🍗 Price's to close after 59 years

Last day to get fried chicken is Saturday. | Thursday, June 17, 2021

Alerts   View in browser   Axios Charlotte Thought Bubble By Emma Way ·Jun 17, 2021 Hello, Thursday afternoon. It's Emma, here with a special Axios Charlotte Thought Bubble, our snap-analysis dispatch to break down events that shape our city as they happen. Today's topic: Price's Chicken Coop is closing after 59 years, marking the end of an era for old-school South End. This newsletter is 283 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: 💔 Farewell, Price's Price's at lunchtime today. Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios On Charlotte's shrinking list of iconic, long-running restaurants, Price's Chicken Coop was at the top. Its closure in rapidly developing South End feels like it was coming for years and, at the same time, painfully sudden. "Price's has been a coming together place," local historian Tom Hanchett tells me. "It's a sad thing for folks who like chicken in Charlotte, but it's even sadder as wide trend." What's happening: Owner Stephen Price announced this morning that he would close the fried chicken joint for good on Saturday. He cited labor and coin shortages as well as rising food costs. Price tells Axios' Paige Hopkins he hasn't decided what to do with his South End property and wants to take time to rest and say thank you to his customers. The big picture: Humble brick buildings that once held iconic spots like Price's are vanishing in the shadows of new apartments and trendy retail. It's happening not just in South End, but all over Charlotte — and in cities across the country. "Everybody's lined up. Always have been for the last 10-15 years," Price said of developers contacting him about the property in April. "We're just watching the world change around us." Price's property is assessed at over $1.7M, county records show. My thought bubble: The first bite of food I ever ate in Charlotte was Price's fried chicken. That chicken — served in a grease-splotched cardboard box alongside hushpuppies, fries, coleslaw and a roll — is one of the reasons I decided to make Charlotte my home. I'll see y'all in the line outside of Price's, which is already wrapped around Camden as I write this. Read more: Iconic Price's Chicken Coop is closing   Thanks for reading. We'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning. Like this style and format? Request access to Axios HQ The tool and templates you need for more engaging team updates.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: