A spokeswoman for Harris Teeter said plans to put a "signature building" at that location have been in the works for some time. The proposal, first shown on the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association's Facebook page, calls for the existing store to be demolished in mid-2012 and the new store to open in 2013.
It's the second older, smaller store in Charlotte this year that Harris Teeter has proposed razing and replacing with an upscale building. The other Charlotte store the retailer plans to replace is in Myers Park.
The Central Avenue location was opened by W.T. Harris, one of the chain's co-founders, in 1938. The retailer says that it was the city's first air-conditioned grocery store and first store open until 9 p.m. on Friday nights - major selling points at the time.
But now, spokeswoman Jennifer Thompson said, the store is relatively small, and unable to carry the full line of items available at other Harris Teeters. The retailer operates some 200 supermarkets, mainly in the Southeast.
The proposed 48,400-square-foot store, which will require zoning approval, is shown with a 143-space parking lot and a green roof covering part of the structure. Such roofs feature vegetation to cut down on energy costs and storm runoff. The proposed design also features a second-story mezzanine level with indoor and outdoor seating for shoppers.
In a nod to pedestrian-friendliness, Harris Teeter says the new store will have a sidewalk entrance at the corner of Central Avenue and The Plaza, and a rear entrance facing the parking lot for drivers.
"The proposed store will create a high quality focal point at the corner of The Plaza and Central
Avenue," said Thompson in a statement.
Nicole Storey, Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association's president, said the plans were presented Tuesday night at the group's board meeting.
"We're thrilled," Storey said. "Our store is definitely in need of replacement." Harris Teeter has discussed replacing the building with neighborhood leaders for 10 years, Storey said.
"What they've presented is really unique," Storey said. "I don't think any of us expected to see an art-deco store."
The store's design bears some resemblance to another Harris Teeter redesign slated for Myers Park. The Harris Teeter Express at the corner of Providence and Queens roads - which was also built in 1938 - will be replaced with a two-story, 42,000-square-foot Harris Teeter.
But the exterior style is different, and fits the surrounding neighborhood well, Storey said.
"They were talking about the new store and saying how unique it was, and I asked them to show us the Myers Park store," Storey said. "When they showed it to us, there were gasps in the room at how different it was."
Here are some pictures and a site plan from Harris Teeter:
And for your reference, a picture of the proposed Myers Park Harris Teeter:
