CHARLOTTE — Just months after the grand opening of West Charlotte event and cocktail space Good Life at Enderly Park, owner Robbie McNair said she was forced to close.
McNair, like many business owners across the country, found herself affected by the impact of mandatory COVID-19 shutdowns, which lasted for nine months.
But the west Charlotte business owner said the latest hurdle she’s facing could easily be avoided.
“My business partner noticed the sign that was saying, ‘This parking is for Noble Smoke customers only’ and you would be towed.”
McNair says the parking lot near Noble Smoke on Freedom Drive, across the street from her business, is meant to be shared with her customers, according to her lease and a parking plan through the city of Charlotte. McNair said she’s even hired a valet service to streamline parking by offering it to her guests free of charge.
“It got serious in the last two weeks, and we have been busy, but again, the lot has not been at capacity,” she said. “He was threatening the valet, Jim Noble, himself I was told, if they parked there he was going to have it towed.”
Channel 9 contacted The Browder Group, the landlord for both businesses, and it replied that the group was working with both parties to resolve the issue.
McNair said in a previous conversation with an assistant for The Browder Group, she was immediately concerned when asked to have Good Life customers park in the back of the lot.
“I told her that sounded like Rosa Parks. Get in back,” McNair said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Noble Food & Pursuits said the following regarding the dispute:
“We believe Noble Smoke is operating in compliance with its lease, which includes all parking spaces at 2216 and 2200 Freedom Drive. Chef Noble is working with all parties to reach an amicable solution for all.”
McNair showed Channel 9 a copy of her lease for Good Life at Enderly Park, which, in part, described the tenant’s “non-exclusive right to all driveways and parking areas considered common areas.” The lease continued, that the landlord can designate spaces for one or more tenants “with written consent.”
“Most guests, if they see the sign, then they’re going to start looking for parking,” McNair said. “Just the fact that we are African American women in business -- we need to be seen in the neighborhood.”
While working on this story, someone removed the parking sign from the Noble Smoke property.
There was also a meeting held Tuesday morning to address the issue, which included owners from Good Life, The Browder Group and others, including City Councilman Larken Egleston.
Egleston said he attended the meeting hoping to help facilitate a solution and felt encouraged there were actionable steps at the conclusion.
We’re told representatives for Noble Smoke did not attend.
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