The Exchange Pizza Depot

The unassuming Exchange Pizza Depot is set back on Trade St. in Matthews, nestled between Seaboard and the Cigar shop.

Around the turn of the century, two sisters lived at 213 N. Trade Street, manning the switchboards for the local phone company.  By 1954, the phone company needed a place for their dial-up equipment and that same piece of real estate found new life. But, after falling into disrepair for many subsequent years, that life was resurrected this year in the form of The Exchange Pizza Depot.

“There’s plenty of room in town for (all of us). If my pizza is (good), they won’t be going elsewhere.

Enter Brendan Ciganek, former pizza shop franchisee owner and chef and a “friend of a friend of the owner.”

Hired to run the new pizza place (as adjunct to the owners’ next-door wine room, Seaboard), Brendan has found his “slice of the woods” in this business housed in the 14’x22’ foot building he can nearly call his own.

In addition to a staple of mostly Neapolitan-style pizzas (two of which are named after the owner’s daughters), Brendan has been free to not only write the menu, design the space and hire the staff, but to experiment with ideas and foods from around the world.

Pollo Con Crema (chicken, onion, bell pepper, tangy creamy sauce), Heatza (Cajun chicken, spicy red sauce, jalapeños, Sriracha drizzle), Tomato Pesto (with roasted brussels sprouts, red onion, sun-dried tomatoes), and Mashed Potato (with mixed cheese, bacon and garlic butter), Tikka Masala (tomato, cream, curry) are just a few of his many personal creations.

Photo credit: Cyma Shapiro

“I asked friends what they were eating,” he said,” got ideas from vendors at the Farmer’s Market and from international cuisines. He asked the employees who work there, patrons and his online friends, as well.

“My regular menu is a crowd pleaser,” he says, adding that the weekly (or so) special pizzas “may not be for everyone but are (a chance) to have fun with and appeal to some people.”

Among his special touches are tomatoes and flour from Italy, buffalo milk cheese and some regular produce from the Farmer’s Market. In addition, he grows basil and a few other things around the two restaurants.

And, as Matthews continues to grow and pizza competition gets even more heated, he said he’ll stick to what he believes:“There’s plenty of room in town for (all of us). If my pizza is (good), they won’t be going elsewhere.”

Photo credit: Cyma Shapiro

Photo credit: Cyma Shapiro

Photo credit: Cyma Shapiro

Exchange Pizza Depot

213 N. Trade Street, Matthews

Monday thru Wednesday: 5 PM - 9 PM

Thursday thru Sunday: 12 PM  - 10 PM

Matthews Morning Minute: September 6, 2018

News About Town: The Cottage Greenway Project goes before the Board of Adjustment next Thursday (Sepember 13). Town Public Works department has recommended construction of a private road for the subdivision. According to the Town’s Unified Development Ordinance, all streets must be dedicated public. The quasi-judicial Board of Adjustment must determine several findings before approving or denying the request for variance.

News Above Town: The Weather Channel says we’re heading back to the 90s, but don’t start singing Pearl Jam yet. The evenings take us back to the low 70s.

News Around Town: It’s time for the September First Thursday Matthews Crawl. Check out the vendors on the green in front of town hall, then hit up Moe’s BBQ for a Thanksgiving Sandwich or $1.25 ribs.

One Fun Thing: The monarchs are here! Monarchs migrate in the spring and again in the fall. It’s not quite fall, but a few have been spotted around town on their way to Mexico. How’d they know Matthews is a pit stop on the Butterfly Highway?

Allen Tate's Tina Whitley, A Matthews Staple

I have another #PreserveMatthewsLocalBizInterview for you today! This one is with Tina Breese Whitley, a realtor with Allen Tate Matthews. I've known Tina since I was a teenager and we recently reconnected at a Town Hall event. To say she's a Matthews staple would be an understatement.

Tina Whitey, Realtor, NC & SC
Allen Tate Co.
101 E Matthews St, Ste 100, Matthews, NC 28105

www.allentate.com/tinawhitley
704-516-7688

Tina Whitley, Allen Tate Rookie of the Year. Photo via Facebook.

Share a little background/introduction about you: I have been in Matthews for over 30 years, owning my own business, working at BB&T and the Director of the Matthews Chamber of Commerce for over 13 years while raising 3 children and being active in the local community. I am at the Matthews office with Allen Tate but can help buyers and sellers all over the region in NC and SC. My goal is to help as many people as I can and Real Estate allows me to do that daily! I am also involved in Kiwanis, Matthews Executive Group and the Chamber of Commerce. And since Tina is too modest to include this, I'll brag on her a bit: she was recently named the Allen Tate Rookie of the Year Award for the Charlotte Region.

What brought you to establish a business in Matthews? The good schools, lifestyle and great people. The business community is thriving and supportive of local businesses.

What do you believe makes Matthews special? What does the phrase “Preserve Matthews” mean to you? Matthews is fortunate to have leaders and residents who care about the town and want to see it maintain it's small town character. I have been working with the Town and businesses for 30 years and know that the people will work together to help keep the quality of life that we treasure.

What attracts people to the neighborhoods close to downtown Matthews? People who enjoy and want to live in Matthews want to be within walking distance of downtown! It is a very popular town and the amenities for adults and families are wonderful! Parks, greenways, playgrounds, concerts in the park, movies, restaurants, bars, breweries, history, and more!

What’s another business in Matthews you love to support? The non-profits I support 100% are the Matthews Help Center, The Free Medical Clinic and COS Kids. They have formed an alliance and are doing great work!!

Do you have any promos or specials you'd like to offer to Preserve Matthews Community Members? Please call me for any Real Estate or town questions!! I can offer you a free Market Analysis for your home!

This interview was originally posted on Preserve Matthews' Facebook page. Images courtesy Tina’s real estate Facebook page.

The Loyalist Market

#PreserveMatthews supports the small businesses that make Matthews unique. I recently asked the owner of the newly opened The Loyalist Market a few questions. I hope you'll read and enjoy learning more about them. Of course, go visit and support them as well. #PreserveMatthewsLocalBizInterview

Hi, my name is Chris Sottile, and I am the owner of The Loyalist Market, recently opened in downtown Matthew's North End District.

I am not a Matthews resident, but I live only 5 minutes away, less than a mile into Charlotte.  I brought my business to Matthews because I'm obsessed with the authenticity of Main Street USA.  With Matthews being the only main street community within the I-485 loop (besides Charlotte), I knew that's where I wanted to be. 

I looked at the obvious hot spots - NODA, Plaza Midwood, South End, and Uptown, but kept being drawn to Matthews.  I like the small town feel and I love what Matthews has become over the 11 years I've lived, especially recently.  I knew for sure I did not want to end up in a shopping center and I wanted to be a part of the community where people can start their night at The Loyalist and be able to walk down the street to end it at Seaboard, Jekyll & Hyde, or Stumptown Station. 

“The amount of neighbors that have walked into our shop while we’ve been renovating to introduce themselves and tell us how excited they are has been really uplifting.”

I found that I kinda overwhelmed myself with our product lineup!  It's one thing to write 2 checks to Sysco and US Foods and have everything you need, it's another to write 60 checks to all the small local independent food producers in and around our community that The Loyalist will be representing.  The concept is a cut-to-order cheese and charcuterie shop offering local artisan groceries.  But we'll also offer sandwiches and salads during the day and operate as a Cheese Bar at night with cheesemonger-driven meat and cheese boards with beer and wine. We teach several classes on cheese pairings each month and offer daily food and drink specials. If you want to bring a crowd, we host private classes for groups of 8+ and rent out our space for special events.

We've got about 40 different cheeses and 20 different cured meats so I usually have a new favorite everyday.

But on our cheese bar menu, we've got a snack called Devils on Horseback which are dates stuffed with Mexican chorizo and Manchego cheese, wrapped in bacon and served with real maple syrup.  Each one is gone in a bite, but they're insanely addictive.

I still have to drive to get to the shop, but once in downtown, you can walk almost anywhere.  Google Map us to the Matthews Station Street and we're only 900ft away.  I think once we open, people are going to realize just how walkable Trade Street really is and how much there is to offer in downtown Matthews.  And if you're within biking distance, we've got a bike rack out front to park your bike.

Two people that really helped me while I was getting this concept off the ground are Alexis Botero and Elena Mizrahi of Royal Cafe & Creperie at Matthews Station.  First of all, they have an amazing story and they are just really good, down to earth people that love what they do and care about their employees and customers.  And they've got the best crepes in the county so that doesn't hurt either!

We're located at 435 N Trade Street #102 in the North End District. 

Hours:  11am-4pm Sunday
              CLOSED Monday
              12pm-9pm Tuesday - Saturday

Our website is www.theloyalistmarket.com. 

Definitely check us out on Facebook and Instagram @theloyalistmarket.

Look forward to seeing everyone real soon!

This interview was originally posted on Preserve Matthews' Facebook page. Images take for Matthews Beacon by Charles Lybrand.