This is part of an ongoing series titled Mailbag featuring items readers submit via email or our feedback form. We get a ton of feedback; this is not close to everything (it’s about 2 percent), but it’s a good sample. Some responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
In response to: NFL quarterback Josh McCown’s Carmel Park home is on the market for $3.95M [Crane]
“I grew up in Carmel Park. My father paid 35K for our house which sat on 2.5 acres with a pond in front. There are still quite a few of us ‘Carmel Park Gang’ kids still around. We all remember ‘The Shack’ and swimming in the community lake. It was a great place growing up. Always wanted to go back and dig up my jar of coins I buried about 45 years ago…” — L
“I think he should give it to me at a verrrrrrrry reduced price. Being he makes so much money and all.” — A
In response to: Apple season is upon us: 7 pick-your-own orchards within 2 hours of Charlotte [Webber]
“Can we please have a lady date here!? I must try these damn donuts!” — S
“Orchard and cidery? We gotta go.” — C
“What about the Farmer’s Markets close by in the city/county area? Is there venders these that might have some of the goodies made with apples?” — J
In response to: Spiked seltzer brewery opens this weekend with $5 draft seltzer, 100 calories or less [Way]
“Look. It’s every girls dream. Ha!” — Z
“Time out…. I want to go to a seltzery.” — B
“Charlotte trip once covid is over in 5 years.” — S
“Looks like I’m officially moving to Charlotte.” — M
“Now we can easily do our seltzer challenge lolll.” — S
In response to: Former Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert’s custom home listed for $2.4M [Crane]
“I just want to live in the closet thanks.” — A
“Only five fireplaces? Not impressed.” — P
“Whew now this is a house!!!” — B
“Don’t sleep on WEDDINGTON ” — J
“Can we just talk about how many pairs of Louboutins are in that closet!?” — M
“That home is beautiful. The hidden tv room is sweet. I would take it in a heartbeat.” — J
“This seems like a steal! I moved to Austin recently and a home like this here would easily be $5-6 million.” — W
“I make $12 an hour and my budget is $2.8 mill.” — B
In response to: Back to the gym: What it’s like to workout in Charlotte during the pandemic [Hopkins+Way]
“I can’t speak for the others but The Dowd YMCA has done a great job taking all the necessary precautions to protect its gym members. If you don’t feel safe, don’t go.” — T
“Gym? He sounds hideous ” – M
“Wait. People are taking off their masks as they move from machine to machine? That defeats the entire purpose of wearing a mask! My gym requires masks at all times and people abide by it. I haven’t seen anyone without a mask. Is it uncomfortable? Yes. Does it help me feel better about being there? YES.
Shout out to Fitness Connection for keeping their members safe.” — H
In response to: A farewell to Bill Spoon’s Barbecue, which closes for good Wednesday after 57 years
“This is AWFUL news!!” — D
“Sad. Classic establishment of old Charlotte.” — J
“So sad, it was my Dad’s favorite place. You could go there for lunch and see judges, construction workers, NFL football players, everyone loved the food and especially Bill.” — I
“Makes me sad. Was 1 of the first places my son took us after he moved to Charlotte.” — L
“Remember when Mr. Spoon would take an IOU when they didn’t take cards? That sold me on the spot. Oh and best eastern style in the city. Loyal customers, employees, great family…..this is sad.” — H
“Broken hearted. Came for one last pound or two. Sold out.” — A
“It was well after the lunch time when I spotted Bill Spoon’s and thought a good barbecue lunch was just what we needed. I wheeled in and there were few people inside. Every barbecue place had a barbecue plate and that was just what I wanted. I ordered without even looking at the menu. In short order the waitress brought my plate and put it in front of me. … Now remember, sliced brisket was barbecue as far as I knew. Anyway, I took one look at the plate and saw what looked like yesterday’s leftover hash and realized that she had made a mistake. I politely pushed the plate back in her direction and said ‘no-mame, I ordered the barbecue plate.’ She pushed the plate back and said impatiently, ‘That is the barbecue plate.’ Now I was tired, hungry, and disappointed, and I instantly pushed the plate back to her and said ‘That doesn’t look like barbecue to me.’ I suspected she detected a little Texas twang, as she shoved the plate back at me and said ‘That’s Eastern North Carolina barbecue.’ That’s when I learned to like North Carolina barbecue.” — A
In response to: Complete list and map of Charlotte’s 30+ local breweries, plus the most popular beer at each
“This seems like a good fall task for us to accomplish.” — K
“We have some work to do!” — B
In response to: LA-based Silverlake Ramen opens this week in South End. Try its spicy ramen called ‘The Blaze’
“Omggg we have to try this out, I’ve been waiting for this.” — S
“We just drove by it yesterday, and I really enjoyed seeing the mural..” — N
“FRIDAY NIGHT LETS GOOOOO.” — A
“I’ve been eye balling this place! Date night pronto!” — V
“Another day another bao to try.” — A
In response to: Now open: New York-style deli meets European street food at this new Plaza Midwood restaurant
“Truly a missed opportunity to call it ‘Best Wurst.'”— S
“How can you be good and the wurst at the same time???” — J
“Just ate there for lunch – Reuben sandwich was good and the curry ketchup on the Belgian frites brought back memories of me traveling around Belgium in my 20s, but the potato salad isn’t German (to me a vinegar based potato salad, with bacon, onions, green peppers, etc.) – it’s just the plain old mayo kind (for regular potato salad it was decent though). I have yet to find a store or restaurant serving German potato salad in Charlotte 😢. They need more picnic benches outside – there were only 2.” — P
“Ate there last night. It was amazing.” — T
“I had there tots the other day. On point.” — V
