In Feb. 2024, the Sadler Square Shopping Center—located at 201 Griffith Street—was acquired by Piedmont Capital Real Estate LLC, a firm based in Charlotte. On Aug. 21, 2024, the Town of Davidson’s Design Review Board approved Piedmont Capital’s new building schematic design. According to the Review Board’s staff report, Piedmont requested approval of changes to the center, with the expressed goal of “improv[ing] the aesthetic of the existing building.”
The new additions to the property will include new paint, renewed store fronts and “[the] creation of additional patio opportunities.”
Before the new year, the businesses in the center were asked to vacate their spaces. The renovations have been ongoing ever since. The shopping center is the former home of community staples like OurTown Cinema, The Egg and BK Custom Cleaners. BK Custom Cleaners had been in that location for nearly 30 years; The Egg was nearing 20.
Aside from the public documentation, the direction of the soon-to-be-renovated Sadler Square remains a mystery. Since the Town of Davidson was only involved in approving the building’s renovations, local government officials are just as curious as local residents.
Mayor Rusty Knox provided some insight into how informed the Town was on this acquisition and renovation project. “We, the Town, knew the center was for sale. I’ve been a real estate broker for 30 years, so I was also aware.” Aside from this, all Knox knows of the project is restricted to the rumblings he hears and his own hopes for the center.
“Most people I speak to are excited about the [renovations] the center is receiving. Additionally, there is a lot of interest in what will occupy the spaces. As a resident, I would love to see a grocery option, and any food options would be welcomed. I don’t know any specifics about existing businesses returning. My hope is that the future tenants are diverse in nature and offer options that cater to Davidson College, the Town residents and those that visit,” Knox stated.
Kim Fleming, director of economic development for the Town of Davidson, was asked what the renovated center will do for the economic health of Davidson. “New investment in the Town of Davidson helps to strengthen our commercial tax base and provides critical retail mass for all the businesses in town.”
According to Knox, most of the business owners he has discussed the renovations with “welcome new options in town.”
Jonathan Stewart, a partner at Piedmont Capital, confirmed the physical transformations of the lot but was unable to provide more clarifying information about any new businesses moving into the square.
“We are currently finishing up the exterior improvement project to the property. This includes the major façade changes, new roofs, installation of a sprinkler system, a new curb, parking lots, parking lot lights and landscaping,” Stewart said. “We are working with a number of prospective tenants now and look forward to announcing future openings alongside tenants, when they are ready to do so.”
Amidst the curiosity and excitement, many have forgotten about the businesses that were forced to leave Sadler Square. Robert McCrary, owner of The Egg, has been running his displaced breakfast and lunch spot out of his other restaurant, The Crazy Pig.
“We loved The Egg over there. Everybody loved The Egg. It was there for 18 years and it was a very special place. I’ve seen kids grow up, go away to college, get married. We’ve seen generations go through there. It was very special,” McCrary said.
Before Piedmont Capital bought the property, McCrary had an excellent relationship with the ownership of the center. “I had a very good relationship [with the previous owner] for 18 years. I helped him mow the yard. […] He was a single owner, an older guy, you know, old school. He worked with me when times got tough, like during COVID. He was a good guy. It was the way it should be. It was a hometown kind of thing,” McCrary stated. “The new owners are not like that.”
According to McCrary, none of the businesses in Sadler Square had a lease since the pandemic and instead were paying on a month-to-month basis. McCrary suspected that this meant “the original owner had in his mind to sell eventually anyway.”
After the transaction had been made, McCrary and the other business owners met with Piedmont Capital representatives.
“We sort of had an interview with them [after] they bought [Sadler Square] and I met all the new guys. They seemed nice enough. I didn’t hear much from them again until the rumors started flying around, [around] summertime, that they might be kicking out the [movie] theater or doing something like this or like that. And then, just out of the blue, the new owners gave everybody a letter [saying] you have 30 days to get out.”
Piedmont Capital did not respond to questions regarding these allegations.
While McCrary was fortunate to have a space to continue The Egg’s operation, he is far from settled.
“Closing The Egg really hurt. It hurt financially. It’s going to take me I don’t know how long to dig out of that hole. A lot of our clientele are older people, and they’re not tech savvy and social media aware, and I can only post [The Egg’s new location] so many times. There’s really no spot in Davidson for me to open up another [The] Egg, and if I go to another town, it defeats the purpose of The Egg.”
Still, in the face of adversity, McCrary is in good spirits and proud of what his employees have pushed through.
“I’m really proud of our team, the way we could come over here and transition two [restaurants] into one. If the opportunity presents itself [to open another restaurant space], I’ll certainly entertain it, but right now I’m just waiting for God to open up a door. I’m not pushing anything.”
