based on convenience items and grab-and-go,” Franceschelli said.

The Exchange at 36th neighborhood grocer in NoDa is expanding with a second location in uptown Charlotte.
The Exchange at 36th neighborhood grocer in NoDa is expanding with a second location in uptown Charlotte.

The backstory of The Exchange

The Exchange at 36th opened at 451 E. 36th St. in February 2021.

The original plan called for a restaurant in NoDa, Franceschelli said, but because of the pandemic, she pivoted to a neighborhood specialty and convenience grocer. Locally stocked brands include Queen Charlotte’s Pimento Cheese, Green Brothers Juice, Vintage Sun Company Candles and Lenny Boy Kombucha.

Since opening, The Exchange has seen year-over-year sales increase by over 25%, Franceschelli said.

Along with more apartments and growth in NoDa, she said the market has regulars from the neighborhood.

The Exchange in NoDa has four part-time employees and the uptown location will have up to three workers, co-owner Kevin Samuel said.

The Exchange at 36th market opened in NoDa in 2021 with local and regional vendors to keep a distinctly Carolina flair.
The Exchange at 36th market opened in NoDa in 2021 with local and regional vendors to keep a distinctly Carolina flair.

More about One Independence Center

The Exchange is part of Crescent Communities’ overhaul of One Independence Center, having invested more than $30 million with Nuveen since 2020.

The 20-story building has leased 23,000 square feet of restaurant and food and beverage space.

In November, the 8,000-square-foot food hall Monarch Market opened with 13 food stalls and three bars.

The Exchange Uptown

Location: 101 N. Tryon St.

Instagram @theexchangeclt