Troutman, NC

To an outsider driving down Main Street in Troutman (on the northeast side of Lake Norman), population 1749, Julia's Talley House Restaurant looks like just another charming older home in this quaint town. But, the locals know better! If you want to experience true, home-style Southern cooking in a cozy and even homey restaurant, there is simply no where better than Julia's Talley House Restaurant.

Like many of the great eateries frequented by mostly long-time local residents around Lake Norman, Julia's has wonderful, truly authentic, family-style Southern food and is one of THE places to go if you are from around these parts. I only found out about it because my SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) Board meetings are held there once of month. See, our board is half from Statesville (to the North) and Mooresville (to the South) so Julia's Talley House is the perfect place to meet, have some crispy fried chicken, bisquits, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet tea and pecan pie, and, of course, hold our meetings.

Julia's Talley House is a caffateria-style restaurant whose menu varies very little but offers all you need in the way of comfort food. (See photo).

The fried chicken is so good it was mentioned by Kathleen Purvis of the Charlotte Observer as one of the things that "define the flavor of Charlotte"!

Don't expect to spend much money either. I usually come away spending less than $5.00.

I don't honestly know how long Julia's Talley House has been there but I do know it is still owned and operated by the family. There is a wonderful painting of Julia in the entry. The fact that it is located on the corner of Main and Talley Rd tells me it has been there a LONG time!

One thing I have learned since moving here to Lake Norman from California is how important it is to get to know the locals. Not only are they warm, honest folks who care deeply for their community and it's history, but they know all about the local restaurants that most people on Lake Norman will never find. They love food, especially good Southern food like you will find at Julia's Talley House!

This is the first of a series about local eateries and shops...I have quite a list to share!

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A nearly 200 acre lake-front development is underway in Troutman in response to what the developers feel is a high demand for more reasonably priced waterfront lots.

River Rock is located near Walnut Tree Rd and Lookout Shoals Dam Rd. The 160-home development has lot sizes starting at one acre and has a layout plan that focuses on a rural feel. Waterfront lots start at $179,000. Roadwork has already begun and construction should start within six months.

This development follows on the heels of the establishment of the River Oaks development, a master planned residential community with both golf-focused and waterfront-focused areas, also on the northern end of the lake.

Of course, as people move into the west Iredell and eastern Catawba county areas, retail and office spaces are sure to follow, so expect commercial real estate growth in the area soon.

The small Town of Troutman, NC which sits along the northeastern shore of Lake Norman has been discovered in a very big way. As I mentioned in my previous article, where Crescent Homes goes so goes the focus of growth around Lake Norman. In October of last year, Crescent Homes opened sales at their latest housing development, Falls Cove, a 900-home, high-end subdivision in Troutman. Here's why:

Located just north of Mooresville along Lake Norman between exit 42 and 45 on the I-77, Troutman is considered to be a reasonable commuting distance to not just Charlotte but Greensboro and Winston Salem. It truly is at the very center of our rapidly growing economic region.

Besides the numerous housing developments cropping up off Perth Road on up to Lake Norman State Park, there are significant retail developments, particularly at Exit 42 where Lowe's Home Improvement opened in October and where a hotel, restaurant and Wendy's will follow later this year. Following these are plans for the Troutman Town Center, the Troutman Commons and others. A total of 6 sizable commercial developments have applied for water and sewer. As the Statesville Record & Landmark said last Sunday: "It is hard to miss the fact that Troutman's retail and commercial sector is on the brink of busting wide open."

ABOUT TROUTMAN

A bit of History:

• Mrs. Anne Troutman moved her family to Charlotte and Perth Church Road in 1853
• Thanks to the railroad between Charlotte and Statesville which was built in the late 1850's, a depot was built in Troutman and it was literally put on the map.
• Until about 5 years ago, Troutman was a small town known for it's strong sense of traditions, history, friendly residents, country roads leading to croplands, dairy farms and open spaces.

Today:

• Troutman has a population of about 1749 people.
• The small downtown along NC 21 is pretty much unchanged
• They pride themselves on their friendly neighbors, safe, walkable streets, work ethic, "our sense of belonging and pitching in, our schools and our magnificent natural surroundings."

Just the Facts:

• Troutman is an incorporated town located in the middle of Iredell County NC
• They have their own Troutman Police Department
• Their Troutman Volunteer Fire Department is a full-spectrum Fire and Rescue Agency
• Public schools include: Troutman Elementary School (Grades K-5), Troutman Middle School (Grades 6-8) and South Iredell High School (Grades 9-12) plus excellent private schools.
• Demographics, weather more data available at city-data.com

Lake Norman State Park

One of the true jewels of Lake Norman, the Lake Norman State Park, is located in Troutman. In incredible 1,328 acres along the shoreline of Lake Norman, the park offers myriad recreational opportunities including mountain biking, hiking, walking trails, kayaking, public boat ramps and the only public beach on Lake Norman.

New or Newer Residential developments in Troutman include:

• Falls Cove
• Winding Forest (Club House, Lake, Pool, Recreation Area)
• Allendale Point (Lake)
• Sunset Bay (Lake)
• Wildlife Bay (Lake, Playground, Recreation Area, Walking Trails)
• Barium Springs Village
• Martha's Vineyard
• Talley Ridge
• Jacob Woods (Recreation, Walking Trails)
• Twin Creek Estates

Residential Real Estate Statistics:

• Average Price of Active Listings: $473,187
• Average Sales Price in 2007: $236,500 (from $30,500 to $1,450,000!)

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New development at exit 42 in Troutman / Lake Norman, North Carolina! The continued rapid development of the Lake Norman area is moving up to the north end of the lake. Exit 42 (Interstate 77) is one of the latest area of rapid development in the Lake Norman area. A new Lowes Home Improvement store was built just off of the exit and opened in mid-October. During the next year additional construction will take place to continue development of this rapidly growing area with the building of restaurants, a hotel and a Wendy's which are planned to open in mid-'08. West of route 21, work on the new 70 acre Troutman Town Center will begin in late 2008. In mid-2009 a 39 acre retail park called Troutman Commons will also begin construction. Stayed tuned for additional information on these projects in the coming months......

If you would like additional information about the Lake Norman or Charlotte area please contact: Craig LePage, Realtor, Broker and Lake Norman Home Specialist or email me at EMAIL ADDRESS .

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