The following article appeared in the 10/28/22 edition of Charlotte Business Journal:
Proposed mixed-use project at Asian Corner Mall site to include beloved restaurant Mr. Le’s Sandwiches
By Jennifer Thomas
Senior Staff Writer, Charlotte Business Journal
A proposed mixed-use project stands to reshape the Asian Corner Mall site — and become the future home of Mr. Le’s Sandwiches & Cafe. Pending city filings indicate plans for office and commercial space as well as apartments.
Charlotte-developer Beauxwright has invested almost $9.4 million in assembling multiple parcels near the intersection of North Tryon Street and East Sugar Creek Road, on the edge of the Eastway neighborhood.
The firm has confirmed that it owns 40% of the Asian Corner Mall and the land and parking lots surrounding it — though it has offered no further insight into its plans.
Now, city of Charlotte filings paint a possible picture of what is to come at the site.
A pending permit linked to 4520 N. Tryon Street describes a Sugar Creek Incubator District-Adaptive Reuse.
An additional city filing bearing the same name shows the project would encompass 9.32 acres.
The project would involve “proposed network streets and infrastructure for Phase 1 of Sugar Creek Incubator District. Includes adaptive reuse of existing mall building. Large storm culvert relocation included,” it reads.
Plans call for nearly 40,000 square feet of office space and 31,000 square feet of commercial space. Multifamily development is listed as part of the project. Two separate pending permit filings for 289 E. Sugar Creek Road indicate apartments are planned.
Further details were not immediately available.
The property, once known as the Tryon Mall, has been through four owners and two bankruptcies since 1983.
Beauxwright Principal Cooper Morrison said in a statement the developer is excited about momentum in the area and plans to share more information early next year.
“While we cannot say much more about our plans for the property, we confirm that Mr. Le’s Sandwiches & Café will reopen in our new space in 2023,” he says.
Le’s has been serving traditional bahn mi sandwiches since 2004. In late 2021, the restaurant posted a sign on its door at the Asian Corner Mall stating it was up for sale, as the owners planned to retire. Tuan and Emily Nguyen took over the business from his parents, the original owners.
Le’s addressed rumors it would be permanently closing on social media earlier this month.
“We are DEFINITELY NOT. We’re STILL staying in our current location regardless what’s happening to the mall. We will have an official announcement of our new location once things are finalized. This will probably be some time in spring 2023. WE ARE NOT LEAVING YOU! Please let your family and friends know,” an Instagram post reads.
Beauxwright says it has been working with the Nguyens during the transition.
“We’ll be excited to welcome them back to a space that is new and improved,” the firm's statement reads.
Morrison said the International Supermarket at the site — which has announced it will soon close — will remain open until Dec. 31. A second grocery store there, New Century Supermarket, will remain open, Beauxwright says.