Caribbean ‘home away from home’ grocery and grill in Charlotte closing after 20 years

After 20 years in East Charlotte, a Caribbean restaurant and grocery store is closing, but searching for a new home.

Island Grocery and Grill at 5861 Albemarle Road announced the closing on Facebook.

“With sadness to leave you at this moment, but with joy to know we have pleased so many customers over the pass 20 years. Please stop in to share your stories and goodbye’s. Thanks always and one love,” Island Grocery said on its Facebook page.

On Tuesday, Island Grocery and Grill owner Caroline Coke told The Charlotte Observer the store will close by the end of the week, possibly as early as Wednesday.

Island Grocery started as a market selling seasonings and sauces, cheese, snacks and teas, along with health and beauty products.

Later adding a restaurant, the store serves authentic hot and spicy barbecue-style Caribbean dishes and Jamaican patties, as well as baked goods like rum and bulla cakes. It’s known for specials such as cow feet soup, and ackee and codfish, yam, banana and dumpling.

Lease negotiations for a longer term with The Colonnade shopping center landlord failed, Coke said. “It leaves us in a very bad place with hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory,” she said.

The 1.3-acre property is owned by Sitaras Properties Inc., according to Mecklenburg County property records. Sitaras officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

‘Home away from home’

Coke, who was born in Jamaica and raised in New Jersey, wanted to create “a home away from home,” she told CharlotteFive in May.

Hundreds of customers come through the door each day, Coke said Tuesday. “It brings you back to being home, it’s a comfort, and all of that is going to be lost,” she said.

The store has five full-time employees. “It’s been a lot of sleepless nights,” Coke said of the store closing.

Coke said some of the market goods will be available on the store website. But after stocking up for the holidays, she’ll have to take a big loss, especially on non-perishable items.

Community reaction to the closing

While Charlotte has seen more Caribbean restaurants and kitchens open, like Crav’n Caribbean inside The City Kitch on Thrift Road, it’s the only West Indian market.

Island Grocery’ and Grill’s closing leaves a void in the Charlotte community, its fans said on social media.

“Whattt???? Who else sell West Indies groceries in CLT ???” Mackie Trini Col asked on the company Facebook page.

“I am so going to miss coming there. No place else like you all here in Charlotte,” Suzette Bird wrote.

“The best Caribbean food and West Indian grocery in Charlotte! I’m really going to miss this spot,” Tawanna Maxwell said on Facebook. “A hidden gem!”

This story was originally published November 2, 2022 at 5:47 AM with the headline "Caribbean ‘home away from home’ grocery and grill in Charlotte closing after 20 years."