Neighbors upset about hookah bar possibly moving to area

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The owner of a hookah bar, Red at 28th, wants to relocate the business to an area on Mallard Creek Road at Prosperity Church Road.

The possible move comes after 18 years of business at the current location. The owner said skyrocketing rent is pushing him to move locations.

[Business owners take action after 5 stabbed at hookah bar]

“We are an alternative to going to a club. We don’t have a dance floor, we do jazz, we do karaoke at night,” said owner Darren Vincent.

The new location sits across from the Mallard Crossing Shopping Center.

“I absolutely am fine with it. Small mom-and-pop businesses really need to start growing, especially in a place like this. So I’m all for it,” said neighbor Cam Stephens.

(Watch the video below as anchor Genevieve Curtis speaks with the business owner about the controversial proposition.)

Neighbors upset about hookah bar possibly moving to area Neighbors upset about hookah bar possibly moving to area

The possible move does not sit well with other neighbors though after a stabbing happened in 2017 at its current location down the road in University City.

“Us being in business for 18 years, that was a huge blow to what we stand for. Since that incident, we’ve had security seven days a week,” said Vincent.

The Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning request.

The City Council will vote on the matter at its meeting Monday night.