Charlotte Landmark Allowed To Remain On Roof

The famous VW Beetle sitting on top of an old garage at the corner of Freedom Drive and West Morehead will remain there when a new restaurant opens at that location.

The new owner thought he’d have to move it, but City Council voted Monday night that David Rhames can keep the car right where it is.

Dave Rhames and the owner of the Penguin restaurant off of Central Avenue want to turn the old garage into a restaurant. Originally, the city said a city ordinance would require them to remove the VW bug from the roof.

According to that ordinance, the bug is a sign and no rooftop signs are allowed. The car had been grandfathered in so it could stay, but the grandfathering was set to end if the building changed uses.

The city council voted Monday to consider the car art so that the landmark could stay on top of the building and allow a part of West Charlotte’s history to remain.