#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!