The Joinery has multiple tenants opening their doors this coming year, and Roz Grill owner Ahmad Altaany is jumping into the mix with a new concept, Roz Cafe.
Altaany, who opened Roz Grill in South Charlotte in 2024, told What Now Charlotte that he was attracted to the Joinery because of the promising development in the region expected to continue in the next few years.
Menu items at the cafe will focus on Mediterranean cuisine, such as breakfast sandwiches, shakshuka, savory pies, pastries and cookies. While it is designed to serve as a breakfast-lunch spot, Altaany said they are considering opening for dinner.
The design will focus on providing a welcoming environment for relaxing and working.
“I’m trying to have it be something cozy,” Altaany said. “The people there need to feel like they are home. It will have a small library with couches and it will be a good place to study or work. That’s the most important thing — to make it feel like they are home.”
Roz Cafe is expected to open by the end of 2026.
Real estate development company Space Craft launched the Joinery’s second phase of building in 2025, bringing the apartment offerings to nearly 450 units. When fully leased, the mixed-use development will house 14 retail spaces. Nightswim Coffee, Ridpath Insurance and BK Pilates opened in 2025, and other tenants such as sushi hand roll bar Sharigato and brow studio Beauty Embrace will be opening this year alongside Roz Cafe.
The Joinery is also rolling out pedestrian-only retail corridor Joinery Alley, which will celebrate its grand opening later this year. The space is slated to feature food trucks, concerts, farmers markets, artist showcases and pop-up events. Space Craft will continue to expand its buildout in Optimist Park into 2027.
