Hello Thursday.
If anybody hates on our airport, they need to be slapped. I traveled down to the mean streets of Vero Beach, FL to visit my parents this past weekend. Flew out of the E concourse. Did you know that the new airport Whiskey River has a mechanical bull (although it seemed decorative and not rideable)? I also creepily carried my baby boy through the new Market 1897 (RIP Chili’s Too) and was impressed – oyster bar, craft cocktails, solid draft beer selection and free pizza samples (I had two). Anyways.
VITALS
Today’s Weather: 92. Sunny. 10% chance of rain.
Today’s Stat: $24.95. Price of the DVD Mid-Atlantic Memories, a 75 minute wrestling documentary covering Carolina wresting in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. World premiere tonight in Charlotte. Watch trailer.
Today’s Job: Digital Experience Solution Architect at Electrolux. Apply.
Today’s Charlottean: Al Simpson, Head Coach at Charlotte Boxing Academy, for being inducted into the Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame [Habina/Observer]
ORIGINALS
Confessions from a Cul-de-Sac
Erin, an urban designer and planner, walks us through her thought process on moving from Tampa and buying a home in either suburban or urban Charlotte. Fascinating and informative analysis on how education options shape our city’s development. Important. Read this.
Things I confirmed in the first 24 hours after adopting a puppy
7 things Katie learned from her Charlotte pit bull adoption. I’m an anti-pet person. I’m allergic and a dachshund took a chunk out of my right calf when I was 8, so I’m scared of dogs.
EXCLUSIVE: First new hotel to hit the block Uptown; Embassy Suites is ready to make its mark
Located along MLK Blvd between Brevard and Caldwell, Embassy Suites Uptown is a 10-story, 250-room hotel. Jason talks with Birju Patel, President of BPR Properties (developer). View 9 renderings.
Southern Swagger at the Duke Mansion: 100 Years of money, power, and socialites
My buddy George had his rehearsal dinner here and I fell in love with the place. Did you realize that JFK dated a Cannon daughter that lived here and he attended her wedding on the property? Also, I didn’t realize this is a 20 room bed and breakfast (rates: $129-$329/night). 14 photos and more fascinating details from Liz.
University area book store, The Last Word, to relocate to Eastway along the light rail extension
Love that Joshua has remarkable memories playing Magic: The Gathering here. Moving to the old Faulk Brothers Hardware space on N Tryon (one and a half times bigger than current space). Get the scoop from co-owner Matt Hicks.
Local startup FantasyDraft.com, is competing against the big boys like DraftKings and FanDuel
Yes, it’s legal. Founded in 2014, this local startup is building their niche in the booming daily fantasy sports market (daily contests with entry fees and payouts).
The Weekender: July 31 – August 2
15 reasons not to watch the Friends marathon on TBS this weekend. Tomato cooking class to The Art & Science of Coffee (Not Just Coffee) to Arthropod Day to Premium Outlet Celebration to Beer Growler’s Anniversary to Rock of Ages at Actor’s Theatre to Charlotte Independence annihilating the Rochester Rhinos. Live here.
Must eat dinner at Luna’s Living Kitchen
My wife is obsessed with Luna’s, as is our readership. I need to try it, but it seems too healthy and for now I’m sticking to Bojangles’. Read Sara’s review: Sweet Potato Sushi Roll, Living Burrito (looks outstanding), Pad Thai and Turtle Cake. Beautiful photography.
TALKING POINTS
Publix is eyeing a store in Uptown and they’re not afraid to chit chat about it at a Rotary Club meeting [Thomas/CBJ]. Grocery battle will soon move to Uptown: Teeter vs Whole Foods vs Publix.
Industry Coworking has expanded their NC Music Factory footprint [Industry].Congrats to founder Tyler Ford. Adding 20 more offices, open workspace and conference rooms. Open desk membership is $129/mo and private office membership is $399-699/mo. Open house scheduled for evening of August 20th.
CitiSculpt co-founder and managing partner Lindsey McAlpine answers questions ranging from a carless Charlotte existence to apartment saturation [Portillo/Observer]. Smart guy. Agree with him that people want urban living and many are delaying families.
Red Ventures just inked a lease on a 98,000 sqft office in University [Boye/CBJ]. Red Ventures is hiring people faster than I can write newsletters and it’s likely that many of these new hires could work out of their new office that I’m sure they’ll go crazy with.
After over 4 million votes, Charlotte has been selected as one of 22 cities featured on a new Monopoly board and Mayor Clodfelter (Mr. Monopoly look-alike) is reportedly going to help promote it via a social media campaign [Spanberg/CBJ]. Wow, just wow. But seriously, Clodfelter would look like Mr. Monopoly if he had a monocle.
Invite: OrthoCarolina wants you to train smart and invites you to learn how withSportology.
Have an excellent Thursday and you can’t tell me that you don’t want to eat everything in Cloud 9 Confections display case at 7th Street Public Market.
