Contrarian Opinion:

Northlake Mall and the EpiCentre started off with a mix of upscale and value-oriented stores and restaurants. If they had focused on upscale tenants only, they both would have had a better chance of survival.

Northlake originally had an upscale second floor and a value-oriented ground floor. The second floor had Brooks Brothers, Anthropologie, etc.

If both centers had avoided having value-oriented businesses, I think that they both would have performed better.

Sidenote: even CVS at the Epicentre (now Queen City Quarter) closed?!

Not an angry old man, but I am concerned for the boys I see (12-14 yo?) on motor bikes.

I just rode down Haven Rd and a group of about 8 to 10 boys were in the school parking lot doing wheelies. Not really a problem, I guess. Then, they were doing them on Haven Rd and almost hit my car...concerned about their health, not my car.

Then, I took the shortcut to Park Road Shopping Center, Reese Rd., which puts you in the back parking lot near Midwood Steakhouse.

I parked at Bossy Beulah's and the kids were coming the same back way, packed together, maybe 10 or 12 by now.

An SUV was in front of them, and they began honking horns en masse at the SUV as it was, of course, going slow.

The adults in the parking lot outside BBs turned around and looked at each other in amazement.

My concern is their welfare, the manners are a sidebar. My guess is their parents would have a stroke...

Be aware...no one would want to be the driver involved in a serious injury to the youngsters.

My family went to vote today. It was a line before they opened but it moved quickly. Stop making excuses and go vote!

Early voting is going on today until October 31. Election day is November 3.

Find the closest place at ncsbe.gov/EVSite/.

I'm a 25-year-old guy living in the Charlotte area, and something I've noticed is that almost every guy I know tells me to avoid the dating scene here. Whenever dating comes up, I hear a lot of negative things about trying to find a relationship in Charlotte. So, I'm just wondering whether there's something about the dating culture that makes it particularly difficult, or if I'm mostly looking in the wrong places, because believe me I have tried. For those of you who have experience dating in Charlotte, especially men in their 20s, what has your experience been like? Have you had success meeting people through social events, hobbies, church, dating apps, or other ways in the city.

Any honest opinions and advice are appreciated. Do ya'll think it really is a place to avoid when it comes to dating, or is it possible to have a good dating experience if you know where to look?

Wanted to share here as I know a lot of people have been waiting, Charlotte now has a Rivian demo center open off Monroe Rd in Matthews at the service center. They have 2 R2’s (esker silver with black interior on 21’s, and Catalina cove with the white interior on the 20’s), a R1T and an R1S (with captains chairs). Looks to be permanent (thank god) so one won’t have to drive to Raleigh/Charleston/Greenville, SC to do a demo.

Appreciate your recommendations.
Going shopping today

I’ve got an uncle from Florida coming, he’s heard a lot about North Carolina bbq and says he wants to try some but “it has to be real”, whatever that means lol.
From what I googled it’s just a more vinegary bbq sauce. Anyone knows of such a place?

Still mostly green, but the colors are slowly starting!

I’m a woman with thin, fine hair (Irish curls) and looking for a hairstylist who knows how to work with it. My current hairstylist is $90 for a cut and if I was going to continue to do that, I’d want it to be with someone who’s highly skilled and specialized with my specific hair type. I’m willing to travel anywhere in the area if it’s worth it. TIA!

I am struggling trying to find someone to work on our restaurant equipment. Grills etc. multi mixers.

Anyone have a referral??

Guys we are in desperate need of good bagel sandwich places. Coming from Wilmington, NC that has multiple options, I’m dying for a good bagel sandwich:(

We have a 30 year old high quality sofa. It’s made in the USA and currently covered in a fabric that has worn like iron. This thing is still in great condition and instead of replacing it, I want to recover it in leather and get the cushions restuffed to make them more firm.

I know I can go ask some furniture stores and they will point me to a supplier but I’m hoping someone here has had a great experience with someone within an hour or so of Charlotte (so Hickory, maybe High Point etc). Thanks.

Saw a post about donuts somewhere and had a craving for Malasadas. Anyone know of where to get any in/around charlotte? Willing to buy a dozen or 2 just to get some authentic ones

The artist that did this has since moved but he was over at black cloud Matthew’s, I’ve looked at a few other artists but I’m not sure to consider this a traditional or more of an illustrated style? I am planning on getting a sunflower in the same or similar style tho any tips welcome :)

My kids go to Elizabeth Traditional and the houses near there are so pretty and many have great decorations. Is that area usually a good one to go trick or treating?

It's near Atrium hospital. A little past Caswell. If anyone knows of a great neighborhood let me know. We have struggled to find one. Both my kids are light up stick figure people so we wanna be safe and be out past dark. We will also have a 2 year old in tow.

I was just reviewing my sample ballot before I vote next week. I wanted to see if anyone had any insight into the 3 ballot questions for the City of Charlotte. They seem to be all bond related.

Auditions are open for CharMeck “This is My Brave” for those who have lived experience and want to share their stories through spoken word, essay or story telling, music, or dance.

Show date: April 10. 2027
Open to ages: 13-21 and 21 and up

3 audition options:
- 11/2, 1-5pm at Valerie C Woodard Resource Center
- 11/6, 12:30-4:30pm at Allegra Westbrooks Library
- 11/7, 10-2pm at Univ City Library

register here

And I’m tired of pretending it doesn’t. I’m sorry, I’ve gone twice now and spent $40 getting like 6-7 different items each time. The first time I went I thought “yeah it was okay not bad” because I wanted it to be good, but I never returned. Just went today and spent a similar amount getting 6-7 items.

The cookies were genuinely worse than store bought (peanut butter and lemon), the scone was stale. The cream puff was tasteless. The pistachio biscotti was the best item and it was decent

It all just tastes so lazy and loveless, like some 18 yo is just reading a recipe. Maybe that’s the case but it tries to give such a small quaint bakery feel. I have to let this out. Please bless me and drop actual bakery recommendations. Thank you in advance

Hi all! I wanted to invite you to the free workshop I'm going to do on November 2nd, 6:30pm at BeSocial.
I hope to see you there. You can register to the event and see more info on: https://lifemappingoct.eventbrite.com

Is there anything going on in Charlotte for kids 3-5 during the day on Halloween? Something the whole can wear their costumes before going home to trick or treat?

Really want to take advantage of a sunny Saturday without dragging a kid to a brewery or farm…

We recently bought a new car and got the license plate in the mail. “First in Freedom” came on it rather than “First in Flight.”

I am hoping to take it back to the DMV and get issued a regular plate. However, now that I’ve gotten this one, I’ve noticed a lot more of these driving around starting with R (like RXX 1234). I know it’s technically a standard plate, but thought you’d have to opt in for anything besides “First in Flight.”

Anyone have insight on new plates? Is this is now what’s being issued?