NODA – The NEW hippest area in Charlotte

by | Jul 20, 2018 | Blog | 0 comments

NoDa (short for “North Davidson”), which area surrounds North Davidson and 36th streets, is the NEW hippest area in Charlotte, approximately two miles north of the Charlotte city limits.  This area shares the same geography as Historic North Charlotte which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The North Charlotte neighborhood was developed back in 1903 by a group of well to do textile leaders who envisioned an autonomous industrial district.  The village consisted of Highland Park Mill No. 3 (the first constructed mill), the Mecklenburg Mill (north of 36th Street), a hotel (3020 North Alexander Street), the Hand Pharmacy drug store, a doctor’s office, the Bank of North Carolina, a few grocery stores and housing for the mill workers and their families.

In 1953 and after the depression, the mills were sold and the decline of the NoDa neighborhood started.  Jobs were lost, houses were sold and the neighborhood atmosphere changed. To make matters worse, Matheson Avenue, a four lane road, was built which required the demolition of several homes, and lead to the segregation of neighborhood streets and significantly increased the amount of traffic.

But, in 1974, after many houses were vacant and dilapidated in the area, the Housing and Community Development Act (HCDA) of 1974 was enacted, which was to revitalize the NoDa area.  Despite the HCDA, the area was still in need of improvements and was still declining.

It wasn’t until the 1990s were NoDa started to truly revitalize.  Artists started coming to the neighbor and setting up art galleries and studios.  Two artists, Paul Sires and Ruth Ava Lyons, bought and renovated the Lowder Building and renovated it and several other buildings.  They created the first artist establishment known as “Center of the Earth Gallery”, an award winning gallery. For their efforts, they received the Governor’s Award for Businesses in the Arts and the Historic Charlotte Preservation Award.

NoDa quickly became a booming arts district; the former mill village was transforming, and people were taking notice.  New residents were now flocking to the area. People were spending money on renovating and improving the old buildings and expanding the area.

The historic Hand Pharmacy building was renovated and now houses the infamous Cabo Fish Taco restaurant.  There are several outstanding eateries, coffee shops, swanky art galleries, bars, music venues and so much more.  And, there are several events that are going on at any given time – Softball is played on Monday nights at the North Charlotte Park and movies are played the first Wednesday of the month.

And, if you have time to shop?  There are plenty of art galleries from which to buy that unique and one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.

NoDa, the once branded city’s arts district, how now reclaimed its title.  It is not only one of the most fabulous arts district in Charlotte, but it is also one of the hippest areas in Charlotte.

To see more of what is in store for NoDa, visit: NoDa Vision Plan 2030

Steve Bouboulis

Not seeing the results you want? Get expert advice to boost your online presence.

Don’t miss out! Have a one-on-one SEO consultation with me, Steve Bouboulis. We’ll analyze your website data and build a customized SEO plan to dominate search results.

Steve Bouboulis

Get Expert Advice
Schedule Your Strategy Session Today

Struggling to attract visitors? Get strategies to drive more traffic. See measurable results in increased traffic and conversions.

You might also like

Mastering Website Design Best Practices Charlotte NC

Key Highlights Find out the best website design tips made for businesses in Charlotte, NC. These tips can help your digital presence grow and help you reach more people where you live. See how you can use local culture and good SEO strategies together to help your...

Website Design Checklist Charlotte NC: A Step-by-Step Guide

Key Highlights This is a simple website design checklist for small businesses in Charlotte, NC. It gives you clear steps to follow, so you get the best results from your website development. When you use web design ideas made for Charlotte, you help your brand...

Must-Have Website Features Small Businesses Need Charlotte

Key Highlights A responsive web design helps small businesses reach local customers who use the web on mobile devices and tablets. Local SEO makes it easy for people in Charlotte to find your business, so you get more local customers. Fast page load speeds give...

How to Choose a Website Design Company in Charlotte NC

Key Highlights Picking the right web design company in Charlotte NC is very important. The web design you choose can help you build a strong online presence that fits your business goals. Think about your own specific needs like your design style, how you want things...

Common Website Mistakes Small Businesses Make Charlotte NC

Key Highlights Many small businesses in Charlotte, NC, make common website mistakes that harm their online presence and potential growth. Neglecting mobile optimization alienates visitors who access websites on mobile devices, affecting customer satisfaction....