Longtime restaurateur Jon Dressler on how convention business boosts culinary scene — and vice versa

Longtime restaurateur Jon Dressler only sees opportunities as the Charlotte Convention Center ramps up events and meetings in its expanded space . More traffic through that building stands to help Charlotte’s culinary industry grow its footprint, says Dressler, founder of Rare Roots Hospitality. “Convention traffic gives you an exposure. Here’s an opportunity to market that event for future business,” Dressler says. His uptown restaurant, Fin & Fino, is a frequent destination for convention attendees. The 8,200-square-foot social seafood house opened at 135 Levine Ave. in April 2018. Rare Roots is also behind Dressler’s at Birkdale Village and in midtown; The Porter’s House in south Charlotte; and Dogwood Southern Table & Bar in SouthPark. A sixth concept, Chapter Six, is under construction in South End. Dressler says convention traffic bumps up sales by as much as 30% when events are in town. That combined with the return of uptown workers led Fin & Fino to its best year ever in 2022. Lunch service was reinstated in April after a 24-month gap. He says Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are consistent. Business trends about 30% lower on Mondays and Fridays — a byproduct of hybrid work schedules. Dressler says there are three […]

Click here to view original web page at www.bizjournals.com