Starbucks has operating shops in Bank of America Plaza on South Tryon and in Charlotte Plaza on South College Street. The chain had been scouting for an Uptown location because of new residential development in the center city, company officials said in a published report.

In that same report, Rob Walsh, president of Charlotte Center City Partners, predicts Starbucks will attract more retailers along North Tryon Street and will do for North Tryon what Dean & Delucca has done on South Tryon. Since Dean & Delucca's gourment café opened on South Tryon last April, pedestrian traffic has improved considerably. A 24-hour Kinko's Copies has also opened in the same complex, and Tony's Bourbon Street Oyster Bar is expected to open there sometime this month.

Several retail and restaurant tenants already operate in the lobby level of 101 Independence Center. Le Croissant is planning to join the other tenants when it opens its two-story, 2,300-sf operation. Adams & Moseley Properties handled the lease transaction.