Retail Relics around North Park and Tryon Malls: Charlotte, NC

While exploring the uglier side of Charlotte, I could not pass up some of the more fascinating retail relics I noted along the way.  Here, I am covering three: an old Park-n-Shop, dated Captain D's and former Sizzler.  On the first, I really do not know that much about the Park-n-Shop, but I was quite impressed with the shell of the swanky, outlandish store in front of Tryon Mall/Asian Corner Mall.  While its original format has long since passed it by, its fascinating modernist design was worthy of a photograph.  At first I thought this was an old car dealership, but on closer inspection I realized it was an old grocery store, and I was able to confirm that.  Other than that, I really do not know very much about this store.

Remains of the old Park N Shop in front of Tryon Mall/Asian Corner Mall.  You can see the old Peeble's/Collins Company in the background.  This is not the best pic because I took it from the street while I was at a red light.

Once common, old-style Captain D's signs featuring an animated captain are a rarity these days.  This is why I was very happy to find one at the intersection of Eastway Drive and Tryon Street in front of North Park Mall.  I took no pictures of the restaurant, though, because it was completely renovated to look like all the other recent ones.  I have to wonder why they failed to replace the sign, though.  Possibly the offbeat, run down area may have something to do with why they didn't change it.

You have to admit this sign was more eye-catching and had more kid appeal than the oval today.  However, it is kind of corny.  This is looking south on Eastway Drive.

This was barely hanging on.  Part of the old Kroger Sav-On/Bi-Lo at North Park Mall is visible on the left.

Next to Captain D's, I also discovered the fairly well preserved remains of an old Sizzler.  The Sizzler chain was grouped with all the other family steakhouse chains that mostly tanked in the early 90's.  In typical low rent fashion, the once dark mansard roof now is painted a hideous turquoise color.  The style of entrance doors used always stood out to me.  Those truly fell out of favor after the the 1980's.

Steaks and hot bars were replaced with burritos and Dos Equis at this rather sleazy looking mexican restaurant located in an old Sizzler.

One thing that definitely surprised me about Charlotte was the amount of dead retail scattered around the city.  It is currently most pronounced along Independence Blvd (US 74), which was an area that I unfortunately did not get a chance to explore.  This will undoubtedly be a phase as the city eventually finds a way to tear down all of it.  Aside from Independence and Central Ave, all of this was found along Tryon Street (US 29), which was a thriving retail corridor in the 70's with the draw of Tryon and North Park Malls.  I would loved to have explored it further, but I did not have time.