Rooftop restaurant, lounge coming to downtown
The Union Sky restaurant will include a 1,023-square-foot outdoor patio overlooking downtown Concord.
A new rooftop restaurant and cocktail lounge is preparing to open in downtown Concord, adding another dining and entertainment option to the city's growing mixed-use district.
The Union Sky has leased 3,085 square feet at NOVI Lofts, a seven-story, 89-unit apartment community at 26 Union St. S. The restaurant is targeting an opening later this month or in September. The venue will include 2,062 square feet of indoor space and a 1,023-square-foot outdoor patio overlooking downtown Concord.
The restaurant owners
Local entrepreneurs Krushani Patel and her husband, Ronak Patel, are behind the concept. Krushani Patel also owns Red Chillez Indian Restaurant and Kiddie Academy of Harrisburg.
The Union Sky is planned as an upscale but relaxed gathering spot serving handcrafted cocktails and food. The owners envision the rooftop as a destination for date nights, celebrations, after-work gatherings and community events.
The restaurant's name draws from its downtown location and rooftop setting. "Union" refers to Union Street and its history in the Concord community, while "Sky" reflects the rooftop views. "As local business owners, we're passionate about investing in downtown Concord and creating unique experiences that contribute to the city's continued growth and vibrant culture," Krushani Patel said in a news release. "The Union Sky is about honoring where this community has been while giving people a new and, quite literally, elevated way to experience it."
Steven Tice, principal at Mortice Commercial Real Estate, negotiated the lease. He said the idea of a downtown rooftop venue has been discussed locally for years.
"The Patels are creating something truly unique for Concord, and I believe The Union Sky will become a destination that draws people from across the region while giving local residents a place they'll be proud to call their own," Tice said.
The restaurant joins a collection of retail businesses at NOVI at Concord, a portfolio of three mixed-use developments — NOVI Rise, NOVI Lofts and NOVI Flats.
Other businesses in the developments include BK Pilates at NOVI Lofts; My Dentalville Cosmetic Dentistry and 1122 Coffee Company at NOVI Flats; and Salon Lofts at NOVI Rise.
The NOVI downtown effect
The NOVI developments collectively include more than 300 apartments, ranging from studios to two-bedroom units, as well as more than 10,000 square feet of retail space.
The Union Sky's planned opening comes as downtown Concord continues to add residential, dining and retail offerings aimed at creating a more walkable downtown district.
