The Quintessential Charlotte Luxury Magazine
the coastal issue Iconic beaches of Carolina, coastal towns everyone should visit, the ultimate Lowcountry road trip, a private island paradise, and more. NO. 66
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A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 0
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N O . 6 6 / A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 0
The Exclusives 120
Iconic Carolina Beaches
The beaches in the Carolinas you need to see to believe
124
Carolina's Coastal Towns to Love
Places by the water sure to capture your heart
128
A Slow, Southern Drive
Our ultimate Lowcountry road trip guide
134
An Enchanting Caribbean Hideaway
A visit to Petit St. Vincent, the super-private island resort
This photo and cover photo of the Lowcountry by Jamey Price
ANTIQUE REIM AGINED DISTRESSED TRADITIONAL
U L YA N A N AV Y R U G S TA R KC A R P E T. C O M
CHARLOTTE SHOWROOM 11 41 5 G R A N I T E ST R E E T, S U I T E A CHARLOTTE, NC 28273 704.588.8842
THE DEPA RTMEN TS
64 THE CULTURE ARTS, STYLE, AND WELLNESS
41
In The Negative Space Artist Nathaniel Lancaster creates as he erases
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A Carolinian Art Space Covet Atelier dedicated to showcasing Carolina artisans
56
Art At Shain Whitney Stoddard and Christy Kinard at Shain Gallery
The Vibe Edith McDonnel and Ansley Melnik’s VIBE5
48
I Dream A performance you'll want to see from Opera Carolina
50 THE SPREAD
72
FOOD AND DRINK
63
Simple. Crafted. Delicious. Osteria LuCa opens with acclaim at the popular Park Road Shopping Center
“I tell everyone to not be afraid to try something different.”
70
Community Flavors The story behind Davidson’s downtown winery
76
The Beaut Chicken Sammie A delicious sammie from the new restaurant Bossy Beulah’s
78
Winter In Barbados A cocktail from Dogwood Southern Table
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THE DEPA RTMEN TS
112
THE FOLIO HOME AND DESIGN
79
Thoughtfully Created, Beautifully Accomplished At the Designer’s Desk with Wanda Horton
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Globally Modern We meet the founders of Mackenzie Bryant & Co.
96
A Soothing Nursery A gorgeous space from Traci Zeller
98
Elegance In Eastover A Grande Custom Builders project is a masterclass in design, details, and execution
94
A Dining Room at the Heart of the home A LAM Studios dining room
116
THE EXPLORED TRAVEL AND SPORTING
105
A Southern Welcome Planters Inn offers a welcome respite in the Holy City
112
The Edge Of America Everything there is to love about Folly Beach (and it’s a lot)
116
Champions of the congaree South Carolina’s National Park boasts both nature and history
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“Being comfortable with choices not designing simply to be part of a trend makes for an enduring home.”
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THE NOTE
No. 66
O
ne of our favorite issues every year, the travel issue, has always been dedicated to exploring our favorite part of the world, the Carolinas. This year is no different, as we explore the coast of both North and South Carolina. From the states' most iconic beaches to our favorite coastal towns to an amazing Lowcountry trip this issue has it all. On top of those picturesque journeys, our photographer Joe Purvis rounds out our "Exclusives" section by exploring one of the best private beaches in the world, and sharing some epic drone shots as well. We also visit the popular Planters Inn, take a trip to one of our favorite beach towns Folly, and visit the only National Park in South Carolina, Congaree. Outside of all of the aspirational travel content to get you motivated to start planning for the summer, we've also got great arts and culture stories on artist Nathaniel Lancaster and Covet Atelier, and some amazing restaurant experiences from Osteria LuCa, Davidson Wine Company, Bossy Beulah's and more. We meet interior designer Wanda Horton, visit Mackenzie Bryant & Co., and step into a stunning home build from Grande Custom Builders. It's one of our favorite issues yet and we hope you enjoy! Until next time, happy reading. Sincerely, Jon-Paul Grice, Editor | Brett Barter, Publisher
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M E N S W E A R | L I F E S T Y L E | F I E L D G E A R | F LY G O O D S 2 8 4 8 S E LW Y N AV E . C LT | T H E S P O R T I N G G E N T. C O M
EST. 2011
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EST. 2011
OUR TEAM PUBLISHER Brett Barter ART DIRECTOR Jon-Paul Grice EDITOR Sunny Hubler SALES Ashley Carlini Kathleen Hands EDITORIAL Liza Carrasquillo Eleanor Merrell EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Bryan Crutchfield Emma Merchant Mary Elizabeth Myrick Brianna WIlmoth PHOTOGRAPHY Jamey Price
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The Mark of Distinction in World Class Home Building™ Charlotte (704) 889.1600 Charleston (843) 801.1600 www.kingswoodhomes.com
C H A R LO T T E C H A R L E S TO N World Class Living
Catch it before the lights go out. Immersed in Light: Studio Drift at the Mint is on view through April 26 at Mint Museum Uptown. mintmuseum.org
EST. 2011
CONTACT US FEEDBACK We welcome your feedback—both positive and negative—and believe it is very valuable in our constant pursuit to be better as a publication. We encourage all of our readers to contact us with any critiques, compliments, or questions by email at info@qcexclusive.com. EDITORIAL
Immersed in Light: Studio Drift at the Mint is generously presented by PNC with additional support from the Mint Museum Auxiliary and Duke Energy – Piedmont Natural Gas. This program is also supported as part of the Dutch Culture USA program by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York. IMAGE: Studio Drift. Fragile Future 3 (Detail), 2018, photo courtesy of Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery
Contact JP Grice by phone at 828-773-4922 or email at jp@qcexclusive.com. ADVERTISING Contact Brett Barter by phone at 704-219-9088 or email at brett@qcexclusive.com. INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Please contact us by email at sunny@qcexclusive.com. EVENTS & PARTNERSHIPS Post an event in QCExclusive or inquire about partnering with us for an upcoming event by email at info@qcexclusive.com.
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s p r in g 2 0 2 0
EDITOR’S CHOICE
A Beautiful Mess Selena Beaudry’s A Beautiful Mess exhibit on display at Hidell Brooks Gallery. Selena Beaudry lives and works in London. Her work consists of cut out collages and oil paintings, with a focus on color through loose, gestural brushstrokes. Her art is intricate, delicate, and precise, as the designs weave across the paper. hidellbrooks.com
APRIL / MAY 2020 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 31
The Eventist // Spring 2020 EDITOR’S CHOICE
May 2, 2020 Illumination: The 2020 Gala at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art Celebrate the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art’s 10-year anniversary at one of Charlotte’s most colorful and eclectic annual fundraising galas on Saturday, May 2, 2020. Chaired by Lynn and Brian Good and presented by Duke Energy, Illumination celebrates a decade of art and community and honors the extraordinary generosity of the Bechtler family and their gift to Charlotte. All proceeds support the museum’s exhibitions and educational programming. — bechtler.org
4.16.20 ArtBreak 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 African-American Arts + Culture. mintmuseum.org 4.17.20 70’s Soul Jam This is a night of music you don't want to
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miss. Groove out as The New Stylistics, Emotions, Heatwave, and Blue Notes perform at Ovens Auditorium at 8 p.m. blumenthalarts.org 4.18.20 Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes at The Fillmore Press pause and enjoy the unique stage presence of Grammy-winning lead of Alabama Shakes as she brings her solo tour to Charlotte at The Fillmore 8 p.m. fillmorenc.com
4.18.20 Billy Joel Leave changed by the experience of sharing an evening with the loved American singer-songwriter, composer, and pianist Billy Joel. panthers.com 4.19.20 - 4.25.20 Opera Carolina: I Dream Set over the final 36 hours of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life, I Dream celebrates the man, his struggles and the movement
The Eventist // Spring 2020
he championed. Performed at the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. blumenthalarts.org 4.22.20 Blurred Lines: Inside the Art World Film Screening Take a behind the scenes look at the glamour and drama of the contemporary art world. The film is directed by Barry Avrich and features famous performance artist Marina Abramovic. mintmuseum.org 4.22.20 - 4.25.20 Charlotte Wine and Food Charlotte Wine and Food brings together leading winemakers and chefs from around the world to help celebrate and curate an appreciation for great wine and food. The event will benefit local charitable organizations that aim to help children and their families in the Charlotte community. charlottewineandfood.org 4.22.20 Earth Day 50th Celebration This Earth Day event celebrates local, replicable success stories for saving the planet. Eight TED-style speakers representing Charlotte area environmental nonprofits will tell stories and spread hope for our planet’s future. carolinaraptorcenter.org 4.24.20 TEDxCharlotte 2020 Learn some new things at TEDxCharlotte’s 10th event at Dale F. Halton Theater from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. TEDx has lined up a number of speakers they’re excited to share with you. tedxcharlotte.com 4.24.20 Women in Data Science Conference UNC Charlotte’s School of Data Science partners with Lowe’s to host the third annual Women in Data Science (WiDs) Conference from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte.
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H E H E ART OF M Y E RS PARK
H O M E S D E S I G N E D T O F I T YO U R L I F E S T Y L E • D I S C OV E R O U R M O D E R N L IV I N G C O M M U N I T I E S HopperCommunities.com
APRIL / MAY 2020 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 35
The Eventist // Spring 2020
This event features a variety of keynote speakers, panel discussions, as well as a reception to network and enjoy cocktails. datascience.uncc.edu 4.25.20 Coveted Couture Gala: Black & Light This year, The Mint Museum’s annual spring fundraising gala will be a special evening of Black & Light, celebrating Classic Black: The Basalt Sculpture of Wedgwood & His Contemporaries and the closing of Immersed in Light: Studio Drift at the Mint. Classic Black and Immersed in Light are both Mintorganized exhibitions that demonstrate the museum’s commitment to bringing innovative, ground-breaking experiences to our community in creative and compelling fashion much like this year’s Gala will do. mintmuseum.org
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4.26.20 Pink Sunday Susan G. Komen Charlotte presents Pink Sunday, a free breast health educational event. Pink Sunday aims to address specific health disparities seen in the Charlotte community as well as educate and promote breast health awareness and early breast cancer detection. komencharlotte.org 4.28.20 - 5.3.20 Anastasia at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Travel back in time to the Russian Empire as Tony Award-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime bring you the musical Anastasia. blumenthalarts.org 5.1.20 - 5.2.20 Brahms Double Concerto Christopher Warren-Green leads the Charlotte orchestra as they present Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 as well as Brahms' dramatic and virtuosic Concerto for Violin and Cello. blumenthalarts.org
Photo by Michael Blevins
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The Eventist // Spring 2020
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Congrats. You just found the historic lighthouse on the Crystal Coast. Now it’s time to BookTheCoast.com and visit North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks.
5.1.20 Discovery Place Nature Exploration Weekend Journey into the Blue Ridge Mountains for a weekend of outdoor adventure! Renowned naturalists and outdoor professionals will lead classes and workshops, as well as hikes and explorations. discoveryplace.org 5.13.20 Art of Reading Public Tour: The Invention of Wings Sue Monk Kidd’s The Invention of Wings is set in early 19th Century Charleston and presents two extraordinary women: one an urban slave descended from Fon people of western Africa; the other a planter-class Charlestonian who evolved into a Quaker abolitionist and feminist. Discuss this Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 selection, then see selected works of art. mintmuseum.org
North Carolina’s
southern outer banks
5.16.20 - 5.17.20 Nourished Festival Get nourished at the Charlotte Convention Center with a festival geared specifically towards those currently or interested in living a gluten-free, allergen-friendly or specialty diet lifestyle. Visit five different zones (Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo, Keto and Plant-Based) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. nourishedfestival.com 5.29.20 The Lumineers Breathe the fresh air with tunes from The Lumineers for “III: The World Tour” at PNC Music Pavilion at 7 p.m. charlottemusicpavilion.com
_ To list your upcoming event in our "Eventist" section please send an inquiry to info@qcexclusive.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Pub: QC Exclusive - Charlotte Insert: April 2020 Size: 4.75"x9.125"
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IN THE N EGATI V E SPACE Artist Nathaniel Lancaster creates as he erases. words ELEANOR MERRELL photos JAMEY PRICE
APRIL / MAY 2020 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 41
The Culture // Musings
C
Charlottean Nathaniel Lancaster has salt and pepper scruff and tattoos at each elbow. He looks like an artist, and he plays the part, too: Lancaster has embraced residencies at both Goodyear Arts and the McColl Center, and he has exhibited at the Mint Museum, North Carolina Museum of Art, and throughout Charlotte. His art drops visual cues like landscapes snatched through the window of a fast moving car. Viewers must piece together meaning, assembling clues plucked from the briefest flash in space and time. It’s clearly the work of someone curious about his surroundings, someone destined to create.
“I didn’t have an endgame planned for my life, but I knew that I wanted a career related to the arts or being creative."
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“I didn’t have an endgame planned for my life, but I knew that I wanted a career related to the arts or being creative, though I never planned on being an ‘artist,’” says Lancaster. And yet, after switching his course of study from graphic design to fine art, Lancaster graduated from UNCC’s MFA program with an academic record punctuated by prizes: twice named Best in Show at the Student Juried Exhibition, twice earning the Chancellor’s Select Award, and receiving the Chancellor’s Purchase Award. Now, Lancaster balances his artistic inclinations with his nine to five, sneaking to the studio after work to paint. He combines technique and experimentation, welcoming in-studio mistakes as he crafts the base of each painting. As he creates, he searches for concepts and imagery, culminating in pieces that are rich in meaning. When he’s not working or in the studio, he’s
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The Culture // Musings
“You’ve got to keep making work. If you’re not making work, you’re not a working artist.”
snapping reference photos, researching, or visiting galleries. Lancaster puts it simply: “You’ve got to just keep making work. If you’re not making work, you’re not a working artist.” The results of his long days are layered images, often veering toward absurdist or comedic because, as Lancaster muses, “if art is a reflection of society, what kind of a world have we been living in?” Many of his pieces feature looping cursive script scrawled over images. “I like the duality of erasing visual information,” explains Lancaster. “The negative space is actually adding more visual information for the viewer to decipher by the inclusion of the text.”
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For Lancaster, text and image exist in matrimony. He fills his sketchbooks not with sketches, but with text. He covers pages with concisely articulated concepts and possible titles before ever reaching for a paint brush, with thoughtprovoking results. You can find Nathaniel Lancaster at Goodyear Arts in Camp Northend. info nathaniellancaster.com @nathaniellancasterart
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The Culture // Exhibition
W
A RT AT SH A I N
Whitney Stoddard and Christy Kinard at Shain Gallery words SUNNY HUBLER
Whitney Stoddard and Christy Kinard will open their shows at Shain Gallery on April 3, 2020. Both will run through the end of the month of April. The piece pictured is Esmay, 33x24.5, Acrylic on tea-stained paper. Stoddard, a Charleston resident, will be at the gallery for the opening reception Friday, April 3 from 6 - 8 p.m. Inspired by classic design elements and all things vintage, Whitney is best known for her original
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photo courtesy SHAIN GALLERY
Tea Collection from which her audience first grew. Christy Kinard is a Southern mixed media artist, creating rich floral compositions and impressions of Southern life and its many cultural traditions. info shaingallery.com / @shaingallery
The Culture // Marquee
P
I DR E A M
A performance you'll want to see from Opera Carolina words SUNNY HUBLER photo courtesy OPERA CAROLINA
Presented by Novant Health on April 19, 23, and 25 of 2020, I Dream is a modern, musical drama that recounts the final 36 hours in the remarkable life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Composer Douglas Tappin depicts him as a flawed man of God who taught a nation that only love can obliterate hate. Although I Dream is largely based on real events, where necessary or creatively desirable, the imperatives of a theatrical presentation have taken precedence over historical precision. Tappin told Opera fans, “I set out to create something artistically excellent: musically, lyrically and as a matter of production–and something entertaining: a powerful, moving operatic experience that is memorable and enduring.” Enjoy it for yourself this spring.
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— info — operacarolina.org / @operacarolina
The Culture // Style
A CA ROL I N I A N A RT SPACE Covet Atelier: A shop dedicated to showcasing Carolina artisans.
C
words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos JAMEY PRICE
“The shop strives to be a premier destination for makers interested in showcasing their wares among those of like-minded peers.”
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Covet Atelier is not your typical artisan shop. Rather than mass-produced goods or fast fashion, Covet Atelier keeps things a little closer to home. As a store dedicated to curating items made only in the Carolinas, the team, led by owner Kimi Pace, puts a strong emphasis on the relationship between the customer and the artist—starting with the store’s name. “Atelier” is French for “the room an artist works in.” It’s a place where artists—or makers, as Covet Atelier calls them—can let their creativity pour free as they work on the latest project. To covet such a space is to yearn for the artistic process, to want nothing more than to be a part of
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The Culture // Style
“As a store dedicated to curating items made only in the Carolinas, Covet Atelier puts a strong emphasis on the relationship between the customer and the artist.” the maker’s world, even just to peek behind the curtain while they work. Whether they’re selling a micro painting or handmade soaps, Covet Atelier works hard to make sure the customer feels connected to the maker while shopping. Unlike many other artisanal shops, however, Covet Atelier doesn’t only focus on the customers. The shop strives to be a premier destination for makers interested in showcasing their wares among those of like-minded peers. It’s a place where makers know that their work, including the creative process behind it, will be respected by everyone involved in selling and buying it.
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Covet Atelier wasn’t always the brick and mortar bridge between Carolinian makers and customers, however. In its early years, the company faced its fair share of setbacks. Originally conceived through Kickstarter by founder Kimi Pace, Covet Atelier was meant to be a fully online store. Through this store, customers could shop local goods wherever they were. But she remodeled her business and began selling curated gift boxes instead. Pace also started partnering with local Charlotte businesses, including Gateau Baking Co., to host pop-up shops across the city. As her popularity with local customers grew, so did her connections to local makers. After traveling
The Culture // Style
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throughout the Carolinas with seasonal pop-up shops for about a year, Pace opened her first brick and mortar in Plaza Midwood. Covet Atelier sells a wide range of items, all made with high-quality materials and ingredients, and all made with the kind of care not found in chain home goods stores. They also frequently partner with other local businesses for pop ups, like the Charlotte plant shop Grow. Customers can find all kinds of goods, from clay dinner plates, vases and teapots to jewelry, loose incense and soy candles. To find out more about Covet Atelier, their pop-ups, or their latest items, visit the website or stop by the shop yourself. info @covetatelier covetatelier.com
The Culture // Wellness
T H E V I BE
I
Edith McDonnell and Ansley Melnik bring VIBE5 Fitness to Charlotte exercise lovers. words ELEANOR MERRELL / photos JAMEY PRICE or courtesy VIBE5
If you haven’t been to VIBE5 near SouthPark, yet, then you need to—drop your current gym membership and go. In the beautiful VIBE5 studio, you will find yoga, strength, and cardio classes designed for both adults and youth, as well as a wide variety of fitness levels. Owners Edith McDonnell and Ansley Melnik have almost 20 years of fitness instruction experience between them, while their third co-owner, Amy Radke, transitioned from the corporate world with the goal of making fitness and yoga more accessible. Together, the trio has designed a studio that is health-first, rather than trendfirst, prioritizing client’s long-lasting well-being first and foremost.
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The Culture // Wellness
“As a women-owned business, we are proud to create a studio that is diverse, inclusive and safe.” Tell us about the concept and motivation behind the studio. Our studio motto is “sweat heals.” We want people to feel like they are part of our community the minute they walk through the doors. The “five” in VIBE5 (pronounced vibes) comes from our five pillars: yoga, cardio, strength training, youth, and community.
structor (yoga, strength training, spin), group exercise coordinator, fitness consultant, and in marketing and now as a part owner of a studio. Edith: I have been teaching yoga for ten years now, and before that I was a personal trainer. Nothing is more gratifying than being a teacher.
Tell us about each of your backgrounds in the fitness world. Amy: Coming from the corporate world, I was very interested in making fitness and yoga accessible and more mainstream, so that it was a welcoming place to get healthy, even if you didn’t have an established exercise program or practice. Ansley: Since 2011, I’ve been in the fitness world as an in-
How have you gone about selecting trainers and instructors for VIBE5? What do you want them to embody? Edith: Our teachers really teach, and don’t just “cue” a class. All the years of experience of our instructors, some with as much as 20-plus years, makes each of them very unique and able to connect with students in such a genuine way. We are so proud to teach alongside our staff.
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The Culture // Wellness What makes VIBE5 unique as a place for fitness? Edith: Our clients make us unique. They sometimes come in smiling and ready to go for it and sometimes they are exhausted and just in need to lay on their mat. We get it. VIBE5 holds a space for them. I am most proud of the community of support that we see and feel every day. We provide the safest, most effective way for you to stay moving well in your body and a path to a yoga practice that heals. What type of clientele do you cater to? Everyone. But that’s not just a blanket statement… We have a myriad of yoga classes to choose from, and our strength training and bootcamp classes are some of the most challenging and technically balanced workouts around. Overall, what would you say is the guiding mission? Since 2017, we’ve been very deliberate in building a studio to serve the Charlotte community that can be both valuable and sustainable. What we’re doing at VIBE5 is innovative, but we’re also very careful that it lines up with who we are and what we believe in. We are not de rigueur, and we’re okay with that. As a women-owned business, we are proud to create a studio that is diverse, inclusive and safe. It is time to move the needle on that in the Charlotte fitness scene. info vibe5fitness.com / @vibe5fitness
JIM PHELPS COLLECTION LUXURY DESIGN AND CONSULTING WWW.JIMPHELPSCOLLECTION.NET | CONCORD, NC 28025 | HELENA, MT 59635 | 704–239–5372 | @JPCSTU_D_O
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T H E S PR E A D
FOOD AND DRINK
SI M PL E . CR A FTED. DEL ICIOUS. Osteria LuCa, an Italian destination for friends and family, opens with acclaim at the popular Park Road Shopping Center.
words ELEANOR MERRELL photos JAMEY PRICE and RODNEY STONER
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The Spread // Tastemaker
K
Ken and Tricia Martino are husband and wife and co-owners of Osteria LuCa, Charlotte’s new Italian restaurant in the Park Road Shopping Center. The restaurant, which opened in January of this year, is their second Charlotte venture, following the success of TRUE Crafted Pizza in the Ballantyne area. TRUE and Osteria LuCa are the products of a lifetime in the restaurant industry. Both Ken and Tricia have been
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immersed in food service since young adulthood—Ken since high school and Tricia since college—and the couple moved to Charlotte specifically to introduce their culinary passions to the city. At Osteria LuCa, the culinary staff begins each dish with high quality ingredients, and then brings out their inherent tastiness with a few twists—perhaps a dash of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, a blast of heat.
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Artisanal The Spread // Tastemaker
“Simplicity above all else. This is the most important component of preparing Italian food.”
Ingredients are sourced locally when possible; for example, Osteria LuCa’s cheese supplier is, fittingly, local by way of Italy. Menu staples are available year-round, while other dishes rotate to showcase seasonal ingredients. The star attraction of the menu is its woodfired pizza selection. Available with red or white bases, Osteria LuCa pizzas feature innovative toppings and sophisticated cheeses. For an outstanding red base experience, sample the broccoli rabe and
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sausage pizza, or try the wild mushrooms and caramelized onions white pie, topped with taleggio, fontina, and fresh thyme. The menu also includes an expansive appetizer list, which can be explored tapas style or individually and which offers both hot and cold options. And, of course, no Italian restaurant would be complete without a selection of pasta dishes. At Osteria LuCa, options include ricotta ravioli, pappardelle bolognese, and cavatelli with lamb sausage and rabe.
The Spread // Tastemaker Photo by Rodney Stoner
“[It's a space where] the whole neighborhood can get together and just have a nice meal and enjoy each other’s company.”
Guests can pair their fare with an assortment of libations. The wine list is entirely Italian, featuring small production bottles with varietal character. Nine of the ten draft beers are brewed in North Carolina, and eight of those nine come directly from Charlotte breweries. Traditional Italian and modern American cocktails are also available for the sophisticated sipper. Although diners come to Osteria LuCa for the food, they return for the people. The Martinos’ vision for LuCa is a welcoming and communal space akin to a family restaurant in a small Italian town. They wanted to construct a space where “the whole neighborhood can get together and just have a nice meal and enjoy each other’s company,” says Ken. This vision becomes reality through a friendly and responsive
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staff, as well as the restaurant’s design, which incorporates floor to ceiling windows, communal tables, high ceilings, and a window into the firing area. Named for Ken and Tricia’s children, Lucas and Caroline, LuCa emphasized family and friends from the outset. The Martino family continues to pursue a relationship with Osteria LuCa’s neighborhood by serving the community when they aren’t feeding it. The result is a restaurant for anyone and everyone, for new friends and old friends, and, of course, for wine and pizza. info osterialuca.com @osterialucaclt
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The Spread // Wine
L
COM M U N IT Y F L AVOR S The story behind Davidson’s downtown winery and bistro. words ERIK A NESTO / photos JAMEY PRICE
Located on a quiet little side street off the main drag of downtown Davidson, a brick-walled wine bar opened its doors in late 2019. It’s a unique addition—the first place of its kind for the lively but ultimately still small college town. Lindsey Williams, a lawyer turned winemaker, is the force behind Davidson’s first urban winery. She comes armed with an eye for interiors, a love and knowledge of wine tasting and making, and a desire to better the community with a gathering space. When she realized, after nearly a decade of living here, that Davidson lacked an accessible spot to enjoy
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locally-made wine, she simply created her own. Today, you can enjoy a glass, a flight, a bite, or live entertainment six days a week. Lindsey sources grapes globally, which allows her team to make over 50 different kinds of wine from some of the best grape growing regions in the world, like California, Italy, France, New Zealand, and Chile. The passionate, entrepreneurial visionary behind Davidson Wine Co shared with us how the winery started, where it’s headed, and everything in between.
The Spread // Wine
When did Davidson Wine Co officially open, and how did the idea start? I originally became interested in wine after a trip to Italy for a friend’s wedding. When I began to think of ways to start my own business, I decided to take my love of wine and bring a wine concept to Davidson. DWC officially opened August 2, 2019. What type of wine do you carry and how do you choose the varieties? Once we are fully in wine production, we will carry up to 30 different types of wine. We have everything from sweet white wines to bold reds, and everything in between. Because we import our grapes, we have the ability to make many different types of wine. We rotate our wine menu weekly and choose our wines based off of the responses from our guests.
Why was it important to you to host live entertainment? We host live music and comedy a couple of times per month. We also hosted our first Murder Mystery Dinner in January. It was important to me that DWC is not just a place to come and drink wine, but also a center of entertainment for Davidson.
“I tell everyone to not be afraid to try something different.”
Who is the chef and how did you select menu items? Chef Justin Mitlenher and our kitchen team have curated a small plates menu featuring cheese and charcuterie boards, flatbreads, salads, and other good bites.
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How do you see DWC fitting into the community? I have lived in Davidson for eight years and feel that DWC fills a void in the community. Not only do we serve wine, but we contribute to the local charities and community events. DWC has even become a meeting place for local nonprofits, book clubs and other organizations.
what would you say to someone who isn't sure what types of wine they enjoy yet? I tell everyone to not be afraid to try something different. We have a wine flight where we rotate four different samples of wine on a weekly basis. There are a mixture of reds, whites and sparkling wines on the flight and it's a great way to try something new.
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The Spread // Wine
“It was important to me that DWC is not just a place to come and drink wine, but also a center of entertainment for Davidson.”
Our guests tend to like our sweetest wines (like Almond Sparkling and unoaked Chardonnay) or our red blends. Both are easy to drink, but for different reasons. Who did the design? A lot of folks helped with the overall design of the space. I picked out the majority of the finishes, the colors, tile, and so on, but I also had the help of the architect and millwork teams on the more structural elements. I wanted to honor the history of the space, which had been used as an organ building shop, while creating an environment where folks would want to come and stay for a while. Yellow is my favorite color, so you will see pops of color sprinkled throughout the space. What's next for Davidson Wine Co? During the first quarter of 2020, we will be focused on getting our wine production up and running. Look for us to be offering bottling parties very soon! info davidsonwineco.com / @davidsonwineco
GO COASTAL. STAY LOCAL. 129 E. 5th St. 704 • 412 • 2616 Free Parking Reservations Call Ahead Seating
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The Spread // Plated
BOSSY BEU L A H'S
T H E BE AU T CH ICK EN SA M M I E words TAMIYA ANDERSON / photo THE PL AID PENGUIN
A bun, chicken, pickles, and mayo... Chicken sandwiches are an old-school classic here in the South. With their generations-old flare, Bossy Beulah’s has elevated this traditional cuisine into an art form with soul. Bossy Beulah’s signature sammie, “The Beaut,” is the headliner of the joint. Breaded by hand and soaked in buttermilk, the meat Chef Jim Noble uses is sourced from Joyce Farms and topped with pickles, Duke’s mayo, and a potato bun. An added slice of cheese will take you into the territory of “The Chessy Beaut,” an equally delicious menu staple. — info — bossybeulahs.com / @bossybeulahs
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The Spread // Poured
DOGWOOD SOU T H E R N TA BL E'S
W I N TER I N BA R BA DOS words SUNNY HUBLER photo THE PL AID PENGUIN
Brian Lorusso is a spirit expert: You can often find him searching for the most rare and unique bottles he can find, and using his collection to entertain, enlighten and educate guests. His cocktails are unique, flavor-forward, and memorable, like this “Winter in Barbados” from Dogwood that we can’t get out of our heads. Made with Plantation Pineapple rum, Cocchi sweet vermouth, Cappelletti (a wine-based aperitif), and a dash of chocolate bitters, it’s just tropical enough to transport you far from the last of the chilly days. — info — dogwoodsoutherntable.com @dogwoodclt
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H O M E A N D D ES I G N
T H E F OL IO
T HOUGH T F U L LY CR E ATED, BE AU TI F U L LY ACCOM PL ISH ED At the Designer’s Desk with Wanda Horton
words EMMA MERCHANT / photos of spaces by DUSTIN PECK / portrait by DEBORAH TRIPLETT
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The Folio // Foundation
A
A North Carolina native, Wanda has called the Queen City home for over 30 years. Through her design firm, Wanda S. Horton Interior Design, she has beautified her home state via residential projects in the Charlotte area, as well as into the coastal and mountain regions. Although Horton was exposed to design at a young age, antiquing with her mother and grandmother and learning the subtleties of furniture arrangement, she chose to study healthcare for the first years of her un-
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dergrad. Ultimately, she shifted her major to interior design, returning to her childhood interest with a new lens. She began to see not only what suited a space, but also the effect of tweaks to a living environment on the inhabitants’ mood. “I had, and still have, a strong belief that our surroundings impact our lives,” says Horton, who cites color choice as an example: it can uplift, calm, invigorate, and more, entirely altering the tone of presence.
Photo: Galina Juliana
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The Folio // Foundation
“Being comfortable with choices I’ve made and not designing simply to be part of a trend makes for an enduring home.” “Seeing a client’s reaction to a space that supports them in every way — both physically and emotionally — reaffirms my decision to pursue design.” At their root, her designs are classic, but Horton never passes up an opportunity to add a Bohemian splash, perhaps a dash of bright color or a lively piece of art. She keeps her own workspace neat and organized to promote calm and order, often infusing her clients’ spaces with the same tranquility. Horton also knows well the value of deploying minor changes — a new throw here, a different flower arrangement there — to reinvigorate rooms, rather than completely reinvesting or redesigning. “Being comfortable with choices I’ve made and not designing simply to be part of a trend makes for an enduring home,” she explains.
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Hospitality + Residential Design HOUSEOFNOMADDESIGN.COM
The Folio // Foundation
“It’s my commitment for our clients’ projects to be thoughtfully created and beautifully accomplished.” Of course, an enduring home is most likely to emerge from an intentional and thorough process. Horton begins by studying her clients’ styles and preferences. “I ask essential questions because I want to learn what makes them feel supported by their homes,” she explains. She works to build trust with her clients, so they can feel confident both in their decisions and in her guidance. Then, she collaborates with her clients to build visual concepts before diving in. “It’s my commitment for our clients’ projects to be thoughtfully created and beautifully accomplished.” No matter the space, Horton knows one thing: “Design impacts people in ways that can’t always be articulated, but its presence is always felt.” That’s why she works to make each project reach its fullest potential and guide the inhabitants to their best selves. info wandashorton.com @wandashortoninteriordesign
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luxur y kitchens and bathrooms
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The Folio // Profile
GLOBA L LY MODER N
I
Mackenzie Bryant & Co. is a retail-meets-design concept that showcases a contemporary style words ELEANOR MERRELL photos JAMEY PRICE
In 2017, Mackenzie Gibson and Zachariah Bryant founded Mackenzie Bryant & Co, a design studio and retail space offering home decor and an assortment of accessories, like pillows and poufs. They met two years before and, united by a mutual desire both to work together and to each be their own bosses, they slowly grew a side project into a full-blown business. Zachariah’s design background fused flawlessly with Mackenzie’s retail and merchandising experience. “Ken and I have always had a love for one-of-a-kind items that are beautiful and unique, so a lot of the product development came easy to us,” Zachariah explains. Today, the business and life partners front a brand that is synonymous with unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that can elevate any space and are always on trend. MB & Co’s style is something akin to modern with a unique twist, underscored by their shared love of handcrafted items from other cultures and contemporary, design-forward items.
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how did you decide to go into business together? We met in 2015 and knew we wanted to work together and for ourselves. It really started small with us both doing this on the side and having full time careers. Over time, as this side project grew, we started taking it more seriously… meeting with lawyers to incorporate, accountants for infrastructure and finally leaving our full time positions to become full time business owners. What surprised you most about the process of starting up this business? How much time it takes to get a foundation under you. They say you make all your mistakes your first year, and if you can make it to your second then you can apply everything you learned from those mistakes.
The Folio // Profile
of-a-kind items at a price point that is accessible to all. With this said, we provide our customers with a good, better, best offering… For example, we offer mudcloth pillows with either a canvas backing and elope closure at a lower price or a double sided mudcloth pillow (pattern on both sides) at a higher price. We also can spend months or even a year sourcing a product to get it at the right price for our clientele. We will travel continents to find the best partner for a product. We may know we want to offer a product for a year, but until we can get it right we won’t offer it.
What started your interest in the home/design industry? Zachariah started his career as a fashion designer and had a women’s ready-to-wear collection at Nordstrom nationwide for a couple years until the recession. While he always loved designing clothing, home decor seemed to come more naturally to him. Ken has always had an eye for merchandising and this also translates well to home decor and home staging. You source many of your materials from around the world and your home décor is handcrafted. Yet, you have managed to build a brand that sells products at an affordable cost. How are you able to maintain these prices? This was always a main pillar in our mission; to provide one-
How do you source products for the shop? Who or what are some of your favorite places to go for inspiration? Morocco, India, and Thailand. These areas have had the best fabrics for our brand and have a lot of amazing craftsmanship in these regions. In the US, we love to go to New York and LA to see what designers and artists are doing. We also visit a lot of modern art museums. What are the advantages of operating this business as a partnership? Challenges? When things get stressful or overwhelming, it is wonderful to have someone there who you can count on and that can help you get through a challenge. Communication, as with everything else, is key and is something we both work on every day.
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The Folio // Profile
Your products are sold online, but you also offer interior design services. Can you tell us a little bit about this process? We offer design service by appointment only, and we have worked with set designers and or interior designers across the country. We have done things like curate and design pillow collections for the Ace Hotel Chicago. In this case they sent images of the rooms and lobby and we submitted assortments that we felt worked in their space and they did! We have also designed custom collections for retailers. How has your brand developed over time, and what are your goals for this company in the future? We want to continue to offer one-of-a-kind products at an accessible price, build out our showroom, and continue to be a resource to interior designers, set designers and the public who have a love for design. info mackenziebryantandco.com @mackenziebryantsco
Sophisticated Design, Personal Approach.
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The Folio // Vignette
A DI N I NG ROOM AT T H E H E A RT OF T H E HOM E words SUNNY HUBLER / photo L AM STUDIOS
Completed in 2018, this Weddington home from designer Lorraine Mulligan of LAM Studios was in need of an entire downstairs refresh. An expanded dining area and kitchen was priority number one, since the client has triplet children and frequently hosts family and friends. LAM gutted the kitchen space, reconfiguring it to include a large island, farmhouse sink, and floating shelves. The dining room, which was located in the front of the house, was reconfigured and
scaled with the addition of a large salvage antique door that the team built into a doorway surround to access the kitchen. “The renovation created the much needed space and utility that the client wanted with a relaxed, comfortable and inviting home perfect for their busy family,” Mulligan explains. The custom dining table is Tritter Feefer, the dining chairs and all upholstery were custom-made by The Ellen Ash Collection, and lamps are by Aiden Grey.
— info — lamstudiosinc.com / @lamstudiosinc
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Easy like a Sunday morning.
Specialty Shops SouthPark | 6401 Morrison Blvd | Charlotte NC 28211 | 704-442-4006 | bedsidemanor.com
The Folio // Vignette
A SOOT H I NG N U R SERY words SUNNY HUBLER / photo DUSTIN PECK
Traci Zeller, the lead force behind Traci Zeller Interiors, completed this nursery just in time for this SouthPark clients’ baby girl’s arrival in December of 2019. “My clients wanted a soft, beautiful nursery to welcome home their first baby,” Traci explained. She envisioned soft pinks, offwhites, creams, and gold. Her original inspiration included a feature wall, but she fell in love with this wallpaper I pulled, and we went from there.” The nursery is soft, pretty, and feminine, without being overly baby-ish or sweet. The daybed and bedside tables were kept neutral so that they could easily be repurposed if, one day, baby girl
is joined by a brother. Every element of the design was thoughtfully considered by Traci for now and the future. The scallop on the drapery, the brush fringe on the daybed bolsters and the embroidered tape trim on the rocker glider, ottoman and crib skirt bring couture-level detail: The result is a room even a grown-up girl could love. Stark Carpet did the carpeting, while the daybed and rocker glider are from Wesley Hall. The fabric is an Inside Out performance fabric from Valdese Weavers, the crystal chandelier is Visual Comfort, and the original art is Kelley Ogburn. The mirrors are plaster from France and available through Traci’s website.
— info — tracizeller.com / @tracizeller
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layne@laynebarter.com
www.laynebarter.com
Instagram: @laynebarter
The Folio // Blueprint
EL EGA NCE I N E ASTOV ER A Grande Custom Builders project in the popular Charlotte neighborhood is a masterclass in design, details, and execution.
words ELEANOR MERRELL / photos MICHAEL BLEVINS
The Folio // Blueprint
A
Although Grande Custom Builders may begin with a vision that’s, well, grand, they spend much of their time trafficking in details. Their recent 5,390 square foot home build in Eastover offers a perfect example of the process and product of this Charlotte-based design and renovation company. Grande Custom Builders begins every project with a strong understanding of the direction and mood intended for a home. With this in hand, they can more easily navigate through the decision making process and best realize their clients’ visions.
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For this Eastover home, the Grande Custom Builders team aspired to a modern classic design. This is evident from the curbside view, where a classic Georgian brick exterior meets a modern twist. Inside, five bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a bonus room, and third floor flex space offer plenty of well appointed living space. Built with a resident who enjoys entertaining in mind, this house features an open concept floor plan and an intimate courtyard and backyard bathed in beautiful simplicity. Both indoors and outdoors, guests will discover a clean aesthetic that achieves maximum impact through high ceilings and tall doors.
The Folio // Blueprint
Guests enter through a ten foot pivoting metal door and pass through the two-story foyer, which is warmed by whitewashed shiplap. From here, the glow of the living room chandelier draws visitors further into the home. The focal point of the living room is a four-panel sliding pocket door and the row of windows above that showcase the covered porch, which has points of visual or physical access across the back of the house. In the kitchen, the white color palette is softened by graywashed oak along the island and cabinet. The island is also leathered, which provides some textural difference that juxtaposes nicely with the otherwise sleek kitchen.
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The majority of the walls and trim are painted a warm white, with the exception of the library hallway, which contrasts starkly with the rest of the house, especially the white architectural fireplace. Throughout, neutral furnishings complement the open and airy home, while also softening the black windows and doors. Although the design is primarily modern, Grande Custom Builders drilled down on the details to incorporate significant contrast and texture that preserves a modicum of homey warmth. info grandebuilders.com / @grandecustombuilders
EVERY ELEMENT CONSIDERED. EVERY DETAIL PERFECTED. At Draper Place, we have curated a design aesthetic and lifestyle that has raised the bar and set a new standard in apartment living that extends well beyond the home. Featuring thoughtfully designed 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom floor plans ranging between 1,500 to 2,300 square feet, no detail is spared. This is a destination for exceptional living built on a foundation of elevated service and attention to detail. Located on Randolph Road, on the cusp of historic Elizabeth and prestigious Eastover neighborhoods, Draper Place is Charlotte living at its finest.
Schedule a Personalized Tour Today 2426 Vail Ave | Charlotte, NC 28207 | (704) 251-9815 D R A P E R P L A C E . L I V E
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T R AV E L A N D S P O R T I N G
T H E E X PL OR E D
A SOU T H ER N W ELCOM E Planters Inn offers a welcome respite in the Holy City. words TAMIYA ANDERSON photos courtesy PLANTERS INN
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The Explored // Weekender
I
In the heart of historic Charleston, Planters Inn is a boutique hotel that blends elegant Southern style with the relics of South Carolina’s rich history. At Planters Inn, guests are greeted in an intimate parlor that mimics the exquisite aesthetic of the sitting rooms of Charleston’s most prominent mansions. Indeed, with a title like “The Grande Dame of Hotels,” it should come as no surprise that this South Carolina inn offers an enthralling experience.
taurants, The Planters Inn is a Charleston gem that reigns supreme. Furnished with beautiful antiques, each room in Planters Inn is a reflection of the inn’s deep-rooted heritage that began in 1844 and transformed in 1994. Its contemporary interior is comprised of 64 rooms decorated with custom décor, modern furnishings, and awe-inspiring pieces of art. The hand-carved mahogany beds provide the perfect view of the estate’s courtyard.
Rooms & Furnishings — A locally-owned affiliate of Relais & Châteaux, an upscale collection of affluent hotels, boutiques, villas, and res-
Food & Drink — Every day spent at Planters Inn is the ultimate embodiment of Southern hospitality, beginning with complimentary coffee
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The Explored // Weekender service each morning and ending with complimentary macarons each night. In the evenings, guests are encouraged to relish in an intimate, welcoming gourmet meal at the estate’s Peninsula Grill. In recognition of their praiseworthy service, Peninsula Grill has received Forbes Fours Stars and AAA Four Diamonds for over twenty years. Marking “no visit complete” without a slice of their ultimate coconut cake, Planter’s Inn presses each guest to delight in this glorious taste of delectability that will forever change your idea of a delicious dessert. The eatery underscores the enchanting dining experience that leaves each diner satisfied and ready to sip on a cool beverage, served at the Champagne Bar. Entertainment — Nestled in the ideal location for fun, relaxing, and memorable activities, The Planters Inn features several one-of-kind experiences for guests with a wide array of interests. For a calm, relaxing day devoted to sight-seeing and leisure, take a languid carriage ride that features a close
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The Explored // Weekender
view of Charleston’s Antebellum mansions. Following your ride, marvel at the breath-taking scenery that will headline historical landmarks of the American Civil War aboard a luxurious cruise to Fort Sumter. Once you return to land, stop by the South Carolina Aquarium and get hands-on with a few exotic sea-creatures at the Touch Tank. Calm or adventurous, onsite or beyond the grounds, there is an activity for every guest who stays at this multifaceted property. — The Planters Inn provides each guest with an opulent, upscale, and memorable stay. A weekend at this property supplies only a superficial start to an experience that will have you desiring to extend your visit. With rich Charleston history and a touch of Southern charm, Planters Inn makes each weekend getaway an exceptional affair. info plantersinn.com / @plantersinnchs
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The Explored // Carolina Towns
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T H E EDGE OF A M ER ICA Everything there is to love about Folly Beach (and it’s a lot). words SUNNY HUBLER / photos JAMEY PRICE or JP GRICE
Folly Beach, on Folly Island, is just as pristine as any beach in the Carolinas, but with that little extra that the close proximity to the Holy City stands to offer. The town is all Carolina coastal vibes, but with undeniable Charleston culture and flair. It’s different than Charleston, too, though, much slower, quieter, and laidback, with an opportunity for a fuller immersion in nature. A short drive outside the city, this barrier island, often nicknamed “the Edge of America,” is equipped with everything you’re looking for out of a beach trip, from the pier to deep sea and river fishing, and surfing, kayaking, and dolphin watching. There’s good food, fun bars, and plenty of sightseeing on Folly, year round. Let’s be honest: You won’t go wrong with whatever you choose to spend your time doing, but we do have a few recommendations for a well-rounded visit. Sights — Folly Beach County Park: On the west end of the island with over 2500 feet of oceanfront, this park is where you should set up that beach umbrella, and prepare to take in the scenery.
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Morris Island Lighthouse: Tucked on the southern entrance to Charleston Harbor, this lighthouse is unusual in that it now stands several hundred feet offshore. It’s a gorgeous area, and offers plenty of opportunities for walking and sightseeing. Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve: This is the perfect peaceful spot for surf fishing, wildlife observation, and photography. Located at the northeastern terminus of Folly Island, you can even see Morris Island Lighthouse from the shores. Eats — Blu Restaurant: Housed in the Tides Hotel, this spot serves up signature seafood creations using local ingredients. Try the shrimp bruschetta to start, and go with the crispy snapper for your main. Taco Boy: If you want a break from seafood or Southern, Taco Boy is a beach-y authentic Taqueria and Cantina with can’tmiss rice bowls, a properly long list of tacos, and made-in-house “danger sauce” that we order, at our own risk, every time.
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The Explored // Carolina Towns Pier 101: Folly’s newest restaurant, Pier 101, is a beachfront bar and eatery that has it all: live music on the weekends, cold drinks, seafood, and stunning ocean views. Opened on the Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier, the hotspot offers classically-inspired American and Southern dishes. Drinks — Surf Bar: This fun Folly staple attracts locals and visitors alike for bar food, cold beverages, surf films and live music. Purveyors of a crazy-popular cheese-steak sandwich and a killer wood-fire grilled 1/2lb burger, Surf Bar is even more beloved for their drinks. You’ll want to order one of their signature Painkillers, or one of the refreshing mojitos. after a day at the beach. Year-round music happens three or four days a week, and admission is always free. The Washout: Another place that’s beloved by visitors and locals alike, The Washout has plenty of casual food options, sports always playing on their TVs, live music nights, and a big patio to take in the warm ocean breeze. In other words, why wouldn’t you want to grab a drink here?
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The Explored // Adventure
CH A M PIONS OF T H E CONGA R EE South Carolina's Congaree National Park boasts both nature and history.
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words ERIK A NESTO / photos JAMEY PRICE
Congaree National Park, in Hopkins, South Carolina, is the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. It’s an incredibly biodiverse, beautiful national park. The waters of both the Congaree and Wateree rivers flow through Congaree National Park, providing the ecosystem of this central South Carolina natural treasure each and every nutrient it needs. The intricate relationship supports the growth of state and national champion trees, fosters staggering
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The Explored // Adventure
biodiversity and reminds its visitors of the delicate beauty of nature. “Champion trees” refer to the largest specimens of a particular species, and this park has one of the most abundant concentrations of them in the world. Stretching to approximately 26,276 acres of land, this national park is also home to the United States’ largest tract of Southern bottomland hardwood trees. Beyond being known for its large hardwoods and sky high pines, the forest of Congaree also has a rich cultural history as well. Inhabitants have used the floodplain for purposes or refuge for over 13,000 years. From prehistoric dwellers to modern day conservationists and all of the stories and people between, many made this their home and contributed to what make this national park so special. Over 52 million acres of floodplain forests existed across the southeastern United States up until the late 1800s. Passionate citizens like Harry Hampton, for whom Congaree’s visitor center is named, began a successful campaign to guard the local land from harvesting and exploitation. Tenacious resilience and survival are recurring themes here and there are many activities so that you can experience it firsthand. With over 25 miles of trails, 2.4 miles of boardwalk, and access to Cedar Creek, you’ll have the freedom to experi-
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ence the lush Congaree wilderness on foot or by water. Choose to trek the boardwalk loop trail to idyllic Weston Lake or a Ranger-guided program led on Saturdays throughout the year. Travel through the backcountry by canoe or kayak for plentiful viewing of numerous types of wildlife such as wading birds, river otters, turtles, deer and even the intermittent alligator. Relax while engaging in recreational fishing to both encounter nature hands-on and preserve the fish population. Whether you’re hoping to disconnect from distraction, focus on your environment, strengthen the relationship with oneself or others, boost your mood or hone in on some survival skills, camping here is your safe space to do so. Congaree features two designated campgrounds: Longleaf and Bluff. This extraordinary park offers us not only a lesson of what it means to stand tall in the face of adversity just like a champion tree, but also an opportunity to enjoy all of the many naturally occurring things the Earth has to offer. Whether it’s on the other side of the planet or just a short road trip away, there’s always something new to learn or see. info nps.gov
The Exclusives
ICON IC CA ROLI NA BE ACH ES Some of our favorite beaches to explore this summer, from the Outer Banks to the Lowcountry.
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words ELEANOR MERRELL / photos JAMEY PRICE and JP GRICE
As central North Carolinians, it can be disarmingly easy to forget how close we are to the Atlantic. Some of the East Coast’s best beaches are mere hours from the Queen City. That’s why we’re highlighting these coastal Carolina gems: Secluded beaches, legendary sunrises, outstanding fishing, surfing, and more beckon from the east. Grab your beach bag and start planning your trip to one of these top beach destinations of the Carolinas today.
The Exclusives
Bulls Island — Bulls Island, a 6.5 mile uninhabited island accessible only by boat, is your destination for seclusion and unspoiled nature. The largest of four barrier islands in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Bulls features a 5,000 acre maritime forest, plus miles of sandy beach, strewn with sand dollars, whelks, and other ocean treasures. Keep an eye trained on the sky to catch a glimpse of one of the 293 species of birds that inhabit Bulls. Trek to the northern tip of the island to explore Boneyard Beach, named for fallen trees bleached white by the summer sun that give the appearance of skeletons. Cape Hatteras — Twenty miles from Cape Hatteras, the water churns. As the Gulf Stream crashes down the coast on its southward journey, it converges with the Virginia Drift. Beneath the swirling blue, the two forces of water have constructed a twelve mile long sandbar, which the currents swiftly usher unsuspecting vessels toward, resulting in the destruction of hundreds to thousands of vessels and the area’s moniker Graveyard of the Atlantic. Thus arose the need for the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick lighthouse in North America. This iconic structure perches amidst 70 miles of shoreline, watching over an island free from development, where the scenic drives are rivaled only by some of the best surf fishing in the world.
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Nags Head and Jockey’s Ridge — Nags Head is one of the Outer Banks’ most established tourist destinations; since the 1960s, this gorgeous destination has catered to guests with a wide selection of restaurants and conveniences. As comfortable as Nags Head proper is, you’d be remiss not to wander further afield to Jockey’s Ridge, the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic Coast. There, in the center of towering dunes and sprawling sand, you’ll find spectacular views of both the ocean and the sound. Enter through the visitor’s center to meander toward the heart of the dune along a boardwalk studded with exhibits that explain the dune’s ecology. Or, enter from the south side for more recreational opportunities like swimming, paddling, and a stroll along a one-mile nature walk. Perch atop hills of sand and feel like you’ve landed on a distant planet. Capers Island — Like Bulls Island, Capers Island attracts visitors with a penchant for natural settings and seclusion. Accessible only by boat, Capers is an uninhabited, state-owned barrier island. In fact, visitors would never guess it was mere miles from Charleston, given the density of wildlife, such as alligators, white tailed deer, snakes, bottlenose dolphins, and many species of birds (including ospreys and bald eagles) that call this tiny island home. As on Bulls Island, boneyard beaches dot the shores of Capers, gleaming white in the bright sun. Spot them
on one of the many eco tours that guide visitors through this gorgeous patch of land. Corolla Beach — On the sandy shores of Corolla (pronouned Cor-RAH-lah), wild descendants of colonial Spanish mustangs roam freely, grazing in the saltwater cordgrass and galloping along the sloping shores. Visitors flock to Corolla to witness these majestic creatures in a natural habitat. This, in essence, is the magic of Corolla, where visitors come for the wild horses, but stay for the upscale and recently developed amenities. Sullivan’s Island — First discovered by English explorers in the 17th century, Sullivan’s Island was well established as a busy shipping port by the 18th century, when American troops fended off the British during an early battle in the Revolutionary War. The setting of this now famous battle, celebrated regionally on ‘Carolina Day,’ was Fort Moultrie. This structure, which would later house Edgar Allen Poe in the 19th century, has been carefully preserved and is a popular landmark for visitors and residents alike. Visitors who aren’t compelled by Sullivan’s Island’s rich and extensive history can instead spend their time in the handful of galleries and restaurants or on the shores, enjoying breathtaking views of Charleston Harbor and quiet beaches.
Kiawah Island Beachwalker Park — Kiawah Island is one of the Carolinas’ most exclusive beachfront destinations. Although known for its top notch golf courses— Kiawah Island Golf Resort hosted the 2012 PGA Championship and is scheduled to host again in 2021—Kiawah is also a place of tranquility. Daytrippers to the island, after securing a car pass, should head straight to Kiawah Island Beachwalker Park. Ten miles of public coastline tempt park goers from within Beachwalker Park, along the western edge of the island. Visitors can also veer off the shores of Beachwalk Park for a gentle stroll through old oaks, pines, iconic palmettos, and yucca plants. When it’s time to take a break from the sun, head inland to Freshfields Village for top tier shopping and restaurants. Duck Beach — When you head east to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, visiting Duck Beach is a must. Quirky name aside, Duck is a thriving coastal community with an expansive stretch of beautiful beach. Kayak through its unique wetlands, then head back into town to visit the local hotspots. Free of the summer tourists, Duck’s calming waterside boardwalk and local shops will make you feel as if you’ve stumbled upon a hidden island ripe for exploration. Head to the Paper Canoe for some fresh seafood, then indulge in some dessert at Duck Donuts, a local favorite. Book a stay at one of their many water-side accommodations and listen to the waves crash against the shore.
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The Exclusives
CA ROLI NA'S COASTA L TOW NS TO LOV E With over 500 miles of shoreline, one of these coastal Carolina destinations is sure to capture your heart. words SUNNY HUBLER / list compiled by ERIKA NESTO & SAM HUSTED photos JAMEY PRICE and JP GRICE
RAVENEL BRIDGE | CHARLESTON
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Together, the Carolinas boast an impressive 500-some miles of shoreline, stretching from the Lowcountry of South Carolina to the thin strands of the windswept Outer Banks of Eastern North Carolina. In fact, more than half of North Carolina’s coast is concentrated in the Outer Banks, a series of barrier islands divided into four regions. Conversely, you can take Ocean Highway 17-South into the Palmetto State for almost 200 weaving miles of shoreline. Sprinkled into the shore are a diverse array of Carolina towns, each with its own character and beachy presence. Some are quieter than others, some more rural or remote, while some Carolina beach towns attract large, nation-wide crowds during high season. Whatever your speed, from Charleston and Beaufort to Wilmington and New Bern, here are the places we think you should summer, and how best to enjoy each one.
The Exclusives
Charleston — South Carolina’s oldest city is known for its beautiful beaches, iconic cobblestone streets, and pastel-colored antebellum houses. Charleston is a city rich with history, dating all the way back to the 1670s. Swing by the French Quarter and check out local artwork and crafts at the 19th Century Charleston City Market. While you’re there, walk the Battery and see all of the multi-colored houses of Rainbow Row. Before you head out make sure to grab some mouthwatering southern-style, seafood at one of the many restaurants along the waterfront. Southport — Southport is a quaint coastal village bursting with local charm. Located where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic ocean, Southport is the perfect destination for water sports fans, foodies, and history buffs alike. Start your day by kayaking or paddle-boarding along the Cape Fear River. Then make your way over to the downtown area for a diverse array of local eateries, shops, and antique stores. While you’re there, make sure to visit Howe Street, where you’ll find a plethora of art galleries representing local talent. Elizabeth City — Located along the pristine shores of the Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City represents the largest community in the northeastern coastal region of North Carolina. Adventure through over 20,000 acres of state parks, lounge lazily on
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a pontoon boat, or check out the downtown area for a bit of history. For the craft beer enthusiasts, stop for a pint at Ghost Harbor Brewing. Situated conveniently in the historic Pailin’s Alley in downtown Elizabeth City, the brewery is a favorite haunt amongst locals. Wilmington — Wilmington is a bustling river town with a beach bum mentality. The city itself, located along the Cape Fear River, boasts a population of over 100,000. Many visit for its proximity to a handful of local beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and it’s great surf. Take a walk through the river district, aka the heart of Wilmington, and discover local eateries, scenic views, and charming Victorian-era homes and gardens. Isle of Palms — Sharing the name of the island in which it’s located, this city is known for its beaches, condos, eateries, and sea turtle nests. Tan at the beach, play a game of golf, or enjoy a relaxing meal at the oceanfront resort Wild Dunes. You can also spend a day in Charleston, located only 30 minutes away. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to enjoy this island nestled between the Atlantic and Intracoastal Waterway. New Bern — Home to the birthplace of the famous soft drink, Pepsi, New Bern is a picturesque town rich with local history. The 310-year-old city has a thriving foodie scene — from
THIS SPREAD: The Battery in Charleston, houses on Pawleys Island Creek, downtown McClellanville, Beaufort Memorial Bridge in Beaufort, SC
southern-style cooking, to authentic Indian food, there’s a little something for everyone. New Bern offers many unique attractions, but perhaps the most iconic is the Shackleford Banks Wild Horses. Hop on the Island Express Ferry to get a view of the wild horses that live along the 56-mile long Cape Lookout National Seashore. Georgetown — Georgetown is the third oldest city in South Carolina and the state’s second largest seaport. The town is situated conveniently at the halfway mark between Myrtle Beach and Charleston on the Winyah Bay. Take a stroll along the oaklined streets of Historic Downtown Georgetown, visit one of the five museums the city has to offer, and shop downtown at the exclusively local retailers. Topsail Beach/Surf City — This laidback, family-friendly beach town in Pender County, North Carolina boasts the unique combination of small-town charm while delivering gorgeous views. Enjoy the beach in its raw, unadulterated form and the freedom from crowds with a read, drink, or bite right on the water. When your skin needs a break from the sun, go learn about the pirate lore behind the beach’s name at Missiles and More Museum. Bluffton — Minutes from Hilton Head Island and on the banks of the May River sits this Lowcountry town in Beaufort County. With
a population of around 20,000, beautiful antebellum homes, artisan shops, historic churches, and delicious restaurants, Bluffton is anything but boring. Admire the oak trees draped in moss by the river whether you’re looking for a new place to bring your family for vacation, get married, or even call home. If southern charm is what you’re craving, this town is just what you’re looking for. Beaufort — Port Royal Island, one of South Carolina’s coastal Sea Islands, hosts the city of Beaufort at its heart. Renowned for its scenic location, historic atmosphere, and preservation of antebellum architecture, Beaufort has a lot to offer. Fill your shopping bag at Habersham Marketplace, see the city from above for a biplane tour, learn about the town at Beaufort History Museum, or even dolphin watch during your stay in this amazing town. McClellanville — Catch your own meal in this Charleston County, South Carolina small fishing town. The Atlantic encompasses McClellanville and traditionally sourced its livelihood through fishing, shrimping, and oystering. Additionally, Francis Marion National Forest surrounds the town and is a natural haven for hikers, mountain bikers, bird watchers, and all outdoorsy folk alike. If you happen to visit during the last month of spring, the town hosts its popular Lowcountry Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet on the first Saturday of May each year.
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A SLOW, SOU T H ER N DR I V E Our Lowcountry road trip guide, with must-stops from Pawleys Island to Bluffton. words SUNNY HUBLER and ERIKA NESTO / photos JAMEY PRICE and JP GRICE
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The “Lowcountry” is a 200-mile stretch of coastal South Carolina and Georgia; composed of tidal marshes, rivers, estuaries, old growth forests, and quaint towns. The drive to explore this area should be made slowly, in true summertime Southern style. Set aside your vacation days, pack up the car, and head down the Carolina coast for stops in places like Pawleys Island and McClellanville, to ACE Basin and Beaufort. Here’s what we think you should pull off to see.
The Exclusives
OPPOSITE PAGE: St. James-Santee Parish Episcopal Church in McClellanville, SC. A commerical fishing boat docked near Hunting Island, SC. A paddleboard at sunset on Shem Creek taken from Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park. THIS PAGE: Docks on creeks leading to the May River.
Pawleys Island Pier Lay back at this fishing pier located in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Pawleys is known for encouraging a lifestyle of ease, free of both your worries and shoes. Crabbing in nearby creeks, fishing, sharing ghost-stories about rumored hauntings, hammock lounging, and enjoying the beach are all everyday activities at this haven of a destination. McClellanville Pass through McClellanville, a quaint, Spanish moss-draped fishing town just far enough from the buzzing city of Charleston to provide guests with a quiet, relaxing experience. McClellanville was established in 1706 as a portion of St. James-Santee Parish, and today, its history of rice plantations, southern architectural homes and buildings, and rich culture remains woven throughout the area. With a population of less than 1,000, guests can enjoy a peaceful stroll through the fishing docks and piers, where bodies of water promise bountiful fish. The nearby Francis Marion National Forest offers even more beautiful scenery. Francis Marion National Forest Located north of Charleston, this 258,864 acre National Forest attracts recreationalists for hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, off-road motorcycling, and ATV-riding to name a few. Steeped in history, the forest is named after Revolutionary War officer Francis Marion and offers a unique experience to those who adventure through it.
Downtown Charleston As the oldest and largest city in South Carolina, Charleston features cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and pastel antebellum houses with an unmatched elegance. Character, color, and charm are particularly prominent in the French Quarter and Battery districts. Head over to the Battery promenade or Waterfront Park to view the Charleston Harbor. Brush up on your history at Fort Sumter, also located near the water. While there, be sure to check out Rainbow Row. Angel Oak Park Admire the age and beauty of the largest oak tree east of the Mississippi at Angel Oak Park in James Island, South Carolina. At approximately 400 years old, the Angel Oak receives nearly 40,000 visitors each year. Sit under the shade with a book or picnic in the 17,000 square feet of shade this Southern Live Oak tree offers. Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Management Area Spark your curiosity with this 4,600-acre wildlife preserve located on Edisto Island in South Carolina. Resilient through the Civil War, a fire, and the boll weevil (an insect with the ability to destroy cotton), this place has a rich story. Ruins, maritime forest, freshwater ponds, historical buildings, trails, and the beach provide an experience unlike anything else for you and the family.
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THIS PAGE: The famous Angel Oak. A great egret lands on the water in Bluffton, SC. Roseate Spoonbills feeding in a creek near Yemassee, SC. OPPOSITE PAGE: Old Sheldon Church Ruins, the sun rises at Palmetto Bluff, an old ice house near Edisto Island.
Edisto Beach State Park Grab your leash and furry friend to go enjoy this dog-friendly beach located 50 miles south of Charleston. Get outside with a Botany Bay tour, fishing excursion, boat ride, picnic, swim, bird watch, bike ride, or hike. The park offers the state’s longest system of ADA trails. Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge Grab some comfortable shoes and head to the 11,815-acre portion of the ACE Basin area in Lowcountry South Carolina. Try something new with archery, hunting, picnicking, fishing, canoeing, environmental education, or photography during your adventure. Beaufort Before Bluffton, stop for the night in the town of Beaufort. Founded by the British in 1711, Beaufort, South Carolina boasts the amazingly conserved Gullah culture of Beaufort’s Africanslave-descended citizens, and the various related historical sites that populate the quaint coastal town. Although Beaufort now offers exciting opportunities to golf, fish, bike, kayak, and soak
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in the rays of the sun along its coatal waters, the city’s defined history and its dedication to preserving the diverse wildlife make this unlike your typical coastal town. Refuel at Wren or Hearth Wood-fired Pizza and then walk the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Palmetto Bluff and Bluffton Call Bluffton home for what’s nearing the last leg of your trip. One truth about the South that is known by many is that time simply moves slower, and that couldn’t be more true for Bluffton. A staple of the Carolina Lowcountry, Bluffton is perched directly above Savannah, Georgia on the mouth of the May River. This is a town that has a tight bond with the water, the beaches, and the way of life that comes along with it. Although a recent surge in development has made it the fastest growing town in South Carolina, Bluffton still has history to show, and in spades. Old Town in particular weaves the modern face of a long standing town with the strong, weathered churches and homes that have anchored the town since the mid 1800’s. Rent a local home or go all out and stay at the nearby Montage resort, for what’s arguably the best luxury lodging experience in the greater area.
The Exclusives
A N ENCH A N TI NG CA R I BBE A N H I DE AWAY A visit to Petit St. Vincent, the super-private island resort nestled in the southern Caribbean. words SUNNY HUBLER / photos JOE PURVIS
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With 115 acres of soft rolling hills, sandy white beaches, and lush tropical flora, Petit St. Vincent is perhaps the most private hideaway you can get to with only a short direct flight to Barbados out of Charlotte Douglas. The story of this little island oasis you’ve likely never heard of began in 1962, when the late Hazen K. Richardson II, fresh out of the Air Force, purchased a 77-foot schooner with his flying buddy, Doug Terman. Together they went into the charter business. Their first customer, H.W. Nichols, expressed interest in purchasing an island, and the following year Haze and Doug sailed the Grenadine chain in search of that perfect place. Anchoring at Petit St. Vincent, then uninhabited, they learned the island was owned by a woman who lived on the neighboring Petit Martinique. A deal was struck, and arrangements were made for Haze, Doug and H.W. to purchase the island and build a small hotel there in the late 60’s. Today, as then, PSV offers unparalleled privacy and seclusion: There are, purposefully, no televisions or telephones in the rooms, and no wireless signals. What there is is an incredible natural setting, two miles of white sand beach, a treetop spa, two restaurants and bars, yoga, tennis, sailing, and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Dive Center. If you really need it, there is a wireless internet signal near the main office. The opportunity for real vacation and relaxation is like nowhere else we’ve been. The resort has maintained its laid-back, luxurious vibe after celebrating its 50th anniversary season this past year, and the staff to guest ratio remains three-toone. There are just 22 cottages and villas total, with guests arriving via a chartered boat from the nearby Union Island. While the island is quite large, the landscaping allows each cottage to be surrounded with trees and bushes in a way that hides your neighbors and only allows the ocean view. True to its unplugged nature, the island uses a flagpole communication system where each cottage has a red and yellow flag. Raise the red flag and no one will bother you. Raise the yellow flag, and a member of the staff will stop by to see what you need.
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In addition to simply enjoying all that this incredibly unique place has to offer, Tobago Cay is a 30-minute boat ride away and offers snorkeling on the coral reefs in the crystal clear water. Here, you can observe everything from brightly colored fish, lobsters, blowfish, and many sea turtles. Without any previous experience, you can also learn to scuba dive. Instructors will show you a quick video and lead you through an in-water training with the instructor. Then, you’ll be taken to a coral reef on a
“shallow dive,” about 40-50 feet down. There are lobsters, nurse sharks, sting rays, and some of the most incredibly colored fish you’ll ever see. In the end, with this trip, you’ll feel like you stumbled upon an untouched gem like no other. Petit St. Vincent is a getaway that somehow manages to be convenient from Charlotte while bringing you as far away from your daily, hurried reality as you can get these days.
— info — petitstvincent.com / @petitstvincent
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IN DEX 17 North Market Street................... 117 Amina Rubinacci .................................24 Anne Neilson Fine Art .......................33 Arcadia Homes ..................................49 Artisan Rug Gallery ..........................21 B.D. Jeffries ..........................................71 Bedside Manor.................................... 95 Blackhawk Garden Center .............55 Blue Ridge Mountain Club.............109 Blue Waters Construction............. 10 Brandon Lawn Real Estate ...........51 Cadenza ...............................................67 Carolina Dental ................................59 Cellars South ....................................79 Cope and Stick ....................................93 Crystal Coast ....................................38 Delectables by Holly .......................28 Diamonds Direct ..............................140 Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery.. 54 Donald Haack Diamonds ................25 Draper Place .....................................104 Dwell Nova ............................................8 E.S. Johnson Builders.......................45 Elder Gallery .....................................35 Emerson Joseph ....................................4 Engel & Völkers ................................139 Enzo Custom .......................................73
Fahrenheit ...........................................14 Gerrard Builders .............................40 Grand Bohemian Hotel ....................36 Grande Custom Builders ................30 Hampton Inn Southpark.................. 114 Harbourview Inn ................................34 Hood Hargett ....................................119 Hopper Communities .........................35 House of Nomad .................................85 Insight Automation ..........................29 Instyle .................................................84 Isabella ...............................................110 Jaguar Charlotte ..............................19 Jim Phelps Collection .....................60 Karen Kettler Design ......................86 King Carolina Flooring ..................89 Kingswood Custom Homes ..............27 Lake Norman Realty ..........................43 Layne Barter Makeup ........................97 Levantina ............................................83 Lucy and Company ..............................87 Majestic Bath .....................................80 Metropolis Branding ......................69 Mint Museum .......................................28 Mullinix Mortgage ........................108 Myron Greer .......................................92 Nest Homes ..........................................53
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Nestlewood Realty ..........................47 New Life Building Supplies ..............12 Noble Smoke ......................................65 Novel Atherton .................................111 Oasis Outdoor ....................................91 Omni Hotels & Resorts ..................138 Osteria Luca ........................................79 Pam Harrington Exclusives ..........107 Premier Patio Concepts ...................77 Premier Sotheby’s ...............................6 Providence Plastic Surgery ..........61 RK Motors............................................ 26 Sea Level ..............................................74 Shain Gallery..................................... 39 Shea Urban ..........................................57 Sightline Steel Doors ....................90 Simonini ................................................37 Sodoma Law .........................................63 Stark ......................................................17 The Charlotte ...................................115 The Sporting Gent .............................23 The Swag ..............................................113 The Waterman .....................................79 Uptown Charlotte Smiles .............54 Windsor Jewelers ...............................2 Wolf Subzero .....................................75
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599 Summit Park Drive Beautiful mountain home on over six acres of land, includes five bedrooms, and six and a half bathrooms.
415 Summit Park Drive Expansive home with 5,656 sqft of HLA, four bedrooms, five full and two half-bathrooms, on almost eight acres.
115 Summit Park Drive Updated home near the top of the mountain on 5.21-acres of land with four bedrooms, six and a half baths.
170 Woodthrush Way Comfortable four bedroom, four and half bath home with an open layout sitting on almost two acres of land.
1314 Summit Park Drive Enjoy the most spectacular views from almost every room on one of Elk River Club's most desirable streets.
167 Chestnut Trail Convenient and cozy living in this mountain retreat that includes four bedrooms, and four and a half bathrooms.
514 Raven Ridge Road Great home with expansive decks on all levels and oversized three-seasons room; perfect for relaxing and entertaining.
27 Cardinal Court Situated low on the mountain, this four bedroom, four and half bathroom home enjoys 1.66-acres of land and privacy.
204 Spring Branch Road This home feels like a grown-up treehouse, with all the conveniences of modern in-door living.
Tricia Holloway . Engel & Völkers Banner Elk 610 Banner Elk Highway . Banner Elk . NC 28604 Office: +1 828-898-3808 . Mobile: +1 561-202-5003 Learn more at bannerelk.evrealestate.com
©2020 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.
4521 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 532-9041
OfďŹ cial Jeweler of the Carolina Panthers
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