Get to Know the Market at 7th Street
Experience a taste of Charlotte at North Carolina’s first food hall, a must-visit destination in Uptown where people, food and culture come together.
The Market at 7th Street opened in 2011 as North Carolina’s first food hall. A lively indoor space with a modern, industrial feel, the Market brings together more than a dozen local food, drink and retail vendors representing the best of the Carolinas. It’s an urban food hall, retail space and meeting place all in one and is unlike anything else in the city. The nonprofit Market operates as a culinary and retail incubator helping local entrepreneurs and minority businesses grow while showcasing the region's diverse food and artisans to residents and visitors alike. Since its inception, the Market has hosted more than 40 small businesses and provided high-quality, fresh and affordable food from local farms and regional purveyors, offering a truly one-of-a-kind Charlotte experience for the whole family.
“Charlotte has always been a city of industry and ingenuity. The Market at 7th Street puts that ingenuity on display for all to share in,” says Executive Director Jamie Hundley. “Emerging chefs, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, artisans and makers all have the chance to be a part of this tradition and start their dreams in a safe and supportive environment.”
As you walk through the doors of the Market, the aroma of fresh-roasted coffee and food hot out of the oven will hit you in the most satisfying way. The sound of friends chattering, kids laughing and cooks clanging in the kitchens will make you feel like you're home for a family meal. The Market is a feast for the senses and the perfect way to experience the region’s culinary artisans and entrepreneurs while supporting local. The only struggle of your visit will be deciding where to go first.
EAT
In the heart of Charlotte, the largest and most diverse city in the Carolinas, the Market features a variety of urban food options from local to global for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While new vendors pop up every 12 to 18 months, the Market’s current food and beverage stalls include Assorted Table Wine Shoppe, It’s Poppin! Gourmet Kettle Corn,Geno D’s Pizza, Himalayan dumpling shop Momo Station, the original location of Not Just Coffee, Orrman’s Cheese Shop, Mad Dash Kitchen, Jimmy Pearl's and Mano Bella Artisan Foods. Once you decide what to order, head to a community table in the middle of the Market or outside under the umbrella-shaded patio tables, where you can watch the LYNX Blue Line light rail zoom by as you eat. Or grab your meal to-go and have a picnic across the street at First Ward Park.
SHOP
Charlotte-centric gift boutique, CLT Find, features more than 80 local makers (online ordering, custom gift packages and delivery also available). Be on the lookout for special retail pop-ups throughout the year as well.
PLAY
The Market has a casual, chill vibe and is a “come as you are” destination. All are welcome and invited to experience special events at the Market, like live music, wine tastings, wine and cheese classes, art exhibits, cultural performances, workout classes, food tours, retail pop-ups and popular annual public events like the Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast and the Great Cookie Crumble. The Market is also located next door to ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, making it the perfect spot for a meal before or after a family-friendly day out in Uptown. And don’t miss the “Touch My Building” urban musical instrument installation on the exterior of the Market. Passers-by can actually “play” the building by activating sounds and lights.
Ready to plan your visit? Ride the LYNX Blue Line light rail to the 7th Street Station or park in the 7th Street Station parking deck and head down to the first floor to enter the Market. Parking is validated for the first 90 minutes with a purchase from a Market business.
“The future of the Market is bright, especially as the culinary scene in Charlotte continues to grow and more people are looking for opportunities to create a business,” Hundley says. “The Market will be here ready to serve those new entrepreneurs on the journey of pursuing their dreams as well as the people who get to partake in the local creations produced.”