QC Exclusive No. 45 - 2017 - Issue 9 - Holiday

T H E Q U I N T ES S EN T I A L C H A R LOT T E M AG A Z I N E

holiday 2017 | no. 45

Let It Snow Holiday cookies, hot drinks for cold winter nights, our luxe gift guide, local philanthropies, and more to warm your soul PLUS! Our Annual Bridal Guide

The Village at South Park

4310 Sharon Road, Ste T-09, Charlotte, NC

704.364.6543 | davidsltd.com

H E A R T S O N F I R E S T O R E S , A U T H O R I Z E D R E TA I L E R S , 8 7 7 - P E R F E C T

DRIVEN BY DREAMS Sales. Service. Metrolina Auto Group.

Creating a luxury standard, built on relationships, driven by dreams.

Main location 6010 Kenley Lane | Charlotte, NC | 704.705.2570 South End 1316 South Tryon Street | Charlotte, NC | 704.625.0521

www.MetrolinaAutoGroup.com

SALES

BAR 980.237.6718

OPEN DAILY FOR DINNER

|

|

www.fahrenheitcharlotte.com

SUNDAY BRUNCH

|

PRIVATE SPACE

RESTAURANT

ROOFTOP SPECIAL EVENTS

|

OFF-SITE CATERING

Located at 222 South Caldwell Street, 21st Floor, Charlotte, NC

no. 45 | ho l iday 2 017

THE EXCLUSIVES 138

148

156

162

‘Tis the sweetest season

Coffee Homes

Funding Miracles

The coffeehouse reinforces its status as Charlotte’s place to linger

The Kyle Busch Foundation and the Queen City’s philanthropies

the 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

Your guide to the tastiest cookies in the Queen City

Chocolate chip cookies from our holiday cookie shoot photo by Jamey Price

Over 80 of our favorite products for everyone on your list

THE DEPA RTMEN TS

94 THE CULTURE FINE ART / PERFORMING ARTS / STYLE / WELLNESS

51

62

The Art of Glass Carmella Jarvi’s kiln glass journey

Style, Handcrafted The Queen City’s Laura James handcrafts beautiful custom jewelry

56

The Nutcracker Tradition Start the holiday season off right with Charlotte’s premier winter performance

58

66

A Life Of Dance Jena Burgin-Peters helps Charlotte’s youth shine through rhythm and movement

Stella G. Charlotte’s newest art gallery is making a name for itself in the city’s art scene

THE SPREAD RESTAURANTS / CHEFS / RECIPES / COCKTAILS

73

73

A Beloved Institution The secrets behind The Fig Tree

78

Welcome To J. Sam’s Unwind at this South Park eatery

84

Haberdish’s Sonker A Carolina tradition done right

88

58 84

Kindred’s Milk Bread Pudding The best bread makes the best dessert

90

Rooster’s Hoppin’ John Good luck and prosperity in a bowl

92

Bob Peters’ Holiday Cocktail The spirit of the season

94

Baku’s Manhattan A classic takes an Eastern spin

20 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

62

THE DEPA RTMEN TS

97 THE FOLIO DESIGN / DECOR / SPACES / FEATURED HOMES

97

112

102

114

Georgia Street Design Meredith Beregovski on the impact of good design Vahid’s Masterpieces Charlotte Rug Gallery’s exceptional rugs

106

In The Mind Of A Craftsman Jonathan Kauffman of Kauffman & Co. shares what it means to find art in work

THE EXPLORED RESORTS / TOWNS / DESTINATIONS / SPORTING / ADVENTURE

A Space For Tranquility Beth Keim creates the ideal bedroom space Relax, Socialize, Cook A Theory Design Studio space

116

Holiday At The Lake Lauren Nicole decorates for the season

118

A Fresh Take On Lake Luxury Ted Thompson builds a stunning home full of details

106

125

NYE 18 Charlotte places to bring in the New Year

130

A Holiday Paradise Experience the holidays in charming Pinehurst, where the lights twinkle brightest, the greens are challenging, and the R&R is world-class

134

134

In Season The Piedmont’s Webb Farm is one of NC’s ultimate quail hunting lodges

118 22 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

125

THE NOTE

Publisher Brett Barter helps stage our holiday cookie opening spread photo.

Photo by Jamey Price

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE ’Tis everyone’s favorite season, and for this year’s holiday issue, we honed in on everyone’s favorite reasons for the season. This issue has it all, from the very best Queen City holiday performances like Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker and the Charlotte Symphony’s Magic of Christmas to holiday decor like Lauren Nicole Designs’ Christmas living room and Carolina traditions like the Haberdish Sonker and Rooster’s Hoppin’ John.

In The Exclusives you’ll find our cover feature entitled “‘Tis The Sweetest Season,” a ten page photo feature dedicated to some of our favorite cook-

24 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

ies in the QC, from healthy ones like Whisk + Wood’s Vegan Chocolate Chip to rich, buttery dark chocolate thyme shortbread from Justin B. Samson.

Along with the scrumptious cover story, we also share our annual holiday gift guide featuring 81 amazing gifts from local purveyors, tell the story of the Kyle Busch Foundation and the Queen City’s philanthropies, and visit some of our beloved places to linger: the coffeehouses of Charlotte.

We hope you enjoy, and we wish you a very merry holiday season!

Best, Jon-Paul Grice, Editor

™ Statuary Statuary White White Marble Marble Slab, Slab, Studio Studio Moderne Moderne™ Montclair Montclair Relief Relief Deco Deco in in Sterling, Sterling, Villa Villa d’Oro d’Oro Granada Granada and and San San Marcos Marcos mosaic mosaic in in Grigio Grigio

What will you create?

What will you create?

Tile & Stone Showroom 2116 Hawkins Street Suite 500 Charlotte, N.C. 28203 704.583.7000

Slab Gallery 1331 S. Mint Street Charlotte, N.C. 28203 704.583.7010

Authentic, handcrafted natural stone and ceramic tile, since 1952 walkerzanger.com

EST. 2011

DETAILS ADDRESS 619 S. Cedar Street Suite B Charlotte, NC 28202 WEBSITE www.qcexclusive.com EMAIL info@qcexclusive.com PHONE 704.219.9088 828.773.4922

SUBSCRIBE FOR A SUBSCRIPTION Receive 9 issues/year of QC Exclusive Magazine by subscribing online at qcexclusive.com/subscribe or contacting us through the methods provided below: SUBSCRIPTION BY EMAIL info@qcexclusive.com SUBSCRIPTION BY PHONE 207.631.4644 SUBSCRIPTION BY MAIL Exclusive Media Group 619 S. Cedar St. | Suite B Charlotte, NC 28202 (Include a check for $25 and address and info)

26 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

EST. 2011

OUR TEAM PUBLISHER Brett Barter EDITOR Jon-Paul Grice SALES Kathleen Hands Ashley Carlini EDITORIAL Corey Miller Sunny Hubler EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Xenia Fong Sarah Gallo Stephen Sears Chanahra Fletcher Liza Carrasquillo CREATIVE Stephen Philpott PHOTOGRAPHY Jamey Price PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS Thien La Lunahzon Justin Driscoll Joe Purvis Kyo H. Nam

CONNECT @QCExclusive

28 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

EST. 2011

CONTACT US FEEDBACK We welcome your feedback—both positive and negative—and believe it is very valuable in our constant pursuit to be better as a publication. We encourage all of our readers to contact us with any critiques, compliments, or questions by email at info@qcexclusive.com.

EDITORIAL Contact JP Grice by phone at 828-773-4922 or email at jp@qcexclusive.com.

ADVERTISING Contact Brett Barter by phone at 704-219-9088 or email at brett@qcexclusive.com.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Please contact us by email at corey@qcexclusive.com.

EVENTS & PARTNERSHIPS Post an event in QCExclusive or inquire about partnering with us for an upcoming event by email at info@qcexclusive.com.

30 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

December 9 - 23, 2017 - Celebrate the sights and sounds of the holidays at Nutcracker! Join Clara as she encounters an epic battle between the Mouse King and Nutcracker, a breathtaking snowfall, jumping candy canes and the iconic Sugar Plum Fairy. Complete with choreography

by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and music from the Charlotte Symphony, Nutcracker premiered with all new sets and costumes in 2016. Whether it’s a treasured family tradition or you’re experiencing it for the first time, Nutcracker promises wonderful holiday memories for years to come!

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Ballet by Peter Zay

THE EV EN TIST

charlotteballet.org |

40 | Jingle Bell Run 42 | Les Miserables 44 | Soulful Noel

CHARLOTTE BALLET’S NUTCRACKER

34 | Christmas at the Biltmore 36 | Jingle Bell Jazz 38 | Night at the Nutcracker

holiday 2017 editor’s pick

THE EV EN TIST

Holiday 2017 EDITOR’S PICK

11/30/17 - 12/03/17 Charlotte Symphony Pops: Magic of Christmas Enjoy a festive night of music and fun for the whole family as the Charlotte Symphony sponsors a special holiday concert filled with soloists, sing-alongs, and Santa. Held at the Belk Theater at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, special guest violinist Mark O’Connor will perform with his family band.

For more info: charlottesymphony.org | Photo courtesy of Charlotte Symphony by John Graham ROBERT EARL KEEN’S “MERRY CHRIST-

CHRISTMAS AT BILTMORE

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS

11/3/17 - 1/7/18 - Biltmore Estate is beautiful all year round, but there’s something about the holiday season that makes this destination even more enticing than usual. Visit Biltmore throughout November and December to see the thousands of ornaments and dozens of trees and feel just what makes this estate so special during the winter. biltmore.com

11/22/17 - 1/1/18 - Lake Norman’s Zootastic Park is decked out and ready for the holidays, and invites you to take the kids to meet the animals and enjoy their winter activities. Make some s’mores, visit Santa, and get a front row seat to their tiger feedings—all in one night! zootasticpark.com

MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

CHARLOTTE RACERS EXPO

HOLIDAYS AT THE GARDEN

11/30/17 – 12/03/17 – Enjoy a festive night of music and fun for the whole family as the Charlotte Symphony sponsors a special holiday concert filled with soloists, sing-alongs, and Santa. Held at the Belk Theater at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, special guest violinist Mark O’Connor will perform with his family band. charlottesymphony.org

12/1/17 - The Charlotte Racers Expo is back for 2017 and ready to show off some of North Carolina’s hottest race cars. Enjoy the car show, then stay for the auction. charlotteracersexpo.com

11/17/17 - 12/31/17 - All December long, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden will glow with over 600,000 holiday lights and decorations as it shares its festive spirit with its guests. Bring the kids and enjoy the live music, gift shopping, and even a horse-drawn carriage ride. dsbg.org

34 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

MAS FROM THE FAM-O-LEE”

12/1/17 – Come for the holiday laughs as Keen performs his personal anecdotes and high-energy music straight from his tour. Feel the spirit of country music’s greatest artists as Keen brings them to life on a stage full of sugar plums, elves, and even a cow or two at the Visulite Theatre. blumenthalarts.org

CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY POPS:

MICHAEL RAY WITH DEVIN DAWSON

12/1/17 - Charlotte’s premiere country bar, Coyote Joe’s, is kicking off the

E X PA N D A B L E DIAMOND RINGS

6401 MORRISON BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC | 704.365.3700 | ELIZABETHBRUNS.COM

THE EV EN TIST

Holiday 2017

holiday season with a special concert featuring Michael Ray and guest performer Devin Dawson. Ray’s recently released single “Get to You” has been climbing the country music charts, and his appearance is part of a 15 city tour with Dawson. coyote-joes.com

MINT TO MOVE NIGHT

12/1/17 – Celebrate the traditional Colombian Dia de las Velitas, The Day of the Candles, at the Mint Museum’s Uptown location with food, dance, and family events. Dance to hours of AfroCuban, African, and Latin American beats with both live music and a DJ. mintmuseum.org

THREE DAYS OF RAIN ART OF READING HOLIDAY BOOK FAIR

12/1/17 – 12/9/17 – Richard Greenberg’s poignant play follows Walker Janeway, the son of a legendary architect, after his father’s funeral. Visit the Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square and experience the drama that comes with realizing just because someone is close to you doesn’t mean you know them. blumenthalarts.org

12/2/17 – Who says book fairs are just for kids? Head to the Barnes and Noble at the Carolina Place Mall for the Mint Museum’s holiday book fair. Preview their upcoming exhibit, learn about their Randolph location book tours, and of course bring home lots of books. mintmuseum.org

JINGLE BELL JAZZ

BEER TASTING BENEFIT FOR

12/1/17 – Start December off right with some smooth jazz, light bites, and drinks at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. bechtler.org

12/2/17 - Join Camp Gladiator and Free Range Brewing in NoDa to support a local charity and try some new beers

GIRLS ON THE RUN!

while you’re at it. Vote for your favorite beer and test your luck with one of the many raffle prizes donated by Charlotte’s local businesses. All proceeds go to the Girls on the Run! non-profit. freerangebewing.com 9TH RED PUMP/RED TIE AFFAIR

12/2/17 - The Red Pump’s 9th annual gala will be held at the c3 Lab to commemorate World AIDS Day and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS in the Charlotte community. Grab some red pumps or a red tie and come support the Charlotte community. theredpumpproject.org HOLIDAY CRAFT CAMP

12/3/17 - Make holiday decorations at Blue Blaze Brewing’s location—and better yet, do it with a beer in hand. Let the Modern Craft Collective help you find your inner crafter, and bring home some holiday decorations. moderncraftcollective.com

Susan Grossman City Moments On view through Jan 6, 2018

Although Grossman most often depicts scenes of her native New York City, this exhibition of new cityscapes also includes work inspired from a recent visit to Charlotte.

AWAIT, 2017, Charcoal and Pastel on Paper Mounted on Board, 45 x 55 inches

36 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

625 South Sharon Amity Road Charlotte, NC 28211 704-365-3000 gallery@jeraldmelberg.com www.jeraldmelberg.com M-F 10-6 Sat 10-4

THE EV EN TIST

Holiday 2017 GARDEN CLUB HOLIDAY PROGRAM

The Ultimate Boutique Experience

12/4/17 – Take a lesson from the Charlotte Garden Club and learn how to make holiday decorations using plants from your very own garden. The Garden Club meets the third Monday of every month at the Mint Museum’s Randolph location. mintmuseum.org THE INVENTION OF WINGS

12/6/17 – Visit the Mint Museum’s Randolph location to see Sue Monk Kidd’s book The Invention of Wings come to life with a tour of hand-selected artwork that complements its history. A pre-Civil War story, The Invention of Wings follows two women from different backgrounds as the country becomes more and more tumultuous. mintmuseum.org MINT’S ADULT PAINTING PARTY The Ivey’s Hotel Lobby

12/7/17 – Party with paint at the Mint Museum’s uptown location and learn about impressionist paintings while you’re at it. Take a tour of the Museum’s 20th century collection, then grab a drink and create your own. mintmuseum.org LGBTQ & ALLY COMMUNITY

Library Lounge

City View Room

charlotte’s Newest luxury, boutique hotel

Located in the Historic Ivey’s Building Right in the Heart of Center City

127 North tryoN | charlotte, Nc theiveyshotel.com

704.228.1111

38 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

12/7/17 - Takeover Friday is back at the Museum Tower Uptown, and just in time for the holidays. Meet new friends in the LGBTQ community and enjoy some food and drinks at this holiday celebration. takoverfriday.com NIGHT AT THE NUTCRACKER

12/8/17 – Steal a sneak peek at the Charlotte Ballet’s upcoming Nutcraker performance with an exclusive performance in Founders Hall.

Walk through the Land of Sweets with seasonal cocktails, bites, and desserts, then stay after the party to see scenes from the show. charlotteballet.org CLARA’S TRIP

12/8/17 – A twist to the classic tale, see Clara’s dreams come to life after

THE EV EN TIST

Holiday 2017 being sent to the hospital for a broken ankle. Bring the family to the Booth Playhouse at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center to add something new to your holiday traditions. blumenthalarts.org SLAMCHARLOTTE POETRY SLAM

12/8/17 - Head to the McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square for Charlotte’s monthly poetry slam, hosted by two-time national spoken word champions SlamCharlotte. blumenthalarts.org BILINGUAL STORIES AND MUSIC

DISCOVER THE GENIUS The codices and drawings of 15th century Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci come to life through interactive inventions and iconic artwork.

Come explore his revolutionary ideas on nature, anatomy, mechanics and robotics, 500 years ahead of their time.

YEAR of THE ENGINEER

12/9/17 – Take your kids to the Mint Museum’s Randolph location to hear fun, interactive stories in both English and Spanish. Geared towards kids ages 0-6, children will play music, sing, and enjoy a morning filled with great stories. mintmuseum.org JINGLE BELL RUN CHARLOTTE

12/9/17 - Charlotte’s largest holiday 5k race is back, this time to support The Arthritis Foundation, America’s number one cause of disability. Tie some jingle bells to your shoelaces, throw your favorite holiday clothing on, and join the festive 5k fun. kintera.org UGLY SWEATER BAR CRAWL

12/9/17 - Pull out that old holiday sweater and head to the Plaza Midwood to take part in the area’s first annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl. Enjoy drink and food specials at Plaza Midwood’s favorite bars, including Pint Central, Moo & Brew, The Thirsty Beaver Saloon, and Jackalope Jack’s Restaurant & Bar. eventbrite.com SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE

Now on Exhibition

40 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

12/9/17 - 12/10/17 - Watch the magic of Christmas come alive for this special kid-friendly version of The Singing Christmas Tree. This hourlong performance at the Knight Theater at the Levine Center for the Arts will feature the Carolina Kids

Constructing Modern Master pieces

5960 Fairview Rd, Suite 400 | Charlotte, NC 28210 | (704) 293-9362 • drew@artisticcontractorsnc.com

THE EV EN TIST

Holiday 2017 Voices Choir, the Grey Seal Puppets, and of course, Santa. carolinavoices.org CHARLOTTE BALLET: NUTCRACKER

12/9/17 - 12/23/17 - Enjoy this holiday tradition and experience Charlotte Ballet’s 2017 rendition of the Nutcracker at the Belk Theater at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. charlotteballet.org BRAIN CANDY LIVE!

12/9/17 - Watch TV personality Adam Savage and YouTuber Michael Stevens as they join forces to bring you a fun, mind-blowing performance unlike any you’ve ever seen.

This interactive show will be held at the Ovens Auditorium. blumenthalarts.org 18TH ANNUAL SANTA BAR CRAWL

12/9/17 - Looking to start off December with a bit of fun? Don your favorite festive attire and join Charlotte’s largest holiday bar crawl.

Participating bars include Rooftop 210, Blackfinn Ameripub, Prohibition, and many more! santabarcrawl.com GIFT STYLING 101

12/10/17 - Make your loved ones gasp before they even open your gifts with the Modern Craft Collective’s crash course in gift wrapping.

Head to Blue Blaze Brewing make your presents as perfect as Blue Blaze’s beer. blueblazebrewing.com LES MISÉRABLES

12/13/17 - 12/17/17 - The Tony award-winning musical comes to Charlotte, bringing brand new staging and scenery to the iconic production. Head to the Ovens Auditorium to experience this beautiful, heart-wrenching play for yourself. lesmis.com MINI MASTERS ART WORKSHOP

12/13/17 and 12/16/17 – Looking for something to do with your little

42 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

THE EV EN TIST

Holiday 2017

ones this holiday season? Bring them to the Mint Museum’s Randolph location to learn and play with squishy clay. Designed for kids ages 3-5, the art classes will improve their finemotor skills and build confidence in their creativity. mintmuseum.org CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY: HANDEL’S MESSIAH

12/15/17 - 12/16/17 - Performing a rendition of Handel’s masterpiece, the Charlotte Symphony Chorus sings Messiah at the Knight Theater at the Levine Center for the Arts.

Christopher Warren-Green conducts the chorus, as well as a quartet of soloists, for this special show. charlottesymphony.org

RED, GREEN, & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN Get a handle on your holiday shopping at the Mint!

Mint Museum Shops | Uptown/Randolph | 704.337.2061 | mintmuseum.org/shop

WHENEVER WHEREVER & HOWEVER YOU WANT US WE’RE THERE FOR YOU

BECHTLER BY NIGHT: PAINT N’ SIP

12/15/17 – Learn how to paint your own winter wonderland in this hourlong class at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Sip on December’s specialty drink, a Holiday Mule, then play some games, go on a scavenger hunt, and let your creativity flow. bechtler.org SOULFUL NOEL

12/15/17 - 12/16/17 - Add some soul to your holiday and see this musical live at the McGlohon theater at Spirit Square. Hear your favorite classics performed with a soulful twist as the cast sings “Little Drummer Boy,” “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas,” and more. blumenthalarts.org BREATHE INK

12/15/17 - Support your community’s young poets and see students ages 1319 perform spoken word at the organization’s youth poetry slam. blumenthalarts.org Water & Coffee Home | Office | Anywhere www.diamondsprings.com 800.715.2286

44 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

SANTA RUN 8K & SNOWMAN DASH

12/16/17 - Throw on your favorite holiday costume or take one of SPORTPORT’s many elf, Santa, and snowman hats, then challenge

C H A R LOT T E · C H A R L E STO N World Class Living

KINGSWOOD The Mark of Distinction in World Class Home Building Charlotte (704) 889.1600

TM

Kiawah Island (843) 801.1600 www.kingswoodhomes.com

THE EV EN TIST

Holiday 2017

yourself to an 8k run or 1-mile dash.

Afterward, head back to Romare Bearden Park and enjoy some givaways, music, and festive food. runsignup.com NODA STARVING ARTIST MARKET

12/16/17 - Head to NoDa for some last-minute shopping at Canvas Tattoo & Art Gallery. Check out some art and gift yourself some new ink while you shop through this local pop-up market.

ACTING OUT STUDIO

12/16/17 - 12/17/17 - Enjoy two plays for the price of one with Acting Out Studio’s holiday show. Laugh at the hilarity that ensues when three teens find themselves on an awkward date, then take in the poignant drama that comes when a circle of friends collides with another.

SOUTH END SANTA PUB CRAWL

12/17/17 - Take part in Charlotte’s last bar crawl of the season with the South End Santa Pub Crawl, featuring The Brass Tap, Tavern on Tracks, All American Pub, and many more.

The first 100 crawlers get a free Santa hat with their wristbands!

ANALOG CRASH OPEN MIC NIGHT

12/18/17 - Love music as much as we do? Visit Blue Blaze Brewing and watch local talents fill the stage, or get up there yourself and showcase your own music at the Analog Crash Open Mic Night. All PA equipment, cables, and vocal mics will be provided. blueblazebrewing.com RUDOLPH THE MUSICAL

Location Sophia’s Lounge

46 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

12/20/17 - The classic TV movie comes to life with a holiday musical that’s great for the whole family.

Head to the Ovens Auditorium to see your favorite characters--Sanda, the Abominable Snow Monster, and of course, Rudolph--as they sing and dance their way through this timeless tale. rudolphthemusical.com

TAKE CONTROL

704.778.8626 | INSIGHT-AUTO.COM 401 HAWTHORNE LN | STE 110-191 | CHARLOTTE NC 28204

THE EV EN TIST

Holiday 2017

NATHAN ANGELO’S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL AT THE EVENING MUSE

12/21/17 - Spend your Thursday evening at The Evening Muse listening to Nathan Angelo’s modern fusion of Motown and pop as his tour reaches Charlotte. A versatile singer and a high-energy, dedicated musician, Nathan Angelo is one performer you don’t want to miss. nathanangelo.com SWAN LAKE

12/21/17 - The State Ballet Theater of Russia presents Swan Lake, a fullscale production of the famous legend in four acts. Directed by award-winning dancer Nikolay Anokhin, the ballet will be held at the Knight Theater at the Levine Center for the Arts. blumenthalarts.org

Arts to experience this contemporary re-imagining of the classic holiday play with the Hip Hop Nutcracker. Hosted by emcee Kurtis Blow, the play boasts an energetic cast, DJ, and violinist to tell the tale of Maria-Clara and her Nutcracker prince. hiphopnutcracker.com SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS

12/30/17 - 12/31/17 - Travel through 5,000 years of lost culture with the Shen Yun Performing Arts group and their classical Chinese dance at the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Combining a live orchestra with ancient legends, authentic costumes, and technological marvels, this mesmerizing dance group promises your night will be an enchanting one. shenyunperformingarts.org

HIP HOP NUTCRACKER

GORGEOUS NYE AT THE RITZ

12/27/17 - 12/30/17 - Head to the Knight Theater at the Levine Center for the

12/31/17 - The Ritz Carlton is one of the Queen City’s most inspired designs fea-

turing the breath-taking 7,000 square foot ballroom. The Grand Ballroom will play host to young professionals and party-goers alike in one of the most distinguished venues in the city. The extensive contemporary art collection will serve as an inspiring backdrop for impromptu socializing, making the Ritz Carlton one of Charlotte’s best places to welcome in 2018. ritzcarlton.com NEW YEAR’S AT SOPHIA’S LOUNGE

12/31/17 - Experience the atmosphere of vintage high-society Europe while you sip some of the most unique and creative cocktails in the city, nibble on delicious and inpsiring small plates, socialize with a chic crowd and welcome 2018. sophiaslounge.com

To post your upcoming event here or to partner with us on an upcoming event contact us at: info@qcexclusive.com

H A P P Y H O L I D AY S F R O M L A C A P R O J E C T S !

Grand Opening Thursday, January 18, 2018, 6-8pm

1429 Bryant Street | Charlotte, North Carolina 28208 | www.lacaprojects.com | www.basalcoffee.com

48 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Meredith A. Jackson Je w el ry

Bo u t ique

www.meredith j a ck son . c om

T h e

V i l l a

•

m y e r s

Pa r k

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 49

Carmella Jarvi’s Kiln Glass Journey. words SARAH GALLO photos JAMEY PRICE

51 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 51

51 | Carmella Jarvi 56 | The Nutcracker Tradition 58 | Stella G 62 | Style, Handcrafted 66 | A Life Of Dance

T H E C U LT U R E

T H E A RT OF GL ASS

THE CULTUR E

Musings

Carmella Jarvi has always had a secret fascination with glass. As a professional kiln glass artist, Jarvi transforms the ordinary material into exquisite, breathtaking works of art. Her signature pieces blend tantalizing colors to create organic, elemental gems.

From a young age, Jarvi was drawn to the arts. She could frequently be found copying Flintstone drawings or taking art lessons in Uptown Charlotte. After developing an inescapable passion for the field, Jarvi obtained a fine arts degree from UNC Charlotte. Eventually leaving her “safe art teacher job” behind,

52 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Jarvi chose to instead pursue her dream of becoming a full-time artist. Jarvi began her art career by specializing in watercolor, and gained inspiration from the hidden wonders of nature. And still today, she gets just as excited to talk about and share her passion as ever. This is perhaps the most striking thing about Carmella—she is so clearly captivated by her art form.

“I love luscious, juicy paintings,” Jarvi begins, “nature abstracted, water inspired is great, and painterly figures are a favorite. But, I also love abstract sculpture—the kind you

THE CULTUR E

Musings

“I love abstract sculpture—the kind you want to reach out and touch.

This aesthetic meanders into my own work. I am really painting with glass.” want to reach out and touch. This aesthetic meanders into my own work. I am really painting with glass.”

Jarvi’s love of the glass arts had been silenced during the early years of her career, due to the high cost that came with pursuing such an intricate art form. After a particularly enlightening experience, however, the silence was finally broken.

“After a family wedding in Playa del Carmen, Mexico,” Jarvi shares, “swimming in Caribbean waters and underwater caves, my paints were no longer good enough to capture the translucency, intensity, and brilliance of these tropical waters. I knew I had to learn glass.”

Formerly a dabbler in watercolor, pastel, and other paints, Jarvi underwent a culture shock of sorts when she switched her specialty to kiln

54 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

glass in 2011. Her trademark style today, however, is characterized by glittering glass pieces that resemble the tranquil waters Jarvi so longed to recreate.

“The water inspiration is a little different than many glass artists,” Jarvi recounts. “The fact that I achieve the depth and movement with electric kiln firings and cold working in between gives me a look more like blown glass, though my pieces weigh more.”

There is no need to justify Jarvi’s position within the kiln glass community: Her work speaks for itself. Her art—from the swirling colors of aqua blues and greens to the gleaming pieces themselves—are both unique and accessible.

info carmellajarvi.com

THE CULTUR E

Marquee

THE N U TCR ACK ER T R A DITION Start your holidays right with Charlotte’s premier winter performance words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos courtesy CHARLOTTE BALLET Continuing its holiday tradition, the Charlotte Ballet is now selling tickets for their classic rendition of the Nutcracker. Born from the pages of E.T.A. Hoffman’s Christmas story, the Nutcracker follows a young girl, Clara, and her fairy tale coming-of-age adventure on Christmas Eve. This Russian ballet can trace its roots all the way back to 1891, where Hoffman’s story was first adapted by Alexandre Dumas Père and set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Making its US debut in 1944, the Nutcracker captured minds across the states and solidified itself as the must-see story of the holiday season.

56 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

After replacing their sets and costumes in 2016, the Charlotte Ballet’s 2017 performance will feature a score by the Charlotte Symphony and a stage so beautiful you’ll want to reach out and taste the Sugar Plum Fairy’s sweets for yourself. In addition to the Charlotte Ballet’s several shows, patrons can experience the Nutcracker come alive for Night at the Nutcracker. Walk through the Land of Sweets and enjoy seasonal cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and a silent auction. info charlotteballet.org

THE CULTUR E

Exhibited

STEL L A G .

Charlotte’s newest art gallery is making a name for itself in the backlot location of the historic shopping center words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos JAMEY PRICE

When Stella G. Contemporary owner Gian Garofalo made the move from Chicago down to Charlotte, he immediately set his sights on the backlot at Park Road Shopping Center. The Center, originally opened in 1956, boasts an impressive history as the largest open-air shopping center from D.C. to Atlanta. Present day Park Road is just as impressive, with an expansive backlot featuring upscale entertainment and multiple new venues— among them, Stella G. Contemporary.

“We saw the backlot at Park Road Shopping as a rapidly expanding location with lots of potential,” affirms Garofalo, “and we were excited when the opportunity to open an art gallery there presented itself.”

“[Our mission] is to enrich the community through art and provide artists greater exposure to new markets.”

58 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

ABOVE: A wall in the new Stella G. Contemporary gallery showcases the paintings of Karl Klingbiel as well as the sculptural work of Matt Devine. Owner Gian Garofalo is on a misson to bring the work of world-renowned artists to Park Road. BELOW: The art of award-winning painter Linc Thelen on display at Stella G.

THE CULTUR E

Exhibited

ABOVE: Owner Gian Garofalo stands proudly in Stella G. Contemporary in front of works by Chris Robb (left) and Jane Booth (right). A customer takes in the work of Linc Thelen. BELOW: Three works by Karl Klingbiel entitled from left to right: The Russian Adiz, Captain America, and Gods of Forturne.

After the large attendance of their grand opening in early fall, Stella G. stands firmly as part of the backlot family, and encourages art enthusiasts of all kinds to step inside and enjoy their exhibits. Stella G. presents contemporary artists of all levels, from emerging names to established professionals, and showcases paintings, works on paper, and sculptures. Among those names are renowned painters Chris Robb, Jane Booth, and Karl Klingbiel.

“The mission of Stella G.,” says Garofalo, “is to enrich the community through art and provide artists greater exposure to new markets.”

Fully embracing this mission is “Come Together,”

60 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Stella G.’s latest exhibition. This group exhibition features work from all of the gallery’s artists, allowing viewers to experience a variety of contemporary art in one visit. To encourage walk-ins from the backlot area, Stella G. will extend its weekend hours and remain open longer than traditional galleries.

To make sure visitors don’t miss out on the great artists they feature—Linc Thelen, Matt Devine, and Lisa Kowalski, just to name a few—the gallery holds year-round, rotating exhibitions. Take advantage of their extended hours and stop by Charlotte’s newest spot for cutting-edge, contemporary work. info stellagcontemporary.com

THE CULTUR E

Crafted

ST Y L E , H A N DCR A FTED Charlotte’s Laura James handcrafts beautiful custom jewelry. words and interview SARAH GALLO photos JAMEY PRICE Laura James knows the importance of jewelry. With 25 years of experience, it is safe to say James is a connoisseur of all things the field has to offer. After moving to Charlotte, she began selling custom jewelry pieces to local boutiques and shortly after, started her very own creative mecca, the eponymous Laura James Jewelry, so she could showcase and share her passion.

Laura sat down with us and answered some of our questions about owning a business, making her art, and the process behind the work.

62 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

When did you start making jewelry?

As a child, I remember sitting on my bed with necklaces spread around me. I would take them apart and rework them with my father’s tools. In my twenties, I was looking for a way to unwind after work and remembered my childhood hobby. I ended up buying a basic set of tools and spread all of my jewelry out on my bed and dove in.

Are all of your pieces handmade and customized?

Yes. I always revamp my pieces in one way or another...I’d say 98% of my work is handmade or customized—unless I

THE CULTUR E

Crafted

“As a child, I remember sitting on my bed with necklaces spread around me. I would take them apart and re-work them with my father’s tools.”

64 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

short, and layer it with a longer pendant am showcasing another artisan, or if necklace. I also like the delicate, gold the piece was vintage to start with and chain chokers that are replacing the doesn’t need to be changed. heavier ones we’ve seen this past year.

What are some of your favorite What piece is your favorite to wear: materials to use? earrings, bracelet, necklace, or rings?

Vintage and organic materials, bronze, That’s like asking someone like me to semiprecious stones, gold, leather, and pick between dark or milk chocolate! diamonds.

Everyday-wise, I don’t feel dressed without at least my wedding band and a pair How do you feel about jewelry of stud earrings. It’s easy, and I can wear trends that are coming back? We’ve them even in the hottest of yoga classes. seen a lot of chokers lately...

At night, I prefer layered necklaces or My mother had one in her jewelry box, statement earrings. From a collector’s so I’ve always appreciated them. I think standpoint, though, rings have always the choker is fabulous when it’s leather, been my weakness. has a thin width, emulating a 70’s vibe.

To more subtly add a choker into your info laurajamesjewelry.com look, simply tie a piece of suede leather

Storey Home 1235 East Boulevard:Suite A : Charlotte, NC 28205 www.storeyhomedesign.com : 704-496-9902

THE CULTUR E

Wellness

A LI FE OF DA NCE Jena Burgin-Peters helps Charlotte’s youth shine through rhythm and movement words SARAH GALLO photos KYO H. NAM Jena Burgin-Peters came out of the womb knowing what she wanted to do—or, at least, that’s what her dad says. Acting as one of Charlotte’s renowned dance instructors, Jena’s self-owned business, JBP Entertainment, brings more than just dance classes to the Queen City. The entertainment company helps Charlotte’s youth come into their own through what has proven a particularly empowering skill: dance.

“We’re giving [kids] life skills to build their toolbox, to be the best versions of themselves,” Jena explains. “It’s not just about dance. Dance is just a portion of it.”

66 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Growing up in what was known as a “one-stoplight” town, Clover, South Carolina, Jena’s immediate opportunities for stardom were limited. Jena’s parents, however, did everything in their power to help her succeed, from driving 40 minutes to dance classes to providing unwavering support for her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

Jena would go on to work for Murph Griffin, widely known for choreography work in the film Dance Fever, and that’s where she finally got her “big break” in the industry. Later, Jena moved to Charlotte and worked roughly 300 days a year for a local division

THE CULTUR E

Wellness

“It’s not just about what happens in the classroom. It’s about guiding children and their families on the right path to reach their goals.”

of Paramount Pictures. After a major shift in the industry, Jena found herself reconsidering her life path before ultimately deciding what she really wanted to do: teach.

For most people, getting married, pregnant, and starting a company all in the same year would be earth-shattering—but Jena Burgin-Peters is not most people. Loving to stay busy and thriving under pressure, Jena accepted the challenge and, clearly, conquered it.

68 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

“Now I have the skill set to guide these kids unlike anybody else, and not just in class—I think that’s what sets us apart,” Jena muses. ”It’s not just about what happens in the classroom. It’s about guiding children and their families on the right path to reach their goals.”

Jena’s studio located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte focuses on teaching necessary foundations, training, and providing a wealth of performance opportunities to students. Boast-

THE CULTUR E

Wellness

ing everything from ballet to jazz to tap to musical theater classes, the studio has something for every child, or teen, looking to sharpen their craft.

“What’s super cool is to see kids come alive on stage and find their voice,” Jena shares. “It makes you think ‘Wow, that kid’s going to say yes when she means yes and no when she means no.’”

Just as an athlete would need a coach for pursuing the Olympics, Jena acts as a coach to those pursuing their dance-related dreams. Jena assures that hard work and structure remain a critical part of her practice. However, what makes JBP Entertainment truly

70 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

stand out is its wholesome, supportive atmosphere that keeps students, and families, coming back for more. In the competitive world of dance, such an atmosphere is a rarity. Thanks to Jena’s clear-minded approach to teaching, local dance students have all they need to thrive.

“We don’t have any drama,” Jena reiterates. “It’s all about building up and empowering each other. I think if you’re true to yourself and what you believe in, it will all work out the way it’s supposed to.” info jbpentertainment.org

LAUREN NICOLE DESIGNS

877-583-0355 | LAURENNICOLEINC.COM Award Winning Interior Design Services

Greg and Sara Zanitsch discuss the secrets behind their Elizabeth institution, The Fig Tree, and it’s unique dining experience words SUNNY HUBLER photos JAMEY PRICE

78 | Welcome To J. Sam’s 84 | Haberdish’s Sonker 88 | Milk Bread Pudding 90 | Hoppin’ John 92 | Bob Peters 94 | Baku’s Manhattan 73 | Beloved Food

T H E S PR E A D

A BELOV ED I NSTIT U TION

THE SPR E A D

Tastemaker

“We moved here to open this restaurant.”

Opening a restaurant is hard.

Keeping a restaurant up and running through economic downturns and a rapidly changing city is harder. And maintaining a position as one of the best restaurants in Charlotte for twelve years seems almost impossible. But that’s exactly what Greg and Sara Zanitsch have managed to do since they opened the doors of The Fig Tree together in 2005.

“We’ve seen a lot of really good restaurants close in our thirteen years,” Greg says. “Some of our favorites. And we’ve seen some really good restaurants open, too.”

All these years later, The Fig Tree remains. With Greg in the kitchen and Sara running the front-of-house operations, the couple (not married

74 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

when they started this whole thing) have garnered an enviable reputation for some of the city’s very best food—seasonal, perfectly rendered, and ever-evolving. And they’ve done this all while taking care of three children and maintaining the century-old house that contains the operation.

Consistency is the secret behind their success—and so is intentionality. Just from being in their midst for a few minutes, you can tell the Zanitschs didn’t stumble into this thing. The operation was executed with thought and care every step of the way. I mean, who else hands you a leather-bound wine list that looks more like a book than a menu?

“We moved here,” they tell us, “to open this restaurant.”

In other words, the duo didn’t come from Cincinnati because they intended to open any old restaurant and they didn’t move just to move… they brought The Fig Tree into existence because they had a vision in place.

And the venue they chose has come to define everything else. They have prime real-estate within Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood, and were able to snag one of Charlotte’s remaining historic homes.

The pre-WWI Craftsman-style bungalow, known as the Lucas House, inspired the restaurant’s name with its four Brown Turkey fig trees on its grounds. The cuisine and classic approach to dining has come to match the century-old house.

the king’s kitchen’s bakery is now copain

We believe that life’s greatest moments happen over thoughtfully prepared food that is shared among friends, family and communities. With care and honest attention to the details, everything can feel just right. Copain incorporates this philosophy into everything we create and share. Fresh from our bakery to your home, celebrate this holiday season with our selection of hand-made sweets including pies and tarts, cookies and cakes, breakfast pastries and bread.

e n j oy t h e s e a s o n ’s

sweetest

t r e at s .

Visit copaingatherings.com to view our menu and place your holiday order.

THE SPR E A D

Tastemaker

“It won’t always be grandma’s lobster thermidor necessarily, but you’ll also be exposing it to people who have never had that before because it wasn’t a dish in their upbringing.”

“It wouldn’t make real sense to have something crazy molecular on the menu,” Greg says. Instead, he takes French and Italian cuisine and adds his own twist.

The Zanitschs live and breathe The Fig Tree. Don’t believe us? The couple and their three children reside in the house literally right next door, not more than a few steps away. On this particular day, the kids sit at the bar eating snacks and slip from room to room, occasionally ducking into the back to visit the pastry chef. Sara and Greg perch at the bar they built drinking iced coffees, and laughing about the little things that go wrong in a home this old. There’s always, they say, something to fix.

It’s not just the food setting Fig Tree apart. Throughout the years, customer service has remained an integral aspect of the restaurant and part of what makes the Fig Tree experience so unique. Using the industry experience the two already had before beginning their own business venture, they were both acutely aware that “fine dining” doesn’t exist without excellent service.

76 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

“What’s the difference between a good server and a great server?” Sara asks rhetorically. She then proceeds to deliver one of the most thoughtful soliloquies about service I’ve ever heard: “A great server enters the table space with her eyes first. A good server scans the room and finds the appropriate time to jump in to make an introduction. A good server can look at the table and read what the dynamic is, what kind of time you’re trying to have that night. Is it a 25th wedding anniversary and the two have nothing to say to each other? Or is it a first anniversary and they’re all over each other? One person wants you there the entire time, the other person doesn’t want you there at all. I think truly, genuinely wanting the guest to have the best experience is hard to come by, and that’s what matters most.”

Pretty good, right? There’s a reason she heads up front of house. And when it comes to that infamous menu, Greg is in charge of continuously updating the options to match the seasons... with the help of Sara’s informed cri-

tiques. His menu evolves constantly, but beloved standards (like the elk chop) remain. And now, with their ever-growing wine list reaching 975 different wines, even more attention to detail is needed. Both are passionate wine connoisseurs who travel as frequently as possible to Napa, sometimes with staff in tow.

The Fig Tree has been so successful for so long because it’s a family affair in a historic, beautifully restored home. It’s also because it proffers fine dining with surprising new wine pairings, and impeccable customer service. But perhaps most of all it’s because of the Zanitschs themselves, who take the whole thing day by day.

“We are truly appreciative of our guests… and we translate that to our staff and then they in turn lead by example. Nobody leaves here without getting a thank you. Nobody leaves here without feeling appreciated for their business,” says Sara. info charlottefigtree.com

THE SPR E A D

Restaurant

W ELCOM E TO J. SA M’S With a little personal touch and some Southern hospitality, J. Sam Daniels creates the perfect space for Charlotteans to unwind and enjoy each other’s company words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos KYO H. NAM Through his wide array of retail, bartending, and restaurant jobs, J. Sam Daniels had always found one consistent factor of work to be his absolute favorite: people. His love of people in all forms—interacting with, helping, serving—followed him from a childhood spent with customers between the aisles of his parents’ Hallmark shops to an adulthood spent searching for the best profession to foster that love.

In March of 2013, Daniels ended that search.

78 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

With the support of his wife, Tanya, he combined his retail experience with the joy he always felt in the food industry and opened his own restaurant, J. Sam’s. Determined to give his customers a great experience, Daniels has become a beloved hands-on owner that makes it a point to seek out what his staff and patrons need most.

“It’s who I am,” says Daniels at the mention of his dedication. “I love to make people happy. It

STROLL. PAMPER. DINE. INDULGE. at Piedmont Row

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES BRIO TUSCAN GRILL BROCK MORAN CACHET NAILS DEL FRISCO’S FRESHII GEORGE’S BRASSERIE HUNSTAD KORTESIS J. SAM’S M&S CLEANERS SALON VIVACE SCOTTRADE TACO MAC TCBY TERRACE CAFÉ YMCA ZEN MASSAGE WWW.PIEDMONTTOWNCENTER.COM

THE SPR E A D

Restaurant

makes me happy to bring happiness to others. If you call my restaurant and the voicemail picks up, you’ll hear a message that says, ‘If you need anything, call J. Sam on his cell phone, the number is ...’”

J. Sam’s has indeed taken that mantra to heart, and is not afraid to change policy or take the advice of its patrons in order to improve its service, especially when working with private events. J. Sam’s can host parties of up to 200 people, and never charges minimums or booking fees. Their signature cocktails, catered wine list, and full menu of American fare will always be available, no matter the group size.

80 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

But Daniels knew he could do more. Loving people meant loving their community, and what better way to support that community than to support the artists that represent it? Along with hosting live music featuring local bands, Daniels also created HD Artists’ Gallery. Located within J. Sam’s, HD Artists’ Gallery hosts art shows every other month for regional and Charlotte-based artists, such as Victoria Shweizer, David Carter, and Darron Williams.

“The whole concept of J. Sam’s,” says Daniels, “was to help others while helping ourselves.

I wanted to help local farmers and I wanted to help

THE SPR E A D

Restaurant

local artists. If they want to get into a gallery, they have to prove that they’ve been able to sell their work. But to sell their work, they have to be in a gallery.”

This frustrating loop left Daniels with the idea that by creating a fullfledged art gallery supported by his restaurant, he would be able to break that cycle and feature new talent.

TOURS • LUNCH

“It’s kind of like one of those situations that’s like which comes first, the chicken or the egg. Well, I consider myself the egg. I’m able to give these artists an opportunity to sell their work, and hopefully I can get them into the bigger galleries.”

With the personality and devotion of their owner embedded into them, both

J. Sam’s and HD Artists’ Gallery will likely be bringing great food and beautiful artwork to the Charlotte area for years to come.

info jsamsplace.com

TASTINGS • HOLIDAY PARTIES • CORPORATE GIFTING

Keep Childress Vineyards in mind for all of your holiday celebrations.

1000 Childress Vineyards Road Lexington, NC 27295 336.236.9463 | ChildressVineyards.com WHERE HOSPITALITY IS ALWAYS IN SEASON

82 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Photo by Patrick Brickman

MODERN MIX. Debating between a natural stone and a quartz?

No need for the great debate; mix the two. Make a statement on your island using a natural stone and compliment the look with the simplicity and durability of a quartz on the perimeter.

AGM Imports offers a vast selection of ďŹ rst choice natural stones as well as Polarstone, Teltos & AGM quartz. Visit us to create your own modern mix.

Venatino Quartz

Fantasy Blue Quartzite

AGMIMPORTS.COM CHARLESTON, SC 4250 Scott Street 843-747-0088 HARDEEVILLE, SC 199 Marble Road 843-784-4400

ATLANTA, GA 6175 Northbelt Parkway NW, Suite E 770-903-3850 CHARLOTTE, NC 300 Forsyth Hall Drive, Suite F 704-588-1950

THE SPR E A D

Traditions

HABERDISH’S

SON K ER

by COREY MILLER photos JAMEY PRICE

84 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Situated on the Virginia border and in the heart of the Appalachian foothills is Mount Airy, North Carolina: home of television actor Andy Griffith, old-time music legend Tommy Jarrell, and the sonker. If you’ve not heard of that last one, you’re not alone: Unlike the little town’s other claims to fame, the sonker has never found its way out of Surry County. A kind of soupy baked fruit dessert whose origins are obscured (or carved in stone, depending upon whom you’re asking), and whose recipe varies (though that variance itself seems to be the recipe), the sonker only exists in the rural areas enveloping this city of about 10,000 people.

Or rather, it did. Leave it to none other than the nosy comfort-foodies behind NoDa’s Haberdish to seek out the most downhome Carolina dessert imaginable and bring it back to the Queen City. A spirited quest for the bread-and-fruit grail took them right upstate to its alleged place of origin. Their research (in effect, a day-long diet of pie-like treats) was decidedly fruitful, but their findings varied: Like any regional dish, the sonker seems to be a vague notion of a thing, rather than any one thing in particular. The rectangular-dish baking method means it’s clearly cousin to the cobbler, but it’s juicier. Fillings used are typically seasonal, ranging from stretchable fruits like blackberries and apples to common pie veggies like sweet potato and rhubarb. And then there’s the topping, a thick, milky, vanilla-y dip that seems to be both a vital addition and a superfluous one: Again, one’s convictions on the matter generally just depend on how momma made it.

Many things, it seems, make a sonker.

So, in crafting Haberdish’s rendition of the elusive dessert, Chef Carmen Spadaro took all the best bits and threw them together.

2173 HAWKINS ST. UNIT G

704.819.6972 ALI@COUTUREKNOTS.COM

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

WWW.COUTUREKNOTS.COM

THE SPR E A D

Traditions

Gone is the family-style, long-pan format. Haberdish needs to feed a bunch of hungry Charlotteans rather than a few famished farmhands, but the NoDa kitchen’s more intimate plating of the dish is still easily shareable at the table.

In keeping with the small town tradition of baking out of necessity, the Haberdish sonker uses whatever seasonal

86 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

fruits and veggies are readily available for filling pies—apple-picking season, in particular, has been kind to the little platters. And Spadaro didn’t forget those last, vital down-home touches: His sonker gets a heaping of powdered sugar and a sidecar of the decadent milk dip. With Haberdish’s explicit aim of recreating the Southern kitchen ex-

perience, the restaurant could hardly be forgiven for skimping on the trimmings. Like everything at the mill town kitchen, this sonker is Southern food done right, and Southern tradition upheld. And it’s dangerously pretty.

info haberdish.com

CARING AND CONVENIENT My goal is to give you the kind of friendly, approachable guidance you want at a location that’s convenient for you. That’s why I recently relocated to Charlotte’s Uptown, a location that makes it easier for you to get what you need from me, when you need it. If you’re ready for a home mortgage, I’d love to help.

BLAINE NEWSOME | LOAN OFFICER | NMLS# 117403 | 980.622.2699 | 101 SOUTH KINGS DR, STE 250, CHARLOTTE, NC 28204 NC-I-143057 | Movement Mortgage, LLC supports Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS ID# 39179 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) | 877-314-1499. Movement Mortgage, LLC is licensed by NC # L-142670. Interest rates and products are subject to change without notice and may or may not be available at the time of loan commitment or lock-in. Borrowers must qualify at closing for all benefits. “Movement Mortgage” is a registered trademark of the Movement Mortgage, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. 8024 Calvin Hall Road, Indian Land, SC 29707. CPID 4926 | Exp. 3/2018

THE SPR E A D

Plated

KINDRED’S

M I L K BR E A D PU DDI NG

by SUNNY HUBLER photo JAMEY PRICE Kindred may have the world’s most famous bread—seriously. With kudos given by everyone from Bon Appetit to Food & Wine and Food52, what could have been a modest starter bite turned into Kindred’s most iconic and recognizable dish. So when the pastry team at Kindred, led by Justin B. Samson, decided to start playing with using the milk bread as a base for dessert—first cinnamon rolls and then a bread

pudding—we couldn’t have been more eager. To put it simply, the milk bread pudding delivers… and then some. Their classic recipe soaked in milk, sugar, vanilla, and butter is sweet, decadent cold weather comfort food at its finest. Keep an eye on that ever-changing menu to scoop up the pudding when you can. info kindreddavidson.com

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 89

THE SPR E A D

Plated

ROOSTER’S

HOPPI N’ JOH N

by COREY MILLER photo JAMEY PRICE Hoppin’ John is thought to bring good luck. A year of wealth and prosperity is, according to your great aunt (whose sources are many, varied, and infallible), practically guaranteed if this dish is eaten on New Year’s Day. We like prosperity, so we asked a man who really gets Carolina cuisine to make us some.

Jim Noble sent his chefs at Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen a strict set of instructions and ingredients. The resulting bowl of food luck is something wholly different than what we expected, but that’s why we love the Noble Food folks. Where the dish traditionally calls for black-eyed peas and a standard

rice of one’s choosing, Rooster’s does Anson Mills Carolina Gold rice and local white acre peas. They top it all with a heaping of tomato pico and, of course, the savoriest of pot liquors. A side of collards or other leafy greens is optional, but also likely to assist in the luck-bringing department.

It all sounds good, but the only thing we can guarantee is the uncharacteristic tastiness of the Rooster’s rendition. If nothing else, Jim Noble’s take on the plate will leave you feeling right prosperous for an afternoon. info roosterskitchen.com | @roosterssouthpark

BAR R I N GTON’ S ~

~

Est. Est.

2014

2000

Est.

2009

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 91

THE SPR E A D

Poured

BOB PETERS’

M EX ICA N COCOA

by COREY MILLER photo JUSTIN DRISCOLL Mixologist Bob Peters is known for his wild experimentation, but certain seasons, especially those hustling, bustling, call for simplicity. Available in the Ritz Carlton’s K Lounge through the holidays, Bob’s Mexican Cocoa substitutes the usual amalgam of spices in the virgin version with the burn of Casamigos tequila añejo. The rest is up to you: Bob recommends your favorite recipe for homemade hot chocolate.

Look—it’s a busy time of the year. The extended family is closer than perhaps you’d like them to be, and your drink is the last thing you should be worrying over. Just splash something pricey, smooth, and aged in there. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for twoyear-old tequila. info ritzcarlton.com | @bob_peters | @thepunchroom

LOCAL food… LOCAL art…. LOCAL owner…

IT’S ALL ABOUT KEEPING IT LOCAL 4625 Piedmont Row | Charlotte NC 28210

980-406-3761

Open for dinner Mon - Sat | Closed on Sunday

A R E A L LY G O O D REASON T0 TRY

Something

$20 GIFT

TOWARD YOUR FIRST SERVICE or a service you haven’t tried before!

220 N. Pine Street, Suite A • Uptown Charlotte • Next door to Harris Teeter • Free parking!

704.335.2277 • versasalon.com •       *$20 gift is valid for any new Versa Salon Spa service valued at $40 or more that you have not received in the last six months. Valid at Versa Salon Spa only with select service providers. Please mention this advertisement when you book a service or at checkout. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. No cash value. CODE: ADV20

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 93

THE SPR E A D

Poured

BAKU’S

M A N H ATTA N

by COREY MILLER photo KYO H. NAM Birdie Yang studied for six years to become a sake sommelier. The man behind South Park’s Baku doesn’t take any Japanese libations lightly, and his cocktail menu notably reflects this reverence. Naturally Japanese whiskey gets its own spotlight in the restaurant’s Tokubetsu Manhattan: Carpano sweet vermouth and the fresh citrus of yuzu meld with the silky, sweet-and-spicy finish of Suntory Toki. Topped with the requisite brandied cherries, this drink would be a dead ringer for your favorite Manhattan if not for the decidedly eastern nature of your surroundings: At Baku, one expects something Japanese in the mix, and one’s likely to get it. info baku-restaurant.com

94 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 94

Brunch. Uptown.

Saturday & Sunday - 11am-4pm

129 E. 5th St. | Charlotte, NC 28202 704 • 412 • 2616 | SeaLevelNC.com Free Parking | Reservations | Call Ahead Seating

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 95

T H E F OL IO

by CHANAHRA FLETCHER interior photos CHRISTINA HUSSEY portraits JAMEY PRICE

102 | Charlotte Rug Gallery 106 | Kauffman & Co. 112 | Beth Keim 114 | Theory 116 | Lauren Nicole Designs 118 | Hamlin House

Charlotte interior designer Meredith Beregovski tells us about her start, her influences, and the impact good design has on us all.

97 | Georgia Street Design

GEORGI A ST R E ET DESIGN

THE FOLIO

Foundations

Modern style meets classic tradition, Southern design molds with sophisticated taste, rustic roots introduce themselves to charming spaces, and coastal colors integrate into Southern atmospheres at Meredith Beregovski’s Georgia Street Design.

Born and raised in Concord, North Carolina, Meredith Beregovski actually began her design career as an event planner. However, after taking it upon herself to transform a historic warehouse for an event space, she realized that her true passion lay in construction and design. Since that moment, Beregovski has taught herself all the ins and outs of the interior design business, solidifying Georgia Street Design as a unique voice in the Southern design world.

Why did you choose the name “Georgia Street Design”?

I started my business out of my house on Georgia Street. My last name’s too complicated for my business, so I went with something that would remind me of where I started. Our home is my

98 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

happy place, and it is our goal to create spaces for clients that feel like home to them, too.

Aside from aesthetic benefits, what kind of influence can a welldesigned home bring to a family?

I find that the spaces we create bring a sense of calmness and contentment to my clients.

How did your experience with event planning translate into your current design business?

Although my event planning career was short-lived, I learned a tremendous amount about timelines, budgeting, design aesthetic, managing multiple vendors, and most importantly the ability to communicate with my client in order to ensure that their vision is achieved. My first design job was difficult because my process had not yet been established and I did not have any vendor accounts, but my event planning career left me with the firm belief

COCOCO C RE ATI V IT Y EN CO U R A G ED

I NTRO D U C I N G TH E L A N D IS CO LLEC TI O N

19725 Oak Street #5 | Cornelius, NC | 704-892-6680 | support@COCOCOHome.com | COCOCOHOME.COM

THE FOLIO

Foundations

“The fact that each client is so different is what makes my job interesting and keeps me on my toes.” that you have to start out small and build your way to the top. It taught me the skill of creating and perfecting your process—a skill I still use at Georgia Street Design every day.

What are the biggest influences on the styles you like to work with?

I think the beauty in design is that you are able to express yourself through color, or lack thereof, and either is acceptable. My husband and I enjoy travel, so my personal style is eclectic, but my biggest influ-

100 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

ence when it comes to working with my clients is focusing on their own personal style. We pride ourselves on having the ability to design in different styles, so I can create a space that feels like home to each client. The fact that each client is so different is what makes my job interesting and keeps me on my toes.

What is your favorite room of the house to design?

The dining room. Dining rooms are the cocktail dresses of interior design—you

don’t use them every day, but when you do, you want them to stand out. I love the free spirit these rooms have, and most clients are willing to let their dining room have the most personality in the house.

How large is your design team?

My design firm is small, with only 4 employees, but I feel like we can do the work of 100 people. info georgiastreetdesign.com

THE FOLIO

Profile

VA H I D ’ S

M A ST E R PI E C E S

The exceptional rugs from Vahid Zahabiuon’s Charlotte Rug Gallery are so beautiful, they’ll rival any painting in the room words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos JAMEY PRICE When third-generation rug merchant Vahid Zahabiuon first opened his company’s doors sixteen years ago in Myers Park, he knew exactly how he wanted the public to see his rugs: as art. With artisanal rugs spotlighted on the walls of his showroom, Zahabiuon, together with his partner and wife Leila, transformed a simple store into a breathtaking gallery where clients and designers can appreciate the exceptional characteristics of each piece.

“That was always my dream,” says Zahabiuon of the space.

“To not just have rugs, but to be a rug gallery. We grew up with rugs—me, my dad, my grandfather. I love and have a passion for them because I see them as an art. The craftsmanship, the story, everything behind it is art.”

102 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Charlotte’s residents seem to agree with his perspective, and have embraced the family-run business with open arms.

Instead of pushing factory-manufactured rugs with repetitive patterns, Zahabiuon’s rugs are handmade with a variety of colors and patterns, from traditional dark reds and blues to modern transitionals with softer tones. Their rugs are investments made to last, not a machine product that will fade in a year or two. Zahabiuon even has his own personal line of rugs, all of which are crafted in Qarqin, Afghanistan.

Intent on building trust in its products, the gallery allows buyers to trade in any rugs purchased there for a style that better suits them. It also offers restoration and cleaning services, both of which are handled by artisans with years of experience.

THE FOLIO

Profile

CELEDORE fine wallpapers

OPEN TO PUBLIC • TRADE ACCOUNTS AVAILABLE

Wallpaper Coordinating Fabric Farrow & Ball Paints

“They really do magical work,” says Zahabiuon. “As far as the cleaning goes, we’re one of the few people that deep clean the rugs, not just surface clean. If you clean them the wrong way, the color might run, so we learn what type of coloration they use, the type of fibers it has, and then treat every rug based off that.”

With its devotion to providing professional service and highquality, hand-knotted or hand-woven merchandise, Charlotte Rug Gallery has earned the reputation of being one of the most beautiful—and trustworthy—rug companies in North Carolina.

Scalamandre, Schumacher, Galbraith & Paul, Phillip Jeffries, Paul Montgomery, Cole & Son, Osborne & Little, Zoffany, Designer’s Guild, Thibaut

5010 PARK RD., CHARLOTTE, NC 28209 • 704-817-8679 • WWW.CELEDOREWALLPAPER.COM

104 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

info charlotteruggallery.com

Beauty Inside and Out

Specializing in Custom Designs for Replacement & New Construction 3034 Griffith Street • Charlotte, NC 28203 • 704.987.0777 • www.clarkhalldoors.com

THE FOLIO

Handmade

IN THE MIND OF

A CR A FTSM A N Jonathan Kauffman shares his company’s story and shows what it truly means to find art in your work. interview LIZA CARRASQUILLO

photos JAMEY PRICE

Eleven years ago, Jonathan Kauffman took some extra wood from a friend who had just taken down an old barn, and decided to craft something out of it. That something turned out to be a table—a table that has been used in his family’s home for years. Kauffman fell in love with wood crafting that day, and ultimately opened his own furniture crafting company because of it.

106 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Located in Charlotte, North Carolina on Mint Street, Kauffman and Co. uses the finest reclaimed wood to create all kinds of furniture pieces from unique rustic tables and bedframes to refined cabinets and bars. Eager to talk about his handcrafted pieces, Kauffman agreed to give us some insight into his own furniture company.

Mix master.

Versatile. Eclectic. Curated. STUDIO by STICKLEY brings you a modern mix of materials in a unique way for a beautiful result. Introducing the sleek metal ribboned Addison Dining Table and Addison Console.

A walnut and metal masterpiece.

complimentary interior design service

11410 Carolina Place Parkway, Pineville 980.585.0941 7215 Smith Corners Blvd. (I-77 and Harris Blvd.), Charlotte 704.597.0718 stickleyaudi.com

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 107

THE FOLIO

Handmade

What made you decide to create your own company, and what made you decide to create it in Charlotte?

I was traveling every week as a wine broker, but I always knew I wanted to have my own business. I’m originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and was inspired by the beautiful handcrafted furniture I grew up with from our Amish and Mennonite communities. Their craft is a lost art, and it inspired me to bring it to Charlotte. I’ve always loved Charlotte— it is a city of endless opportunities. My wife and I moved here in 1999 right after we were married. Due to the diverse nature of the community and the amazing friends we made, we felt that it would be a great place for a showroom.

What is the most memorable piece that you’ve made?

108 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

My most memorable piece was a 20-ft. long conference table made from reclaimed antique white pine. It was one piece of wood, and was so large it required eight guys to deliver and set it up. I also built a live-edge Wormy Maple, family-style table and outfitted their truck for True Crafted Pizza in Ballantyne. This was a great project because I know several people will sit at it each week and enjoy their meal with their family.

With your experience, are you able to tell the difference between a piece made without that care and attention to detail and a piece made with it?

Yes—it’s very easy to tell the difference between a piece manufactured in a factory and a piece which was handcrafted. The manufactured piece often will

hide the true character of the wood and natural finishes, while we embrace and accentuate it.

That attention to detail has led to a lot of custom orders for Kauffman and Co. Can you talk a little bit about the process and kind of service you provide to a walk-in customer looking for something unique?

We offer design consultation and work with our clients to hand pick the species of wood by understanding how it will be used, the environment, location, look, and budgetary concerns. Once we finalize the dimensions, style, and material, it goes to our build shop. We often don’t finalize it until our customers can come see the raw, unfinished piece. Typically, our pieces take six weeks from the time they walk in the door with an idea to the time it

THE FOLIO

Handmade

is delivered to their home or business. Currently, live edge tables seem to be the most popular, but reclaimed tables are always in demand as well as barn doors and mantles.

Where does Kauffman & Co. get its wood? Is it sustainably sourced?

All reclaimed wood is sustainable and most of our live-edge furniture is from damaged trees. Most of our reclaimed lumber comes from Pennsylvania and New York state with the abundance of old barns and farms in that region.

You have a powerful quote you use.

“He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” – St. Francis of Assissi.

Can you talk a little bit about what this quote means to you and to the mission of your company?

Everything we do is a science and an art due to the precision needed in building custom furniture, but also the passion needed to work with the customer and bring their designs to fruition. Anyone can do their “job,” but those who have a passion for what they do are artists. I believe this is true no matter your profession. info kauffmanandco.com

110 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

KA KR A KER AN ERNE KN EKTEKT TELTTELTRELRD ER EDSEDISG EISN GIN GN

l ulxuulxuruxyruykriykt ci kthciethncehsnes& n& s b& abtahbtrahotrohom room so sm s

w www. www. kwaw. kr aekrneakn reektnet klt etelrtedt rledes rei dgs in egs. nicgo. cnmo. cmo m

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 111

THE FOLIO

Vignette

A SPACE FOR TRANQUILITY words XENIA FONG photo MEKENZIE LOLI The ideal bedroom is a space for tranquility and relaxation, and that’s exactly what Beth Keim presented with her renovated master bedroom. Switching out warm tones of red and gold and focusing instead on cool neutral tones, clean lines, and lots of white, Beth brings together elegance and beach vibes for a relaxed, yet sophisticated ambiance. A wall-to-wall graphic patterned Stark carpet adds texture and visual interest, as well as helps break up all the white.

Dark custom wood beams by Jacob Wolfe are made of old barnwood and give the room that beachy feel. Vanguard furniture, a locally cus-

112 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

tom-made bed frame, and Mr. Brown bedside lamps tie the room together with similar color palettes and styles.

The Jacob Wolfe doors leading to the master bathroom are the real focal point of the room.

The Great Gatsby-esque gray doors are carved with geometric details, and filled with gold leaf for that extra pop. The gold door knobs are repurposed curtain tie backs that help accentuate the gold leaf even more and make the doors the star piece that Beth believes every room needs. info lucyandcompany.com

DONNALIVINGSTONINTERIORS.COM

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 113

THE FOLIO

Vignette

RELAX, SOCIALIZE, COOK words SARAH GALLO photo J. PRUETT PHOTOGRAPHY Theory Design Studio has—once again—designed a space that has something for everyone. Their luxurious take on a pool room is not just your run-of-the-mill basement area but, rather, an inviting social gathering spot. From the lavish wooden pool table itself to the earthy hardwood floors and stocked snack bar, they have created a design that is universally enjoyable. Because the home is surrounded by the peaceful Catawba River and Lake Wylie, nautical influences are a major motif in the design aesthetic.

“This space is perfect for large families or hosting parties,” Keri Cooper, Theory Design Studio’s Director of Operations,

114 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

says. “The snack bar and game tables are perfect for the kids, and a game of pool offers fun for the adults, too.”

The generously-sized windows flood the room with natural light, to create an open, airy space.

“Our goal was to create a space that would function for entertainment and gathering purposes—whether that means a big party, or just a family game night,” Cooper shares. “We wanted to keep it open and comfortable to ensure endless possibilities of games, gathering, and a good time.” info theory-designstudio.com

a Partnership from Planning to Perfection

Showroom Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 6pm Saturday, 10am – 4pm Sunday, Closed

704.926.6000 • dcihomeresource.com • 1300 South Boulevard • Suite C • Charlotte, NC 28203 Custom Cabinets | Appliances | Plumbing Fixtures | Tile | Countertops

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 115

THE FOLIO

Vignette

HOLIDAY AT THE LAKE words CHANAHRA FLETCHER photo courtesy LAUREN NICOLE DESIGNS With Christmas comes the cold, and sometimes we need more than the crackle of a fire in the hearth to warm our spirits. Lauren Clement of Lauren Nicole Designs understands this perfectly, which is why she strives to infuse every space she designs this season with the very essence of the holidays: warmth, comfort, and family.

This home is located on Lake Jenette in Greensboro, North Carolina, and is residence to a family of seven avid hunters and travelers. With three college-aged children away for most of the school year, the holidays are a special time to reconvene, a season for fellowship, and a thoughtfully decorated home is the warm welcome to the holidays that is so important to this family.

116 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

With the room’s 14-foot ceiling and expansive window providing a panorama of the lake, it was the perfect place for this 12-foot tree to stand—proudly adorned with all of the family’s collected ornaments. The pop of antler stocking holders and the rustic accents of pine needles combined with the fireplace-flanking lanterns and the antique red toy truck help create a perfect lodge atmosphere.

The holidays are a time to share, commune, and reflect.

Lauren Nicole Designs certainly makes sure that every home’s decor illustrates and appreciates the values of the season, and gives each family the inspiration to do the same. info laurennicoleinc.com

THE FOLIO

Blueprint

A FRESH TAKE ON LAKE LUXURY Designed and built by a team of experts, including renowned interior designer Scott Carpenter, custom home builder Ted Thompson, and JJ Barja of the design team at Elite Design Group, the Cornelius home of NASCAR’s Denny Hamlin and his family is nothing short of a masterpiece. words LIZA CARRASQUILLO home photos MICHAEL BLEVINS portraits KYO H.NAM

THE FOLIO

Blueprint

w

When professional NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin first approached interior designer Scott Carpenter, he had a vision of a home that could suit his lifestyle in every way imaginable. After days full of promotions and training at the track, he needed a place where his stress could seep away, but also where he could kick-off an after party. He needed a space that fostered relaxation, but didn’t sacrifice design. That vision was completed with the help of designer JJ Barja of Elite Design Group and builder Ted Thompson, and now the home sits comfortably on The Peninsula in Cornelius, overlooking Lake Norman.

“I took the approach of a house built on the cliffs in California,” says Carpenter. “Post-war, easy living, great for entertaining, and what a view…I call it the ‘Malibu.’”

The waterfront property does indeed afford a spectacular view of the shimmering lake, especially from the custom pool that spans much of Hamlin’s yard. With a house as unique as Hamlin’s, however, the lake isn’t the only view worth taking in. The sprawling 33,000-square-foot house, built from clean white bricks with a dark outline, offers a stark contrast to the picturesque green lawn that drapes the rest of the property.

The bold exterior of the home draws the eye to the clear, elongated windows edged with a wood finish. Directly in the center of the house, those nine windows offer a glimpse inside, enticing guests to enter.

120 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

From left to right JJ Barja of Elite Design Group, Homeowner Denny Hamlin, Interior Designer Scott Carpenter, and Ted Thompson of Thompson Custom Building Group

THE FOLIO

Blueprint

Step inside the double doors, however, and that bold, modern exterior softens ever so slightly to reveal hardwood floors and a warmer, mid-century aesthetic. But move further in, and those modern designs return as the home’s first seating area comes into view. With floor-to-ceiling windows and the exterior white brick, natural light floods the room from all angles and accentuates the unique textures of the room’s gray and white furniture.

“We have a very clean palette,” says Carpenter. “We used white for our overall canvas, dark woods—walnut and such—for the floors, eaves, and beams. We also used several wall coverings and tile to give you texture and pattern.”

As guests move into the home’s entertainment area—complete with a regulation-sized basketball court, a full-service bar, and a two-lane bowling alley, just to name a few inclusions— those warm tones come back, inviting them to relax and enjoy.

“There’s definitely a lot of fun features in this house,” admits builder Ted Thompson. “I haven’t built too many homes with a two-lane bowling alley with lockers and bowling shoes, a golf simulator, racing simulator, dock with a helicopter pad above…”

122 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

NASCAR’s Denny Hamlin stands proudly in his trophy room.

The superstar team of interior designer Scott Carpenter, builder Ted Thompson, and designer JJ Barja welcome us into the home.

The list goes on, exemplifying the home’s pairing of entertainment and elegance, of modern designs and a homey aesthetic. At its heart, the Hamlin house is a multitude of contrasts that boasts an ability to move seamlessly among them all. Guests can partake in an upscale party held in the chic sitting room, then take a tour through the softer, art-lined hallways to the home’s see-through wine room. Finish things off with a night of fun and games, or sit outside and take in the breathtaking view of the quiet lake. Like Denny Hamlin himself, the home is versatile, unique, and ready for any occasion—even a helicopter landing. info elitedesigngroup.com info thompson-cbg.com

NYE Spend the last night of the year toasting 2018 at one of these 18 Charlotte locales

Sophia’s Lounge Named for Queen Charlotte, the lounge is the perfect place to experience the European vintage atmosphere that embodies the essence of our city’s namesake. Sip unique cocktails such as Melon ’dramatic—a mix of lavender-infused gin, Drambuie, melon syrup, citrus juices, and lime zest—or nibble on shareable plates. Dine like royalty, and toast to the high life when the clock strikes twelve.

Photo courtesy Sophia’s Lounge by Justin Driscoll

130 | A Holiday Paradise 134 | In Season

It can be spent with family, but, as with a massive sports event, practically everyone is out and about celebrating the same thing. The night can honestly be spent with anyone. That’s fitting: The end of a year and the start of a new one make an ideal setting for discovering new friends or—if you’re as social as we tend to be—rediscovering old ones.

In other words, there is only one place to be on the evening before the new year: out. The following are a bunch of likely haunts in Charlotte, but don’t worry if you can’t hit them all in a single night.

There’s always next year.

125 | NYE

There’s only one type of place to be on the evening before Christmas: Gathered round a tree, or a hearth, or a table with playing cards and finger food—no matter the setting, the company is always the same. We spend Christmas with family, in a familiar place. On Christmas Eve, we’re all homebodies.

One week later, though, we face an altogether different beast of a holiday: We thrust ourselves out into the biting cold of the year’s last evening, all for the purpose of finding somewhere warm to welcome the next year’s first day. New Year’s Eve is arguably the most community-oriented holiday of the season.

T H E E X PL OR E D

intro COREY MILLER list LIZA CARRASQUILLO and CHANAHRA FLETCHER

THE EXPLOR ED

Celebration Cocktail from Fahrenheit by Jamey Price (LEFT) | Dot Dot Dot by Kyo H. Nam (RIGHT)

Ritz Carlton While a hotel may not be the first place you think of when trying to find New Year’s Plans, the Ritz-Carlton is the exception. With award-winning dining and popular bars, this hotel houses enough entertainment to last the rest of the year including Bar Cocoa, The Hidden Wine, BLT Steak, and The Punch Room.

Bar Cocoa End the year with dessert first and enjoy the delectable, handcrafted chocolates Bar Cocoa has to offer. Come back a little after New Year’s and take Bar Cocoa’s New Year Resolution cooking class where you can learn how to make delicious, healthy desserts for yourself.

The Hidden Wine Pair some award-winning wine with Bar Cocoa’s chocolate and head to The Hidden Wine for a hand-curated experience. and be sure to toast as the ball drops.

BLT Steak Take your wine directly to your table and grab a seat at Bistro Laurent Tourondel, or BLT Steak for dinner. Experience the fulfilling dining experience of a steakhouse with the classic air of a French bistro.

126 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

The Punch Room Enjoy an exclusive night at Charlotte’s premier speakeasy bar without the crowds and claustrophobia by heading to The Punch Room. Bringing an upscale flair to their classic space, The Punch Room allows only 37 guests at a time, promising an intimate experience you’re unlikely to find at other bars—not to mention some time-halting cocktails.

The K Lounge Located in the Ritz-Carlton lobby, the K Lounge provides a quick, accessible escape from the rest of downtown Charlotte’s hectic New Year’s scene. Relax with some quiet conversation and interactive cocktails, then dive back into the party refreshed and ready for the New Year.

5Church Charlotte Head to 5Church to sample some of the best American fare in Charlotte. With a full bar, extensive drink menu, and mouthwatering desserts, this steakhouse has something for everyone. Order tickets in advance and enjoy their live DJ, open bar, and buffet as you watch the countdown.

Fahrenheit Take in the breathtaking view of the city

skyline at Chef Rocco Whalen’s American cuisine restaurant. His innovative, experimental takes on classic fare guarantee a one-of-a-kind dining experience for anyone who walks through the door.

Sycamore Brewing Craft beer, live music, and great food—all things that Sycamore’s beer garden has to offer. Sample some of Charlotte’s best local brews and enjoy a casual night of fun with the crowd.

Beef ’n Bottle Serving steaks to Charlotte’s residents since 1958, Beef ’n Bottle knows a thing or two about how to cook a great cut of beef. Visit this local favorite for a great atmosphere and a prime steak, a classic way to celebrate the New Year.

The Cellar at Duckworth’s The Cellar at Duckworth’s embraced the Prohibition Era feel of the original cellar (built in 1912) and created an enjoyable speakeasy experience. The classy den’s signature cocktails and extensive selection of rare beer make this a great bar to visit if you’re looking for an atmospheric evening—and don’t forget to try their incredible small plates while you’re there.

liveascentuptown.com • #uptownstunner

THE EXPLOR ED

Celebration

A cocktail at Merchant & Trade by Jamey Price. 5Church photo provided by 5Church.

The view of Charlotte from City Lights by Jamey Price.

menu, such as the ricotta gnocchi or the duck confit empanadas, and top off your meal with their vast selections of wine, cocktails, and beers.

Gin Mill Got places to be this New Year’s Eve? Make it a point to squeeze in a visit to Gin Mill Bar in South End. Dive in to play a game of darts, slide your game piece down a shuffleboard, and enjoy the live acoustic music in the fun, casual atmosphere that Gin Mill provides.

Dot Dot Dot Adding an elegant air to the speakeasystyle bar, Dot Dot Dot is the place to go outside of Uptown for an upscale experience of quality cuisine and classic cocktails.

With its unique atmosphere and awardwinning mixologists, Dot Dot Dot will make sure you end the year just right.

Rooftop 210 Head to the rooftop of Charlotte’s Epicentre for one of the city’s largest New Year’s Eve parties. Dance the year away with live music, multiple drink vendors, and a great social scene.

Stoke Stop in at this farm-to-table restaurant and enjoy beautifully cooked food in a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Top your year off with Stoke’s famous one-pound donut dessert—a made-from-scratch pastry topped with sweet cream and a toffee crumble.

Merchant & Trade Nineteen floors up on the rooftop of the new Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel sits Merchant & Trade. This Uptown cocktail lounge offers both indoor and outdoor seating with a clear view of the Charlotte

128 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

skyline from either area. Take your date to a quiet corner of the lounge to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks, or bring a group of friends and take advantage of their tableside mixology.

Duke Mansion Enjoy meals of Southern flair from the Duke Mansion’s Executive Chef Harrison Booth, then escape from the sounds of the city while you wander the mansion’s four and a half acres of beautiful landscapes and grounds. Complete your getaway by staying overnight in one of the Duke Mansion’s 20 individually decorated, luxurious guest rooms, topping the night off with a kiss, a drink, and a great night’s sleep.

Le Meridien | City Lights Let the sparkle of Charlotte’s twinkling lights reflect off your glass as you ring in the new year at La Méridien Hotel’s City Lights Rooftop Bar. Eat, drink,and socialize in this sleek, upscale atmosphere.

Corkbuzz Not a fan of the traditional New Year’s Eve Champagne? Join the wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts of Corkbuzz restaurant and wine bar. Excite your palate with the bursting flavors of Corkbuzz’s dinner

Rooster’s Love food more than drinks? Rooster’s Wood-fired Kitchen understands. Enjoy a night of fine dining, and get in any lastminute cravings before your New Year’s resolutions kick in. Soak in the savory flavors of dishes such as duck breast, mushroom campo de Montalba pizza, butter wilted spinach, or fried oysters.

Whiskey Warehouse Drop by Whiskey Warehouse for drinks full of flavor and a night full of fun. Eat from the Whiskey Warehouse’s crafty menu of dishes, and enjoy the refreshing taste of cold beer on the back of your throat. Don’t forget to raise your glasses when the ball drops!

Soul Gastrolounge Begin a new tradition of tasting the global dishes that Soul Gastrolounge has to offer. Let the diverse flavors of lamb-rack lollipops, sticky veal short ribs, and sashimi tuna tacos expose your palate to a whole new world of tasty goodness. Top off your night with a selection from one of Charlotte’s most inventive cocktail menus, and toast to the great food and the good life.

For more New Year’s places qcexclusive.com

YOU DE SE RV E A HOM E T H AT F I TS YOU R

PERSONALITY

Owners Rick and Kristen Magliocca

YOUR NEW CONSTRUCTION & RE-HAB CONCIERGE

2 15 1 Ha w k i n s St r eet Su it e 3 0 0 | C h a rlot t e | 9 8 0.23 7.2 6 7 0 w w w.new l i febu i ld i n g suppl ies.com

THE EXPLOR ED

Weekender Photo courtesy of Pinehurst taken by Mark Denney

A HOLI DAY PA R A DISE Experience the holidays in charming Pinehurst, a small village in the Piedmont where the lights twinkle the brightest, the fairways and greens are the most challenging, and the relaxation is world-class words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos courtesy PINEHURST Paradise isn’t just about white beaches and tropical islands, and no North Carolinian resort proves that better than Pinehurst. Located in the Piedmont of North Carolina, the Pinehurst Resort combines the luxuries of high-end accommodations, a family-friendly atmosphere, and amazing professional golf courses together against a picturesque landscape.

130 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Beginners and experienced golfers alike can enjoy the many courses Pinehurst’s golf club offers, including those featured in the 2014 US Open Championship.

The resort offers guests a range of accommodations, from the quaint Holly and Manor Inns to the Pinehurst Condos, all stemming from the exceptional service found in Pinehurst’s historic

Your winter wonderland is just two hours away A private mountain community just 93 miles from Charlotte

Tula & Bear,

BRMC Canine Members

Recognized by IDEAL-living for “Best Outdoor Living” Located minutes from Blowing Rock, Blue Ridge Mountain Club is a four-season, year-round community that offers Charlotte families a wealth of activities and amenities—from the ski slopes in winter, to the swimming holes of summer. And it’s all just 93 miles away.

Homes & Condominiums from $430k.

Homesites from the $80s.

Book your Discovery Tour today by calling 828-414-4261 or online at ExploreBRMC.com

Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law before signing anything. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted. This information shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required. This information and features and information described and depicted herein is based on proposed development plans, which are subject to change without notice. Actual development may or may not be as currently proposed. No guarantee is made that the features, amenities, or facilities depicted by an artist’s rendering or otherwise described herein will be built, or, if built will be the same type, size, or nature as depicted or described. © 2015 Blowing Rock Resort Venture, LLC.

THE EXPLOR ED

Weekender

Photo coutesy of Pinehurst taken by Tim Sayer (LEFT). Photo coutesy of Pinehurst taken by John Gessner (RIGHT).

Carolina Hotel. With over a century to perfect its services, the Carolina Hotel’s reputation has spread across North Carolina, earning itself the nickname “Queen of the South.” The sweeping verandas and elegant rooms are elevated to new standards of beauty during the holiday season, where the halls are decked with garland and thousands of lights adorn their holiday trees.

Bring some relaxation back into the season with the Pinehurst Spa, a tranquil space perfect for easing holiday worries away. Lounge in the sauna, then head to dinner, where over 100 culinarians work to create the perfect menus. For a four-star

dining experience, indulge on the 1895 Grille’s seasonal farmto-table menu. The Carolina Dining Room, located right in the Carolina Hotel, features signature seasonings and hand-selected beef, while those looking for a more casual meal can dine on the Ryder Cup Lounge’s classic American fare.

Premier fairways, challenging greens, award-winning chefs, and luxurious accommodations make the Pinehurst Resort the perfect winter getaway. info pinehurst.com

With enticing dancing flames, you can feel the warmth of the new RH Peterson Real Fyre G52 Radiant Fyre Gas log systems.

Molded with an exclusive fiber enhanced refractory ceramic mixture, these handcrafted logs showcase the crisp Charred Evergreen Oak &Charred Evergreen Split Oak bark detail. They glow and radiate like burning wood.

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours.

TheHearthandPatio.com FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

132 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

4332 Monroe Rd., Charlotte, NC 28205 | 704-332-4139

Denver Duffle 11/12/17

11/11/17

ands Apple Wa tch B River ton Br iefca se

ield Dakoleta t F al

No tes

THE EXPLOR ED

Sporting Destination

I N SE ASON The Webb Farm is one of North Carolina’s ultimate quail hunting destinations words SARAH GALLO photos courtesy THE WEBB FARM From the smell of mother nature’s grassy fields to the snug fit of a new pair of hunting boots, for many native Carolinians, wing shooting is not just a pastime— it’s a lifestyle. In North Carolina, there’s no shortage of quail hunting grounds, but one particular location stands out amongst the rest: The Webb Farm.

The Webb Farm is the product of founder Bill Webb’s long-winded pas-

134 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

sion for quail hunting. Since 1906, the North Carolina Sandhills has acted as the perfect backdrop for the Webb Farm’s wingshooting, an experience that is truly like no other. The Webb Farm tradition endures with newer additions like The Lodge, it continues to bring in more and more quail hunters from all over.

Built in 2006, The Lodge at The Webb Farm has a clear view of the serene

longleaf pine forest, as well as nearby farm ponds. Its country-style porch with classic wooden rocking chairs offers guests the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of joe before a morning hunt.

Perhaps what makes the family-owned farm so successful is their utmost dedication to the well-preserved phenomenon that is North Carolina quail hunting. The 1,500 acre farm hosts a wealth of wild

Romantic Hiking Hideaway 2300 Swag Road, Waynesville, NC 28725 • (828) 926-0430 • (800) 789-7672 • www.theswag.com

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 135

THE EXPLOR ED

Sporting Destination

Photo coutesy of The Webb Farm taken by Tim Sayer

quail coveys, which the farm’s staff monitors with a close eye. In addition to the many birds that roam the fields, don’t be surprised to see a dog or two — the farm has its very own bird dogs, who act as trained professionals ready to navigate the hunting grounds.

With guided tours and an especially knowledgeable staff, the bird hunting destination remains easy to navigate for both quail hunting newbies and their seasoned counterparts.

Adding to The Webb Farm’s charm

136 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

is its emphasis on Southern hospitality. From The Lodge’s hearty country breakfast—which features warm biscuits and jam, and eggs any way you want them—to the countryside scenery of the scenic Pee Dee River Valley, a trip to The Webb Farm acts as a reminder of Central, North Carolina’s underestimated beauty.

After a long day out on the farm, relax with a hearty meal at The Lodge.

Appropriately, traditional southern entree options include duck, quail, chick-

en, venison, and more. To top it all off, opt for a scoop (or two) of the farm’s homemade ice cream.

The Webb Farm offers group packages of two, four, six, or eight-persons, perfect to accommodate your quail hunting crew. Whether an experienced hunter or new to the field, The Webb Farm has all the amenities necessary for the full wing shooting experience.

info thewebbfarm.com

MEN’S CLOTHIER Custom Tailoring is our sweet spot

•

[ ALSO OFFERING ] Suits • Sport Coats • Dress Pants Jeans • Sport Shirts • Ties Cufflinks • Hats • Vintage Toys and our own Bruce Julian Bloody Mary Mix

2913 Selwyn Avenue (near Reid’s) 704.364.8686 brucejulian.com

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 137

THE EXCLUSI V ES

138 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

‘TIS T H E SW EETEST SE ASON The best gifts are the delicious ones intro SUNNY HUBLER words COREY MILLER

LIZA CARRASQUILLO SUNNY HUBLER

photos JAMEY PRICE

One of the things I appreciate most about holidays of all sorts are those most surprisingly transcendent of traditions, the ones that have persisted through the ages, across cultures, and between generations. Holiday traditions tell you a lot— they’re symbols of family, heritage, values, and that makes them feel essential to the human experience. When it comes to rituals, cookies — minute though they may seem—stand firmly at the forefront, which makes me love them all the more come wintertime. Europe really kicked off the holiday cookie thing in the Middle Ages, and later settlers brought the practice to America (thank you Germany, for the iconic gingerbread man). Now, each December, so many of us still gather to do the same things we’ve been doing for centuries: stirring bowls of butter, flour, and sugar, shaping delicate dough into beautiful renditions of the season, huddling around ovens in anticipation of the final results. The expert chefs, the sticky-handed kids, the person who hasn’t turned their home oven on in a whole year… everyone bakes cookies this time of year. We share the confections with family, friends, even strangers (and, of course, always leave a few for Santa on December 24). Here at QC Exclusive, we made it our mission to try holiday cookies from all over the city, and to ask the bakers what cookie most essentializes the season to them. We got eclectic and classics, modern twists and inspired updates. And, as we’ve been eating holiday cookies since September, now we feel confident in recommending you bring home each and every one of these, from Justin Burke Samson’s Cardamom Ginger Cookies to Sweet Girl Cookie’s perfect chocolate chip. Share the goodness with those you love, and savor the (literal and figurative) sweetness of Charlotte’s take on the yearly custom.

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 139

THE EXCLUSI V ES

Suárez Bakery A part of the famous Park Road Shopping Center since 1992, Suárez Bakery is a staple in Charlotte’s sweet scene, offering made-from-scratch pastries, pies, and breads straight from their store. They also produce some of the prettiest cookies we’ve ever seen—hand-detailed and beautifully shaped. With the holidays right around the corner, the bakery is bringing back their Mexican wedding cookies and other classic seasonal favorites. Try

their custom cakes and seasonal cupcakes, or indulge in their fresh-baked breads, brownies, and donuts. Welcome the winter chill with a warm gingerbread cookie, then wipe the sanding sugar off your scarf after a delicious bite of their shortbread thumbprints. Just don’t forget to bring some home to the family. info suarezbakery.com | @saurezbakery

Good Food on Montford Good Food on Montford delivers just that—good food. Owned by award-winning chef Bruce Moffett, Good Food’s open floor plan and bright lights create a welcoming atmosphere perfect for friends to enjoy one of the restaurant’s many shareable small plates. The high-quality cuisine always lives up to its name, and its desserts are no exception. Just perfect for a grown-up version of the holidays, Good Food has added a new white chocolate chip cookie creation to its menu. Fresh from the oven, the cookie sits beneath a mound of cajeta ice cream topped with macadamia nuts and sea salt. Take your loved ones out to a holiday dinner, then stick your spoon into this decadent dessert, letting the melting ice cream mix the cookie’s sweet white chocolate with the crumble of the macadamias. info goodfoodonmontford.com | @goodfoodclt

Raspberry Coconut Snowball You’d better like coconut if you plan to reach for one of these.

Freelance chef and Johnson & Wales University instructor Mike Pappas combines an extremely coconutty dough with a rich raspberry filling in a cookie that’s as holiday appropriate in shape as it is in flavor. They’re snowball-esque, but these things aren’t your traditionally fluffy coconut treat. They’re heavier, cookier, and they pack a wallop. And they are oh-sodangerously bite-sized. info @executivechefmikepappas

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 141

THE EXCLUSI V ES Whisk + Wood Vegan Chocolate Chip Butter and milk and eggs seem like a necessity at this time of year...until you try one of the infamous chocolate chip cookies from Whisk + Wood. These little gems are carried all over the city, from Hex Coffee to Clean Juice for good reason: One bite of Christina Morita’s handmade, carefully crafted vegan delights, and all thoughts of a dairy-infused holiday melt away. ‘Tis the season for updated classics. info whiskandwood.com | @whiskandwood

Bar Cocoa Located in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Bar Cocoa has become one of Charlotte’s best-known stops for anyone with a sweet tooth. The upscale dessert bar, headed by pastry chef Jessica Swannie, boasts an eclectic array of cakes, pastries, and even gelatos. Duck into the Ritz-Carlton to escape the city’s chill, then follow the festive décor into Bar Cocoa for a holiday treat. The sweet snap of their beautifully-crafted housemade gingerbread cookies will bring you back to a childhood spent sitting cross-legged in front of the fireplace, while their refined confections and bold ginger taste will send you right back into the twinkling dining nook of Charlotte’s best dessert bar. info ritzcarlton.com | @ritzcarltoncharlotte

142 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Justin B. Samson This recent Charlotte transplant began his culinary journey in Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked at a few local restaurants and bakeries to put himself through college. Fascinated by the pastries he saw leaving the kitchens each day, Samson began to take the recipes home and try them out himself. The self-taught baker now brings his baked goods to Charlotte’s beloved Kindred and Lake Norman’s Hello, Sailor. Perfect for dunking into a warm hot chocolate, Samson’s Dark Chocolate Thyme Shortbread will compliment any cold winter morning. Take a bite from a rich Brown Butter Snickerdoodle or let the sweet crumble of a Gingerbread Molasses cookie melt in your mouth as you bring his creations home for the holidays. Special order Samson’s holiday treats from his social media pages or visit Hello, Sailor to taste them in person. info @justinbsamson | kindreddavidson.com | @hellosailornc

THE EXCLUSI V ES Maris Ochoa’s Springerle This one’s right out of a chilly night at a European Christmas market. Springerle are traditionally German, but that doesn’t stop Maris Ochoa (executive pastry chef of Noble Food & Pursuits) and her Norwegian relatives from making these beauties every year. The dough is pressed into molds of one’s choice, and left out to dry for 12 to 24 hours so that the designs maintain their shape when baked. They can be flavored with spices or dipped in chocolate or marzipan. A sort of blank slate of a cookie, they’re a simple shortbreadiness that comes to life when paired properly: Dip them in something hot. info copaingatherings.com | @copaingatherings

Stagioni When it comes to desserts, we all love tradition—the proverbial slice of pumpkin pie after a Thanksgiving meal, the familiar flavor of birthday cake after a year full of peaks and valleys—but after a taste of Stagioni’s gelato cookie, we’re willing to make an exception to the laws of what traditional desserts should look like. The Stagioni Gelato Sandwich takes the conventional strawberry cheesecake and elevates it into a transcendent blend of a classic cookie sandwich and the decadent Grecian dessert. Nestled between Stagioni’s homemade graham cracker macarons sits a delicate cheesecake gelato that is sure to seduce your senses. With the finishing dollop of diced strawberries along each upturned half of the sandwich—the proverbial cherries on top—the Stagioni Gelato Sandwich effectively spins the classic sliced strawberry cheesecake into a modern circle of deliciousness, and promises to teach each tongue that tastes it just what it’s been missing in this world. info stagioniclt.com | @stagioniclt

Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe Few bakeries have been woven as tightly into the fabric of Charlotte’s baking scene as Amelie’s. The bakery is a staple for locals of all ages, from moms meeting for lunch to teens hanging out on a Friday night. Their French pastries take on a seasonal winter twist for the holidays, including city-wide favorites like their signature macarons and macaroons. Perfect for pairing with a warm coffee, Amelie’s classic coconut macaroons taste as if they were made directly in France, while a box of their many colorful macarons make the perfect gift to take to your next holiday party. info ameliesfrenchbakery.com | @ameliesfrenchbakery

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 145

THE EXCLUSI V ES Sweet Girl Cookies Sweet Girl Cookies is a true family business, run by their Master Baker Alec “The Doughboy,” Chief of Organizing Nancy, and their VP of Tasting, “Sweet Girl” Zoe. Sweet Girl Cookies is committed to using the best ingredients available, and refuses to use artificial flavors and preservatives. The cookies are phenomenal —perfectly dense, soft, and flavored to a tee. The Ghirardelli milk and semisweet chocolate that dominates their Chocolate Chip will melt in your mouth, while each bite of their Lemon Blueberry White Chocolate bursts with fresh blueberries and a sweet lemon glaze. Their Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, White Chocolate Cherry, and classic Oatmeal Raisin won’t disappoint, either.

Perfect to share with a house crowded for the holidays, they even sell smaller “Sweet Bites,” all with the same great tastes of their larger cookie cousins. If you need cookies to put into a holiday gift basket or to bring into the office this year, these are your go-tos. info sweetgirlcookies.com | @sweetgirlcookies_

Sunny’s Mexican Wedding Cookies These are the little Christmas cookies made the world over.

It doesn’t matter what you grew up calling them: snowballs, Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, meltaways…

You know what they say, a cookie known by any name would taste as sweet (or something like that). Mexican wedding cookies, as they’ve been long known to me, are incredibly simple—just a few staple ingredients like flour, vanilla, and confectioners sugar transform into a cookie that, when done right, is buttery and dense, mild in a way that is reminiscent of a shortbread. There are little variations on these classics —some traditions add almonds, pecans, citrus, more butter or a little less. But no matter what you choose to roll into the dough, or what your gramma called ‘em, no holiday season is complete without these little buttery balls of goodness. info qcexclusive.com | @qcexclusive

146 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Sunflour Bakery The quaint, sunny little house that makes up Sunflour Bakery’s flagship store in Elizabeth perfectly matches the feelings evoked by their unique, handmade creations. At its heart, the bakery was built on the idea of inviting guests into their home, of serving them warm, made-from-scratch food and desserts created with ingredients from their Charlotte neighbors. Now in three other locations—Dilworth, Harrisburg, and Ballan-

tyne—Sunflour Bakery’s sweets are more accessible than ever.

Take a short drive to any of their four locations to feel your teeth sink into the soft center of their warm gingerbread, and let these sweet, simple treats bring you true holiday bliss. While you’re there, enjoy their holiday cranberry cookie for seconds. info sunflourbakingcompany.com | @sunflourbakingcompany

THE EXCLUSI V ES

COF F EEHOM ES The local coffeehouse emerges as more than just a coffeehouse, reinforcing its status as Charlotte’s best place to linger. words COREY MILLER photos JAMEY PRICE and K YO H. NAM Coffeehouses aren’t what they were at their conception, in the alleys of 16th-century Constantinople. The espresso bar is not the sitdown restaurant, and the grab-and-go coffee shop is not the café. Today, there are about a thousand variations on the concept, and the world’s swiftly growing modern cities, in particular, seem keen on maintaining this branching trend.

While France is full of Parisian cafés because tradition says they can’t be anything else, new cities like Charlotte don’t have many traditional social centers. The tabula rasa that is Charlotte’s cultural identity seems to give rise to a bevy of diverse locales for downing the dark stuff. For socialites and coffee lovers alike, that means options. There’s the auditorium: your favorite abundantly lit industrial spot with the standing height counters and the open space floor plan. You’ll be seen here. Then there’s the hideaway: the adorably cramped, lamplit coziness of the plushy couchand-bookshelf den. These places are known for their corners, and they’re damn fine corners. Every mutation has utility: We go to write, to read, and to talk. We go to entertain, to schmooze, even, and—probably far more often than we care to admit—to pass the time with conspicuous consumption.

And around here, you can’t really go to a coffee shop without finding something more.

In the last few years, Charlotte coffee has be-

come joined at the hip with Charlotte-everything-else. HEX Coffee has only been anchored for a little over a year, but the espresso bar and Good Bottle Co. seem inseparable concepts at this point. Trade & Lore and Salud Cerveceria have a similar symbiosis, and they share one of NoDa’s best interiors to boot. Recently, we’ve seen Not Just Coffee post up in a shared space with clothing retailer Tabor and fine art purveyor SOCO Gallery, but the coffee shop has been a collaborative effort since its humble beginnings in Area 15. After many successful years in this business, Amelié’s has partnered with Pure Intentions Coffee in an effort to further embrace responsible sourcing.

South End Grind popped up, and stayed up, in a gym, and Freemore West gallery LaCa Projects will soon house more than just art from Latin America: Basal Coffee will start pouring in early 2018. It goes without saying that Hyde Brewing, meanwhile, is the picture of collaboration.

At some point, we’ve got to acknowledge a kind of movement here. Businesses all over the city are taking steps toward partnership, toward inclusion, and the result is a new kind of community center. They’re taking stranger and stranger forms, but like the earliest coffeehouses, these are all centers of social interaction—wherever the choice of space, we’re consuming together.

THE EXCLUSI V ES

Not Just Coffee | Atherton Serving Counter Culture Coffee (Durham, NC) There’s no better place to crack open that scuffed-up and well-loved aluminum laptop. The branch that was once the little sibling of NJC’s 7th Street coffee bar now occupies an entire back alley of sorts at Atherton Mill—the kind of extended stretch of warehouse-y space that gives everyone plenty of work-and-play room. Picnic-style tables and a bar at one end welcome conversation, while a stretch of two-tops opposite provide privacy and copious people-watching opportunities. The naturally lit, exposed brick-and-mortar of it all provides an atmosphere completely distinct from any den in Charlotte. The proximity to everything else at Atherton (including shops and restaurants) is felt, but the rest of the mill doesn’t encroach on the shop due to its cozy backroom locale.

Go for the skylit digs, stay for the pour overs, and keep your eyes peeled for the friendliest canines South End has to offer. notjust.coffee

TRADE & LORE Serving Mountain Air Roasting (Asheville, NC) Appalachian coffee comes down the mountain to cozy up in a space that’s at once Ashevillian but that somehow makes a lasting impression with its Charlotte-isms. Natural light pours in through plentiful windows and a lone skylight, but the hangout is only as well-lit and open as you want it to be. There are both counter height bars and cozy alcoves, making for a versatile new NoDa staple.

Like many of our favorite haunts in the beloved mountain town, you’ll find Trade & Lore at the top of a creaky staircase. Like much of what we love in the Queen City, though, this place is actually an odd mishmash. The shop’s location above Salud Beer Shop and FūD at Salud means Trade & Lore patrons are granted full access to the wafflewiches and other deli treats. And since Trade & Lore shares its space with Salud Cerveceria, the coffeehouse doubles as a taproom, meaning the marble bar serves up draughts of both beer and nitro coffee and tea. This is coffee shop, brewery, and event space. Trade & Lore—not unlike its precursor of sorts, the tragically closed Daily Press inside The Evening Muse—feels like a marriage of ideologies because the women behind it split their time between two wildly different cities. It’s all very Asheville, but its roots are unabashedly NoDa—not an unhappy marriage, by any means. If the shoe fits, etc. tradeandlore.com

THE EXCLUSI V ES HEX Espresso Bar Serving HEX Coffee (Charlotte, NC) In the last year or so, Good Bottle Co. has evolved from South End’s preferred craft beer retailer into one of the neighborhood’s busiest haunts. The bar in the back of the store was always a draw, but the espresso bar in the front brings this place a symmetry it was always meant for. Run by coffee nerds who obsess over the brewing variables in every shot they pull, HEX is where to go for espresso. It’s also ideal for transitional afternoons: Have a classic HEX coffee shot or a seasonal concoction with a book (or two), and move on the Good Bottle taps when the squad shows up. hex.coffee

Amelié’s | NoDa Serving Pure Intentions Coffee (Charlotte, NC) They’re seemingly everywhere these days, but the original French bakery and café, in all its sprawling, on-the-nose glory, will always be a special Charlotte staple. It’s been wildly successful for multiple reasons (and those tart tortes are no doubt among them). Due to some sinful pact that simply must exist among the city’s coffee entrepreneurs, Amelié’s remains the only coffee spot in the city open for 24 hours. Actually, this is the only one open past ten on most days. That makes the NoDa mainstay ideal for working or studying all-nighters, but it also makes it a refreshing alternative to late-night spells at your favorite bars and cocktail lounges. Honestly, it’s an odd thing. Coffee is a nighttime endeavor in larger, stranger cities, but it hasn’t taken on a nightlife of its own here in Charlotte. Only this place serves the dark stuff proper after dark, and it’s all the more iconic for it. ameliesfrenchbakery.com

THE EXCLUSI V ES The Suffolk Punch Serving Mountain Air Roasting, eventually serving Hyde roasts At The Suffolk Punch, collaboration is the entire concept. This South End complex houses a coffee shop, brewery, taproom, and a restaurant. They’ll probably throw a few more concepts into the mix before you know it, and why not? The whole enterprise (which is really just a bunch of enterprises rolled into one) seems to be more than delivering on each front. Interior-wise, Hyde seems more restaurant than coffee shop, but spending just a bit of time there reveals a kind of brilliant adaptability. It’s a trendy blank slate, really, designed to be whatever its dwellers will have it be: brewery taproom, chef-driven dinner spot, coffee bar. With some inspired spiked coffee beverages as the latest addition to an ever-evolving menu, Hyde may as well be a cocktail lounge too. If the baristas offer to make you something weird, let them. In this place, experimentation always yields goodness. thesuffolkpunch.com/coffee-bar

Basal Coffee Rotating roasters from around the world Basal Coffee isn’t open yet, but its goal is nothing short of ambitious: The shop will showcase roasters from all over the South, West Coast, and East Coast periodically throughout the year, occasionally even featuring roasters from Europe. This venture, which fittingly shares space with the internationally-focused Latin American Contemporary Art Projects, looks to give patrons a sense and point of reference of the best coffee roasters in the world.

Art and coffee each have their distinct, unquestionable draws; throwing the two under one roof is guaranteed to bring droves of people together under that roof. Look for Basal in early 2018. basalcoffee.com

THE EXCLUSI V ES

FUNDING MIRACLES The Kyle Busch Foundation’s “Bundle of Joy Fund” helps families with IVF costs words SARAH GALLO | Event photos CATCH LIGHT STUDIO Portraits courtesy SAMANTHA AND KYLE BUSCH The eternal love a child brings a parent is priceless...

But as many know, the cost of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) isn’t.

As one of the main options for parents trying to conceive, IVF treatments range anywhere from $20,000 to 25,000, often with little-to-no insurance coverage.

So, when Samantha Busch, a highly-involved community advocate, entrepreneur, and lifestyle blogger went through the process herself with husband Kyle Busch, she saw an opportunity for giving. Samantha and Kyle’s experience was at Charlotte’s

156 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Reach Clinic—with their help, the two gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Brexton and Busch almost immediately vowed to help others receive their very own “bundles of joy.”

“They’re so great at Reach,” Busch explains. “And we had such a good experience, we thought, ‘ok, well, God has put us through this for a reason.’ While we initially thought that it was to tell people about IVF’s in order to help other women feel not so lonely during the process, we still felt like we needed to give back to the community—so we started the ‘Bundle of Joy Fund.’”

THE EXCLUSI V ES

Working through Reach Clinic of Charlotte, which is one of the leading fertility practices in the Southeast, the Kyle and Samantha Busch Bundle of Joy Fund provides local women with the financial means to receive IVF treatment. The cost alone often prevents families from even trying, so monetary assistance removes a huge hurdle: As of now, the foundation has donated a quarter of a million dollars across 22 families. The Buschs ask for an indepth application process for people looking to get funding, and they receive deeply personal stories from women in all walks of life .

“I would say we get around 50 applications, and we’re only able to fund four or five couples, because the cost is huge,” Busch explains. “There are stories that truly touch your heart and you just know deep down that those are the families.”

After a family is chosen, the news is often shared through a surprise visit from the foundation. Ever grateful for the gift of life, the recipients frequently continue to share pictures, updates, and memories with the Buschs as a token of appreciation.

The foundation’s annual benefit gala at 5Church—who teamed up with the foundation a few years back—accounts for the major-

ity of donations, but the event, Samantha says, is not your average charity dinner. Guests enjoy customized dishes prepared by Chef Jamie Lynch, one of which, in years past, was a perfectly rendered chicken pot pie bundled in a way to resemble a stork’s delivery. Complete with a silent auction, the event brings the community and key players together in support of the miracle of childbirth.

“For a lot of families, it’s just not affordable,” Busch explains. “So, that’s where we’re coming in and are trying to help. It’s only one family at a time—we’re just doing what we can.”

Want to get involved with the Buschs’ cause, or with another local charity that serves Charlotte children, too? As a community, we can make a difference and make the lives of those in need at least a little bit better this December, and beyond. We’ve rounded up a list of locally-based charities that focus on helping local children and their families in a variety of different ways.

All of the following organizations, and those they serve, greatly appreciate any donation of time or money.

This holiday season, let’s take a leaf out of the Buschs book and do our part to help build a stronger community and make Charlotte even better.

“For a lot of families, it’s just not affordable, so that’s where we’re coming in and trying to help. It’s only one family at a time— we’re just doing what we can.”

For more information kylebuschfoundation.org

158 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

THE SEASON OF GIVING It’s not the holiday season without giving back and these Charlottebased children’s charities could always use your support.

A Child’s Place A Child’s Place is dedicated to erasing the impact of homelessness on children and the effect it has on their education. They do this by creating individualized plans designed to keep the student in school with healthy behavior, and to keep children up to date on classroom learning.

They also work to provide food, school supplies, and other necessities. A Child’s Place helps homeless families by identifying and making referrals around employment, health issues, food, domestic violence, financial management, and housing to end the homeless crisis. achildsplace.org

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 159

THE EXCLUSI V ES The Sandbox This charity helps families of children with cancer to alter the lives of sick children by creating opportunities that build friendships, create lasting memories, produce joyful experiences, and restore hope. Their signature event is the Evening of Believing Prom, a prom for patients who would miss their own prom due to treatment or the eventual impact of their illness. You can donate money, a prom dress, or volunteer your time this holiday season. gotsandbox.org Right Moves for Youth This non-profit organization works to reduce the occurrence of student dropouts in Mecklenburg County by providing resources and guidance to help students graduate high school with a plan in place for future success. Right Moves for Youth offers student support and youth development services through group mentoring and social-emotional support, which in turn contributes to an increase in graduation rates, decrease of delinquency, and promotion of civic engagement. Help out by donating money, gifts, or supplies. rightmovesforyouth.org Assistance League of Charlotte The Assistance League is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through community-based philanthropic programs that feed, clothe, educate, and provide mentors for children.

They have five philanthropic programs: Operation Check Hunger, Operation School Bell, Mecklenburg County Teen Court, Assistance League of Charlotte Scholarship Fund, and Assistance League Outreach. Support the cause by shopping at their thrift shop located at 3405 S. Tryon St. All proceeds go to their philanthropic programs. charlotte.assistanceleague.org OurBRIDGE for Kids ourBRIDGE supports refugee and immigrant communities by offering an enrichment program for newly arrived and first-generation children. They

160 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

strive to foster a sense of diversity, integrate peace, respect, and love for all cultures and beliefs in our community.

You can donate or sponsor students, field trips, literacy classes, and community activities. joinourbridge.org The Mitchell’s Fund Meg McElwain and Frank Turner founded the Mitchell’s Fund after the loss of their two-year old son, to support the social needs of families with children suffering from pediatric illnesses. All contributions to the fund help pay for living expenses, counseling services, and travel for families of very sick children in the hopes of alleviating some of the financial stress so parents can focus on caring for and being with their child. mitchellsfund.org Freedom School Partners Freedom School Partners is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to promoting the long-term success of children by preventing summer learning loss and igniting a passion for reading and a love of learning. They serve families and children who don’t have access to quality summer enrichment opportunities, and instead, provide them with the three resources necessary to develop their potential: literacy skills, character strengths, and a strong community. They welcome money, donations, and volunteers. freedomschoolpartners.org All Kinds of Minds All Kinds of Minds supports teachers and provides opportunities to build expertise in how students learn since each student has a unique learning profile reflecting his or her particular learning strengths, weaknesses, and affinities. Through learning about how individual students learn, teachers can cater to each student’s strengths, thus closing achievement gaps, decreasing the number of disengaged students, and diminishing the underperformance of students in schools. allkindsofminds.org

Ada Jenkins Center The Ada Jenkins Center helps the community by empowering citizens to break the cycle of poverty and gain economic independence through the integration of health, education, and human services. The center has become a resource hub for the Mecklenburg and Iredell counties, as well as a respected model for community centers in the region. You can help by making a monetary donation or volunteering. adajenkins.org Big Brothers Big Sisters of Carolinas Big Brothers Big Sisters has served more than 1,500 children in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and York counties since 1972 through traditional community and school based mentoring and programs that pair adult volunteers with local children to create meaningful one-to-one relationships. Through the program, children are much more likely to gain higher aspirations, educational success, greater confidence, and build better relationships. bbbscentralcarolinas.org Levine Children’s Hospital This hospital is part of the Carolinas HealthCare System and delivers complex, leading-edge treatments for children in need. They have a dedicated team of pediatricians, pediatric specialists, child life specialists, and specially trained nurses to care for every child’s health needs. You can help by volunteering, donating, or joining one of their councils. carolinashealthcare.org Cam Newton Foundation The Cam Newton Foundation enhances the lives of the young by addressing their socioeconomic, educational, physical, and emotional needs. The foundation creates and supports programs and events that align with their three focus areas: Every1 Learns, Every1 Plays, and Every1 Gives. Through the foundation’s work, they encourage youth activity and health, youth education, and academic support, as well as foster community involvement. cam1newton.com

Communities in Schools Communities in School’s mission is to surround students with a community of support, which empowers them to stay in school and reach his or her greatest potential. CIS of Charlotte-Mecklenburg serves more than 6,000 students in need and their families, providing them with the resources they need to succeed in school and beyond. You can help out by donating money, clothing, toys, and supplies, or volunteering. www.cischarlotte.org A Better World A Better World offers after-school care, classes, and training to assist children and families living in the Ashley Park community. They strive to holistically develop children to achieve their personal best academically and keeps them off the toughest streets, thus improving their grades, growing their confidence, and helping them gain a positive direction in their life. They welcome volunteers, mentors, student sponsors, and donations of food, toiletries, school supplies, and money. abetterworldcharlotte.org Angels in Need This non-profit charity based in Davidson serves children with special needs and their families both locally and abroad, specifically at the House of Angels in Romania. They aim to provide children with opportunity and a sense of community in which to blossom by supporting already existing programs and organizations devoted to the same cause and aiding in the development, implementation, and financial support of programs that are in need of help. angelsinneed.org Thompson Child and Family Focus Operating across the Carolinas, Thompson Child and Family Focus provides comprehensive education, treatment and care for children in need.

Their aim is to strengthen not only the children but the families and community in which they live. There are many ways to contribute with the Thompson Child and Family Focus organization:

volunteer, foster a child, and donate goods and money to help make a positive impact on a child’s life. thompsoncff.org Bethlehem Center of Charlotte The Bethlehem Center of Charlotte approach is to create a nurturing environment where they empower families and center instruction on each individual. Through the power of their donors, they have been able to provide 80,000 hours of education and 300,000 meals to the children and families that they serve. bethlehemcenter.org Adam Faulk Tanksley Foundation Named in honor of Adam Tanksley, who was diagnosed with cancer at three years old, this non-profit is dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric cancer while positively impacting the lives of children and families affected by the disease. They plan events, fundraisers, and speaking engagements to raise awareness and funds to fight pediatric cancer. You can donate directly or volunteer with event planning, assistance, and advocacy. chompchildhoodcancer.org Classroom Central Classroom Central serves students and teachers by collecting and distributing free school supplies. Many students come from families who can’t afford school supplies and teachers spend $500 to $1000 on average out of pocket each year to provide basic supplies for their students. With proper supplies for every student, you see an increase in instructional time, quality of student work, student preparation, and an improvement in student behavior.

They welcome monetary donations, supplies, and volunteers. classroomcentral.org The Spokes Group The Spokes Group was started back in 1994 by two Charlotte businessmen who wanted to help make a difference once they recognized the struggle that a lot of families go through during the

holiday season. The Spokes Group aims to raise money to purchase bicycles for disadvantaged children. You can help make a child’s holiday by donating to the cause today. thespokesgroup.com Martin Truex JR. Foundation The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation (MTJF) was started by NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. in 2007. Their mission is to support underfunded cancer initiatives with a focus on ovarian and childhood cancers and to assist the individuals and families who have been affected by them. This foundation is fueled through its donors who share the same passion as the Truex Jr. foundation. martintruexjrfoundation.org The Learning Collaborative This comprehensive preschool program offers hands-on involvement between teachers, students, families, patrons, and the community.

The Learning Collaborative provides transportation, hot meals, speech language and literacy development, along with intensive family support. Your support will help to make a pivotal difference in the life of a child by placing them on the right path to success. tlccharlotte.org Receptions For Research The Greg Olsen Foundation Founded by Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, Receptions for Research is a non-profit that supports two programs: Receiving Hope and The HEARTest Yard. After watching his mother battle breast cancer, Olsen knew that more could be done. In her honor, he began the Receiving Hope program to support hospitals, researchers, and families battling cancer. In 2012, Olsen learned that his son was born with a severe congenital heart defect, leading to multiple surgeries during his childhood.

The HEARTest Yard supports families dealing with congenital heart defect crises, and works to make sure no parent goes through that turmoil alone. receptionsforresearch.org For more charities, visit qcexclusive.com

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 161

THE EXCLUSI V ES

T H E 2017 GI FT GU I DE Featuring our staff’s favorite picks from the finest purveyors in Charlotte and beyond, the QC Exclusive annual gift guide has everyone on your list covered.

Happy shopping and remember, it’s always better to give than receive.

TAYLOR RICHARDS & CONGER Scarpe Di Bianco Deco Zenzero trcstyle.com THE SPORTING GENT Made in USA Gentlemen’s Card Case thesportinggent.com

SEPHORA Naked3 Palette sephora.com

EAST FORK POTTERY Handcrafted Plates eastforkpottery.com

ORVIS Mirage Reel orvis.com

BIGGS CAMERA DJI Mavic Pro biggscamera.com

ORVIS Classic Barn Coat orvis.com

PERRY’S JEWELRY Sugarloaf Turquoise Ear Clips perrysjewelry.com

THE SPORTING GENT Oxbow Vintage Duck Weekender Duffle thesportinggent.com

OLE MASON JAR Fletcher Plaid Oxford olemasonjar.com

GREAT OUTDOOR PROVISION CO. Perception Access Kayak greatoutdoorprovision.com

162 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

DIAMONDS DIRECT Tacori Island Rains Ring diamondsdirect.com

BLACKHAWK HARDWARE The Big Green Egg blackhawkhardware.com

704 SHOP QC Football Two Tone Racer Back Tank 704shop.com

ACQUISITIONS Vetiver PerfumeCandle acquisitionsinteriors.com

STICKLEY AUDI & CO. Dragonfly Desk stickleyaudi.com

ERIN MCDERMOTT Gold and beaded necklace erinmcdermott.com LAND ROVER CHARLOTTE 2018 Range Rover Velar landrovercharlotte.com

BUFFALO JACKSON Roosevelt Buffalo Leather Travel Duffle buffalojackson.com

COCOCO HOME Chelsea Chesterfield Loveseat cococohome.com

BOMBSHELVES “Use What You Have” Print bombshelves.com

TREK OF CLT Electra Townie Go! 8i trekofclt.com

THE EXCLUSI V ES

BIGGS CAMERA Alpha a7R II Mirrorless Digital Camera biggscamera.com

HEARTH AND PATIO Hatteras Double Hammock thehearthandpatio.com

NEIMAN MARCUS Michael Kors Fulton Harness Boot neimanmarcus.com

DIAMONDS DIRECT Tacori Blushing Rose Ring diamondsdirect.com

DAVID’S LTD Shinola Runwell Sport Chrono davidsltd.com

BUFFALO JACKSON Dakota Leather Field Notes Cover buffalojackson.com

JESSE BROWN’S Patagonia Men’s Micro Puff™ Hoody jessebrowns.com

WINDSOR JEWELERS John Hardy Modern Chain Bracelet windsor-jewelers.com

MOTORCYCLES OF CHARLOTTE 2018 MV Agusta Diablo Brutale bmw-ducati.com

164 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

STICKLEY AUDI & CO. Mission Collection stickleyaudi.com

CHEF ALYSSA Tomato Jam chefalyssaskitchen.com

ADDISON WEEKS Middleton Cork Screw addisonweeks.com

NEIMAN MARCUS Dunhill Art Deco Rose Golden Sodalite Cuff Links neimanmarcus.com

704 SHOP Charlotte Crown Tee 704shop.com

JOHNNY FLY CO. Bridge Hampton Ziricote Wood Bow Tie johnnyflyco.com

DONALD HAACK Alex Sepkus Crowned Head Dome Band donaldhaack.com

DEWOOLFSON DOWN SFERRA Table Linens dewoolfsondown.com

BEADS INC. Aquamarine Shell and Tassle Fan Earrings beadsinc.com

DOC PORTER’S Locally Crafted Vodka docporters.com BRUCE JULIAN Peter Millar Check Sport Shirt brucejulian.com

ALLEN’S JEWELRY Chimento Bracelet allensfinejewelry.com

165 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

NEW GALLERY OF MODERN ART Stephen Wilson’s Rise Up newgalleryofmodernart.com

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 165

THE EXCLUSI V ES

THE PINK HANGER Kaanas Embossed Hi-Top pinkhangeronline.com

HOLLIFIELD FLY RODS Handcrafted Bamboo Rod with Engraving thesportinggent.com

ALLEN’S JEWELERS Gems of Color Ring allensfinejewelry.com

704 SHOP Charlotte Crown Tee 704shop.com

SOCO GALLERY Hide and Seek: The Architecture of Cabins and Hideouts soco-gallery.com

BLACKHAWK HARDWARE Yeti Tundra HighCountry Cooler blackhawkhardware.com PEPPERMINT FOREST 19” Gold Candle Holder peppermintforest.com

ELIZABETH BRUNS, INC. Matignon Green Dessert Plate elizabethbruns.com

166 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

WINDY O’CONNOR Textiles - Chalk Floral windyoconnor.net

SALLY’S OPTICAL SECRETS Anne et Valentin Arcade Glasses sallysoptical.com

photo of Hollifield Fly Rod by Kurtis Miller

CAPITOL Gucci Marmont Wallet capitolcharlotte.com

DONALD HAACK Cherie Dori Dangling Earrings donaldhaack.com

GREAT WAGON ROAD Local Scotch, poteen, and vodka gwrdistilling.com

LACA PROJECTS Art by Cristina Toro lacaprojects.com

NORDSTROM Check Wool And Silk Scarf by Burberry nordstrom.com

INFINITY MED SPA Skinbetter infinitymedspaandwellness.com

NORDSTROM Frye Melissa Seam Boot nordstrom.com

JOHNNY FLY CO. Business Laptop Messenger johnnyflyco.com

ADDISON WEEKS Stutts Cuff addisonweeks.com

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 167

THE EXCLUSI V ES

THEORY DESIGN STUDIO Toile Hostess Tray Set theory-designstudio.com

TAYLOR RICHARDS & CONGER Master & Dynamic MH40 trcstyle.com

POLICY HANDBAGS The Bear Cave Bag policyhandbags.com

STOREY HOME Handwoven Decorative Bowls storeyhomedesign.com BELK Chanel Chance Eau de Toilette belk.com

GOOD’S HOME FURNISHINGS Uttermost Amarion 60 Copper Wall Clock goodshomefurnishings.com

ELIZABETH BRUNS, INC. Kara Ross New York Small Cava Open Link Earrings elizabethbruns.com

SHAIN GALLERY Melissa Payne Baker Painting shaingallery.com

BEDSIDE MANOR Red Silk Sleep Mask bedsidemanor.com

168 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

TINY il Gufo Outfit tinyclt.com

PICTURE HOUSE Craig Alan’s My World picturehousegallery.com MEREDITH JACKSON Suzanna Dai Jeweled Button Earrings meredithjackson.com

STOREY HOME Room 422 Pillows storeyhomedesign.com

TWINE & TWIG Tribal Stack Bracelet twineandtwigstyle.com

AMINA RUBINACCI Wool Knee Length aminarubinaccinc.com

GOOD’S HOME FURNISHINGS Frankie Four Door Console goodshomefurnishings.com

DAVID’S LTD Freshwater Pearl Earrings with 14 Karat Yellow Gold davidsltd.com IVEY’S HOTEL Brackish Bow Ties theiveyshotel.com

SALLY’S OPTICAL SECRETS Anne et Valentin Panton Glasses sallysoptical.com

ISABELLA Parker Thatch Elephant Clutch isabellastyle.com

WINDSOR JEWELERS Patek Philippe Watches windsor-jewelers.com

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

THE BRIDAL GUIDE Our annual guide is dedicated to helping you find everything from the dress of your dreams to the perfect venue and tastiest food. photos provided by ADVERTISING PARTNERS

Featured in this section: Betty Bridal Atelier | Delectables by Holly | Northstone Country Club | The Assembly Room Poffie Girls Bridal Boutique | Layne Barter Makeup | Gilded Bridal

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

BRIDAL SHOP

Photography by 3E8 Photography (left) and Danielle Hulsey Photography (right)

BETTY BRIDAL ATELIER

Charleston, SC

C

our bride and talk to her about her vision and what she feels beautiful wearing.”

Mistretta’s intuitive style and biyearly trips to New York Bridal Fashion Week ensure that the store is always stocked with both classic looks and the latest trends. Betty Bridal Atelier brings in big names that can be hard to find in the South, and offers an extensive collection—Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Mira Zwillinger, Peter Langner, and Sachin & Babi, to name just a few— for clients to choose from. Now located in the picturesque French Quarter in a brand new showroom, Betty Bridal Atelier is more than equipped to find you the dream dress for your perfect day.

harleston’s historic streets and quaint buildings coat everything with an air of lighthearted serenity. By pulling this atmosphere into their store, Betty Bridal Atelier gives brides-to-be a calm, unique shopping experience that they won’t find anywhere else.

With over 15 years of bridal experience gained across the country, owner and operator Rachel Mistretta brings not only a wealth of knowledge to Charleston, but also an understanding of how to make dress shopping as stressfree as possible.

“We make sure to set aside two hours for each appointment,” explains Mistretta. “That way, we can get to know

17 State Street

•

Charleston, SC

•

Bridal

Shop

•

843.642.8220

•

@betty_bridal

•

bettybridalatelier.com

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 171

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

CATERING

POFFIE GIRLS DELECTABLES BY HOLLY Charlotte, NC

D

electables by Holly is a boutique catering firm that specializes in designing custom menus and creating amazing memories for couples and their families. Since 1995, owner Holly McLelland has been creating a unique experience for each of her brides and grooms—the menus for all her weddings reflect personal tastes, family traditions and dietary requirements. Holly’s “Magnolia Menu” is the quintessential traditional Southern meal, with a selection of classic flavors and gorgeous presentations. A “Modern Bride” may want to surprise her guests with a sleek sushi presentation or

exotic masala-dusted chicken kebabs. The beauty of working with Holly and her team of event planners lies within their ability to achieve their clients’ vision and transform a space to make their dream wedding reception a reality. Holly’s sweet, Southern demeanor enables her to work beautifully with clients and her extensive experience instills a sense of trust and control. A hallmark of Delectables by Holly’s service lies in the fabulous wait staff—her mature, experienced servers create an upscale experience for your guests by keeping the Champagne flutes full and the food presentation fresh.

Magnolia Inspired Menu Signature Angel Biscuits with Ham & Brown Sugar Sauce Signature Award-Winning Shrimp & Grits French Brie en Croute with House-Made Fig Jam Miniature Crab Cakes Grilled Peach Topped White Chocolate Mousse

Modern Inspired Menu Seared Ahi Tuna Tacos Seared Beef Filet With Shiraz Reduction Asparagus With Saffron Aioli Miniature Red Bliss Double Stuffed Potatoes Rainbow Roasted Root Vegetable Platter

1224 Charlottetowne Ave. • Charlotte, NC • Caterer • 704.342.4800 • holly@delectablesbyholly.com • delectablesbyholly.com

172 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

VENUE

NORTHSTONE COUNTRY CLUB

Huntersville, NC

L

ocated on the expansive grounds of one of Lake Norman’s premier private golf courses, NorthStone Country Club is a preeminent all-inclusive wedding venue.

Recite your vows in the warmth of the outdoors - NorthStone Country Club has both a quaint, romantic wedding garden and a beautiful greenside. Afterward, head inside the Club’s exceptionally appointed ballroom to socialize with loved ones, listen to the recital of speeches, and dance the night away. The ballroom accommodates up to 200 guests with French doors leading to a spacious outdoor veranda overlooking the 18th hole

—perfect for a cocktail hour. Let the experienced staff of NorthStone Country Club flawlessly make your dream wedding come to pass as they set up and break down the decor of your event. The executive chef at NorthStone will personalize your menu to provide exceptional food and beverage catering and service for your wedding.

The sweeping grounds of lush greenery, the countless amenities of various appointed spaces, and the superior service of NorthStone Country Club make this the perfect destination for each couple to say “I do,” and love their venue too.

15801 Northstone Dr. • Huntersville, NC • Country Club & Venue • 704.948.4286 • @northstoneclub • northstoneclub.com

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 173

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

VENUE

THE ASSEMBLY ROOM Charlotte, NC

O

ccupying the steel-framed reaches of the historic Foundry building, The Assembly Room is Uptown Charlotte’s new turnkey event house. This unique space was crafted by industry professionals with an eye for versatile aesthetics and a knack for adaptable hospitality. Accommodating up to 175 guests in uncommonly flexible digs, the venue classes up weddings, fundraisers, and corporate functions—all while eliminating the inconveniences of gathering. From the concierge at the door to the bottles of bubbly hiding in the ladies’ room, the amenities insist on an unabridged experience. And they should: This is a place for entertaining, put together by the people who make it their business to entertain.

Ideal for both corporate and social events, this open-concept space is bright and authentically contemporary. The heritage building is the naturally airy, industrial space every modern venue wants to be: 50 feet of exposed ceiling extends over reclaimed wooden beams, while cool white walls, textured brick, and concrete ground the space in a raw simplicity. A three-story marquee window bathes the whole place in abundant natural light.

Accompanying the gorgeous interior, a private outdoor courtyard draped in string lights offers views of Bank Of America stadium and Uptown. With the marriage of urban flair and clean modern design, at The Assembly Room, it’s easy to gather.

619 S. Cedar Street • Charlotte NC • Turnkey Event House • events@relishcarolina.org • @relishcarolina • theassemblyroomclt.com

174 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

BRIDAL SHOP

POFFIE GIRLS BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

Gastonia, NC

T

ucked into the quaint area of Gastonia, NC, in an immaculately renovated 1917 plantation home, lies Poffie Girls Bridal Boutique. Here, each bride-to-be who waltzes through the doors can place together the pieces of her wedding ensemble, and walk one step closer to her vision of the fairytale wedding. Since its founding in 1974, Poffie Girls Bridal Boutique has been a premier bridal destination for the Charlotte area, and shows no sign of slowing. With the help of experienced, well-trained stylists, brides can search through a myriad of selections from top designers. There are couture gowns and accompanying wedding attire for the entire wedding

party. With regular visits to fashion hubs like Atlanta, Chicago, and New York, and by witnessing the work that goes on in bridal factories in London and Barcelona, Poffie Girls has been able to ensure they can provide all the latest trends in bridal wear, and a wide selection of gowns from the best bridal lines, like Justin Alexander, Paloma Blanca, Pronovias, Randy Fenoli, and Stella York. In addition.

Poffie Girls carries the exclusive private label Ella Grace. Finally, following their tradition of providing exceptional service to all visitors, Poffie Girls also offers prom and Quinceañera gowns to younger customers looking for a fairytale experience of a different kind.

512 S. New Hope Rd. • Gastonia, NC • Wedding Gowns • Bridal Shop • 704.866.0198 • @poffiegirls • poffiegirls.com

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 175

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

MAKEUP ARTIST

Layne Barter of Layne Barter Makeup

LAYNE BARTER MAKEUP Charlotte, NC

I

t’s not always easy to turn a passion into a career, but in a few short years, Layne Barter has done just that. She’s transformed it into a full-time business that clients— especially brides-to-be— just can’t get enough of. Layne Barter Makeup ensures that every client finishes an appointment happy, healthy, and ready for their big day.

With her client’s comfort and needs as her top priorities, Layne has no qualms about doing a little extra and traveling to the bridal party.

“One thing you don’t want to be on your wedding day is stressed.

Charlotte, NC

•

Makeup Artist •

176 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Beautycounter

Offering a trial run and coming to the location the day of the wedding eliminates that,” says Layne.

Layne spends just as much time enhancing a bride’s beauty as she does making sure they know what’s going on their skin. While she specializes in giving clients a natural glow, Layne constantly educates herself on new trends and techniques, allowing her to meet the needs of all kinds of styles and skin tone. Set up an appointment with Layne Barter Makeup and let her turn your special day into a perfect one.

• 704.516.0603 • @laynebartermakeup

•

laynebarter.com

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

BRIDAL SHOP

GILDED BRIDAL Raleigh, NC

T

he Gilded Bridal approach to wedding dress shopping is a little different from mainstream bridal. While the girls at Gilded are dedicated to helping you find the wedding dress of your dreams, they also know that ultimately it is still just a dress: the real essence of a wedding is the celebration of love and marriage. As the Piedmont’s destination for independent designer gowns and bridal couture, Gilded Bridal creates a special experience for brides, family, and friends by ensuring you can treasure the time there, creating lasting memories in the relaxed, personalized, fun setting. An appointment-only boutique,

421 N. Boylan Ave

•

Raleigh, NC

owner Susan Langford and her expert staff take the time to get to know the bride and their wedding plans, so the dress fits seamlessly into the special day. Gilded specializes in smaller, independent designers—most of whom can’t be found anywhere else in North Carolina­ —which allows them to offer unique customizations on many dresses. “Once you find a dress with us,” explains Susan, “you are a Gilded Bride for life, and we are here to help with anything you need leading up to your wedding—dress related or not!”

To see a full list of their designers and to make an appointment, visit their website at www.gildedbridal.com.

•

Bridal Shop

•

919.717.2674

•

@gildedbridal

•

gildedbridal.com

HOLIDAY 2017 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 177

IN DEX AGM Imports........................................ 83 Acquisitions .....................................110 Allen’s Jewelers ................................46 Amina Rubinacci ..................................26 Arcadia ................................................59 Artistic Contractors ......................41 Ascent Uptown ..................................127 Ashley J ................................................28 Baku ......................................................89 Beads Inc .............................................69 Bedside Manor ...................................109 Blackhawk Hardware ........................81 Blue Ridge Mountain Club ..............131 Bruce Julian .......................................137 Buffalo Jackson ...............................133 Cadenza ................................................77 Celedore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 4 Childress Vineyards .........................82 Clark Hall Doors .............................105 Classic Attic .....................................113 Clean Catch .........................................91 Cococo ................................................99 Cottingham Chalk Hayes .................16 CosmeticDentistryofthecarolinas...23 Couture Knots ....................................85 Craft Tasting Room ...........................95 DCI .........................................................115 David’s LTD ..............................................2 Diamonds Direct ................Back Cover Diamonds Springs.............................. 44 Discovery Place .................................40 Donald Haack .....................................53 Donna Livingston ..............................113

DwellNova ...........................................10 Elite Design Group .............................63 Elizabeth Bruns .................................35 Fahrenheit ...........................................12 Gerrard Builders ..............................32 Good’s Home Furnishings ................101 Grande Custom Builders ................72 Grandfather homes........ ...................37 Hearth & Patio ...................................132 I.C. London ............................................93 Infinity Spa ..........................................57 Insight Automation ...........................47 Isabella ...............................................115 Ivey’s Hotel .........................................38 J. Landon ................................................31 J. Sams ...................................................93 Jas Am ....................................................55 Jerald Melberg ..................................36 KBN Interiors .....................................107 Karen Kettler ....................................111 Kingswood Custom Homes .............45 Laca Projects .....................................48 Lake Norman Realty ...........................43 Land Rover ...........................................21 Lauren Nicole Designs .......................71 Le Meridien .........................................135 Lucy & Co. ..............................................39 Majestic Bath..................................... 96 McDevitt Agency ................................14 Meredith Jackson.............................. 49 Metrolina Auto Group ........................6 Mint Museum .......................................44 Moffett Restaurant Group ..............91

Be our guest.

Plan your next getaway, and experience a fun-filled stay packed with amazing amenities, including complimentary access to the Charlotte Athletic Club, as well as fine dining and much more!

704-377-0400 • omnihotels.com/charlotte

178 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • HOLIDAY 2017

Movement Mortgage .........................87 Myron Greer ........................................111 Nestlewood .......................................124 New Gallery of Modern Art .............49 New Life Building ..............................129 Noble Food Pursuits ..........................75 Oasis ....................................................103 Omni Hotels & Resorts .....................178 Pam Harrington Exclusives .............117 Picture House Gallery ......................50 Piedmont Town Center ...................79 Premier Sotheby’s ................................8 RK Motors ...........................................27 Rare Roots Hospitality .....................89 Remax Exclusive ...................................4 Rug Culture .........................................93 Queen’s Cup Steeplechase ...............61 Satin MedSpa .......................................42 Sea Level ..............................................95 Stark .....................................................19 Stickley Audi & Co. ............................107 Storey Home ........................................65 Taylor Richards & Conger ................30 Technocom .........................................137 The Pink Hanger ...................................46 The Sporting Gent .............................179 The Swag .............................................135 Theory Design Studio .......................104 Versa Salon .........................................93 Walker Zanger ...................................25 Webb Orthodontics ..........................67 Windsor Jewelers ..............................29