Atherton Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to all your questions about Atherton shopping center.
What are the hours of operation at Atherton?
Answer: The restaurants, shops and services located in Atherton shopping center have varying hours. Please check with individual stores for their hours.
Where is Atherton located?
Answer: Atherton is in the heart of the South End of Charlotte along South Boulevard. View our location on Google Maps.
How can I get to Atherton?
Answer: You can drive and park at Atherton, take the LYNX Blue Line to the Atherton stop, or walk/bike/run to the center on the Charlotte Rail Trail.
What is parking like at Atherton?
Answer: Atherton has ample parking available – both surface parking and garage parking. All parking is free for a maximum of 3 hours for visitors and guests of Atherton’s retailers, restaurants and events. No overnight parking. Security and cameras monitor for violators who will be towed.
Is Atherton accessible?
Answer: Yes, Atherton is wheelchair accessible including the garage (with elevators) and the Old Mill Buildings in addition to the Charlotte Rail Trail.
Is Atherton bike‑friendly?
Answer: Yes, Atherton is bike friendly and has bike racks sprinkled throughout the shopping center. Atherton is located on the Charlotte Rail Trail which is bike friendly.
Is my dog allowed at Atherton?
Answer: Yes, dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. Please check with individual retailers to see if they are allowed inside or on a patio.
What kind of retail is available in Atherton?
Answer: Atherton has a mix of local and national clothing, jewelry and accessory retailers, home goods as well as beauty services such as hair and nail salons, med spa and eye wear. View our full list of retail.
Are there locally owned businesses at Atherton shopping center?
Answer: Yes, Atherton features many locally owned businesses alongside national brands. In addition, the center is a popular spot for the weekly South End Farmers Market featuring dozens of local Charlotte-area merchants and Front Porch Sundays, a monthly event with more than 90 local vendors. View our full list of retailers.
What kinds of restaurants are there in Atherton?
Answer: Atherton offers a wide variety of places to eat and drink including coffee shops and cafes, breweries, a wine bar and restaurants featuring Italian, sushi, quick lunches, and more. View our full list of retaurants.
What are the amenities at Atherton?
Answer: Atherton provides a weekly farmers market, family-friendly events, fitness classes and access to the Charlotte Rail Trail. To make it easy for you to enjoy our center, we provide free parking for a maximum of 3 hours for guests of our retailers, restaurants and events. Bike racks are sprinkled throughout the center.
What community events are hosted regularly in Atherton?
Answer: Atherton regularly hosts fitness classes, live music, a weekly farmers market, holiday and makers markets, story time and more. Check out our full calendar of events.
Are there free events at Atherton?
Answer: All of the events at the shopping center are free and family friendly. For a complete list of events visit our events calendar.
Which building(s) are historical at Atherton?
Answer: Built in 1919, the historic Parks-Cramer building was ahead of its time with advances in well-lit spaces with large windows, increased ventilation and a flexible space. The Parks-Cramer Company developed and distributed air conditioning and humidifying machines for use in the cotton textile industry – which were prolific in the South End, Charlotte and North Carolina. Today this original brick building is filled with retail shops and restaurants that make up the mixed-use destination of Atherton.
The Trolley Barn, originally a warehouse for the Atherton Mill (now known as Atherton Lofts), was later used to house and restore Charlotte’s historic trolleys. In recent years, it has been redeveloped into a food hall and brewery.