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Will COVID-19 decimate Charlotte's food scene or strengthen it?

The restaurant scene took a beating due to COVID-19 restrictions and closures, but industry insiders said Charlotte foodies may be in for a big surprise.

Michelle Boudin

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Published: 8:52 PM EST February 2, 2021
Updated: 8:08 AM EST February 3, 2021

There's no denying it: 2019 was an incredible time for the Charlotte restaurant scene.

Patrick Whalen is one of the co-owners of the popular Uptown restaurant 5Church Charlotte, hitting "record numbers" in 2019.

Adam Williams, who works to pair developers with open sites to build new restaurants, said 2019 was "gangbusters" for restauranteurs in the Queen City.

"It was unbelievable," Williams recalled. "I’d never been busier.”

Kristen Wile runs the subscription website Unpretentious Palate which covers the food scene in Charlotte.

“Charlotte was really finding its culinary identity," Wile said. 

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