South Block, the Washington, D.C.-born acai and smoothie chain, is rolling into Plaza Midwood on Saturday with a full-on block party to mark its Charlotte debut in the neighborhood. The shop will serve its build-your-own bowls, smoothies and cold-pressed juices out of the Commonwealth development near East Independence Boulevard, with early birds treated to freebies, a live DJ and plenty of branded swag.
According to WBTV, the Plaza Midwood location officially opens Saturday and will hand out free Mini Warrior Acai Bowls to the first 100 guests, along with a live DJ set and exclusive giveaways. South Block lists the address as 1711 Commonwealth Ave., Suite 140 in Plaza Midwood.
Opening day perks and timing
QSR Magazine reports that the grand-opening block party is set to kick off at 11 a.m., with branded swag and activities planned throughout the day. As for South Block’s growing local footprint, CLTtoday notes the company opened its first Charlotte shop at The Bowl at Ballantyne earlier this year, giving fans two nearby stops for bowls, smoothies and juices.
Why Plaza Midwood
Developers behind the Commonwealth project have been actively recruiting national names, and Charlotte Business Journal reported that the lineup now includes concepts like Maman and Sweetgreen as ground-floor retail fills in. Plaza Midwood’s walkable vibe and steady foot traffic make it a natural landing spot for a fast-casual brand that relies heavily on quick pickup and office traffic.
"The Plaza Midwood opening is a huge moment for South Block, because it not only shows the immediate support we’ve got from Charlotte, but the enthusiasm for our expansion as a whole," Founder Amir Mostafavi said, per WBTV. The Ballantyne shop at South Block, located at 14020 Stream Way, Suite 114, remains open as the brand’s first Charlotte outpost. Expect an early line on Saturday: the first 100 mini bowls are free and the playlist will be live.
