Lease Showdown Kicks Mac's Speed Shop Off E. John Street In Matthews

Mac's Speed Shop has gone dark in Matthews, with the barbecue staple quietly closing its E. John Street restaurant after lease talks with the property's landlord broke down. The Charlotte-born chain locked the doors Monday, even as it gets ready to fire up smokers at a new Fort Mill location later this summer. Downtown Matthews regulars and neighboring businesses are already wondering what losing a familiar hangout will do to evening crowds and weekend buzz.

According to the Charlotte Business Journal, the Matthews location closed when Mac's and the landlord could not agree on a new lease. The outlet reports that the company plans to open a Fort Mill restaurant this month and has poured up to $2 million into that project. The Business Journal published its story on June 8.

Mac's own website is already leaning into the move. The homepage touts a Fort Mill opening "coming soon this summer" and links out to hiring efforts there, signaling an active recruiting push. At the same time, the chain's Matthews location page on Mac's Speed Shop still lists its former address at 142 E John St and a local phone number, suggesting some online listings are lagging behind the closure. Those locations pages also lay out the chain's broader Charlotte-area footprint, a reminder that each opening and shutdown can nudge diners toward different neighborhoods.

What the closure means for Matthews

Downtown Matthews leans on a mix of homegrown spots and regional brands to keep the streets active, especially at night and on weekends. Losing a visible restaurant right on a main drag can shift where people choose to meet up for dinner or a drink. An anchor tenant like Mac's often helps feed weekday lunch crowds and after-work traffic to nearby shops, so a dark storefront can squeeze neighboring businesses until something new moves in. How quickly the landlord lines up a replacement, and whether it is another restaurant or a different concept entirely, will shape how fast that stretch of E. John Street bounces back.

Fort Mill plans and staffing

The Charlotte Business Journal reports that Mac's expects to open in Fort Mill this month and has committed up to $2 million to build out the new spot. That aligns with the public hiring push highlighted on the company's site, where job listings and application links are already live for the Fort Mill restaurant. For Matthews patrons eyeing the now-quiet storefront, there is still no joint statement from Mac's or the property owner spelling out what comes next for the space.

Readers tracking the shuffle can keep an eye on Mac's official site and the Charlotte Business Journal for updates on staffing, timelines, and whoever ultimately takes over the former Matthews address.