Smooth Monkey could be blending its way into Uptown soon, with fresh permit paperwork tying the Charlotte-born smoothie and açaí chain to a renovation at 500 West Trade. The potential shop would be the brand’s third Charlotte location, joining its Plaza Midwood and Strawberry Hill outposts. If it opens, the Uptown spot would drop another quick-serve healthy option into Fourth Ward’s retail mix. Officials and the ownership team have not yet announced a timeline for opening.
That early hint comes from a local business filing. What Now Charlotte reports that a recent permit lists renovation work at 500 W. Trade St. and notes the outlet reached out to Smooth Monkey’s ownership, but did not hear back before publication. Permit filings like this often show up ahead of tenant build-outs, but they do not guarantee a shop will ultimately open.
Where the Uptown Spot Would Sit
500 West Trade is a mixed-use development in Fourth Ward, with ground-floor retail aimed at serving residents and nearby office workers. Leasing materials list Smooth Monkey as a prospective 1,000 square foot retail tenant, according to Providence Group. The flyer highlights access to transit and nearby destinations such as Truist Field and the Mint Museum.
Menu and Local Footprint
Smooth Monkey pitches itself as a fresh-focused concept built on a simple promise: “No Ice, No Sugar, No Syrup.” The chain serves açaí bowls and blended smoothies with names like Berry Berry Keto and Choco-Coffee, according to Smooth Monkey. The brand currently operates in Plaza Midwood and Strawberry Hill, where hours and menus are posted online. For regulars on the east and south sides, an Uptown counter would bring a familiar option closer to center-city offices and high-rise apartments.
Timeline and What to Watch
There is no public opening date yet. Permit notices typically flag early-stage work rather than a finished lease. The 500 West Trade leasing team and Smooth Monkey’s ownership did not immediately return requests for comment, so local permitting records and any future lease announcements will be the clearest indicators of what happens next. If the plan moves forward, the storefront would sit close to Uptown offices, transit connections and event venues, a selling point the development uses to court retailers, according to the 500 West Trade site.
