The award-winning acai and smoothie brand will open two new locations in Charlotte this year – marking its first expansion outside the DMV market
Two of North Carolina’s blocks are about to get brighter. South Block – a beloved better-for-you brand dishing up acai bowls, smoothies, and cold-pressed juices – announced today it will open two locations in Charlotte, North Carolina in late 2025.
Known as one of the East Coast’s first acai bowl shops, South Block was founded in 2011 and has become a northeast staple with 20 locations across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The North Carolina expansion marks the concept’s first departure outside its heritage market.
“We’re thrilled to bring our fresh flavors and good vibes to new blocks around the country,” said Amir Mostafavi, founder and CEO of South Block. “This is an exciting move for our brand, and North Carolina is the perfect beginning for our expansion. I have many friends from Virginia Tech who’ve made Charlotte their home, and it is an amazing city with an incredible vibe. Our mission is to help make people feel awesome – one block at a time – and we can’t wait to make this already incredible community even more awesome.”
Set to open later this fall, the two Charlotte locations will be located at The Bowl at Ballantyne and at Plaza Midwood.
“South Block’s purpose-driven approach to food and community mirrors The Bowl’s commitment to creating more than just a place to shop or dine, but a place to belong,” said Cayla Stauffer, marketing and events manager, Northwood Office. “We’re excited to be part of their Charlotte debut and introduce guests to their fresh and handcrafted flavors.”
In January 2024, South Block entered into a growth partnership with Savory Fund, a private equity firm that invests in emerging restaurant concepts. In the last year, South Block has added four stores, including a location at the Dulles Airport. This year, South Block plans to add an additional five stores.
“South Block has an undeniable following, and it’s time that more ‘blocks’ around the country start to experience this one-of-a-kind brand,” said Andrew K. Smith, managing partner and co-founder of Savory. “I instantly fell in love with South Block, and I know North Carolina will, too. Start with the PBJ Bowl – your mornings will never be the same.”
South Block opened its first location in Clarendon, VA in 2011 with a mission to build healthier communities one block at a time. It specializes in fresh, made-to-order smoothies, acai bowls, toasts, and cold-pressed juices. The name was inspired by its first location on the south side of a block in the Clarendon neighborhood. South Block now has 20 locations across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. In 2024, South Block entered into a growth partnership with Savory Fund, a private equity group that invests in emerging restaurant concepts. Additionally, Mostafavi started a nonprofit for South Block called Fruitful Planet, which helps provide fresh fruits and vegetables to underserved communities. Learn more at SouthBlock.com.
Savory is an innovative private equity firm that combines over $750 million in assets under management with a growth playbook and expertise that has been developed over 15 years of operating in the restaurant industry. Savory partners with high-potential, profitable, emerging restaurant brands, to deliver financial capital, industry expertise, growth and revenue opportunities, profitability enhancements and new location development. The Savory team contributes directly to all aspects of growth and replication by using a proven playbook and methodology. Founder involvement in the expansion of a brand is a central theme of the Savory approach as founders carry the tribal knowledge around the uniqueness that has energized early success and is essential to future growth. Savory is currently invested in the following brands: Swig, R&R BBQ, PINCHO, Via 313 Pizzeria, Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food, 86 Repairs, Saigon Hustle, Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, Houston TX Hot Chicken, and South Block. For more information, visit SavoryFund.com.