Dash In Selected for The River District’s First Retail Site
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Dec. 15, 2025) – Crescent Communities, a nationally recognized market-leading real estate investor, developer, and operator of mixed-use communities, today announced the closing of a retail land sale at The River District, its 1,200-acre master-planned community in West Charlotte. The site will be home to Dash In, a leading convenience innovator redefining the guest experience through its “made-for-you” menu, top-quality fuel, and eco-friendly car wash services.
Located at the I-485 gateway to The River District, Dash In is one of the first commercial projects to move into construction at the community and will serve as a highly visible and easily accessible destination for residents and visitors arriving via West Boulevard, providing convenient retail, gas, and car wash services. Currently undergoing a regional expansion that includes 10 planned locations in the Charlotte region, Dash In has earned national recognition and dedicated customers for its elevated “foodvenience” concept featuring fresh ingredients, a modern design aesthetic, and an experience that prioritizes speed, quality, and comfort.
“Dash In is exactly the kind of brand we want to define the day-to-day experience at The River District – one that delivers real value to residents from the moment they enter our community,” said Rainer Ficken, Senior Managing Director of The River District. “This location at our I-485 gateway gives neighbors an immediate, high-quality option that aligns with the level of service, design aesthetic, and elevated daily experience we’re building across the community. It also marks an important milestone as commercial development begins to take shape alongside our growing residential neighborhoods.”
“We are thrilled to bring the Dash In guest experience to The River District and the greater West Charlotte community. This new location represents an important step in our expansion in the Carolinas and an opportunity to introduce guests to our fresh, made-for-you menu, modern store design, TOP TIER™ fuel, and eco-friendly car wash offerings, all in one destination,” said Julian (Blackie) Wills III, President & CEO of Dash In. “As we prepare to begin construction next year, we look forward to becoming part of the everyday routine for local residents and giving back to this vibrant community as it grows.”
Earlier this fall, The River District welcomed its first resident to a David Weekley-designed single-family home in Westrow, The River District’s 70-acre community town center. Additional single-family homes and townhomes are now under construction and available for purchase. Crescent Communities also recently broke ground on a set of 140 single-family lots in its Basswood neighborhood and Forge Village, which will include a playground, a two-acre working farm, a pavilion with an event lawn, and a community building with a café and store selling produce from the farm.
In November, The River District welcomed Big Pete with the Big Feet, a 90-foot-long wooden troll by world-renowned Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo. Built from reclaimed materials and now resting along TRD’s trail network, Big Pete is a signature public art landmark inviting residents and visitors to explore the community’s parks and riverfront in a playful, nature-forward way.
The community also features new construction homes by DRB, Toll Brothers, and Saussy Burbank with long term plans for up to 2,300 single family homes and 2,350 multifamily rental homes across multiple phases. NOVEL River District, a currently pre-leasing 318-unit multifamily development under Crescent Communities’ Class A NOVEL brand will offer world-class amenities, engaging resident programming and events, and contemporary design.
In addition to its expanding residential offerings, The River District will include a robust commercial footprint that brings accessibility and long-term economic energy to West Charlotte. Future retail, dining, and office spaces – anchored by a lifestyle-centered commercial hub in Eastrow – will create walkable destinations for residents while attracting businesses drawn to the community’s unmatched connectivity, proximity to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and access to a growing regional workforce. The River District will also feature signature workplace environments, including Charlotte International, an office building planned for up to 100,000 square feet offering flexible build-to-suit opportunities designed to support innovative employers in a nature-connected setting.
Conceptualized through a thoughtful multi-year development process and nestled between the banks of the Catawba River and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, The River District will integrate the primary components of urban life – a connected network of homes, retail shops, restaurants, office buildings, schools, and public spaces – with the allure of the parks, trails, forests, river access, and open spaces abound in nature. For more information, visit www.theriverdistrict.com or follow the development on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
View photos of The River District here, and photos of Dash In here.
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About Crescent Communities:
Crescent Communities is a nationally recognized, market-leading real estate investor, developer, and operator of mixed-use "communities." We create high-quality, differentiated multifamily and commercial communities in many of the fastest growing markets in the United States. Since 1963, our development portfolio has included more than 96 multifamily communities and 25 million square feet of commercial space. Crescent Communities has offices in Charlotte, DC, Atlanta, Orlando, Nashville, Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix. Our multifamily communities are branded NOVEL, RENDER and HARMON by Crescent Communities, our industrial developments are branded AXIAL by Crescent Communities, and our life science developments are branded THE YIELD by Crescent Communities.
About Dash In
Dash In is a convenience retail chain with over 57 locations across the Mid-Atlantic region and Carolinas. Dash In, a Wills Group company, is on a mission to redefine convenience by elevating the guest experience – bringing together quality, value, and community investment. From fresh, made-to-order food to exceptional guest service, Dash In creates welcoming spaces that connect people and make everyday moments more rewarding. Great Place to WorkTM certified, Dash In’s people-first culture powers its growth and customer-centricity. Learn more and find a Dash In near you at dashin.com.
