July 28. By TL Bernthal. Yes, it’s true: Corkscrew wine pub has to leave Birkdale Village in Huntersville.

Corkscrew recently received official notification from Birkdale Village owners that the wine pub is not part of the reimagined retail center and its lease would not be re-negotiated, according the Joseph Klosek, the general manager at Corkscrew Birkdale.

Corkscrew, which opened more than 18 years ago at Birkdale Village, is being allowed to remain open through the holidays, Klosek said.

Corkscrew is seeking to move locally, a given because of its popularity and loyal clientele at the original location. Corkscrew Wine Shoppe & Bar has a location in Fort Mill, SC, as well.

Klosek said the search for a new Lake Norman location is starting.

Details

North American Properties (NAP), the owners of the 52-acre mixed-use project that is the retail centerpiece of Lake Norman, on Wednesday announced seven new businesses coming to Birkdale Village, but those seven are not in line for the prime Corkscrew location.

A NAP spokeswoman said lease negotiations for the Corkscrew space are underway.

Corkscrew is not the only business that will be gone. Qdoba Mexican Eats and The Gap clothing retailer already have closed as part of the changing format of Birkdale Village.

Background

The retail landscape is changing across the country with national chains using brick-and-mortar shops for pickup locations of online orders as much as for the in-store—shopping in real time—experience.

The $20 million redevelopment of Birkdale Village is nearing completion.

Birkdale timeline

According to NAP, Birkdale Village’s common areas—such as the plaza and stage—and the concierge and valet services should open the week after Labor Day.

While the major renovations should be completed in the coming months, tenant build-outs will continue into 2023, according to NAP.

The Birkdale Village Reimagined is expected to be in full swing for the holidays, the owners said.