CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) -- Uptown Charlotte just isn't what it used to be. There was a time when it was just a few city blocks that kept banker's hours.
Fast forward 20 years and center city has thriving, vibrant nightlife.
Native Charlotteans -- or anyone who remembers what the city was like before the year 2000 -- will tell you: we've come a long way.
When the Democratic National Convention comes to town this fall, it won't just politics taking center stage.
Remember when Charlotte was awarded the Final Four in 1994? The city had to build a fake entertainment district.
"We don't have to fake it anymore," said George Sartiano, general manager of Butter, an upscale nightclub on the edge of uptown at the North Carolina Music Factory. "We've grown up and become a real city."
The entertainment complex was just one of several venues announced this week.
A mix of restaurants, clubs, bars and even an amphitheater, the N.C. Music Factory will host a welcome party for 15,000 members of media from all over the world when the DNC comes to town this fall.
"We're going to have the entire world looking at us -- at least for that day -- and that's very exciting," Sartiano said.
That growth will be front and center on the world stage for nearly a week in September.
Just like CMPD and city leaders, the entertainment industry has big plans for the DNC as well.
"Everyone is going to be coming here wanting to throw their big party, throw their hat in the ring see what they can do," Sartiano said.
If all goes well, the DNC has the potential to open more doors for Charlotte.
"What's our next step," he pondered. "Let's shoot for the moon. Let's see where we can go."
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