Concord Mills - Concord, NC

The area that now hosts Concord Mills mall was primarily forested though the late 1990s, though races were held at the adjacent Charlotte Motor Speedway beginning in the 1960s. The construction of the mall and nearby shopping centers has fueled interest in further developing the community into a mixed-use area. Since the mid 2000s, Concord Mills has seen a marked increase in residential construction.

The Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts a spectacular light show every December called Speedway Christmas, bringing in people from all over the city. Residents also flock to the Speedway during race week in May and again in October. For die-hard racing fans, the Backing Up Classics museum next to the speedway features over 50 cars ranging from classics to the race cars of today.

Concord Mills does not have any traditional museums or a local art scene. Nevertheless, it's a short drive to Uptown where residents enjoy world-class cultural facilities such as the Mint Museum, Levine Museum of the New South and a wide variety of live theatre and fine arts.

Most of the restaurants in Concord Mills are operated by chains, but that doesn't stop residents from enjoying all the cuisine that the area has to offer. Diners flock to favorites like Chilli's, Carolina Ale House, Texas Roadhouse and Sonny's BBQ for good, consistent food. These are all located within the shopping complexes along Bruton Smith/Concord Mills Boulevard.

Though corporations dominate the Concord Mills restaurant scene, those seeking local flair are not without options. Charanda Mexican Grill serves the same great-tasting Mexican food at the Concord location as they do at their five other Carolina restaurants. Regulars love the arroz con pollo and the fresh guacamole salad. Even when its popularity slows down service, diners enjoy unlimited chips and salsa in a fun, colorful atmosphere while waiting.

Down the road sits Tavern at the Mills, a casual pub-style eatery with daily food and drink specials. Diners come back again and again for the smoked meats, lunch specials and half-priced appetizers from 3-6 p.m. Numerous televisions hang on the walls, making this the perfect place to sit back, relax and watch your favorite sporting event. As long as the weather permits, restaurant-goers can also sit outside on one of the two patios.

After a rousing round of golf, many local duffers head to the Rocky River Grill at the Embassy Suites for hearty salads and the popular shrimp and grits entree. Management recommends diners plan ahead and schedule a reservation to avoid waiting. The attached Rocky River Lounge caters to guests of the hotel and residents alike with daily drink specials and outdoor seating.

Grabbing a beer in Concord is never a problem as many establishments house fully stocked bars serving a variety of beer and cocktails. Tavern at the Mills remains one of the most popular places in the neighborhood for drinks and good times. For upscale bars, nightclubs and music venues, head to Uptown Charlotte hot spots such as Crave Dessert Bar and Suite.

Residents in and around Concord Mills rely heavily on personal vehicles for transportation. Many living in the immediate area work at one of the retailers or the speedway. Those needing to travel either north to Concord or south to Charlotte access I-85 along Bruton Smith/Concord Mills Boulevard. Visitors to the area can easily find parking in the designated lots surrounding the stores. Residential areas also provide free parking along the streets.

Those relying on public transportation locally use the Concord Kannapolis Area Transit system. Bus stops within Concord Mills take riders to and from mall entrance number five, Walmart and the Embassy Suites. Routes run every hour from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Commuters heading to Charlotte rely on Charlotte Area Transit System's express bus service, which operates inbound weekdays from 5:45-8:00 a.m. and outbound from 4:00-6:15 p.m.

Alternative modes of transportation including walking and biking remain challenging in Concord Mills, as the infrastructure to support these activities has not been developed. Concord-based taxi companies can be called in advance to schedule service. Uber does not operate in the area.

Because of its origins as a retail center, Concord Mills lacks county-operated parks within its immediate area. The nearby public Rocky River Golf Club provides golfers a quiet place to play and relax. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Rocky River and bordering wetlands, it has been rated as one of the best public golf courses in North Carolina.

Directly south of the mall along Derita Road lies the Mecklenburg County-run Mallard Creek Community Park and Recreation Center. The park itself covers over 300 acres and includes numerous athletic fields, picnic shelters, a large playground and a concession stand. Park-goers do not pay to get in unless they are renting space at the fields or picnic shelters. Concord Mills pet owners enjoy the park's dog-friendly policies. The adjacent recreation center provides health, wellness and age-specific programming for everyone from toddler to seniors.

There are few events in and around Concord Mills that aren't directly associated with the mall or speedway. The city of Charlotte, however, hosts a number of annual celebrations including Festival in the Park at Freedom Park in Uptown. This festival celebrates local food and music, with over 180 art and craft exhibitions and nearly 1000 entertainers providing fun for all ages.

The cost of living in Concord Mills averages 1 percent less than both those of Charlotte and the state of North Carolina. Housing costs account for most of this savings. Renters benefit as well, as one-bedroom apartments cost approximately $813 per month.

Other expenses such as utilities, goods and services remain relatively constant throughout the metropolitan area. Bus rides on the Concord Kannapolis Area Transit system cost $1.25 each way, while the express service of Charlotte Area Transit System costs $2.60. Gas prices sit at 3 percent less than the national average. Restaurant and bar prices also mirror the rest of the area, and a pint of beer will cost patrons $5.

Concord Mills is North Carolina's busiest tourist attraction, drawing over 18 million visitors a year. The mall itself houses outlet stores, an aquarium, a movie theater and a motion simulator. It includes over 200 stores with such notable brands as Ann Taylor, Outdoor World, Michael Kors and Saks 5th Avenue, providing a wide variety of upscale merchandise at reasonable prices. The mall opens Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 7:00 p.m. Across from the mall is the Pavilion at Kings Grant shopping center, which houses 19 stores and restaurants including Babies R Us, HHGregg, Pier 1 and Burlington Coat Factory.

Numerous smaller specialty stores are scattered throughout the mall and surrounding area. A local favorite, the Beef Jerky Outlet, sells over 200 varieties of jerkies, including beef, turkey, venison and even kangaroo. The store also carries hot sauces, boiled peanuts and southern speciality items such as peach cobbler in a jar. Head west along Concord Mills Boulevard to find The Rug Gallery at Concord Mills, which showcases thousands of rugs at competitive prices. Shoppers can find small entry rugs, oversized shag carpets and everything in between. The store always maintains a clearance selection and all non-clearance rugs are sold at outlet prices.

Locals purchase groceries at the Walmart Supercenter, BJ's Wholesale Club or Lowes Foods, all located within a mile of the mall. For locally grown produce, baked goods, meat and handcrafted items, head 9 miles north to the Piedmont Farmers Market directly off of I-85 on Winecoff School Road in Concord. The market is open Saturdays year round from 9:00 a.m. to noon.