Client Spotlight: Joe Di Zazzo & Blue Azalea

Featured Resturaunt: The Grinning Mule

BLUE AZALEA OFFERS BIG DREAMS AND CHIC SPACES FOR CHARLOTTE HOMEOWNERS

Responses have been edited lightly for length and clarity.

For Joe Di Zazzo and the team at Blue Azalea, homebuying is more than just finding a place to hang your hat. Since the company’s inception in 2015, the five-person team has focused on bringing dreams to life for homebuyers and investors throughout the Queen City. Blue Azalea handles everything from planning to the design and construction of homes. As we all stay put as much as possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, having a space you love is more essential than ever. Here’s how Di Zazzo and the Blue Azalea team create enviable abodes for their customer base.

Q: What is Blue Azalea all about? Who could use your services? A: The first thing we do is we look to locate prime sites in the Charlotte market. And with those sites, we’re keeping an eye out for a long-term value-add, not only for ourselves but also for our future homebuyers. The second thing that we do is once we have the site selection, we either build based on an existing buyer or we go ahead and build a dream home for someone we haven’t met yet. In those cases, we’ve got the mystery of not knowing our buyer sometimes until the very end of the process.

Q: How do you and your team go about bringing a concept to life, particularly if you haven’t met your buyer yet? A: I draw on my experience having lived in Charlotte for over 20 years. Then our whole team contributes vast industry experience. We’re able to separate what we like from what the market wants, and I think that’s the key. It’s all customer-driven. It’s about taking the guesswork out. We cater to the buyer’s emotional checklist and make sure everything is checked off there. Plus, the Dickens Mitchener team is terrific and provides constant feedback about what buyers are looking for and what has worked well. That information is invaluable. But the key thing to keep in mind is everything we do is customer-driven.

Q: What notable trends are you seeing in your business as of late? A: What’s unique about the times we live in is you’ve got Baby Boomers who are in this “right-sizing” phase. They’re looking to move out of a bigger space, but they’re not quite ready to move into a much smaller setting, like an apartment. They’re in that transition. They’re looking to find that happy medium. That’s why I call it “right-sizing.” They also appreciate flex space. I’d say that group makes up about 60 to 70 percent of my customer base. Additionally, I’m also focusing on the millennials who are looking to buy a home for the first time. They’re ready to master their first step in the real estate ladder.

Fortunately, even with the pandemic, the market has held up relatively well. We definitely have been lucky. Real estate continues to be a long-term viable investment. Things can change, of course, but we’re cautiously optimistic.

Q: Speaking of COVID-19, the pandemic has touched basically every facet of life and business. How has your company adjusted accordingly? A: Well, you hear a lot about the home as a sanctuary. The home as a safe place. But I think that’s never been more important than it is right now. People are definitely revisiting how to use their home. For example, people are asking for a “Zoom room.” Recently, we’ve actually modified a lot of our layouts to reflect that meeting space where, with two people working from home now, you need to have that separate area. People are also focused on the backyard area now, too, especially if they have kids. These things have always been important, but now they’re accentuated. Well, you hear a lot about the home as a sanctuary. The home as a safe place. “ But I think that’s never been more important than it is right now. -Joe Di Zazzo ”

Q: Are you seeing certain neighborhoods or areas in the city pop? A: The transportation corridor has become even more important. That area along the Blue Line and along the future Silver Line in the eastern part of town. Right along Independence and South Boulevard, that’s continued to grow. For the millennial, first-time homebuyers, especially, along the transportation corridors are the places I would put my money in the longer term.

Q: Do you have tips on increasing a home’s overall value once you’ve purchased a home or rental property? A: It’s important to think about the balance between keeping your home as a personal space and thinking about when the day comes that you want to sell. If you add too much personalization then it’s good for you, but maybe not great for the next buyer. It’s an emotional and passionate process.

I’m also seeing that the three to four-bedroom home is becoming the new five to six-bedroom home. In terms of square footage, keeping it around that 3,000 to the 4,000-square-foot range is becoming the new 5,000-square-foot space. Then making sure you have that flex space and plenty of office space. The primary suite on main is definitely a big, big plus, too.

Q: If you could live anywhere, where would you go? A: I’ll tell you what, I’ve been watching too much Million Dollar Listing (laughs). I’d probably go to the beach. I think the Malibu coast is awesome. But I’m also not an L.A. fan. You know what? I’m happy right here.

Coddington at 704.589.7172

MYERS PARK MANOR: $199,000 | 936 sq ft | 2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathrooms | Call

Michael Nester at 704.408.3468

MORRISON CONDOMINIUMS: $202,000 | 763 sq ft | 1 Bedroom, 1 Full

Bathroom | Call Meghan Lluberas at 704.904.7404

OAKVIEW ESTATES: $235,000 | 1,454 sq ft | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Bathrooms | Call Tim Hansley at 704.621.6837

Meghan Lluberas at 704.904.7404

PARK RIDGE: $275,000 | 1,822 sq ft | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Bathrooms | Call Jim

Sandberg at 704.604.1634

KIMBERLEE: $280,000 | 1,219 sq ft | 2 Bedrooms, 1 Full - 1 Half Bathrooms | Call

Suzy Hubbell at 202.607.5688 | Call Jeff Murdock 205.276.6488

SOUTH POINT ON LANDEN: $290,000 | 1,458 sq ft | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full - 1 Half Bathrooms | Call Paige Moody at 704.906.8291

CANDLEWYCK: $305,000 | 2,137 sq ft | 4 Bedrooms, 2 Full - 1 Half Bathrooms |

Call Bonnie Stroup at 704.458.2558

WINDSOR PARK: $315,000 | 1,512 sq ft | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Bathrooms | Call

Kate Terrigno at 631.903.3021

MORRISON CONDOMINIUMS: $345,000 | 1,356 sq ft | 2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathrooms | Call Missy Stewart at 704.996.9080

Bathrooms | Call Robin Husney at 704.517.6370

ARBORCREEK: $385,000 | 2,040 sq ft | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Full Bathrooms | Call

Winnie Simmons at 704.576.9225

DILWORTH: $405,000 | 1,304 sq ft | OFFICE CONDO | Call Kathy Lancaster at

704.534.5552

TRANQUIL COURT: $414,000 | 1,078 sq ft | 2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathrooms | Call Karen Hollingsworth Miller at 704.574.0580

Call Winnie Simmons at 704.576.9225 ARBORCREEK: $425,000 | 1,670-1,743 sq ft | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Full - 1 Half

Bathrooms | Call Winnie Simmons at 704.576.9225

DARBY HALL: $435,000 | 2,504 sq ft | 4 Bedrooms, 2 Full - 1 Half Bathrooms | Call

Suzanne Coddington at 704.589.7172

MADISON PARK: $450,000 | 1,914 sq ft | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full - 1 Half Bathrooms | Call Joan Goode at 704.953.3035

Fitz Lee at 704.576.2979

MATTHEWS: $480,000 | 3,056 sq ft | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full Bathrooms | Call Tim Hansley at 704.621.6837

OPENING DURING A PANDEMIC

The Grinning Mule Opens Despite the Odds

Most of us will never forget March 13, 2020; the day the US was fully aware of Coronavirus. For Bart Kofoed & his team at The Grinning Mule, it was just 4 days before they were scheduled to open their new Plaza Midwood restaurant.

Bart is not new to the restaurant industry as he has owned several restaurants in the past. This new endeavor, however, is a little different. He has been involved with the 2XSalt Foundation for years. The foundation does outreach in the community. The Grinning Mule was started as a nonprofit restaurant to fund and grow the foundation to new heights. The restaurant desires to “connect the neighborhood with unique flavors in a rustic but elegant environment that creates an ‘at home’ experience bringing us all together.”

Back to March 17, 2020, the day the doors were set to open. The state of NC issued a mandate that restaurants were to close for inhouse dining. The kitchen was stocked with food ready to serve their first guests. Instead of opening the doors, Bart and his team cooked the food and served a few hundred refugees in Charlotte. This is what bringing the community together is all about.

The Grinning Mule was finally able to open its doors on June 2, 2020 and the Plaza Midwood community has welcomed them with open arms. The menu looks a little different than the chef first imagined due to COVID and food shortages, but they have already begun adding back items to the menu. One of the favorites so far are the Tuna Poke Won Ton Tacos. The wings are also very popular as they are oven roasted and finished on the grill. Other selections include small plates, flatbreads, salads and won ton tacos. And don’t forget the drinks! Bart hired award-wining local mixologist Bob Peters to craft the cocktail menu. The signature drink, “The Grinning Mule” is a mixture of Titos vodka, honey blueberry syrup, lime, & ginger kombucha. Sounds perfect for a warm summer patio dining experience. They also have a nice local selection of craft beer on tap, as well as wine to go with the wonderful tapas menu. The restaurant will give back 10% of earnings to outreach in the local community. The latest outreach in August was feeding the staff and youth at The Relatives in Charlotte. Because of COVID restrictions, they were not able to conduct their normal outreach with the youth but were able to donate food to let them know there are people out there OUR VISION “ supporting them. Beth, Bart’s wife commented, “our regular clients often leave donations to the foundation when they come in to eat. IS ONE OF They are so supportive of the foundation and what we are trying to accomplish in the community through our outreach.” COMMUNITY AND I had one final question for them, where did the name come from? Beth explained, “The SECOND CHANCES name came from a clothing brand that my brother-in-law bought called Grinning Mule clothing line. They are based out of Athens, GIVEN THROUGH Georgia. We always thought the name was cool and want people to leave the restaurant ‘grinning like a mule in a briar patch’.” It OUTREACH AND seems to be working as the restaurant al ready has their “regulars”. EXCELLENT Right now, the Grinning Mule is offering SERVICE.” take-out as well as seating inside at 50% capacity. They are following all the state mandates regarding COVID providing a -Bart Kofoed safe environment for their staff and guests. Online ordering is also available.

Visit the restaurant Tuesday – Thursday, 5pm-9pm and Friday and Saturday from 5pm-10pm at 1109 Morningside Drive in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood.

It is wonderful to see a local restaurant like the Grinning Mule support the local community in 2020. Cheers!

Dickens Mitchener | Featured Lender Making your homeownership goals within reach.

At South State, we invest in what matters most – helping our customers achieve their goals. Buying a home is more than a financial decision; it’s a life event that involves determination and emotional investment. Our team is here to provide you with the responsive and personalized service you need to navigate the mortgage process with ease and confidence.

We’re here to help you achieve your goals. Let’s get started. (866) 229-5628 | Mortgage@SouthStateBank.com

Mark Moye

SVP, Private Banking / NMLS #737880 6525 Morrison Blvd, Ste. 500 / Charlotte, NC 28211 (704) 526-3646 Office / (704) 281-2250 Mobile Mark.Moye@SouthStateBank.com