Ballantyne’s Pearlz Oyster Bar has closed after roughly eight years; national chain Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is slated to take over the Stonecrest at Piper Glen storefront.

Three Lanterns is bringing a fast-casual Asian hub to South End this summer, with bowls, bnh mi, breakfast onigiri and a boba program.

Sweetgreen is coming to Plaza Midwood, listed as "coming soon" at 1710 Commonwealth Ave. The move grows the chain's Charlotte footprint and joins new tenants at The Commonwealth.

El Tres Platos opened in Gastonia last week, blending Mexican, Honduran and Colombian dishes from breakfast through dinner. The menu includes shared family platters and seafood-forward options.

Thoughtful Baking Co. opened a storefront in Oakhurst, bringing its sought-after pot pies, quiches and seasonal desserts to a retail counter and production kitchen.

Crazy Legs Sports Café opened in University City this February, offering air‑fried wings, wood‑fire pizzas and a live podcast studio near UNC Charlotte.

Tariffs, higher fuel and tight harvests have pushed tomato costs up this March, with Charlotte wholesalers paying much more and shoppers seeing higher prices at the store. Local vendors say bushel costs jumped and retail fruit is now priced near $3 a pound.

Three Rabbits Brewing is lining up a German-style taproom at 214 Commerce Place, aiming for a June soft opening and a larger late-summer celebration. The buildout includes a 1,500‑sq‑ft taproom.

South Block opens its Plaza Midwood shop Saturday with a block‑party grand opening, free mini acai bowls for early guests and a live DJ.

Inspectors flagged heavy food debris, dirty dishes and unwashed produce at Shad's Landing, which scored an 89 and a B on an April 9 Mecklenburg County inspection.

A bungalow on The Plaza is baking focaccia and churning out fresh pastas, sauces and ready-to-heat lasagnas that make weeknight dinners simple. Owner-chef Kristiana Perini runs the open kitchen and updates the menu weekly.

Charlotte’s Great Westside Fish Fry returns April 18 at the West Complex — organizer Winston Robinson says this edition may be the last at that site.

Smooth Monkey has filed permits to renovate a ground-floor unit at 500 West Trade, a possible sign the local açaí and smoothie chain is headed to Uptown Charlotte. Details and an opening date remain unclear.