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
An Inspired Year Our guide to 2018, featuring stories of transformation, exploration, and resolve. PLUS! Our Health & Beauty Guide
Jennifer Pharr Davis completes the Mountains-to-Sea trail | p. 140
JAN/FEB 2018 • NO. 46
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FreshList
What Stays With You
2018: The How-To Guide
Cultivating a better food system for the farmer, chef, and everyone else.
For thru-hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis, the trail doesn’t end at the last marker.
How to embark upon the next 365, from eating well to getting your mind right.
North Carolina thru-hiker and author Jennifer Pharr Davis celebrates her recent completion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail with our photographer Jamey Price
p. 140
THE DEPA RTMEN TS
43 THE CULTURE FINE ART / PERFORMING ARTS / STYLE / WELLNESS
43
Puddles and Skyscrapers Alex Souder reflects our city back at us through his photography
50
Just Ride Five questions with Charlotte’s CycleBar founder Lisa Palmer
Nature, Smoke, And Water The abstract art of Greg Lindquist
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Angeline’s Kimpton Tryon Park’s restaurant
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Leaving The Kitchen Behind The Chef’s Farmer
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Fig Tree Beet Carpaccio A colorful dish from Chef Zanitsch
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Living Kitchen Raw Pizza A healthy dish for the New Year
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Asbury’s BBQ Scallops A seafood brunch in Uptown
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Colleen Hughes’ Daiquiri A gorgeous classic cocktail
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Cellar’s Blackberry Mezcal A drink perfect for a speakeasy
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RESTAURANTS / CHEFS / RECIPES / COCKTAILS
Abstract Representation Jenny Nelson’s work comes to Hidell Brooks A Treasure In Myers Park Two sisters bring the art of jewelry-making to Charlotte and welcome anyone to give it a try
Innovative Works Charlotteans will get a chance to see comtemporary ballet at its best
THE SPREAD
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THE DEPA RTMEN TS
108 THE FOLIO DESIGN / DECOR / SPACES / FEATURED HOMES
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Layers of Color The English Room’s Holly Hollingsworth Phillips Walker Zanger The simplicity of their Sequioa collection shines
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Donna Livingston A cozy kitchen updated
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Greg Perry A simple, sophisticated master bedroom
THE EXPLORED RESORTS / TOWNS / DESTINATIONS / SPORTING / ADVENTURE
116
Winter at the Wentworth Experience true Charleston charm and grandeur at the award-winning Holy City hotel
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Pisgah’s Hidden Gem The outdoor enthusiast’s dream town: Brevard, NC
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Public Service NOLA’s latest luxury hotel continues an age-old tradition of serving the people
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Ski The South Witness what makes the Boone area the South’s best ski getaway
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Georgia Street Design An edgy take on a family gathering space Lucy & Co. Beth Keim gives us a living room full of the essentials
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A Castle In Eastover In this Grandfather Homes custom house-on-the-hill, fairytale visuals meet contemporary sensibilities
THE NOTE
Editor JP Grice (left) and Publisher Brett Barter (right) walk to their office at The Foundry on Cedar Street .
photo by Jamey Price
A N I NSPI R ED Y E A R 2017 was a spectacular year for all of us here at QC Exclusive Magazine. We got to experience so many things, meet so many new people, and promote so many great Charlotte and Carolina businesses. Some of my personal favorite highlights from the past year include going to the top of The Arlington to shoot the cover of our first issue of the year with fitness guru Emily Breeze, getting a little woozy in a seaplane with the Piedmont Puddle Jumpers, and eating an entire Tomahawk Bone-In Ribeye at The Cellar at Duckworth’s. That thing is gigantic and tasty! It was great to share some of our favorite photos from Charlotte’s street photographers in our Arts & Culture issue, publish the impactful images and story of portrait photographer Burk Uzzle, tell the story of the inimitable fresco painter Ben Long, and end in the tastiest way possible: We sampled and shared the city’s most delicious cookies for our holiday cover story. We ended the year with a bang: our annual holiday party cohosted by our friends and neighbors at The Plaid Penguin. It was, for me, the highlight of the year. Not only was it an exceptionally fun event, but because of all of our extremely generous guests, it
20 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • JAN/FEB 2018
was also a very charitable one. We were able to donate hundreds of children’s toys to the Levine Children’s Hospital! It’s not just a cliché — it truly is better to give than to receive. So, with 2017 coming to an end, we as a magazine and as a city need to keep that momentum going into the new year. That’s why the theme of this issue is to have “an inspired year.” In this issue, we share fresh persepectives in our story about The Chef’s Farmer entitled “Leaving The Kitchen Behind”, showcase art’s social impact with Greg Lindquist, and feature commitment to craft in “Puddles and Skyscrapers.” In The Exclusives, you’ll read the motivating story of Freshlist and be truly inspired by North Carolinian Jennifer Pharr Davis’ recent completion of the Mountains-to-Sea trail (our cover story). Our writers, Corey Miller and Sunny Hubler, end the issue with 2018: The How-to Guide, focused on the most important resolutions, from getting your mind right and getting cultured to exercising and eating well in the Queen City. Until next issue, Happy New Year and enjoy! Best, Jon-Paul Grice, Editor
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TRIP AND LAURA PARK
January 26, 2018 - The works of the talented Trip and Laura Park will be on display at Shain Gallery on Selwyn Avenue late January. Trip Park is known for his colorful illustrative pieces while Laura is a renowned abstract painter. This will be a show art enthusiasts can’t afford to miss. For more information: shaingallery.com
32 | Uptown Crawl 34 | An American In Paris 36 | Rigoletto 38 | Artbreak 40 | CSO On The Go 30 | The Whole Enchilada
THE EV EN TIST jan/feb 2018 editor’s pick
THE EV EN TIST
Jan/Feb 2018 EDITOR’S PICKS
2/11/18 | Rigoletto presented by Opera Carolina | operacarolina.org | Photo courtesy of Opera Carolina THE JAZZ ROOM: CHAD LAWSON
15TH ANNUAL LEGACY OF
PLAYS GEORGE GERSHWIN
BLACK WOMEN FILM SHOWCASE
1/12/2018 - 1/13/2018 - Kicking off Charlotte’s Jazz Initiative for the new year, the organization’s monthly series begins with renowned pianist Chad Lawson paying tribute to the great composer George Gershwin. blumenthalarts.org
1/12/2018 - Sponsored by the Deltas of Charlotte Foundation, visit the McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square for this special Charlotte film festival. In addition to viewing short films written, produced, directed, and featuring black women, the showcase will also feature a competition for high school and college students. blumenthalarts.org
CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY POPS: JOHN WILLIAMS UNLIMITED
1/12/2018 - 1/13/2018 - Join the Charlotte Symphony at the Belk Theater at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center for a night of musical nostalgia. John Williams, famous for scoring movies such as Indiana Jones and Superman, will have his music played by Charlotte’s Christopher James Lee on this unforgettable night. charlotteshymphony.org
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THE WHOLE ENCHILADA
1/13/18 - The USNWC is home to over 35 miles of trail, and you’re about to crush every last one of them. The Whole Enchilada is a brand new Whitewater Race Series event covering the entire trail system on mountain bike. This one lap format will cover “Todas las Millas” (all of the miles) as you explore and conquer
every last foot of trail the USNWC has to offer. Want to get in on the feast, but looking for a shorter distance? Go for The Half Enchilada and take on roughly half the trail system by bike. usnwc.org LOCAL FLAVORS OF HISTORIC NODA
1/13/18 - NoDa is bustling with a vibrant nightlife and live music scene, creative eateries, colorful art, and thriving craft breweries. Connect with the entrepreneurs, chefs, and artisans who make NoDa their home, and find out how their passion is transformed into the unique flavors of the area. Gather around the area’s tables with chef-driven comfort foods, stroll along historic streets, and go behind-the-scenes at a craft brewery to learn about Charlotte’s award-winning craft beer industry. feastfoodtours.com
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
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THE EV EN TIST
Jan/Feb 2018
SUNDAY FUN DAY
ADULT STUDIO
CHARLOT TE HOME SHOW
1/14/18 - It’s family time at the Mint! Enjoy family-friendly art projects, gallery visits, artist demos, and family yoga sessions. This month, be an art detective looking for clues to unlock the mystery of the elements of art. mintmuseum.org CULINARY UPTOWN TOUR DE FOOD
1/7-2/21/18 - This series of evening classes will explore both traditional and experimental approaches to figure drawing, using a variety of media, and will be held in the studio and in the museum galleries. Tuition includes materials and model fees. This event is for beginning to intermediate artists. mintmuseum.org
1/14/18 - Explore the culinary mecca found in dynamic Uptown Charlotte. The tour will start out at 7th Street Market and make its way through the busy city streets, sampling farm-totable restaurants, wonderful wine or champagne, fabulous pastries, and more. You’ll meet the artisans who create these incredible culinary dishes and find out what motivates them, learn about Charlotte’s deep history and view the architectural beauty the city offers. Eat, drink, and walk with the tour through the best of Uptown. tourdefood.com
1/20/18 - Go on a fun run along the pristine trails at the US Whitewater Center. If you haven’t biked or run on these trails, you are in for a treat. The majority of the course is a single track trail system in covered woods adjacent to the Whitewater Center. All participants registered for four, nine, and 13 miles will receive this super comfy, eco-friendly hoodie from Recover. Don’t miss out on getting your 2018 Trail Race hoodie. crctrailrace.racesonline.com
1/21-1/31/18 - At the Charlotte Home Show, the goal is simple: to inspire, motivate and excite you for your upcoming home improvement—whether it’s a minor renovation or a major remodel. The event features a wide selection of home improvement professionals in a fun, interactive environment. After meeting with and comparing the expert exhibitors, you’ll be inspired and motivated to start planning with confidence. homeshownc.com
CHARLOTTE COMPANY TRAIL RACE
UPTOWN CRAWL
1/25/18 - Discover Uptown’s culture for free during the Uptown Crawl presented by HomeTrust Bank. The crawl features Uptown art galleries and museums along the Tryon Street corridor with free trolley rides between each exhibit. The crawl is open to art lovers of any age, and attracts guests from all over NC. charlottecentercity.org
The Art of Struggle February 1st - February 28th, 2018 Susan Brenner . MyLoan Dinh . Charles Farrar An exhibition examining the intersection of art and social justice featuring artists who dive into the complex connections and histories of racial and ethnic identity and gender in the art world, and who focus their own artistic queries into identity and social struggle. MyLoan Dinh, Killing Me Softly, 2017 mixed media - boxing gloves, eggshells 13”x14”x4.5” (pair)
32 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • JAN/FEB 2018
1520 South Tryon Street . Charlotte, NC 28203 704.370.6337 . www.eldergalleryclt.com
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THE EV EN TIST
Jan/Feb 2018
VIVA MEXICO!
1/26/18 - The Latin Music Concert seeks to showcase different rhythms from Latin America, highlighting the talents of local musicians from the Latin American community. From classical music to Latin jazz, these concerts will provide a taste of the variety of cultures from all corners of Latin America. mintmuseum.org CONNECT WITH CULTURE DAY
1/27/18 - Bring your family and friends to The Mint Museum for a full day of art adventure! Explore current exhibitions including William Ivey Long and get your hands messy making your own masterpieces. You can also enjoy live music from a local ensemble. mintmuseum.org 2018 QUEEN CITY BUSINESS EXPO
1/27/18 - The Queen City Business Expo features 50 businesses from the Charlotte Metro area. These companies are
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the backbones of our communities and the current and future employers who will develop the city. Companies of all facets of business will be in attendance showcasing what they do. You can expect giveaways, coupons, discounts, and special offers. MINI-MASTERS ART WORKSHOP
1/27/18 - Little artists and their adult companions explore the museum galleries and create art in this playful class centered on creativity, fine-motor skills, and confidence-building. Explore different media and try out new art-making techniques in each class, including drawing, painting, cutting, and constructing. mintmuseum.org THE ITALIAN KITCHEN
1/28/18 - Venture to one of the finest vineyards in the Carolinas, Raffaldini Vineyards, for an afternoon of wine and food as local chefs demonstrate some of their favorite Italian recipes. raffaldini.com
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
2/2/18 - George Gershwin’s symphonic poem An American in Paris is presented alongside Copland’s Old American Songs and Grammy Awardwinner and Charlotte Symphony Artistin-Residence Mark O’Connor’s Americana Symphony. charlottesymphony.org SOUTH END GALLERY CRAWL
2/2/18 - The South End Gallery Crawl is a signature neighborhood event that happens on the first Friday evening of every month. Many of the galleries will stay open late to host lively receptions for new exhibits with music, food and drink, and an opportunity to meet the artists. historicsouthend.com 4TH ANNUAL MINT OYSTER ROAST
2/3/18 - The Founders’ Circle and the Young Affiliates of the Mint are proud to present the 4th Annual Mint Oys-
Carlos Estévez Tran se ú n t e s January 25 - March 24, 2018 Opening reception with the Artist T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 8 , 2 0 1 8 , 6 - 8 p m
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JAN/FEB 2018 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 35
THE EV EN TIST
Jan/Feb 2018
ter Roast. What started as a one-time event has become an annual tradition on the lawn of the MMR. As with years past, we will have all the oysters and Lowcountry boil you can eat while they last and s’mores for the kid in all of us. Beer, wine, and water included. mintmuseum.org 46TH ANNUAL BOAT SHOW
2/8-11/18 - Charlotte’s annual boat show takes place at the Charlotte Convention Center and is the largest showcase and sale of marine products in the region. There are over thirty marine dealers under one roof for four days only. ncboatshows.com DANCE AND CIRCUS CABARET
2/9/18 - From comedy to thrills, the Carolina Calouche & Co. dancers will entertain you cabaret-style. They have an exciting evening for you filled with aerial acts and tantalizing dance. carolinecalouche.org
LOVE THAT LASTS VALENTINE’S GALA
2/10/18 - This sophisticated evening includes dinner, dancing, and live jazz. Our Relationship Expert will share secrets to a love that lasts. You’ll learn to Step (Urban Ballroom style): It’s a fun and romantic dance. You’ll meet local women and minority-owned small business owners (our wonderful sponsors) in Charlotte that you can choose to do business with. The Building Legacies Movement is more than a theme. They are fundraising for The UP Company’s Student Success Program which helps Charlotte students break the glass ceiling of poverty and achieve academic success. This sophisticated evening includes a red carpet, delicious threecourse dinner, dancing, and live jazz. upretreats.com
cans and African-Americans to American culture and serves as a community epicenter for music, dance, theater, visual art, film, arts education programs, literature, and community outreach. Join in February 11 for their latest contribution, Losing Ground: Black Orpheus starring Marpessa Dawn. ganttcenter.org CHAMBER SINGERS: AMERICAN VOICES
2/11/18 - In honor of the 100th celebration of legendary American composer Leonard Bernstein, the Chamber Singers will perform choruses from The Lark in addition to Copland’s The Promise of Living, among other allAmerican choral works. charlottesymphony.org RIGOLETTO PERFORMANCE #1
LOSING GROUND
2/11/18 - The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture celebrates the contributions of Afri-
2/11/18 - Opera Carolina presents Giuseppe Verdi’s tragic masterpiece Rigoletto Performance #1. This opera is, at its heart, a revenge plan gone
Favorites On View Through March 10
The Gallery Staff Has Chosen Their Personal Favorites An Interestingly Diverse Exhibition
Wolf Kahn, DARK RIVER BEND, 1984, Oil on Canvas, 52 x 52 inches
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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
Jan/Feb 2018
wrong. A curse placed on the Duke of Mantua—a player’s player—and his court jester, Rigoletto, is triggered when Gilda, Rigoletto’s beautiful daughter, falls for the Duke. In the tragic ending, Gilda disguises herself as a young boy to save the Duke’s life. We’ll just leave it at this: Revenge backfires. operacarolina.org ARTBREAK
2/15/18 - ArtBreak tours are free, 30-minute guided tours each third Thursday of the month at Mint Museum Uptown, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and the Gantt Center for AfricanAmerican Arts + Culture. Whether it’s an introductory experience for a firsttime visitor or a deeper cultural experience for those already familiar with Levine Center for the Arts institutions, the 30-minute tours will provide a brief but focused encounter with art with people who have a limited amount of time. mintmuseum.org
MODERNISM + FILM
BECHTLER BY NIGHT
2/16/18 - A city in the nineteenth century was a crowded, dirty, ugly place to be. Having proved his talent at designing buildings, Daniel Burnham broke the mold by dreaming up beautiful and efficient designs for entire cities, contributing to the birth of modern urban planning. There are several cities today that still bear the mark of his plans. This documentary examines his life, including his planning of the gargantuan World Columbian Exhibition in 1893. An event reception with a cashonly bar and free bites begins at 6 p.m. charlottesymphony.org
2/16/18 - Art enthusiasts across the city have made #BechtlerByNight the premiere art event to look forward to the third Friday of every month. Friday, February 16, the Bechtler will provide a night of entertainment with Game Night. Grab your friends and family and crank up those competitive juices, it’s Game Night at Bechtler By Night! Challenge other competitors to Bechtler trivia in the lobby, where you can win great prizes for showing off your trivia knowledge. Don’t forget to show your steady hand with giant Jenga (also in the lobby) and create your own works of art in the style of Bechtler collection artists in the second floor classroom. bechtler.org
BEATBOX +
2/16/18 - Project Trio is breaking down traditional ideas of chamber music. Featured in this concert is Scatter, a concerto written for PROJECT Trio by rising American composer Adam Schoenberg. charlottesymphony.org
SOUL OF THE SOUTH UPTOWN CULINARY TOUR
2/16/18 - The culinary experience and food tour company Feast Food Tours
1235 East Boulevard:Suite A Charlotte, NC 28205 www.storeyhomedesign.com 704-496-9902
38 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • JAN/FEB 2018
THE EV EN TIST
Jan/Feb 2018 connects you to the best chefs, restaurateurs, farmers, and artisans behind Charlotte’s culinary scene via walking food tours, culinary events, and custom excursions. Take a tour through South Uptown and taste all the flavors they have to offer. feastfoodtours.com BOB CANTU: THE BEST OF FLORA OF GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN
2/19/18 - Which plants have medicinal properties? What was the role of Native Americans in teaching us about these properties? What are the erosive and climatic forces shaping evolutionary change in these plants? Why are so many different plant and tree species starting to die out, and what can naturalists, biologists and scientists do to diminish those critical problems? Come find out. mintmuseum.org
2902B Selwyn 28209 | Charlotte, NC 28207 | 704-900-5667 www.tinyclt.com | @tiny4children www.maisonette.com
ASIA IN AMSTERDAM: THE CULTURE OF LUXURY IN THE GOLDEN AGE
2/20/18 - Karina Corrigan, curator of Asian Export Art at the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, will examine the influence of imported Asian porcelain, textiles, lacquer, and other luxury goods on decorative arts produced in seventeenth-century Holland. Her talk derives from a special exhibition of the same title co-organized by the Peabody Essex Museum and the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. mintmuseum.org CSO ON THE GO
2/28/18 - Your Charlotte Symphony believes in delivering exceptional music experiences—not only in the concert hall, but to the whole community. This performance, part of a new three-concert series in south Charlotte, features music of Wagner and Mozart. charlottesymphony.org
Location Sophia’s Lounge
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11415 GRANITE STREET SUITE A CHARLOTTE, NC 28273 704.588.8842
STARKCARPET.COM
Alex Souder reflects our city back at us through his photography.
words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos courtesy ALEX SOUDER
T H E C U LT U R E
43 | Puddles and Skyscrapers 50 | Innovative Works 52 | Nature, Smoke, and Water 56 | Abstract Representation 58 | A Treasure In Myers Park 64 | Just Ride
PU DDL ES A N D SK YSCR A PER S
THE CULTUR E
Exposure
A
Alex Souder’s love of photography started with a love of food. Like many foodies, Souder took pride in his creations, sharing them with his social media following. Unlike many amateur photographers, however, Souder’s love of those early images didn’t fade after a few likes, or when the next meal came along. Through this hobby, he stumbled upon a new passion. Something sparked. “I never thought I had a creatively talented bone in my body until I got into photography,” Souder jokes. “I still can barely even draw a stick figure, but something about photography allows me to creatively explore.” Several years later, after developing his skills and learning the basics of photo editing, Souder created his photography and home goods business,
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“I still can barely even draw a stick figure, but something about photography allows me to creatively explore.”
Alex Souder Self-portrait
THE CULTUR E
Exposure
“I want people to gain the ability to see more than just a building. I want people to be able to see the beauty in what is often seen as mundane.”
Alexander South NC. His photography, which has been featured everywhere from North Carolina to Russia, continues to spread through the city with a little help from his unique home items. While Souder enjoys photographing an eclectic array of subject matter, including wildlife and portraits, it is his work shooting architecture and skylines that has popularized his name. “I tend to get lost in the architecture of certain buildings,” says Souder. “Skyscrapers will always mesmerize me. When I take architectural photos, I want people to gain the ability to see more than just a building. I want people to be able to see the beauty in what is often seen as mundane.” Souder has gone to incredible heights— quite literally—to get the best shots that
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he can, including trudging up fifty or more flights of stairs with a full load of camera equipment, or even hanging out the side of a helicopter. Still, he likes to stay grounded, too, and often finds the perfect shot in something as simple as a rain puddle. Looking to make his photography more accessible, Souder began the elaborate and detailed process of incorporating his popular photos, like his many skyline shots and long-exposure images, onto handmade coasters. Instead of simply printing his images onto the coasters like most, Souder uses a variety of glues and glossy resins to join a four-by-four-inch print to the ceramic coaster. “I noticed that no one was selling quality photo coasters in the Charlotte region,” says Souder of the idea. “I saw an
THE CULTUR E
Exposure
“I tend to get lost in the architecture of certain buildings.”
opportunity to both make some cash for student loans and also do something to help my community.” After moving to Charlotte’s historic Fourth Ward neighborhood, Souder found himself face-to-face with homelessness in our city. Seeing and speaking with people struggling each day to just get by, Souder began researching local organizations aiding the homeless. By partnering with the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte and creating #coastersforacause through his Alexander South NC business, Souder ensures that fifteen percent of every order, along with monthly care packages, helps the non-profit continue its work. His coasters and photography merchandise can be purchased off of his business homepage, and can even be personalized for businesses or gifts.
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Souder’s photographic coverage of Charlotte, as well as his partnerships with local charities, will only continue to grow from here—not unlike his city. As long as Charlotte is evolving, the Charlotte photographer’s work is always unfinished… and Souder’s obsession with the Queen City’s architecture may just get at the purpose of photography itself. “We are blessed with one of the fastest growing and most picturesque skylines in the country,” Souder says. “There is always the thrill of finding that new vantage point…to allow people to see it in a way they never have before.” info alexanderimages.com @alexandersouthnc
THE CULTUR E
Marquee
I N NOVATI V E WOR KS Late January through Mid-February, Charlotteans will get a chance to see contemporary ballet at its best. words SUNNY HUBLER
photo PETER ZAY courtesy CHARLOTTE BALLET
Innovative Works, one of Charlotte Ballet’s most popular performances, showcases contemporary ballet in an intimate setting. The show will run from January 26 through February 17. The 200-seat theater at the Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance provides the perfect venue, bringing the artist and audience together for a truly unique experience. For an added bonus, tickets include a dessert reception with the dancers and artistic staff following the show. Experience new ballets
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by Charlotte Ballet Resident Choreographer Sasha Janes, joined by two newcomers: Myles Thatcher, who has choreographed for New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet; and Robyn Mineko Williams, a former colleague of Charlotte Ballet’s Artistic Director Hope Muir at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and a three-time Princess Grace choreography award winner. info charlotteballet.org
THE CULTUR E
Musings
NAT U R E , SMOK E , A N D WATER NC-Native artist Greg Lindquist gives insight into his art and the issues that motivate him. words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos courtesy GREG LINDQUIST portrait MARTHA TUTTLE
G
Greg Lindquist grew up in Wilmington, NC, where he was exposed to the wonders of camping, hiking, boating, and surfing off Wilmington’s coast. As a result, he quickly developed a love of nature from a young age, and it’s a love he’s embraced in adulthood; just recently, Greg camped through six U.S. national parks. As he grew up, Lindquist found himself captivated by man’s role in harming not only the natural world, but also its own communities. He found inspiration to take that interest into his art after taking an NC State painting seminar
taught by Chandra Cox and Susan Toplikar. “I became obsessed with color mixing and cultural research,” says Lindquist. “I investigated the role of cultural forces in the production of collective expressions of memory, traveling across Europe to experience and investigate Holocaust monuments and memorials.” Using this research, he began his first major project on Brooklyn, New York’s waterfronts. Focusing on the gentrification of the deindustrialized area, his paintings became the first of many to fuse natural and societal issues onto a canvas. That fusion became a consistent thread in Lindquist’s art, a thread that stitched together Lindquist’s largest project to date, Smoke and Water. Smoke and Water, a stunning artistic feat, started as a mural in Raleigh’s Flanders Gallery that then grew into an exhibit that has traveled across North Carolina and has encompassed
“I believe that art can truly facilitate social change, empathy, and influence public consensus.” 52 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • JAN/FEB 2018
THE CULTUR E
Musings FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Touching Water, Arsenic, oil and glass bead on panel Colorful Stacks, Powering Cape Fear Region, 2016 A View of LV Sutton Electric Plant from the Cape Fear River through Cypress, 2016
“Enacting these ideas in cooperation with others in an embodied space generates energy, new ideas, and growth.”
many different communities. The Duke Energy’s Dan River series, a collection of paintings taken from the original mural’s design, acts as the exhibit’s centerpiece and spotlights the trauma and long-lasting consequences that pollution has had on North Carolina. In Wilmington, for example, Smoke and Water appeared with a performance piece called the “Procession of Impacted Voices,” where people from the community shared their stories of mistreatment and illness brought on by the company’s practices. These issues continue to be present in Lindquist’s work, and he hopes that they
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“The paintings I am making now have a thin layer of coal ash in the underpainting— literally, pleasurable and disquieting, toxic and beautiful.”
encourage viewers to ask the same kinds of questions he has come across in his research. “I believe that art can truly facilitate social change, empathy, and influence public consensus,” says Lindquist. “Enacting these ideas in cooperation with others in an embodied space generates energy, new ideas, and growth.” Today he remains focused on his work in NYC, and continues his research on coal power plants, keeping his home state in his thoughts as he does so. Smoke and Water’s iterations can be seen in a community mural in Monroe, NC, and a painting installation in New York. info greglindquist.com
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THE CULTUR E
Exhibited
A BST R ACT R EPR ESEN TATION Hidell Brooks welcomes the work of Jenny Nelson to the Queen City. words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos courtesy HIDELL BROOKS
Located in the historic South End district of Charlotte, Hidell Brooks Gallery prides itself on displaying beautiful contemporary artwork from artists across the country. This January will be no exception. Featuring the works of artist Jenny Nelson, this Hidell Brooks Gallery exhibit will bring us her latest set of paintings, Light Waves. Although Nelson originally trained in classical painting, she always felt an inclination toward abstract representations. Through years of travels, study, and experimentation, Nelson learned to combine her early training with her abstract instincts and create paintings that show her surroundings in a fresh, new way. Using layers of paint and similar shapes, Nelson adds sensory memories to her subjects that bring them to life in an intimate way. Whether it’s interior spaces, landscapes, or even a combination of the two, Nelson’s work evokes a conversation with the viewer that will linger long after they leave the gallery. info hidellbrooks.com
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THE CULTUR E
Crafted LEFT: Beads, Inc. owners and sisters Christine White and Anne Todd
A T R E ASU R E I N M Y ER S PA R K
T
Two sisters bring the art of jewelry-making to Charlotte, and welcome anyone to give it a try. words SUNNY HUBLER photos JAMEY PRICE
There’s a “why” behind every small business, and the answer to that question, for Beads, Inc., is part of the story of a Charlotte family. 2001 may have been the official opening year of their business, but for sisters Christine White and Anne Todd, Beads, Inc. has been a lifelong enterprise. As children, the duo’s mother allowed them unbridled access to anything—from fabrics to paint brushes—that might spark their imaginations. At ages 11 and 12, the sisters visited South Dakota and were captivated by the beads they found at Native American trading posts and museums. They fell in love with the art, and after carving a
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tiny bead store out of the corner of their mother’s interior design showroom, they never looked back. Anne and Christine operate out of a beautifully-preserved 1920s Colonial in Myers Park. Since buying the property, they’ve renovated and preserved much of the original structure, and given it a few clean, modern updates. The place is all hardwood, big, sweeping windows, and sun-drenched rooms—filled, of course, with gems, jewels, leather, wood, baubles, string, twine, and so, so much more. It’s like a two-story treasure chest, and every time you round a corner or look at a display, you see something new.
THE CULTUR E
Crafted
“We are so fortunate that we get to work with inspired, crafty, cheerful people all day, everyday. Once you visit, you get it.”
White and Todd are best friends, a business team, and family. “I’m like the dad of the business, Anne’s like the mom,” Christine says with a laugh. They’ve divided up the duties, so Christine operates as the official owner of Beads, Inc., overseeing the financial side of the business, marketing, public relations, sourcing product, and keeping up vendor relations, while Anne, as acting manager, takes care of the personnel side with schedules, staffing, special events, and more. Drop by Beads just about any day of the week, and you’ll find both on the floor chatting with and assisting customers alongside their full-time employees. After moving to their current location in 2013, the sisters began to grow in earnest, expanding their staff, adding new products, and setting to work giving their customers not only
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great materials, but the expertise and experience to bring out their creativity. Their selections are timeless, stylish, and totally comprehensive—they have chunky and dainty necklaces, silver and gold, layering jewelry, statement pieces, and products for men and women of all ages. There’s a good dose of Southern style, too, as they pay homage to their hometown of Charlotte. “Starting a ‘true’ bead store was so important to [Anne and me]. We are so fortunate that we get to work with inspired, crafty, cheerful people all day, everyday. Once you visit, you get it. We have ready-made beaded and non-beaded jewelry, as well as a very energetic and capable staff to help you carry out any of your visions... even if that means having us do all the stringing,” Christine says with a smile.
THE CULTUR E
Crafted
“We understand that taking on a new hobby or venture can be intimidating, and we try to make it less scary.”
And that’s really at the heart of this business—it’s not “just” beads, rather it’s a jewelry shop that’s dedicated to the process. There are finished pieces but there is also a dizzying array of each little piece that combines to make a wearable product. Sharing that is at the heart of Christine and Anne’s intent: By offering complimentary classes at no cost, clients can learn a new skill that provides them a different layer for something they already love. “It’s amazing how many people don’t think they’re crafty until they discover jewelry-making,” says White. “We un-
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derstand that taking on a new hobby or venture can be intimidating, and we try to make it less scary.” From sales reps looking to treat clients to a unique night out to crafters looking for a new hobby, from dads spending time with their children to daughters re-knotting their mother’s old pearls, Beads, Inc. is more than just a store—it’s a place to get hands-on, to learn, share, and create. And that’s something we can all use a little bit more of. info beadsinc.com
THE CULTUR E
Wellness
J UST R I DE Five questions with Charlotte’s CycleBar founder Lisa Palmer words and interview SARAH GALLO photos JAMEY PRICE Lisa Palmer has always been an avid wellness supporter. Utilizing her passion to help others achieve optimal health, Palmer decided to bring the CycleBar phenomenon to the Queen City. Now, Palmer’s studio offers a wide variety of cycling classes that have us all a little too excited to set our alarms for an early morning workout. How did you get into the industry? What do you think is important about wellness/fitness? I think fitness and wellness are important for everyone to keep up with. For me, it’s
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time for myself and gives me the energy I need to be a good mom, business-owner, family-member, and friend. Since I owned my own training studio back in St. Louis, owning my own studios here in Charlotte came naturally.
Can you tell us about the origin of CycleBar? When my family moved to Charlotte in 2012, I wanted to continue cycling but couldn’t find the right class for me. I knew of the national CycleBar brand and was a big fan of their energy, mission, and leadership, but there was no studio in Charlotte. Playing off my fitness and private training background,
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JAN/FEB 2018 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 65
THE CULTUR E
Wellness
“I think that our strong sense of community is what really resonates with people.” I decided to head down the path of franchising my own CycleBar studio here in the Queen City.
ers, and showers. As cycling is a low-impact, yet high-intensity, exercise people of all ages come to our classes.
Describe what a class is like, and tell us about what types of people come in and use your services.
What is your relationship like with your clients?
The CycleBar classes are a blast. The lights are dimmed, the music is bumping, and our instructors (“CycleStars”) are there to keep you motivated throughout the 50-minute classes. We offer topnotch amenities including fresh fruit, enhanced water, free shoes, towels, lock-
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We love getting to know our clients on a personal level. One of our riders who started with us at the opening of the first studio lost over 20 pounds in her first few months riding with us. It was a huge transformation for her, and she has become an inspiration to herself, our CycleStars, and those on the bikes beside her.
Did you ever think CycleBar would be this successful? Why do you think it resonates with people? I think that our strong sense of community is what really resonates with people. We learn your name from the first time you walk in the studio. We are always available to answer questions, or just to chat—whether you come once a month, or every single day, you are part of the #cyclefam. info cyclebar.com @cyclebar
88 | Cellar’s Mezcal
Charlotte’s latest Kimpton restaurant brings Italian food and drink through a Southern renaissance. words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos JAMEY PRICE
74 | Leaving The Kitchen Behind 80 | Beet Carpaccio 82 | Raw Pizza 84 | BBQ Scallops 86 | Hughes’ Daiquiri
A NGEL I N E’S
69 | Angeline’s
T H E S PR E A D K I M P T O N T R Y O N PA R K ’ S
THE SPR E A D
Tastemaker
Tucked away into the side of the new Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, Angeline’s is only accessible from two entrances: through the hotel, where guests are greeted with a modern, see-through fireplace and the glow of the island bar’s light metal frame; or through the door connecting to West 3rd Street, where a wall of windows let passersby view the open dining area and warm lights. Both entrances allow patrons to experience the same thing: discovery. With its high ceilings, unique hanging light fixtures, and warm wood finishes, stepping into Angeline’s is like stepping into Charlotte’s last hidden culinary trove.
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“Angeline’s main focus is on a more traditional style—classics and variations on classics to fit the modern Italian feel.”
Led by Executive Chef Robert Hoffman, the Italian-inspired restaurant, which features a breakfast, dinner, and dessert menu, takes cues from Southern flavors and cutting-edge culinary techniques. “Understanding the science behind food,” notes Hoffman, “allows you to enhance technique and do some really cool things with it.” Hoffman has been working in kitchens since he was sixteen, and he’s now worked with Kimpton Hotels for several years. To create the Angeline’s menu, he drew upon both Northern Italy and local ingredients. As with most
THE SPR E A D
Tastemaker
“Understanding the science behind food allows you to enhance
technique and do some really cool things with it.” Italian establishments, the restaurant pays special attention to its pastas, but has also created a robust pizza program and several signature seafood dishes. “Our mussels are probably my favorite dish,” admits Hoffman —and for good reason. Heaped on top of perfectly cooked fregola pasta and draped with Arrabiata sauce, the tender mussels pack a ton of flavor within each bite while still ensuring that the seafood remains the star of the show. As with the rest of the menu, the main ingredients are given center stage, allowing the other elements to do the support work they were meant to do. Complementing Angeline’s food menu, lead mixologist Henry Schmulling has also taken cues from Italy, and has created a classic drink menu to match its classic cuisine. “Angeline’s main focus is certainly on a more traditional style of cocktail—classics and variations on classics to fit the modern Italian feel,” Schmulling says.
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By highlighting Italian liquors like Amaro, Schmulling brings “underappreciated and underutilized” ingredients to the foreground, creating combinations that won’t be found at other bars. Some of the bar’s lighter cocktails are already turning into local favorites, like their Cold Storage, made with vodka, Cointreau, Cinzano Bianco, and lemon. Stronger spirits are highlighted, as well, like the Bulleit Bourbon the team uses for their Torino Manhattan. Blending North Carolina’s local ingredients with Italian flavors and techniques, Angeline’s food and drink are a perfect pairing, and while the welcoming atmosphere may draw guests inside, it’s these inspired menus that will make them stay for more. info angelinescharlotte.com @angelinescharlotte
THE SPR E A D
Artisanal
L E AV I NG T H E K ITCH EN BEH I N D Jamie Swofford shows us learning about food starts first on the farm. words SUNNY HUBLER photos PETER TAYLOR Leaving behind a career as a chef in some of Charlotte’s most popular restaurants may sound risky at best. But doing so to instead run your own farm? That’s a real leap of faith—and one that Jamie Swofford, fondly known as “the chef’s farmer,” took with abandon. To be certain, farming isn’t an easy choice for a lifestyle. He is up at 4:30 a.m. every day, has minimal help, leaves his livelihood wholly up to the rain and the crop conditions, and covers everything for his business from the accounting to the delivery.
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“I grow great ingredients because it makes sense.”
But for Jamie, it’s all about the food. Stepping outside of the culinary spotlight—from his former gigs at Mimosa Grill, Upstream, and Zink—allowed him to pursue a new path that actually brought him closer to fulfilling his mission: He didn’t become a farmer because it was “trendy and cool,” rather he wanted to be connected to his ingredients and to learn firsthand about what we eat. Jamie always wanted to be a chef. He grew up eating typical Southern fare cultivated from his own backyard and the positive experiences food
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THE SPR E A D
Artisanal
“I don’t know how to run a farm, but I know how to run a kitchen, and that’s how I run my business.”
afforded—from church lunches to family reunions and family suppers—captivated him. But by the time twenty years in the kitchen passed him by, Jamie felt he wasn’t as in touch with the ingredients as he’d longed to be, and he had grown tired of “[seeing] boxes of food come through the doors and not knowing where they came from.” So Jamie left and decided to head straight to the source. He moved back to his family’s farm and started growing ingredients for high-end, chef-owned restaurants. Today, he sells his lovingly harvested goods to about 20 to 25 of the people who work in the same industry he’s felt so connected to: Piedmontarea chefs.
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“I feel like I work with the same intensity still. I don’t know how to run a farm, but I know how to run a kitchen, and so that’s how I run my business. Just like hospitality, it’s about feeding people, educating them, and making people happy,” Jamie explains. One of the major goals Swofford has pursued is to work his land in a way that’s environmentally sustainable, leaving the smallest possible footprint. Planting greens and petite garnish-type greens are one of his most popular sells, but he also provides plenty of other greens, root vegetables, and edible flowers. All the crops are chef-ready and high-quality, with direct oversight from Swofford every single day, through
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THE SPR E A D
Artisanal
“I touch everything every day. I observe what goes on in the field, at all the various stages of growth. If the quality is not there, I don’t sell it.” every stage that happens on the fields. If it’s not perfect? Swofford won’t sell it. “I grow great ingredients because it makes sense,” he says. “To grow food locally means that I create the smallest footprint from field to plate, which means that the food…will be the best quality.” Jamie is effusive about one of his favorite parts of his new role: watching the transformation from the ingredients he drops off into a beautiful culinary creation.
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Although you won’t be seeing Jamie holed up in a restaurant kitchen anymore, you will see his high-quality, fresh ingredients gracing menus in beloved restaurants all over Charlotte. The restaurants who buy the local goods are doing something more than just supporting farming—they are, Jamie tells us, actually serving a true taste of place. info thechefsfarmer.com @thechefsfarmer
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THE SPR E A D
Plated
FIG TREE’S
BEET CA R PACCIO by SUNNY HUBLER photo JAMEY PRICE
There’s a couple things I like best about this dish, and it starts with the name. When our decidedly vegetarian writer came back from a Fig Tree visit espousing the goodness of the beet carpaccio she had eaten, I, of course, heard “beef” and did a double-take. But naturally, this dish is all root veggie and no land animal. With a mixture of red and gold perfectly-procured beets, the dish is dressed with a cucumber-orange
agrodolce, flavorful dill pesto, creamy goat cheese, and a perfectly tart elderflower vinaigrette. The result is a restaurant salad elevated way beyond what you expect from a starter plate. Like most things Chef Greg Zanitsch does, the beet carpaccio is memorably delicious and surprisingly unique. info charlottefigtree.com
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THE SPR E A D
Plated
LIVING KITCHEN’S
R AW PIZZA
words SUNNY HUBLER photo courtesy LIVING KITCHEN To be honest, a “healthy pizza” isn’t always exactly what you’re craving when you think about that saucy, cheese-covered, crossculturally beloved pie. But Living Kitchen did what they do best with this new menu item: Take familiar flavor combinations and turn them into something so delightfully refreshing, light, and inventive that you don’t feel like you’re eating a “mock” version of anything. Rather, their mushroom and broccoli pizza is entirely original. The crust is pressed
from raw buckwheat, sunflower seed, and flax seed and then topped with a housemade cashew ricotta “cheese” (it works, trust us). The veggies are Thai-marinated broccoli and oyster mushrooms that have been sprinkled lightly with a Brazil nut parmesan. It’s vegan, raw, and organic like everything Living Kitchen serves up, but first and foremost, it’s darn good. info livingkitchen.com
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Brunch
ASBU RY ’S
BBQ SCA L LOPS words CHANAHRA FLETCHER photo JAMEY PRICE
The name of the entrée alone is enough to make an eyebrow arch in incredulity. But we’re here to tell you that yes—this dish exists, and yes—it’s as complexly delicious as it sounds. But making it is also as demanding as it sounds: Chef Matthew Krenz at The Asbury devotes over two hours of attention to combining the makeup of fine cuisine with the savory Southern flavors of our Queen City. The braised baby octopus is perfected by dousing it in red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, red wine, followed by a peppering of bay leaf, thyme, and peppercorn seasonings. After a stint in the oven,
it’s sprinkled with Red Rocks BBQ Spice for its final stage of preparation on the grill. The BBQ scallops are marinated in Red Rocks for up to 30 minutes before being grilled and placed beside the finished octopus. With the final addition of hickory-embered summer vegetables to this plate’s already diverse offerings, the BBQ Scallops + Octopus dish at the Asbury restaurant serves up a taste of the high life, while reminding customers of its authentically Southern roots. info theasbury.com
BAR R I N GTON’ S ~
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Est. Est.
2014
2000
Est.
2009
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Poured
COLLEEN HUGHES’
DA IQU I R I
words COREY MILLER photo JAMEY PRICE Zacapa 23, like most of our favorite rums, is a dark liquor. But dark liquors generally don’t make for pretty springy drinks. Still, when Haberdish’s Colleen Hughes, ever the visionary, set out to make us an experiment—the prettiest, springiest daiquiri possible—she was set on the Zacapa. So she spent 48 hours clarifying the rum with milk, sugar, and lime to create a pale, sweet rum that’s almost a cordial. “Clarifying anything with rum gives your drink a creamy richness,” Colleen explains, “and that’s exactly what I was looking for.” But that’s just the base. She joins the rum with Peychaud’s bitters and her favorite prickly pear liqueur, Don Ciccio & Fi-
gli’s Fico d’India, for a complex smattering of flavors. With a fruity sweetness and silky smoothness, the drink is founded in the flavor profile of a Hemingway-style daiquiri with all the whey-y richness of your favorite creamy libations. NOTE: Colleen made this cocktail as a little experiment for us, so you can’t order it, exactly, at Haberdish. The menu does offer the Endless Summer Daiquiri, though, a variation that uses Muddy Rivers coconut rum. It’s very much in the spirit of this one, just without the demanding two-day clarification process. info haberdish.com
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Poured
THE CELLAR AT DUC K WORT H ’S
BL ACK BER RY M EZCA L words COREY MILLER
photo KYO H. NAM
It hits the nose first. In their Blackberry Mezcal, The Cellar barkeeps balance the tartness of blackberry and lime with some sugar and a splash of soda… but there’s no balancing the head-turning smokiness that gives the drink its base. Lunazul Primero—a smooth, smooth tequila that’s aged in American white oak barrels for 18 months—and Del Maguey mezcal take the place of the usual helping of vodka. The ginger stays, of course; no mule is a mule without it. A copper-bound blend of a little bit of tart with a whole lot of smoke, this one’s for the mezcal lovers for sure. It’s not your standard mule by any means, but it’s damn sure got a kick. info thecellaratduckworths.com
Photo by Kyo Nam
oysters. Uptown.
12+
varieties
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JAN/FEB 2018 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 89
The English Room’s Holly Hollingsworth Phillips brings Charlotte interiors alive.
O F C O L O R photos KYO H.NAM
“I think people crave color.” -Holly Hollingsworth Phillips
T H E F OL IO
by SUNNY HUBLER
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L A Y E R S
THE FOLIO
Foundations
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When Holly Hollingsworth Phillips made color her design signature, she really committed. One step inside her Myers Park office, The English Room, and you’re met with purples, pinks, blues, metallics, patterns, textures… it’s brilliantly decked out, and seamlessly aligned, a true statement piece and a testament to Holly’s best work. She has dedicated her work to elevating interiors with her signature layering: “It is the mix that creates the magic— nothing is more boring to me than a room full of all new upholstery, furniture, lighting, and art. Vintage and antiques give a room life and history.” The colorful office is the apparent part—what meets the eye next is the complexity that went into realizing this whole thing. The English Room is a full-service interior design firm, owned by Holly and her mother Nancy. The design studio is upstairs and the public retail space downstairs. Holly herself is bright and vivacious, with a myriad of interests and pursuits. She has a degree in Art History and a degree in Interior Design, and in addition to designing, runs a popular blog and remains involved in the Charlotte community. Holly took a minute aside from client consultations, design brainstorming sessions, and installations to let us pick her brain, from the start of her interest in design to the start of The English Room, and everything in between.
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“Good design should be timeless. It is a mix of classic pieces from many eras and should represent your personal style.”
THE FOLIO
Foundations Where are you from originally, and how did you end up in Charlotte? I was born and raised in Charlotte. My parents still live in the home they built in Eastover in 1964. I attended CCDS for 13 years, moved away for college and moved back 10 years later after a few adventures in London, New York, and Atlanta. You’ve been immersed in the design world from an early age, right?
H
I wanted to be an architect of crazy modern architecture. Growing up in a traditionaI Williamsburg colonial house, I craved a touch of contemporary but I have a huge appreciation for the modern greats: A modern piece juxtaposed against a beautiful brown antique can make it come alive. I have been around antiques, art, architecture and interior
“Having done some of the most laborious chores on the backside of this business gave me a great education and respect for all of those who work in this industry.” design as daily conversation my entire life. My mother schemed rooms from our family room closet/sample room as I did homework, and that was always more interesting to me than algebra and geometry which, ironically, it turns out you need for interior design space planning and fabric calculation. How did you learn the ropes in the design field? It was a natural progression from a summer internship at an ADAC showroom to a “real job” staring at the bottom of the ladder. Having done some of the most laborious chores on the backside of this business gave me a great education and respect for all of those who work in this industry. I have worked in the sample room, showroom sales, antique sales and a retail space in Atlanta all before returning for The English Room.
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LAUREN NICOLE DESIGNS
877-583-0355 | LAURENNICOLEINC.COM Award Winning Interior Design Services
THE FOLIO
Foundations
What made you decide to actually join The English Room? Atlanta is very saturated with designers, many that are wonderful. When my husband finished business school, we decided it was a good time to try something new. My business was immediately successful as I filled a niche as a younger designer in Charlotte. I helped many friends and young professionals. I became a natural choice for my mother’s clients children, too. Charlotte is a thriving economy with bankers, industry executives, and creatives too. Southerners like their homes to be decorated and like to entertain. Are there any particular styles or items that you see the residents of Charlotte gravitating toward? Charlotte certainly can follow design trends—beige on beige on beige was a trend—but I do think people crave color. Good design should be timeless. It is a mix of classic pieces from many eras and it should represent your personal style and aesthetic, not just that of the designer. Do you oversee every design project, or does your team have some autonomy in that regard? I do 100% of the creative and sourcing for each and every project. My team helps implement and bring my vision to life. I am a disorganized mess, but I am so grateful for the team that makes the magic happen. You have two kids. Do you see The English Room continuing to be a family business down the line? That is up to my children. My eldest daughter is insanely creative and very driven, but the direction has yet to be decided. I certainly would love to have them join me but I know they need to spread their wings before they can return to the nest!
info theenglishroom.biz @theenglishroom
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I
“I craved a touch of contemporary, but I have a huge appreciation for the modern greats: A modern piece juxtaposed against a beautiful brown antique can make it come alive.”
COCOCO C RE ATI V IT Y EN CO U R A G ED
CO M M ERC I A L A N D R E S I D ENTI A L S H I P P I N G W O RLDW I D E
19725 Oak Street #5 | Cornelius, NC | 704-892-6680 | support@COCOCOHome.com | COCOCOHOME.COM
THE FOLIO
Statement
WA L K E R Z A N G E R ’ S
SEQUOI A The simplicity of this collection shines. words SARAH GALLO photo courtesy WALKER ZANGER as one of the most luxurious stone and tile brands of today’s market, Walker Zanger has been bringing top-quality products to Charlotte from across the globe. The family business’ focus on relationships is one of many attributes that helps the company thrive in the artful world of tiles. The renowned tile brand’s sleek Sequoia collection blends upscale elements with a classically modern color palette, and the result is astounding. The flooring immediately catches
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the eye, as grey, taupe, and cream tones effortlessly marble together—made possible by advanced glazing technology and surface treatment. Against the subtle cream-colored walls lies yet another tile gem: a shimmering mosaic ensemble that further brings the space to life. The finished look is a clean, polished one that’s bound to make a first impression. info walkerzanger.com
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A COZY KITCH EN,
U PDATED
words SUNNY HUBLER photo DUSTIN PECK Charlotte-based interior designer Donna Livingston is known for the fresh look, clean lines and classic style she brings to her interiors. This Maryland Avenue kitchen update resulted in a warm and inviting space that can enrich the clients’ lives. The project called for a complete redesign of the outdated kitchen, breakfast room, and nook. Donna brought new modern finishes of warm white cabinetry, creamy marble, and butcher block counter tops, paired alongside the stainless steel appliances. By using soft
tonal fabrics, a neutral wall color, and canvas art, she was able to seamlessly transform the space. The addition of the breakfast room’s cozy built-in window bench, with storage below and an inviting new wet bar, maximizes every inch of space. Donna tells us that the grasscloth here was mounted vertically to create a unique look and feel while also eliminating seams that would otherwise have competed with the custom floating shelves. info dlivingstondesign.com
DETAILS: Grasscloth by Phillip Jeffries | Bar Stools by Charles Stewart Company | Custom bench cushion and pillows by DLI
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Happy1 Ne2w Ye2ar3!
Heats 1,100 to 2,800 sq. feet based on climate & home efficiency EPA Certified Recommended 20” Log Easy Startup
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED
TheHearthandPatio.com 4332 Monroe Rd., Charlotte, NC 28205 704-332-4139
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A SI M PL E , SOPH ISTICATED
M AST ER BEDROOM words SUNNY HUBLER photo MICHAEL BLEVINS With decades of architectural and design experience behind him, Greg Perry, of Greg Perry Design, elevated this Foxcroft home by giving it a modern aesthetic and inventive floor plan. The overall design goal was to create a simple but sophisticated residence, incorporating high-quality materials and textures. Multiple floor-to-ceiling windows, custom metal doors, clean lines, and a monochromatic color pattern complete the look.
The clean, artful master bedroom was designed as a private suite with its 11-foot ceilings. The full window walls in the bedroom and bath maximizing views to the pool. Design features of a wood shiplap bed wall and hidden doors to the bath and dressing room, and built-in shelving complete the space. info gregperrydesign.com
DETAILS: Built by Ted Thompson | Flooring by Francois & Co.
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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
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A N EDGY TA K E ON A
GAT H ER I NG SPACE words SUNNY HUBLER photo CHRISTINA HUSSEY Meredith Beregovski launched Georgia Street Design in 2010 with a simple mission: to create spaces that can truly reflect who her clients are and how they want to live. This take on a dining area is the perfect example of how Meredith manages that. The home, in Winston-Salem, belongs to a young family of four, with two children under the age of three. “My client wanted to go out of her comfort zone and do something a little edgy, but wanted to keep it family-friendly and comfortable,” Meredith explains. She used one of her very favorite design elements—statement lighting—to tie the space together. The vision was clear for the dining area—both Meredith and the clients wanted to go bold.
“My client was nervous to put such saturated color and pattern in one space but trusted me to create a room that had that ‘wow’ factor,” she shares. “Dining rooms are one of my favorite rooms to design because, generally speaking, my clients want to have fun with the design and want to be adventurous.” With the dramatic lighting, clean wood floors, and the pops of bright color, the dining area achieved just that. But with its comfortable seating and round table, it remains a usable, welcoming space for anyone to gather.
info georgiastreetdesign.com
DETAILS: Wallpaper and drapery fabric by Schumacher | Paint by Sherwin Williams | Mirror by Restoration Hardware
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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
JAN/FEB 2018 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 105
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T H E ESSEN TI A LS words XENIA FONG photo MEKENZIE LOLI In this day and age, it’s more vital than ever to disconnect from the television and focus instead on the people in front of you. Designer Beth Keim of Lucy and Company has brought the focal point in her living room back to what’s truly important—friends and family. Straying away from the typical sofa, two chairs, and television set, she puts in four conversation chairs instead to create a space where grown ups can chat without the distraction of technology. Beth calls the ambiance of the neutral-hued room “grown-up lounge,” where a stunning geometric bookshelf by West Coast vendor, Noir, acts as the main attraction.
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“It’s mixing that traditional with the contemporary. It’s got a very modern shape to it, the material is a bleached wood, which [brings] the formalness of the whole room down a notch.” The carpet, by Stark, ties the room together. When it comes to buying rugs, Beth gives her clients a tip: “Don’t go skimpy on your rug, make it big. We ordered carpet and had it cut and bound to fit the room, that’s a good way to get something really nice and big without ordering a giant rug that is not going to fit.” With a room as sophisticated and fresh as this living area, you’ll forget all about your TV! info lucyandcompany.com
DONNALIVINGSTONINTERIORS.COM
Consigned Finds for the Home
ViSit uS oNLiNe at www.CLaSSiCattiC.Biz Park Road Shopping Center Back Lot 4301-C Park Road Charlotte, North Carolina
704-521-3750
Mon.-Fri. 10am to 6pm | Sat. 10am to 4pm
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A CAST L E I N E ASTOV ER In this Grandfather Homes custom house-on-the-hill, fairytale visuals meet contemporary sensibilities. words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos MICHAEL BLEVINS
G
“Grandfather homes strives to forecast and build dream homes,” says Grandfather Homes’ Matt Ewers. “There is always a vision: Who will be living in the home? What is their lifestyle and personality? What does their family need and want?” With a naturally sloping yard and an expansive property, this home looks as if it was pulled from the pages of a modern fairytale to rest on an Eastover hilltop. Working with renowned architectural designer Greg Perry, Grandfather Homes president Matt Ewers had the vision to create a space that fit with the sophistication of Eastover while also standing apart with its own unique architecture.
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Inspired by the French Renaissance, the home melds timeless elements, such as high ceilings and tall chimneys, with modern designs, such as a smooth, white exterior and casement windows. A blanket of green grass leads up to the home’s neat brick steps, which are lined with just enough small trees and shrubbery to be reminiscent of a budding forest winding its way to the story’s grand castle. Completing the bold exterior is the tower turret, a tall entrance that acts as both a corner and centerpiece of the house. Everything, from exposed brick steps to the single copper lantern hanging above the door, works to bring your eye to this turret, and in doing so,
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it anchors the home onto the hilltop, where it becomes a natural extension of the property—as if it were here all along. The home’s circular foyer, created by the corner turret, opens the space up and acts as a gateway room for the stately French accents to fade into the colorful modern décor—but not without a little work. “Off of the foyer are two hidden doors,” notes Ewers, “a coat closet mirroring a powder bath. These doors are only distinguishable by inconspicuous door handles so look closely or you might miss it.” Heading past these hidden entries leads to several spacious groundfloor rooms, the most accessible being the living room. Designed by both Tammy Coulter Design and the current homeowner, the living room is complete with dark hardwood floors to contrast the light furniture and pops of color found above the mantle and around the room.
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“Grandfather strives to forecast and build dream homes. There is always a vision.” The kitchen continues this contrast, bringing in gray marble countertops, white cabinets, and copper, geometricshaped light fixtures, all accented by the room’s natural light. The dining room takes an opposite approach, and embraces the darker palette by making a solid, dark table the centerpiece of the room. The zebra print chairs add a bit of white to the room while balancing the two aesthetics with their bright red frames. “Homeowners in Eastover value entertaining space. The homeowner
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elected to extend the outdoor living space. The expansion created enough room for a 10-person dining area, spa, pool, grill station, garden, and lounge.” The home is perfectly designed for the homeowner who needs space for rest and relaxation, and wants an environ-
ment made for entertaining guests. And really, what better entertainment space is there than a modern castle?
info grandfatherhomes.com @grandfather_homes
W EN T WORT H
Escape the cold and head to the Holy City’s Wentworth Mansion for world-class amenities and some southern hospitality. words CHANAHRA FLETCHER photos courtesy THE WENTWORTH MANSION
126 | Public Service 132 | Ski The South 122 | Pisgah’s Hidden Gem 116 | Winter At The Wentworth
W I NTER AT TH E
T H E E X PL OR E D
wwww wwww wwww wwww wwww wwww wwww wwww wwww
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Weekender
A luxuriously decorated room, a mild sea-salted breeze coming in through open windows, and the calming sights of a charming city from your hotel room... You can experience all of this and more at Charleston’s Wentworth Mansion. Constructed in 1886, The Wentworth Mansion offers a oneof-a-kind historic boutique hotel experience to Charleston visitors. The Tiffany-stained glass windows, hand-carved marble fireplaces, intricate woodwork, and custom crystal chandeliers contribute to the beauty, prestige and vibrancy of the hotel’s interiors, while the many amenities that the hotel offers ensure that the only thing on each guest’s mind is... nothing at all.
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Each morning, a full complimentary breakfast is presented for each guest to enjoy, and access to drinks, afternoon wine, and hors d'oeuvres in the Mansion’s lobby is offered throughout the day and into the evening. If spirits and hors d’oeuvres aren’t enough to satisfy you, the Wentworth Mansion’s restaurant, aptly named Circa 1886, will surely be. Inspired by classic Southern dishes, Circa 1886 creates and maintains the fresh, bold flavors of Southern cuisines while offering healthy ingredients that make each meal worthwhile. Their seasonal menus, which include dishes such as Piedmontese Beef, Coconut Crab Cakes, and Chicken Fried Salmon, combined with the vintage atmosphere of
liveascentuptown.com • #uptownstunner
THE EXPLOR ED
Weekender the Wentworth Mansion’s remodeled carriage house is sure to transport each guest back in time. Located in Charleston’s charming downtown area, the Wentworth Mansion offers exceptional access to the many shops, eateries, and sights that Charleston has to offer. If you’re looking for great food in close proximities, Husk and Ted’s Butcherblock are both less than a ten minute driving distance from the Wentworth Mansion. Try the wagyu beef panini at Ted’s Butcherblock, and the confit duck leg with glazed pole beans and turnips at Husk. To experience the beauty of historic Charleston, embark on an Old South carriage ride around the city, or tour the city’s many historical sites to hear the local legends, history, and lore. Following the carriage ride or site tour, set sail on the Schooner Pride boat to witness the glorious sunset on a South Carolina sea. After you dock, take a walk on the moonlit sands of any one of Charleston’s five beaches; on your way back to the Wentworth, make sure to stop by the many antique King Street shops, boutiques, and avenues for nightlife. The Wentworth Mansion is one of Charleston’s many historical gems. The hotel’s dedication to guest service and satisfaction, distinguished and luxurious decor, and proximity to the best shops, restaurants, and sites in Charleston combine to make it the perfect getaway for anyone looking to travel, vacation, or just relax. info wentworthmansion.com
A R E A L LY G O O D REASON T0 TRY
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THE EXPLOR ED
Carolina Towns
PISGA H’S
H I DDEN GE M words CHANAHRA FLETCHER
Amazing views, challenging hikes, incredible fisheries, and an abundance of spectacular waterfalls make Brevard, North Carolina an outdoor enthusiast’s dream town.
photo JAMEY PRICE
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Picture this: the slow rustle of leaves as the wind finds the trees along a trail, the vast expanse of peaks sloping into valleys stretched out before you like the strokes of a painter’s mountain landscape, the spray of water on your skin as a waterfall cascades down and flows into a beautiful calm pool below. What was just described is something like the setting of a storybook fantasy, yes, but it is also the reality you’ll come across in Brevard, North Carolina. Nestled into the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Transylvania County, Brevard offers its guests the opportunity to escape into nature. When the opportunities to explore are so vast, where do you begin? If you wish to experience all of the gems of Brevard’s nature in one place, Pisgah National Forest is the one-stop-shop you’re looking for. Comprised of over 500,000 acres— and once a part of the prestigious Biltmore Estate—Pisgah National Forest is home to rushing rivers, an intricate system of trails, and a vast array of waterfalls. Hike up the hills or cycle down the curves of Pisgah’s mountainous landscape, and all the while enjoy the scenic views that nature has to offer. If you’re one for adventure, Pisgah National Forest offers opportunities to rock climb, zip-line, and raft. Join the ranks of professional climbers up Looking Glass Rock’s 4,000-foot climb, or feel the rush of adrenaline as you race down the third oldest river in the world, the French Broad. For a more relaxing experience, the calm, shallow waters of the Davidson River allow visitors to lazily tube between its banks, kayak around its corners, and canoe around its bends. These two rivers also boast a variety of marine life, such as largemouth bass, brown, brook, and rainbow trout, and catfish. Swim among them, or relax with the catch-and-release fly-fishing that attracts so many to the area. Around the water, enjoy the scene of other families picnicking, fishing, and
THE EXPLOR ED
Carolina Towns
A stunning sunset on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Brevard, NC. 60-foot tall Looking Glass Falls by Jamey Price. Dupont State Park’s Triple Falls.
even horseback riding along the river’s banks. If you wish to swim around different scenery, Pisgah National Forest also houses a number of impressive waterfalls to swim in or relax by. Splash around the water of Looking Glass Falls as its 60-foot waterfall cascades down around you, or use nature’s own water-slide at Sliding Rock to slip down the waterfall into the pool of water below. Finally, after a long day of picnicking along the river’s shores, riding horses along Pisgah’s guided horseback trails, or backpacking up and across the landscapes of the forest, if your need to experience nature isn’t satisfied, Pisgah National Forest also af-
fords visitors with the opportunity to camp on the grounds overnight, and enjoy the quiet sounds of nature and the clear view of stars that only these types of heights allow. For those who love to look at nature, but not necessarily become one with it, the Pisgah Forest’s surrounding businesses provide vacation rental homes that place you in the middle of nature’s scenic views, but provide the comforts of four walls. For more waterfall action, Dupont State Forest, just a short thirty minutes drive from Pisgah and Brevard, offers hikers amazing vantage points to view four impressive falls including Hooker, Triple, Bridal Veil, and High Falls, a 125-foot spectacle.
info brevardnc.com
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11/28/17 11/12/17
Ryder Reser ve Br iefcase
River ton Br iefca se
Ma t thews, NC
THE EXPLOR ED
Departures
PU BL IC SERV ICE NOLA’s latest luxury hotel continues an age-old tradition of serving the people. words COREY MILLER
N
New Orleans is a melting pot—an analogy used often and everywhere, but one that seems most apt in describing a coalescence of cultures and peoples quite unlike any other in the country. At the same time, somehow, New Orleans is contrarily a mosaic. The architecture is French and Spanish and English, but it’s all New Orleanian. The city serves up a smorgasbord of flavors from all over the damn planet, but it’s all one cuisine. Hip post-Katrina eateries run by an exploding young population command street corners opposite white-cloth restaurants that have served the city for decades: Locals will tell you Creole food has never seen better days, and your own senses will tell you something similar. Strolling these vibrant streets are some of the most interesting, headturning people you’re likely to see in the United States, and yet… on these streets alone, they fit right in. It’s home to every kind of person imaginable and yet home to one people.
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photos courtesy NOPSI
THE EXPLOR ED
Departures
A weekend in NOLA Your guide to eating, drinking, and sightseeing in the Big Easy
Friday Dine at Public Service. This hotel restaurant isn’t just a hotel restaurant. The first of many offbeat whiskey drinks will make that clear immediately. Chef Dustin Brien prepares contemporary cuisine that honors the Gulf’s fishermen and farmers in an open-kitchen format, and the various New Southern bites and Creole callbacks are among the tastiest options in the Central Business District. Trust me—get the redfish. The conclusion of night one is up to you. There are bars aplenty, but Saturday is sure to be a doozy. Whatever you do, just be sure to grab some beignets and au laits at Cafe Du Monde before you return to the fluffy pillow heaven that is your NOPSI bed.
Years ago, all these people, from every walk of life, had to turn up at one place regularly: New Orleans Public Service Incorporated, a Central Business District mainstay affectionately known to those who grew up with it as “NOPSI.” Everyone of a certain age recalls monthly visits to the 1920s-era building: For decades, the company headquartered here supplied electricity, natural gas, and transportation for the entire New Orleans metropolitan area. Today, the NOPSI building is decidedly more hospitable, but no less iconic: It’s recently been repurposed as a 217-room hotel with 76 suites. The city’s first luxury hotel in a generation, NOPSI Hotel thankfully preserves much of the character of the original building: The lobby, with its stone terrazzo floors and vaulted ceiling grandeur, looks like it did a century ago—the hotel
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Saturday Explore the French Quarter. Yes, it’s where every tourist in the city seems to congregate, but there’s plenty enough room for all. Dip in and out of shops, linger in the coffeehouses, and be sure to see the Mississippi. Lunch at Galatorie’s is a must. A mainstay in NOLA for a century, this white-cloth restaurant is, well, a hell of a lot more than the subdued fine dining experience you may expect. Midday at Galatorie’s is a party, and everyone’s invited. Start with the potatoes
THE EXPLOR ED
Departures
A weekend in NOLA Your guide to eating, drinking, and sightseeing in the Big Easy Cont. from p. 132 au gratin and end with the crabmeat...au gratin. Why not? You’re in New Orleans. Don’t worry: If you have one too many sazeracs, and you start toasting to everything and nothing… the whole dining room will likely join in. When lunch is over, give Bourbon Street some of your time, but focus your efforts on the new home of music. Nowadays, Frenchman Street is New Orleans. Attend any spontaneous street corner jazz concerts you can, and drink on the streets because it’s legal here. Heading back toward NOPSI, cap off your night at LaFitte’s Blacksmith Shop, the alleged oldest structure to be used as a bar in the country.
Sunday
designers actually excavated much of the ornate molding from the building’s cellar and restored it. The guest rooms, on the other hand, stand as a complete reinvention of a once corporate space. Custom-made furniture fills accommodations designed with the building’s industrial history in mind, and the most luxurious tiled bathrooms in the city round out the experience. With a pool and bar livening up the rooftop, a restaurant where both travelers and locals congregate, and interiors designed to make you linger, it’s an altogether different place… but NOPSI is still in the business of public service. At this boutique hotel, exceptional hospitality is far from an afterthought: It’s the whole lightbulb-powered idea. info nopsihotel.com
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Brunch at Commander’s Palace. Come hungry— this place didn’t win six James Beard awards by withholding the good stuff. Try whatever the servers recommend, which will undoubtedly include their (truly) world famous turtle soup to start. It’s one of the most savory dishes you’ll find in The Big Easy—and that’s saying a lot. Finish with a doppio espresso. You’ll need it if you’re planning to function after this meal. If you have time (and even the slightest interest in history and architecture), explore Lafayette Cemetery across the street before getting lost in the antique splendor of the garden district.
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
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Adventuring
LEFT: Sugar Mountain Resort | RIGHT: Appalachian Ski Mountain
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SK I T H E SOU T H
Witness what makes the Boone area the South’s best ski getaway. words LIZA CARRASQUILLO The phrase “skiing in the South” might cause some to raise their eyebrows, but for residents and visitors to Boone, NC, it’s actually the perfect place to do just that. For years, the Boone area has taken advantage of its year-round accessible mountains and the cold winter climate to bring North Carolina the best ski and snowboarding experience the South has to offer. Skip the tired trip up north and enjoy a winter getaway at one of the Boone area’s amazing mountain resorts. For those planning on taking it easy on the slopes with the family, Appalachian Ski Mountain Resort is a perfect fit. Known by locals as a great range for beginners or young children, ASM offers affordable lessons and beautiful housing in their package deals. The small mountain allows for quicker snow coverage, allowing guests to get on the slopes a few weeks sooner than the other areas. Because of its close proximity to the town, ASM offers hundreds of dining options within a ten-mile radius, including quick bites and gourmet restaurants. Enjoy ASM’s mountain restaurant or head into town for some award-winning Italian cuisine at Amalfi’s Italian Restaurant. Looking to just spend a day in the snow? The Boone Area also includes the East Coast’s largest snow tubing park, Hawksnest.
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For those willing to test out the highest elevation in the Southeast, head to the Beech Mountain Resort’s 5506’ Skybar, where guests can relax with signature food and drink, and take in a breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Further down the mountain, skiers can slip inside Beech Mountain Brewing Co. and sample the brewery’s signature drafts. For a day off the slopes, relax in Alpine Village’s Beech Tree Bar and Grill or pick up some skates and glide on their full-sized ice rink. Founded in 1967, this year marks the resort’s 50th anniversary, so take advantage of their anniversary specials and celebrate this memorable milestone with the whole Beech Mountain family. With challenging runs and a reputation for quick snow coverage, the Sugar Mountain resort is perfect for skiers willing to test their limits and learn new tricks at their renowned ski school. Feel the thrill of the region's only Double Black Diamond ski course and soar down Sugar Mountain’s slopes. Experience the High Country’s winter wonderland and find a perfect vacation retreat in the ski capital of the South. info exploreboone.com
F R ESH L IST Cultivating a better food system for the farmer, the chef, and, well, everyone else who eats food. words COREY MILLER Years ago, in the heat of the unforgiving summers outside of St. Louis, Jesse Leadbetter didn’t particularly enjoy working on his grandparents’ farm. Like many of us who grew up shirking our chores at every opportunity, he dreaded the work that farming presented, even on the smallest of scales: snapping beans, shucking corn, canning tomatoes—these things kept him from more important kid activities. Fast-forward several years: Jesse has moved halfway across the country, but not to escape working the land.
photos JAMEY PRICE Together with his childhood-friends-turned-business-partners Brad Chapman and Josh Cochran, he’s spearheading a movement in Charlotte that will—he hopes—completely change the way local farming operates. Their company, Freshlist, is a platform designed to streamline the ever-evolving farm-to-fork movement, while also reconnecting communities with the local sources of their food. With Freshlist, Jesse Leadbetter is now staking his career on the farm.
“There was something I loved about planting a seed in the ground and growing my own tomato. All of a sudden, I’d made something, I’d brought something to life.”
So, what happened? Well, Jesse started growing things. Lots of things. And that showed him how to cultivate a life outside of his corporate one. “When I was in my late 20s, I was trying to find what kinds of things made me happy,” Jesse reminisces. “There was something I loved about planting a seed in the ground and growing my own tomato. All of a sudden, I’d made something, I’d brought something to life. In corporate America, all the work that I was doing was on spreadsheets; I wasn’t creating anything tangible. So there’s something special about actually farming and getting your hands dirty and getting back to the land, so to speak.” While taking his own stab at cultivation with a small urban farm, Jesse started to really care about where his food came from. He got two kinds of gratification from his new undertaking—first, that growing your own food is actually incredibly fun and fulfilling, and second, that the stuff you grow is often delicious. “When you taste that tomato…it’s nothing like what you buy at the store,” Jesse swoons. “So the logical next thought was: Where can I get this kind of thing around town? Who else is paying attention to this?” That answer came in the form of a hearty meal at then-newly-opened Heirloom Restaurant. Jesse’s first encounter with a wholly local restaurant experience introduced him to an important player in the farmer’s life, and a kind of artisan he’d yet to really encounter: the chef. A chat with leading locavore Clark Barlowe was the beginning of a much longer conversation with the Charlotte food scene at large. Charlotte restaurants have been sourcing locally for some time, turning back to practices that used to form the bedrock of the food industry. This movement, of course, is a boon for local economies: Charlotteans eat meals prepared by local chefs using produce from local farms. Everyone sends their food dollars right back into the community. That’s the ideal, anyway. A closer look at local food (and the increasing demand for it) is revelatory: After personally getting to know some of these chefs and farmers, learning how these operations work both together and on an individual basis, Jesse saw a problem. They were working within an industry that didn’t really seem to work for them. The appeal of massive foodservice distributors like Sysco and US Foods is obvious to those who are actually part of this industry, those faced with the innate challenges of remaining local. Chefs who are sourcing locally place their orders in a myriad of ways: text, email, phone calls, even a lengthy drive to the outskirts of the greater Charlotte area. These informal methods of doing business, while neighborly, are hardly efficient. Chefs maintain friendly, almost familial, relationships with several local farms, but their preferred pool of farms can’t always provide cer-
tain ingredients in the quantities they need. At the same time, local farms often have a surplus of various crops that, if not purchased, become waste. Once orders have been placed, pick-up and delivery remain the responsibility of the farm or the restaurant. Farm-to-fork is in its infancy—with this many kinks to work out, that much is clear—but Jesse Leadbetter believes the initiative is at a crucial turning point. Part of the problem with the trend is that it is a trend, and everyone’s struggling to keep up with it. “The way things are right now,” Jesse explains, “chefs have to go out and find these farms. They have to do all the work to make these relationships, email those farmers every week, ask what they have, and they’ve got to write 50 checks a month to 50 different farmers. The people who are doing that and who have been doing that are the reason farm-to-fork exists at all, but that in itself isn’t sustainable.” What happens to the movement as the very definition of ‘local’ changes—as Charlotte grows, and more farms and more restaurants continue to crop up? In order for farms and restaurants to keep up with the ever-louder demand for stuff raised and grown in our backyard, something has to happen. Freshlist may just be the solution, or the start of one, at least. In order to
“When people care about their food, they end up supporting the producers and providers of their food.”
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“The whole system isn't designed to accommodate small and local anymore.�
create menus based around what’s available and what’s abundant, chefs have to keep in constant contact with farms…but what if they could check, at a glance, exactly what’s available in the whole region? Jesse and Brad have built an online platform allowing chefs to place orders with a wide array of local farms. Freshlist isn’t just designed to show chefs what they can order on a day-to-day basis, though. It also helps them get it. Freshlist delivers, and not just wholesale: The average Charlottean can place grocery orders, a facet of the business that specifically targets the local consumer. This is the unspoken third goal of the company: to help consumers reconnect with their food. Freshlist is meant to rework Charlotte’s food system, but Jesse’s hope is that it will also help to build a better food community. “When people care about their food,” he says, “they end up supporting the producers and providers of their food.” That investment starts with the chef, of course, because their kitchens drive a community’s interest in food—which is why Freshlist will implement try-this-at-home recipes from local chefs in their delivery services—but it ends with the farmer. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout this process, it’s how ridiculously hard it is to be a farmer today,” Jesse says. “These people who want to spend their lives farming, who are passionate about it…they shouldn’t be struggling.” Making farm-to-fork sustainable makes it more widespread. As more influencers (chefs and mixologists and the like) embrace it, communities begin to give their food a second thought. Now, give those communities access to that food outside of the fleeting, one-day-a-week and for-a-few-hours-only retail experience that is the farmer’s market. And suddenly, the region’s whole farming enterprise is on its way to becoming a more sustainable, viable career. That notion may just comprise the heart of what Freshlist is: All this really should be easier for everyone involved. Jesse wants to help the movement, but perhaps most importantly, he really cares about the people on the farm and the people loading the forks. “Freshlist isn’t just helping chefs find local produce,” Jesse insists. “It’s not just helping consumers connect with their food. It’s more broad than that. There was this food system that used to exist, in which everybody knew where their food came from, if they didn’t grow it on their own. That's all gone, and we’ve sort of moved away from it. People are starting to turn back to that way of eating, but the infrastructure is gone. The whole system isn't designed to accommodate small and local anymore.” Jesse’s company is an ambitious attempt to create a new infrastructure. Freshlist is, for all intents and purposes, just one of many steps toward cultivation of a better food system. It’s a problem Jesse says he’s perfectly happy trying to solve—and he’s refocused his life around the effort—but this is a big fix. Charlotte is just one city, and we’ve an entire country in need of
a better food system. Jesse’s partners are busy laying similar groundwork in their native Dallas-Fort Worth area, but this is just a start. Freshlist could expand to other places, but that will mean earning the trust of local chefs and farmers all over the place, all over again—a feat that, even in a late-blooming farm-to-fork city like Charlotte, has taken Jesse years to accomplish. And there’s still plenty of work to be done here. But Jesse’s not daunted by the magnitude of the undertaking. In fact, he’s just crazy enough to be inspired by it. “I don’t think we’ll fix our food system while I’m living,” he says carefully, “but I’d like to be able to look back in my 60s or 70s and feel that I affected it in some way. I’d like to leave it better than I found it. I’ve read somewhere that, ‘If your life's work can be accomplished in your lifetime, you're not thinking big enough.’” There are over two million farms in the United States. Freshlist is thinking big.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout this process, it’s how ridiculously hard it is to be a farmer today.”
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info freshlist.com | @freshlistclt
“I don’t think we’ll fix our food system while I’m living, but I’d like to be able to look back in my 60s or 70s and feel that I affected it in some way. I’d like to leave it better than I found it.”
These people who want to spend their lives farming, who are passionate about it…they shouldn’t be struggling.”
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W H AT STAYS W IT H YOU For thru-hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis, the trail doesn’t end at the last marker.
W words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos JAMEY PRICE
When Jennifer Pharr Davis first hiked the Appalachian Trail, she did it to find herself. A recent graduate with an uncertain future, Davis took to the 2185-mile trail to find her bearings, to gain a sense of direction by following the footsteps of the thousands of hikers that came before her. When she hiked it a third time, she did it to prove herself, to test the limits of her own endurance, and to prove she could push beyond them.
As Davis’s life began to change and she welcomed the beginnings of a beautiful family, her reasons for hiking changed along with it. Her journey is remarkable in itself, but perhaps more so is the ability for hiking as an entity to embody the challenges she needed to face, the beauty she needed to see, and the pain she needed to feel. With a deep-seated understanding of hiking’s powerful versatility, Davis has made a career out of both bringing people to the trails and, through her personal stories and memories, bringing the trails to people. “It was right out of college that I decided to do the Appalachian Trail,” says Davis of that life-changing hike. “I think I had only spent two nights in the woods my entire life, and I just felt like something was missing—it was that connection with the outdoors.” That connection would ultimately lead Davis to complete the trail in its entirety two more times, with her final run shattering the previously-held record for fastest thru-hike. At an average of a stunning 47 miles per day, she finished the trail in 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes. Davis was used to the aches of long distance hiking, but none of those
compared to the prolonged pain of Snapshots from the Mountains-tothat speed run. Sea trail taken by “I was trying to work through Jennifer Pharr Davis shin splints, and at one point I had hypothermia,” Davis recalls. “Another time I had a horrific stomach bug that had me running off the trail every few minutes. To deal with that type of discomfort and know you still have to go a minimum of thirty or forty miles, it’s just…grueling.” The trail was merciless, but Davis did not set her heart on breaking the thru-hike record to be met with mercy. “I had a lot of emotional barriers I had to work through because no woman had ever set the overall mark,” says Davis. “There were a lot of times of selfdoubt where I thought, am I really able to do this? Does my gender, does my demographic, does my strategy discount me from competing for the record?” Those questions echoed off the Appalachian slopes as she walked, mingling with the sounds of her splashing through streams and crunching over rocks. And no one but she could answer them.
“We have these amazing mountaintop moments, and then there are times where we just don’t feel like we can take another step. Hiking is this very hopeful symbol.”
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Snapshots from the Mountains-to-Sea trail taken by Jennifer Pharr Davis
There were times of self-doubt where I thought, am I really able to do this? Does my gender, does my demographic, discount me from competing for the record?” The bittersweet ending to her Appalachian Trail hike left her with a cloud of emotions to sift through, but also brought her the things she’d been yearning for—accomplishment, confidence, clarity. Davis started Blue Ridge Hiking Company just a few years later. Now, with two young children, a successful writing career, and a thriving hiking business, Davis has closed that chapter of her life, committing herself to smaller hikes instead. “Setting that record,” Davis recalls, “going so fast… I think it’s allowed me to go slow for the last five years. The kids have decreased my mileage, but they’ve helped my career.” But when the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, an organization dedicated to the maintenance of the 1175-mile trail, approached Davis about promoting them, Davis knew she’d have to help. In 2017, she reopened that chapter and began hiking. As luck would have it, the new trail’s starting point, Clingmans Dome, also doubles as a major marker for the Appalachian Trail, giving Davis a chance to return to her roots before setting off on another adventure.
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This time was different, though. Instead of crossing the state alone, she’d have her husband and her two kids—ten-month-old Gus and four-year-old Charley—along for the ride. After leaving Clingmans Dome, Davis quickly realized that this hike would provide its own unique set of problems. “I was still nursing when we started the trail,” says Davis. “I would basically nurse the baby and try to hike my miles, and then nurse the baby again…” The challenges of raising a one-year-old were amplified by the constant travel and hiking, but with them came a newfound appreciation for the closeness and quality family time that the trail seemed to give both her and her husband Brew. While she hiked the most difficult areas of the trail alone, Brew took the children to museums, nature reserves, and other attractions along the way—something that was hard on Davis, who knew that Brew, like any parent handling two young children on their own, could use the extra help. Still, their children thrived along the trail, and Davis rediscovered all of the little wonders of hiking— the sunsets, the critters, the new knowledge—through their eyes.
“You can do so much more than you think you can if you’re just willing to put one foot in front of the other and just keep at it. Just keep at it, one more step, one more mile… I think the lessons of persistence and resilience are extremely universal.”
Snapshots from the Mountains-to-Sea trail taken by Jennifer Pharr Davis
“I was still nursing when we started the trail. I would basically nurse the baby and try to hike my miles, and then nurse the baby again…” If the Appalachian Trail served to push Davis beyond her mental and physical limits, then the Mountains-to-Sea Trail served to intensify both the struggles and beauties of early parenthood. Her newest project, a book called The Pursuit of Endurance, speaks to that idea of the link between hiking and life, and features the stories of record-breakers and their inspiring lives, including their time off the trail. Davis writes to share a little bit of nature with others— the primary goal of her career—but she’s convinced hikers have some useful things to say: “The trail is this really incredible metaphor for life. We have these amazing mountaintop moments, and then there are times when we deal with the loss of a loved one or divorce or money issues, times where we just don’t feel like we can take another step. Hiking is this very hopeful symbol. You can do so much more than you think you can if you’re just willing to put one foot in front of the other and just keep at it. Just keep at it, one more step, one more mile… I think the lessons of persistence and resilience are extremely universal.” It wasn’t just the long trek that Davis fell in love with all those years ago, but what stayed with her once the hike ended. Through the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, she found a renewed appreciation for the latest season of her life, for everything awaiting her off the trail—her career, her husband, her kids. Jennifer Pharr Davis says that’s just one of the things that’s stayed with her—one of the many lessons, emotions, and once-in-a-lifetime moments that nothing but hiking could possibly give her. And the best part is, they can be given to just about anyone. info blueridgehikingco.com @jenpharrdavis
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2018: T H E HOW-TO GU I DE A fresh take on a new year, with six common resolutions made simple for you. words
J
SUNNY HUBLER COREY MILLER
photos JAMEY PRICE
Just as the New Year’s holiday does in each of our minds, this edition of the magazine looms particularly large. There’s just something a bit daunting about the January issue for us... It’s the first chance to talk about a new year, to sift through ponderences on the days past and to guess at the future. Time rushes us by, it seems, and with 2017 gone, we’re left thinking about how to best embark upon the next 365. The questions that are predictably present with this issue are myriad, but above all, we find ourselves asking how to start the slate afresh in the very best way we can. Looking back, here’s what’s clear: Charlotte boomed this past year, and we were simply thrilled to watch. Together, we traveled wide and far, talked with some of the biggest talents and brightest minds, and welcomed newcomers to the scene, from Dot Dot Dot to Hello Sailor to the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel. The 2018 horizon, too, looks just as promising for our Queen City. But rather than reflect on what happened, or try to speculate all that’s approaching, the thing we kept coming back to, again and again for this January issue, was the notion of resolutions. Resolving—to do, to change, to act, to think, to be—is integrally tied to all of the talk that
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swirls around New Year’s in part because it affords us a mode in which to navigate the future. It’s a way to compartmentalize the year into the “we will,” “we should,” and “wouldn’t it be better if...” Somehow, it all seems a bit more manageable this way. We’re also intrigued by resolutions because, though they can appear deeply personal, they’re also predictably universal. In many ways, across the lines that divide and define us, each one of us seeks to make our lives richer in what shakes out as similar ways. So, we came up with six different ways for you, and us, to traverse 2018. These are a collection of suggestions, personal experiences, contemplations, and above all, a sort of a guide to simplify this big, looming, formidable notion of an impending new year. We hope you will find at least one of these that speaks to you and will allow you to experience your life in this city we love in a fresh way. We recommend making space for clearing your head, diving into the health and wellness world (or dipping in a toe), living it up a little with luxurious self-care, immersing yourself in local culture, and making a concerted effort to embrace new experiences.
OPPOSITE PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Winghaven Gardens is a great place to get your mind right. Artist Windy O’Connor paints in her studio. A scene from The Queen’s Cup Steeplechase. Saltwater flyfishing with Charlotte native Captain John Irwin.
Chef Clark Barlowe of Heirloom clears his mind foraging for mushrooms. A kayaker on Lake Norman takes in another gorgeous Carolina sunset.
GET YOU R M I N D R IGH T words COREY MILLER The first place to start is internal. If you’re half as busy as we magazine obsessives are, you’re probably looking back at a very full 2017 with not nearly enough breathers. By some miracle, we manage to masochistically fill every break in the busy with still more busyness. My best advice for your mental wellbeing in 2018? You should… not do that. It’s about time we embraced the opportunities for pause. Take it from a serial mingler who spends not a waking moment in silence or solitude: Giving time to the quiet moments really does render the loud ones more productive and, often, more fulfilling. To make the most of those quiet moments, we recommend you find some nature to commune with. Take a walk. Not a brisk one, and not with any real destination in mind. Don’t do it for heart health, or to train (whatever that even means). Just… take a walk, and do it somewhere that pleases you. We recommend a chilly spring morning stroll through Wing Haven Gardens or McGill Rose Garden. Hit any of the metro area’s greenways or parks. These spaces are actually intentionally designed to give Charlotteans a break from their typical surroundings. Use them. If it’s a more natural nature that, for you, really invites reflection, there’s plenty of that around Charlotte, too. Find some woods to walk in. Anne Springs Close Greenway is, well, really close by, and there’s a little body of water just to the north—you may have heard of it—that offers plenty of immersion in nature. And while the lake can offer a special kind of serenity, there’s a more acute kind of stillness in our favorite unstill waters: If you’ve never been fly fishing, find a river as soon as possible. There is no more therapeutic sport.
The colorful art of the talented Amanda Moody of Bombshelves. Businessman Jim Keffer’s pottery.
GET CU LT U R ED words COREY MILLER Getting cultured is a different type of internal work, really. And as difficult as it may be to believe, your resolutions don’t all have to be about you—a particularly healthy revelation, considering Charlotte at large could probably use your help in some way. I often find myself small-talking with every kind of Charlottean, remarking on the city’s growth, marveling at its ever-evolving cultural identity… but how many of us are actually supplementing that growth? How often do we embrace these exciting new facets of our city’s cultural identity? I personally don’t do enough to let them know I’m glad they’re around. I’m not campaigning for donations to Charlotte’s various art outlets, though philanthropy is among the better things you can do with any surplus dough, obviously. Rather, I think we should all just make a more concerted effort to show up. The city is practically one big exhibition: The gallery scene is quickly becoming one of the most diverse offerings in the Southeast, and the collection housed in our art-centric museums is arguably the best in the state. The Bechtler and the Mint are architectural masterstrokes in and of themselves, and there just happens to be a ton of wholesome culture housed within them. Simply visiting these institutions goes a long way toward keeping them around. Charlotte’s performing arts scene is no pushover either. There are three more operas to see this season, and we’re particularly excited for I Dream—an R&B account of the last 36 hours of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. Charlotte Ballet isn’t the tiny dance company it used to be, thanks to Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride. The rest of this season and autumn of 2018 should be worth more than a look-see: New Artistic Director Hope Muir is honoring the past while leading the ballet toward things it’s never attempted before... and those things should be required viewing for all self-respecting art-loving Charlotteans this year. This winter, attend Innovative Works, or Spring Works, or Javier de Frutos’ much-raved-about The Most Incredible Thing (which makes its American debut in Charlotte). I don’t really care—just catch any glimpse of what Muir and her dancers are bringing to the city, and come back for more in the fall. Even if you become a Blumenthal regular, and you think you’ve seen it all, there’s always the visceral experience of the symphony to remind you that, well, you haven’t. The marquee is always changing, and Charlotte Symphony Orchestra serves up a new, life-changing performance practically every week. Fact is, folks, the city is only as up-and-coming as its art presence. Grow that, and we induce growth in ourselves.
A delicious brunch at Selwyn Ave’s Little Spoon. Not Just Coffee’s Avocado Toast.
E AT W EL L words SUNNY HUBLER Once you’ve done what you can to better yourself internally this year, it makes sense to move on to “I want to eat better.” This is one of those resolutions that’s become so common, it’s derided as cliche. Don’t roll your eyes yet though, because here’s the thing: Whether you vow it on January 1 or not, most of us do really want to eat a little better… at least somewhat, or sometimes. The impulse may have struck because your doctor suggested it, because you know it makes you feel better, or maybe because, immersed in the cultural buzz, you just think you should want to eat better by now. (Yes, yet one more person really is encouraging it again). This New Year, it may be your big goal to clean the pantry out, overturn the contents of the fridge, revamp your every meal. Or perhaps you just have a little, in-the-back-of-your-mind intention to eat a green thing here and there and to eschew red meat, you know, sometimes. Either way, we’re fully in the age of healthy eating which means it’s easier, and actually tastier, than ever. When I was a kid, my mother bought everything from her local 1990’s Co-Op and that meant my bread was the wheatiest, seediest slice of food you’ve ever seen, my milk pasteurized in a glass bottle, and my hotdogs made of some brown rice-soy amalgam. Quite frankly, opening my lunchbox at school was embarrassing because the Cheeto-crunching kiddos didn’t even recognize the stuff I had as edible. Now, of course, it’s practically trendy to eat green; as a result, healthy eating has gotten an update in a big way, even here in the South. You can rest easy that if you’ve vowed to go vegan/paleo/organic/raw/name-yourdiet-here, you can find delicious (and recognizable) food options a-plenty. All over the city now, there are smoothies and juices, plant-based restaurants, organic, locally-sourced produce and meats, non-dairy sweets… you name it, and someone is serving it up fresh. Whatever shape your 2018 healthy eating strides are taking, Charlotte has plenty to satisfy you this season, from Whisk + Wood’s vegan cookies to O-Ku’s sashimi and Living Kitchen’s plant-based burgers. Even if you aren’t on a proverbial New Year health journey, you’ll want to add these dishes into your rotation.
Getting fit at Cornelius’ KadiFit. The mobile yoga studio NC Yoga Bar.
EX ERCISE SOM E words SUNNY HUBLER Hand in hand with eating better is, of course, getting moving. And y’all, I think I might have accidentally tried every workout in the city (and in several other cities, too.) CrossFit, Boot Camp, Pilates (and Megaformer Pilates), Yoga, Hilliard Studio Method, Cycle, Kickboxing, Kettlebell, Orange Theory, the good ol’ YMCA… am I forgetting anybody? If I’ve taken away anything in this unofficial quest, it’s that all the non-scientific platitudes and all the very scientific findings ring equally true: Exercise does something to your mood, mind, and body that’s hard to recreate any other way. But here’s what I’ve also noticed—when I talk to the runners, the swimmers, the gym-goers and weightlifters, the regulars at each style of workout class, every single one of them exclaims that they’ve cracked the code. This is the workout that works, that they love, that clicked in after their other failed attempts at regular exercise. They’re devotees, and their regimen has become as routine as waking up in the morning and brushing your teeth. So here’s my suggestion for you as you resolve to add in exercise this year. There’s a way to sweat a little, move your body, and get in a workout that won’t feel like work. Heck, it might even feel fun. And when it doesn’t, it’s no wonder your resolve tapers off. You don’t have to hit the treadmill if you hate it, and you don’t have to sweat through hot yoga if it makes you miserable. Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore because it doesn’t really have to take a particular form. Maybe yours this year will look like a hike one day and a dip in the pool the next. Maybe you’ll drop into a class that makes you feel almost immediately at home, from the music to the lighting to the gathered crowd. Maybe you’ll join the Y and find a room at the gym where you can post up for 45 minutes every day and totally clear your head. Maybe you’ll hop on the torture-devicelooking Megaformer and surprise yourself by getting the best workout of your life. Maybe you’ll lace up and hit the pavement every evening because a run just feels right. Find your own way, and get those myriad exercise benefits for yourself in the form of a healthier mind, body, and spirit.
A sunset captured by Charlotte photographer Jamey Price on his travels. A hiker walks atop one of the dunes at Jockey’s Ridge in the Outer Banks.
GO SOM EW H ER E N EW words SUNNY HUBLER As resolutions go, this is a fun—but sometimes surprisingly difficult—one. It’s easy to think you’ve seen all there is to see in your own backyard, and even easier to get stuck in your own routines. You find the spots you love for a weekender or a family vacation, and return year after year. For 2018, we want you to actively explore the Carolinas instead, to experience something you haven’t before, to go traverse a literal new path. Our area is uniquely suited to this: Between the two Carolinas, there are mountains, beaches, rivers, forests, waterfalls, small towns and big cities, old traditions taking place and new events commencing. You can get off the beaten path or you can partake in some of the country’s most beloved destinations, like Hilton Head and the Outer Banks. So, for 2018, we dare you to get out there. Just make the time, whether you have a week’s vacation or eight hours on a Saturday. We may be biased, but we can’t think of a better area of the country to get to explore as your own. Here’s our shortlist: Pack up and go camping along the Blue Ridge. Fall is best, and there are any number of spots to drop in at. We especially enjoy the scenery around the Linville Gorge and Chimney Rock area. When the weather is warm, plan a retreat in Bluffton, South Carolina, where you can stay on the sweeping grounds of The Montage. On a Friday night, drive to Lexington for some classic Carolina BBQ (bring your friends, barbecue is better shared). And in April, clear a weekend for the annual Queen’s Cup, a steeplechase in Mineral Springs that puts us on the horseracing map. Finally, book a late summer/early September trip to the Outer Banks where you can visit Jockey’s Ridge State Park. We’re advocating for it to be officially considered as one of the natural wonders of the world—or at least for the South—it’s that spectacularly odd and beautiful.
The skyline view from City Lights. Fashion enthusiasts treat themselves to the well-stocked shelves of SouthPark’s Taylor Richards & Conger
T R E AT YOU R SEL F words COREY MILLER Find a healthier lifestyle. Travel somewhere you’ve never been. Support local. These are all respectable resolutions, sure to improve your life and the lives of those around you in the long term. That being said, there’s no reason we should avoid living in the present—especially when the present makes a good case for it. No matter what you do in 2018, don’t forget to indulge a little. Eat healthily, yes, but—for goodness’ sake—don’t refuse the Kindred milk breads of the world. Exercise when you can, but be kind to your body too. Make room in your regimen for some grooming—trust me, guys, if community centers like No Grease! barbershop aren’t part of your routine, they should be. Go for the best trim of your life and stay for the unadulterated brotherhood. For ladies, wellness havens like the spa at the Ritz Carlton merit routine visits. Hit the hotel’s 18th floor on those particularly tough weeks. Or make your way up there weekly. No one will judge. But don’t stop with the pampering. Keep the confidenceboosting gifts coming: An investment in wardrobe quality pays innumerous dividends—Taylor Richards & Conger, Bruce Julian Clothiers, Poole Shop, and Amina Rubinacci are good places to start, but there’s no real template for what you should be wearing. Find the things that feel right for you and your new year. You’ve probably earned it, and if you haven’t, maybe that new modern two-piece is the extra edge you’ve been needing. We should also surround ourselves with the good life, though. If your home’s been needing a wardrobe change too, 2018 is the year for it. The city is full of talented interior designers, but there are also plenty of builders and architects standing by if you need to knock down a few walls (or build some new ones). My advice for your home: Do whatever it takes to streamline the most heavily used areas. Losing the clutter around you frees up more than just your physical living space. Change as much or as little as you like this year—redo your residence, tweak your diet, find new hobbies, discover your state—but only insofar as it all feels comfortable. No amount of lifestyle upheaval can justify unhappiness. Your contentment is the thing that matters most, so…treat yourself when you need to.
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CLEARSMILE Charlotte, NC
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t’s not always easy to fix your teeth, especially as an adult. The teen memories of braces and poking wires is enough to make any would-be patient cringe, but not at Clearsmile. Run by expert orthodontist Dr. Colin Webb, Clearsmile offers a simpler and faster alternative to metal braces: Invisalign. “Invisalign offers a ton of flexibility,” says Dr. Webb. “Patients can remove them for meals, which means they don’t have the same food restrictions as normal braces. They can also be removed for photos or events, and because there are no braces or wires, there are no discomfort emergencies at inconvenient times— like when patients are out of town.”
2222 South Blvd Suite H •
Dr. Webb, a Charlotte native who now resides near his office in South End, is certified through Align Technologies as a Diamond Plus provider—the highest distinction the company holds. Dr. Webb successfully treats many cases that were previously thought only possible with braces and leads the city with this new technology. Last year, he performed more Invisalign cases than any single doctor in Charlotte. With the industry’s top technology built into its office and a completely digital facility, Clearsmile can provide a more efficient, more flexible and less painful path toward your perfect new smile.
Charlotte, NC
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Orthodontics
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980.299.3451
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@clearsmileclt
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clearsmilecharlotte.com
JAN/FEB 2018 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 157
SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
POFFIE GIRLS COSMETIC DENTISTRY OF THE CAROLINAS Huntersville, NC
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he smile has a magical impact on our lives. According to recent polls, 50 percent of consumers consider the smile the first facial feature they notice. Studies also indicate that people who have a healthy mouth and smile regularly have more successful lives and live longer. From simple whitening procedures to minimal teeth alignment, bonding, and porcelain restorative solutions, Dr. Nash is a master at improving or restoring his patients’ smiles. “I truly love what I do—it’s my passion,” Dr. Nash says. A general dentist who focuses on cosmetic and aesthetic treatment, Dr. Nash is one of fewer than 80 Accredited Fellows worldwide honored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the only dentist in the 1403 Gilead Rd, Suite E • Huntersville, NC • Cosmetic Dentistry
158 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • JAN/FEB 2018
Carolinas to achieve this recognition. It’s the highest level that can be attained in this esteemed academy. Dr. Nash has contributed to two textbooks about cosmetic dentistry, and lectures to dentists and dental professionals all over the world on cosmetic and esthetic dental techniques. He is also a consultant to many dental materials manufacturers and has helped develop new dental materials. Before entering dental school, Dr. Nash was a chemical engineer working with dyes, colors, and plastics in the textile industry. That experience has served him well in dentistry, working with dental materials, and color matching. Cosmetic Dentistry’s attention to detail and outstanding patient care at all levels set the practice apart.
• 704.895.7660 • CosmeticDentistryoftheCarolinas.com
SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION
COSMETIC PROCEDURES
H/K/B COSMETIC SURGERY Huntersville and Charlotte, NC
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e all know wellness should be a top priority in our lives, but that doesn’t mean it always is. A lack of physical confidence can make motivation difficult to find, and the stress of work and family can eat away at our time each week. H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery not only understands these issues, but has dedicated their practice to getting people healthy. They have recently launched a Wellness and Age Management program. As Dr. Sarah Edwards joins the center’s prestigious team, she brings with her a wealth of knowledge and passion dedicated to preventative care and wellness. 11208 Statesville Rd. Suite 300
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“The goal of modern medicine has been to keep people alive as long as possible,” notes Dr. Edwards. “But what good is it if you have chronic limitations? Would it not be nice if we could maintain our vigor, function, and energy as we age?” Her new program takes an individualized approach to the process and devises a preventative plan to keep clients feeling youthful and healthy for years to come—all in a way that fits their schedule. Take the difficulty out of wellness, and let H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery help you feel like your best, healthiest self.
Huntersville, NC 28078 • 4625 Piedmont Row Dr. Suite 135B @hkbcosmeticsurgery • hkbsurgery.com
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Charlotte, NC 28210
JAN/FEB 2018 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 159
SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION
ANTI AGING CLINIC
REGENERATE Charlotte, NC
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REGENERATE HAI R
SK I N
10344 Park Rd. •
BOD Y
Charlotte, NC
160 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • JAN/FEB 2018
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s we age, our bodies change. Our hair thins, we start seeing a few wrinkles, and our bodies don’t work as well as they once did. Men and women have sought surgical solutions to these issues for years. But what if you’re not ready for surgery? That’s where Regenerate Clinic comes in. Regenerate offers the latest innovative non-surgical therapies, including Vampire Face Therapy, Breast Enhancement, and the O-Shot, for female sensual enhancement and incontinence. They also offer the highly sought-after Gainswave Therapy for men. This
704.981.0045 •
Mon-Fri 9AM to 6PM
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non-invasive, simple therapy makes it possible for men to perform the way that they used to—without the need for the “little blue pill.” “Our goal was to establish a complete anti-aging destination offering the latest non-surgical options,” says Medical Director Dr. Hunter Hansen. “With the Carolina Men’s Clinic and Regenerate, we’re happy to offer fantastic options for both men and women—without the surgical hassle.” Regenerate Clinic is located at 10344 Park Road, and is the sister clinic to the Carolina Men’s Clinic, located right next door.
Closed On Weekends
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regenerateclinic.com
SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION
MED SPA
INFINITY MEDSPA + WELLNESS Charlotte, NC
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nfinity MedSpa + Wellness, located in the heart of South Park in Charlotte, North Carolina, envisions a cosmetic medical spa where men and women can benefit from the most recent advances in aesthetic and anti-aging medical technology. They are one of the first centers in North Carolina to combine the practice of Medical Aesthetics, state-of-the-art Laser Treatments, Body Contouring, Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, Injectables, Cool Sculpting, IV hydration and Sexual Health, as well as revolutionary Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy. Infinity offers 5000 square feet of beautifully designed space to offer clients comfort, convenience and privacy. They have distinguished their facility for excellence in clinical and technological advances pioneered by the Queen City’s most experienced practitioners. Some of their most popular services include: • Botox/Dysport injections • Fillers • PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy) • Coolsculpting (non-invasive fat reduction)
• IPL and Focus Laser Treatments • Chemical Peels • Custom Facials • IV Hydration Therapy • Laser Hair Removal
Infinity prides themselves on understanding that it’s not just about how you look, but more importantly how you feel, which is why every treatment is tailored specifically to meet the needs of each client through not only aesthetics but also general wellness. 2809 Coltsgate Rd #100. • Charlotte, NC • 704.733.9202 • @infinitymedspaandwellness • infinitymedspaandwellness.com
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IN DEX Amina Rubinacci ..................................24 Arcadia Custom Homes .....................45 Artistic Contractors ......................53 Ascent Uptown ..................................119 Barrington’s ......................................85 Beads Incorporated ..........................47 Blackhawk Hardware .......................68 Blue Ridge Mtn. Club .........................123 Bruce Julian .......................................65 Buffalo Jackson ...............................125 Cadenza ...............................................83 Carolina Men’s Clinic ......................133 Clark Hall Doors ...............................81 Classic Attic .....................................107 Clean Catch ........................................87 Cococo .................................................97 CosmeticDentistryoftheCarolinas..19 Cottingham Chalk Hayes .................55 Craft Tasting Room ..........................87 David’s LTD .............................................2 Designs Center International ......105 Diamond Springs ................................26 Diamonds Direct ................Back Cover Donald Haack Diamonds.................. 37 Donna Livingston .............................107 DwellNova ...........................................10 Elder Gallery .....................................32 Elite Design Group ..............................71 Elizabeth Bruns .................................25 Evoke ....................................................85
Fahrenheit ...........................................12 Gerrard Builders ..............................39 Good Food On Montford .................85 Good’s Home Furnishings .................93 Grande Custom Builders ..................49 Grandfather Homes ..........................57 Hearth and Patio ................................101 Infinity MedSpa ...................................67 Insight Automation ..........................33 Ivey’s Hotel .........................................22 J. Landon ..............................................99 Jas Am ....................................................75 Jerald Melberg Gallery ...................36 KBN Interior Design ..........................59 Karen Kettler ...................................103 Kingswood ...........................................31 LaCa Projects ....................................35 Lake Norman Realty ..........................51 Land Rover Charlotte ........................17 Lauren Nicole Designs .....................95 Leeward Builders ..............................35 Lucy And Company ...............................27 Majestic Bath .....................................90 McDevitt Agency ................................15 Metrolina Auto Group ........................6 Mint Museum ........................................26 Movement Mortgage .........................61 Myron Greer .....................................105 Nestlewood Realty ..........................116 New Gallery Of Modern Art ..............34
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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
162 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • JAN/FEB 2018
New Life Building Supplies ............131 Oasis Pools Plus ...............................127 Omni Hotels & Resorts ....................162 Pam Harrington Exclusives ...........121 Picture House Gallery ......................28 Piedmont Town Center ......................77 Pink Hanger .........................................40 Premier Sotheby’s ................................8 Queen’s Cup Steeplechase ..............129 RK Motors Charlotte ........................23 Remax Exclusive ...................................4 Roosters .............................................73 Rug Culture ......................................120 Sea Level ..............................................89 Stagioni ...............................................85 Stark .....................................................41 Stickley Audi & Co. ...........................103 Storey Home ........................................38 The Porter’s House ............................89 The Sporting Gent ............................163 The Swag ...............................................65 Theory Design Studio .......................101 Tiny ........................................................40 Versa Salon .......................................120 Webb Orthodontics ..........................63 Windsor Jewelers ..............................21 Wolf Subzero .....................................79
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