Mi Cariño to open in Charlotte’s South End with $2.6 million buildout and 300 spirits
A former VANA space is getting a new tenant
A new restaurant concept, Mi Cariño, is set to open in Charlotte’s South End at 1440 S. Tryon St., in the storefront previously occupied by VANA. The project is a redevelopment of an approximately 2,350-square-foot space that has sat vacant since VANA’s departure, and it is being positioned as a food-driven gastro-cantina and mezcalería.
The operators behind the opening are B-Side Group, a Charlotte-based hospitality company that also developed Vinyl, the music-focused bar and kitchen located nearby in the same South End cluster of businesses.
Investment and design: a high-cost, hospitality-forward buildout
Mi Cariño’s buildout has been described as a $2.6 million investment. The concept is designed to function as a restaurant-first operation while also supporting a later-night lounge-style experience, reflecting the broader pattern of South End venues blending dining with nightlife.
Seating capacity has been reported at about 85 guests. Design plans describe an immersive interior approach, including custom finishes intended to create a cinematic, transportive atmosphere within the compact footprint.
Food program: Mexican foundations with West Coast influences
The kitchen is expected to focus on a modern, chef-driven menu rooted in Mexican cuisine with additional influence drawn from West Coast Latino food traditions, particularly those associated with Los Angeles. The format is structured around shareable dining, with small plates and starters alongside larger dishes intended for the table.
Menu descriptions released ahead of opening include tacos and ceviches, with additional items positioned as specialty dishes rather than standard cantina fare.
Beverage program: agave spirits as the centerpiece
A defining element of Mi Cariño’s launch is its spirits inventory: about 300 bottles, heavily centered on agave and related categories. The list is expected to include tequila and mezcal, along with other Mexican and regional distillates such as raicilla, sotol, and bacanora.
The bar program also emphasizes cocktails built with fresh juices, house infusions, handcrafted syrups, and aguas frescas, with seasonal rotation planned for portions of the cocktail menu.
What it adds to the South End mix
South End remains one of Charlotte’s most active corridors for restaurant turnover and concept launches, driven by dense residential growth and sustained nightlife demand. Mi Cariño’s opening adds another high-investment entrant to a competitive landscape where operators are increasingly differentiating through design, curated beverage programs, and a hybrid of dinner service and late-night energy.
Location: 1440 S. Tryon St., Charlotte (South End)
Size: approximately 2,350 square feet
Seating: about 85
Investment: reported at $2.6 million
Spirits inventory: about 300 bottles, focused on agave categories
Mi Cariño is being marketed as a gastro-cantina and mezcalería designed to move from dinner service into a later-night lounge environment.