July SouthPark 2024

VENETIAN PRINCESS

Shine Brightly

This illustrious, vintage Tiffany & Co. Sapphire and Diamond Necklace — circa 1957 — features 23 deep blue, round sapphires interspersed with trios of round-brilliant diamonds and surrounded by baguette diamonds, culminating with a stunning 6.44-carat pear-shaped centerpiece sapphire. The incredible attention to detail and exquisite craftsmanship of this piece can be seen in the unique diamond-and-sapphire pattern exhibited throughout the necklace.

From humble beginnings to becoming one of Charlotte’s most trusted jewelers, we are grateful to our SouthPark community and honored to have been a part of so many memories and momentous occasions over the years. Here’s to many more.

When I was approached by our parent company to be publisher of SouthPark Magazine in 2019, I wasn’t all that familiar with the magazine. I lived in Plaza Midwood, and when I heard the name SouthPark, all I could think of was the mall and surrounding area, which I visited now and then. I actually spent a lot more time there back in the ’80s, when I was in high school. The mall was the place to be, and many of my friends worked at the stores and fast-food joints there. It was the hangout in south Charlotte.

While SouthPark is still the place to be, a lot has changed since those days. After I became publisher, I began looking over old issues of the magazine and I realized SouthPark was a totally different place than I remembered. Sure, the mall is still a vital part of the area, but there’s so much more. Shops and restaurants — many of them homegrown — have sprung up everywhere. There’s a much bigger corporate presence and growing residential aspect that, frankly, I don’t recall back in the day.

As the area grew, so did the magazine. We made a commitment to sharing this growth in both the SouthPark area and, often, the greater Charlotte region. I hope we’ve told that story in a thought-provoking and entertaining way.

Thanks so much to our editor, Cathy Martin and sales manager, Jane Rodewald, for being the real stewards of SouthPark’s philosophy and brand. Their dedication to SouthPark’s editorial and advertising has been an amazing thing to watch over the years. Thanks also to our small-but-mighty staff of editors, writers, photographers, designers, account managers and support staff. It’s a fun and inspiring bunch of folks.

In addition, I’d like to thank our advertisers. Without their support, SouthPark wouldn’t exist. And finally, I’d like to thank you — our readers — for spending time with us each month. We strive to publish a magazine that is worthy of your time and attention, which is no easy task these days. We hope we have told the story of where you live, work and play to your satisfaction.

I’m glad I took the job. Here’s to another 25 years. Cheers! SP

BEN KINNEY PUBLISHER bkinney@businessnc.com

FROM THE EDITOR

As I was chatting recently with a couple of restaurant owners for an upcoming story, the conversation turned to the scarcity of bread bakeries in Charlotte. Sure — there are plenty of places to get cookies, cakes, doughnuts, eclairs and macarons (so many macarons).

But there aren’t a lot of places that specialize in bread — rustic, chewy, Old World-style loaves that aren’t loaded with impossible-to-pronounce ingredients. (Shoutout to Verdant, Team Rose and a handful of others for holding up this corner of the market!)

That’s when I mentioned Metropolitan Bakery, Fran Scibelli’s artisan bread shop that was located in the back of Foxcroft East shopping center on Fairview Road, where Brixx is now.

Blank stares.

Had it really been that long since Metropolitan closed? I went home and Googled it, and yep, the bakery closed in 2004, two decades ago. It was a reminder of how long I’ve lived in Charlotte (since 1997 — I’m practically a native), and how quickly time flies.

The bakery was in its heyday when this magazine’s inaugural issue came out in 1999. It’s fun to flip through the pages of that debut issue, where a “complete guide to SouthPark” included Metropolitan, along with throwbacks like La Bibliotheque, Cino Grille, Scalini and Charley’s, plus ’90s mall staples like Gloria Jean’s Coffee Bar and Atlanta Bread Company.

There was Morrocroft’s at The Park Hotel (now Charlotte Marriott SouthPark), which was arguably the nicest hotel in town. The Rolling Stones, Whoopi Goldberg, and four U.S. presidents stayed there, according to an article in that first issue of SouthPark.

Remarkably, a few places are still going strong, like The Palm, Village Tavern, Harper’s, Arthur’s and Baoding. Other Charlotte favorites have come and gone over the last 25 years.

“I went to the opening of Block & Grinder on Providence Road as a food writer and I still miss that spot’s burger,” says former SouthPark editor Sarah Crosland. “I still crave the butterscotch scones from Pewter Rose, the tuna melt from Pike’s Soda Shop, and, of course, the fried chicken from Price’s. Press Wine/Food in Uptown was my favorite wine bar for years, and I’ll never love a brunch spot as much as I loved the Plaza Midwood French American bistro Lulu Dine|Wine.”

Shares contributing editor Michael J. Solender: “For 20 years, Upstream restaurant in Phillips Place was my go-to place for serious sushi and Pan-Asian dining. From the amazing ‘underwater’ ceiling that made me feel I was just below the surface of the ocean to the best super crunch roll in the city, everything about Upstream was special for me and my wife — we lunched there at least once a month.”

It’s tough for any business to last 25 years. And I’m not sure which industry has faced more challenges lately — hospitality, or media. So I mean it when I say, it’s an honor to carry on the tradition. Thanks for trusting us to tell your stories, and thanks for staying with us. Here’s to the next 25! SP

CATHY MARTIN EDITOR editor@southparkmagazine.com

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Charlotte’s Dennis Reed Jr. and Sainted Trap Choir (page 108)

2 Augusto Conte and Chris Thomas (page 26)

3. Librarian Sheila Bumgarner (page 30)

4. Ceramic artist Jim McDowell at SOCO Gallery (page 34)

July

BLVD.

24 | flashback

First impressions: 25 years of SouthPark covers

26 | people

Chris Thomas: SouthPark’s homegrown visionary

30 | people

Librarian Sheila Bumgarner steps down after more than 30 years.

34 | art

N.C. artists offer fresh perspectives on our state’s tangled history in a new exhibition at SOCO Gallery.

38 | icons

Tony’s Ice Cream, a family-owned scoop shop, has been a Gastonia mainstay for generations.

44 | cuisine

Bruno Macchiavello’s comfort-food recipe for lomo saltado with spaghetti huancaina

48 | entrepreneurs

Finicky Foods’ Jessica Gaddy turns a passion for cooking into a gourmet snack-food business.

52 | retail

Amodernary’s sleek new furniture store opens at Apex SouthPark.

54 | around town

What’s new and coming soon in the Queen City

56 | happenings

July calendar of events

DEPARTMENTS

61 | givers

Residents of a Charlotte group home engage in fun activities thanks to a local foundation.

65 | books

Notable new releases

67 | simple life

The belle of Star City

72 | well + wise

Taming the clutter: How the physical environment affects our mood

118 | swirl

Parties, fundraisers and events around Charlotte, plus vintage looks from the archives

128 | gallery

Charlotte Douglas International Airport unveils new attractions for visitors and locals alike.

ABOUT THE COVER:

Photo illustration by Alyssa Kennedy

FEATURES

90 | 25 SouthPark moments

Looking back on a quarter-century of sharing stories about our ever-changing community.

98 | Farmhouse fabulous by Catherine Ruth Kelly photographs by Brie Williams

Empty nesters transform a south Charlotte ranch into an urban-inspired retreat with a modern flair.

108 | Prime time by Krisha Chachra photographs by Grant Baldwin From “America’s Got Talent” to working with Fantasia, Charlotte musician Dennis Reed Jr. is enjoying the limelight.

TRAVEL

113 | Captivating Quebec by Michael J. Solender

For an international getaway with historic venues, outdoor diversions and a FrenchCanadian flair, visit Montreal and the neighboring Eastern Townships.

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIE WILLIAMS

Queen City Crunch pretzels

1230 West Morehead St., Suite 308 Charlotte, NC 28208 704-523-6987 southparkmagazine.com

Ben Kinney Publisher publisher@southparkmagazine.com

Cathy Martin Editor editor@southparkmagazine.com

Sharon Smith Assistant Editor sharon@southparkmagazine.com

Andie Rose Creative Director

Alyssa Kennedy Art Director alyssamagazines@gmail.com

Miranda Glyder Graphic Designer

Whitley Adkins Style Editor

Contributing Editors

David Mildenberg, Michael J. Solender

Contributing Writers

Krisha Chachra, Natalie Dick, Jim Dodson Kevin Ellis, Asha Ellison, Vanessa Infanzon Catherine Ruth Kelly, Juliet Lam Kuehnle Ebony Morman, Jennings Cool Roddey

Contributing Photographers

Grant Baldwin, Daniel Coston, Richard Israel Peter Taylor, Brie Williams

Contributing Illustrator Gerry O’Neill

ADVERTISING

Jane Rodewald Sales Manager 704-621-9198

jane@southparkmagazine.com

Cindy Poovey Account Executive 704-497-2220 cindy@southparkmagazine.com

Scott Leonard Audience Development Specialist 704-996-6426

Sarah Fligel Marketing Specialist sarah@southparkmagazine.com

Brad Beard Graphic Designer

Letters to the editorial staff: editor@southparkmagazine.com

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Owners

Jack Andrews, Frank Daniels III, David Woronoff in memoriam Frank Daniels Jr. David Woronoff President david@thepilot.com

Published by Old North State Magazines LLC.

©Copyright 2024. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Volume 28, Issue 7

SUPERLATIVE style

The Village on Morehead has ushered in sophisticated retirement living in the Queen City. Surrounded by the heritage neighborhoods of Eastover, Myers Park and Dilworth – its impeccable finishes, Aspenwood service detail, dining and resort-style amenities make it the premier urban address. Impressive, spacious residential floor plans, floor to ceiling windows, expansive terraces allow a new level of indoor-outdoor living. Spaces designed for entertaining, fitness, relaxation and a dedicated team provide a secure, lock and leave lifestyle for members.

BIG GREEN EGG

PATIO ACCESSORIES HOT TUBS

people, places, things

HERE COMES THE SUN

From the color-splashed interiors to the vibrant flavors on the plates, Calle Sol Latin Cafe & Cevicheria brings a bold new energy to Apex SouthPark with the opening of its second Charlotte location. The cafe, which debuted in Plaza Midwood in 2021, also provides a welcome new casual-dining option in the area. The menu’s a mashup of Cuban, Peruvian and Chino-Latino dishes — ceviches, vaca frita, chaufa, Cubanos — with a whimsical, rum-focused cocktail selection. See what else is new around town on page 54. 3100 Apex Dr. callesolcafe.com SP

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

From star athletes and community icons to stunning spaces and delectable dishes, our SouthPark covers provide an eye-catching entrée into each month’s magazine. How do we decide who, what or where will make the front cover? The truth is, there’s no secret formula. Some covers, like our annual IT List of style-setting Charlotteans, are planned months in advance. Others are a last-minute decision based on which photos are the most colorful or compelling — or simply capture the mood of a particular season. Join us for a trip down memory lane with a look at some of our favorites.

SOUTHPARK SIT-DOWN

CHRIS THOMAS

SouthPark’s homegrown visionary by Natalie Dick photographs by Richard Israel

Few people know SouthPark as well as Chris Thomas. He’s a living encyclopedia of the community he’s called home his entire life. The Charlotte native grew up in the Montclaire neighborhood not far from SouthPark Mall, where he and his childhood buddies rode their Spyder bicycles on long summer days.

“It was such a carefree time,” recalls Thomas, retail partner at developer Childress Klein. “We were turned out by our parents in the morning, and if you came home by supper, you were OK. That allowed — for better or worse — a lot of adventures that my friends and I had growing up. We all had bikes, and we could move around with relative ease — traffic in those days was nothing like it is today.”

I’ve been looking forward to catching up with Thomas for weeks. We meet at Toscana, Augusto Conte’s beloved Italian spot at Specialty Shops SouthPark. It’s a favorite lunch and dinner destination for Thomas because of the food, ambience and the “top-shelf experience Augusto and his team deliver,” he says.

He orders the Mare, a seafood linguine, and I select the Ravioli. We’ve blocked a few hours in the private dining room. Already, I know that’s not nearly enough time to cover everything I want to ask him. It’s simply so much fun tapping into his wealth of knowledge — and insider’s scoop — of SouthPark.

GAINING A FOOTHOLD

The SouthPark of Thomas’ youth looked very different from the one he’s spent much of his professional career working to shape. Sharon Corners’ primary retail tenant was a hardware store with a small post office in the back. Park Road Park wasn’t built until he was 13. And the area’s most iconic structure, aside from the mall’s globe-like dome, was the now-demolished Sharon United Methodist Church, with its towering “ski-slope” steeple. Apex SouthPark stands there now, a high-end mixed-use development of retail, apartments, a Hyatt Centric hotel and the rebranded SouthPark Church — a project Thomas helped bring to life.

“At the time, SouthPark felt like an extension of the neighborhoods around it,” he explains. “My aunt worked at Eastern Air Lines in the reservation center. That and Celanese (where Piedmont Town Center now stands) were the two major employers in the area. There was plenty of open land. The walkable society that we all now want to build — those are ideas that have been with me for as long as I can remember.”

It isn’t a coincidence that Thomas has dedicated his life to improving and protecting the community he cherishes. He is soft-spoken yet deliberate when discussing his 40-year career in retail development and marketing: the first 14 years as a manager and vice president of real estate for Belk, and the last 26 with Childress Klein.

“I interviewed with Belk on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill during my senior year. I knew very little about the organization other than it was a prestigious company. I felt very fortunate to be considered for the position, and it was a chance to come home. When Belk made me the offer, I had no idea the degree to which that would

“The walkable society that we all now want to build — those are ideas that have been with me for as long as I can remember.”

propel me in the retail-real estate direction. It was such a privilege to work for John and Tom Belk, who, with their sister Sarah and brother Ike, made a lasting impact on this city and beyond.”

That was the mid-’80s. Charlotte was evolving, and change was afoot for the mall, which opened in 1970, and, subsequently, the SouthPark community.

“I had the chance to work with some of the people who helped create SouthPark Mall,” Thomas continues. “It was awe-inspiring because it helped me to understand what a commitment the Belk and Ivey families had made to moving retail from the center city into the suburbs. They had the vision to work with the Harris and Bissell families, as well as others, to create something very special.”

What they were creating was much more than just a mall. It exemplified the “Charlotte story” — one of business leaders teaming up to mold the community’s future. As the ’90s rolled around, Thomas found himself entrenched in deals to help bring those visions to life. He calls it the “SouthPark 2.0” period, when Ivey’s was sold to Dillard’s and Morrocroft was developed. During that

Top left: linguini with lobster, scallops, calamari, mussels, clams, shrimp and peperoncino. Left: mista salad with blackened chicken.

time, Thomas and his wife, Jane, bought their first house in Beverly Woods East. Within walking distance of the mall, they raised their two children in the home and still live there today.

“We thought we were crazy at the time buying a house we didn’t think we could afford for $159,000,” he laughs. “Those lifetime relationships and the feeling of community were values we wanted to replicate for our family. A lot of what we do today is dedicated to creating and maintaining that quality of life for the people we care about.”

INVESTING IN COMMUNITY

Giving back and paying it forward have always been a cornerstone of Thomas’ personal life. It is fortuitous that his calling to volunteer in the community has aligned so perfectly with his professional goals. He’s served on the board and is a trustee at YMCA of Greater Charlotte, where he led the capital campaign to build the Harris YMCA Cato Education Center, a classroom hub with an outdoor pavilion for public gatherings. As a member of the United Family Services (now Safe Alliance) building committee, he helped oversee the development of the Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter. Thomas also donates his time to Trees Charlotte and the Catawba Lands Conservancy to help protect the city’s natural beauty.

TAKE FIVE

Comments have been edited for length.

What is sometimes misunderstood about SouthPark?

We have a nice diversity of housing in SouthPark at different price points, and our neighborhoods have great character. I think it’s important this is maintained to appeal to families of all income levels.

Who are your mentors?

I had great teachers at CMS growing up. Some friends and I started a foundation at Olympic High School (his alma mater) about 10 years ago to support the teachers and students. We’ve raised close to a million dollars. Dave Hartzell, who taught my first real-estate class at Chapel Hill, is still a dear friend today. Also, some friends from my Belk days who, when I was 21 years old and green as grass, took me to lunch and under their wings. I owe those guys — Paul Wyche, Luther Moore, Terry Scott and Bill Wilson — so much.

How do you unwind?

Driving on the open road is my therapy. I love to take a drive in one of my convertibles. I have a 1990 Saab with 42,000 miles and a newer BMW. I’m also a voracious reader, primarily nonfiction.

Old school or new school?

I try to stay abreast of trends, but when it comes to my daily routine, I am old school. I still have three newspapers delivered to my home each morning: The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Charlotte Observer

What keeps you up at night?

I’m particularly concerned about some of the consequences of Charlotte’s Unified Development Ordinance, including the possibility that triplexes could be built in the middle of our existing neighborhoods. Allowing that in certain cases could harm the integrity of these neighborhoods.

More recently, he joined the board of The Sharon at SouthPark (formerly Sharon Towers), where he worked on a new land-use plan for the senior-living campus. The first new building, upscale independent-living apartments called The Deerwood, opened in 2023. The half-acre Anne O. Moffat Park was created to encourage connectivity between the retirement community and surrounding neighborhoods. “I want to see multigenerational living. We need to take advantage of the power that exists when old people and young people spend time together,” Thomas says.

During the pandemic, a frustrated Thomas taught neighborhood kids civics lessons on his back porch. “I would see all of them hanging out together because they couldn’t go to school. So, I decided to teach a civics class every Monday night on our patio. I spent the equivalent of a semester teaching eighth to 12th graders just for fun. [Former Charlotte Observer publisher] Rolfe Neill and I had talked about launching a platform to continue it before he got sick.” (Neill passed away in July 2023.)

The post-Covid world brought about new challenges, as Charlotte’s population continued to explode with people moving here from across the country. “That was certainly an engine for some of the diversity we now see,” Thomas says. He points to geography, the airport, and the longtime benevolence of business and commu-

Ricotta-filled ravioli with tomato basil sauce and parmigiano

nity leaders for growing the Queen City’s appeal beyond its borders. “We see young people choosing to come to Charlotte, sometimes even without a job offer. Our challenge is what to do with that.”

SOUTHPARK 3.0

Enter SouthPark 3.0. After years of studying and discussing the creation of a SouthPark Municipal Service District, SouthPark Community Partners (SCP) launched in 2022. The public-private nonprofit is designed to promote economic development and help build SouthPark’s identity. Thomas, who is board chair, co-led the effort to establish the group.

“Part of our vision for SouthPark is to be a place with economic and cultural diversity, because that’s how we’ll be the strongest and best going forward,” he says. “We need neighborhoods not just for the CEOs and decision-makers, but also for the middle managers and others. If we create activity on the streetscape, if we bring buildings up to the sidewalks like at Apex SouthPark to create an urban feel, we also increase opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to interact with each other.”

In April, SCP unveiled a $250 million SouthPark Forward 2035 Vision Plan that includes more than 60 projects designed around three themes: places, connections and mobility.

“What we’re trying to create is the marketplace,” Thomas says. “The Romans called it the agora — a place where people gather. That’s really what we’re charged to create more of here. We want to

see mobility, connectivity, pedestrian-scaled development. There’s some of it in place, but we need more gathering places for our families, more impactful open spaces and entertainment.”

One of the first new initiatives is a shuttle service, which is expected to debut soon. “SouthPark will be a park-once type of environment. We have plenty of parking; it’s a matter of using it more efficiently.”

With nearly 30,000 people currently working in the SouthPark MSD and new residential construction on the rise, tackling traffic issues will be challenging. Thomas isn’t deterred — he’s excited.

“We’re just now seeing the opportunity for new people and companies to be involved at the development level of SouthPark, because it was so closely held for so many years. This is lending itself to a newfound progressiveness. Developers feel a real responsibility to honor the past while advancing the vision for the future.”

And as always, Thomas plans to be there, leading the charge.

“What matters in life is to use our God-given gifts to do what we have a passion to do, and I’m doing it and I feel incredibly blessed. The Japanese have a phrase, ikigai, which means your reason for living. I’ve found mine, and I plan to continue doing it for many years to come.” SP

WATCH: Scan the QR code to hear more one-on-one with Thomas, including his unique tie to Steak 48 restaurant.

917.968.0944

A NEW CHAPTER

After 35 years, librarian Sheila Bumgarner plans to retire at the end of July. With her goes an incomparable source on Charlotte and Mecklenburg history. But don’t fret — Bumgarner leaves behind a well-organized archive of local stories.

by Sharon Smith

Sheila Bumgarner says if anyone could have designed a job for her, this was it. She loves history and loves helping people. She’s incredibly organized and enjoys research. Working as a librarian has been her calling.

“I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve loved most every day I’ve been at work,” Bumgarner says.

Her own story with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library began Sept. 1, 1988. Fresh out of graduate school with a master’s degree in American History, Bumgarner joined the staff of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room at the Main Library uptown. Throughout her career, she’s provided information and countless photographs for magazines, newspapers, television shows, documentaries, local governments and regular people curious about their roots.

As a young adult, she wanted to be an historic preservation consultant, a career that required lots of research time in local libraries. Often, Bumgarner found herself helping people who didn’t know their way around a library’s card catalog system or its treasure trove of historic records.

“One day, I helped this one woman who never knew her father, but I knew where the materials were,” Bumgarner recalls, sharing how she tracked him down in the Census. “Then I found the cemetery where he was buried, and she went there to visit him,” she says, pausing for a second with a nod. “And I said, I think I’m gonna go to library school. And that’s the story!”

Bumgarner says that story got her the job in Charlotte.

Her duties have been many, from archivist to reference librarian. Along the way, she curated nearly 200 exhibits

on a range of subjects, from movies made in Charlotte to the history of Camp Greene as a World War I bootcamp. About 25 years ago, an exhibit at SouthPark Mall explained how Sharon Township became known as SouthPark, which was a relatively new community name back then.

In May, Bumgarner helped organize a panel discussion with four retired Charlotte Observer reporters, which was attended by more than 125 people. You can hear the pride in Bumgarner’s voice as she talks about the success of that night in bringing people of all ages together for a lively discussion about journalism, newsroom energy and big Charlotte stories.

For reporters and writers, Bumgarner is a go-to resource. From experience, I know she’s hard to stump — always ready to offer background or inspiration for a story.

For historians, she’s a godsend. “If you’ve ever seen a Charlotte history photo in a magazine or museum or even in the newly expanding Charlotte Douglas Airport, you probably have Shelia Bumgarner to thank,” says community historian Tom Hanchett. “Nobody has a more complete mastery of the visual resources that make the past come alive,” he adds.

“I have an excellent memory,” Bumgarner admits about her ability to cull and retain information. She rarely forgets conversations or photographs.

That trait served Bumgarner well on her last major library project, Dearest Jeanie / Dearest Jack, a compilation of transcribed courtship letters from the mid-1800s between Jane Renwick Smedberg and John “Jack” Wilkes. They left their wealthy New York circles behind to settle in Charlotte and eventually became prominent local leaders in business and philanthropy.

Bumgarner describes the Wilkes as a modern couple for their time. “They relied on one another for support and love because they were from New York and they were trying to fit in here.” Their letters share a part of Charlotte history that newspapers of the day didn’t capture.

The 327-page digital document, edited by Bumgarner and librarian John O’Connor, includes deeply researched footnotes with historical context. It’s the perfect career bookend for a librarian who finds history so compelling she must share it.

“It has been a privilege wearing all of my hats with the library these many years and serving the people of Mecklenburg County. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have found work that I love and to be able to do it for so many years.”

As for what’s next, true to the nudge she felt many years ago, Bumgarner hints that she will still help people and our local museums. “Oh, I can be a good volunteer,” she says with a knowing smile.

No doubt, there will be a line of people eager to sign her up. SP

Bumgarner curated an exhibit at SouthPark Mall about 25 years ago, documenting the area’s transition from Sharon Township to SouthPark.

Bumgarner in the 1990s, when the Main Library installed a computer lab so patrons could use online tools for research.

From the charm of our lakes to the rugged trails of the Blue Ridge mountains, our dedicated agents will be with you every step of the way.

Motivated by Clients. Driven by Family. Welcoming you Home.

A NEW TURN

North Carolina artists offer fresh perspectives on our state’s tangled history in New North State, a group exhibition at SOCO Gallery. by Cathy Martin

To many, the “Old North State” moniker is simply a nickname — old-timey, perhaps, but a seemingly innocuous reference to a bygone era. But to others, the name — established in 1710 when the Carolina colony was divided into north and south — invokes antebellum associations of our state’s not-so-proud moments in history.

Marshall N. Price, guest curator of the New North State exhibition at SOCO Gallery, found this notion intriguing when he arrived in Durham in 2014. “I was thinking about it and how it relates to the artists who are working in North Carolina today,” says Price, who is chief curator and curator of modern and contemporary art at Duke University’s Nasher Museum of Art. “And one of the things that has become apparent to me over the years is that so many of these artists are pushing against this antiquated narrative of the region, and doing so in ways that are extremely meaningful and resonant — not only in a regional context but also in a larger national, even international, context.”

For the exhibition, Price chose an intergenerational group of six artists currently living and working in the state, mostly in the Triangle region. The youngest is Kennedi Carter, a Durham photographer born in 1998 who, while achieving worldwide acclaim, focuses mostly on Black life in the South. The oldest is Jim McDowell, a 70-something ceramic artist in western N.C. whose works blend the face-jug traditions of the American South and the styles of the enslaved potters of Old Edgefield in rural South Carolina. Carter and McDowell each have three works on view.

“Here comes the General,” a mixed-media work by Vietnamborn artist Lien Truong, captivates viewers upon entering the gallery. “She makes these incredibly complex paintings that are abstract in many ways, but also have these elements of representation in them,” Price says. The work contains references to France’s occupation and colonization of Vietnam in the 19th century and Silent Sam, the sculpture of a Confederate soldier taken down by protesters in 2018 at UNC Chapel Hill, where Truong is an art professor. “She’s linking these notions of colonization both abroad, in the country in which she was born, and even right here in our backyard,” Price says.

The exhibition includes two works by Durham artist Damian Stamer, who is best known for his abstract landscapes depicting old abandoned buildings in rural North Carolina. In his newest works, Stamer has begun experimenting with artificial intelli-

gence: He’ll recall a childhood memory, feed the prompt into an AI system, and use the auto-generated image as a reference in his painting. The resulting works blend nostalgic memory with technology — “two things that you don’t really think of as going hand in hand,” says Price.

Also on view are “American Harvest,” a compelling piece that’s an homage to the countless lives lost to gun violence by Durham sculptor Stephen Hayes, and a fantastical mixed-media work by Bull City artist Saba Taj.

Price is enthused by the current ecosystem of artists working in the state. In a way, the exhibition is an extension of recent efforts at the Nasher Museum to show more local and regional artists.

“Frequently, with museums, they’re somewhat reticent to show local artists,” Price says. “But one of the things we’ve realized is that

A: artists in the area are just as good as the artists who maybe have a national or international platform, and B: the issues that they’re dealing with are intricately interwoven into the larger national, cultural and social fabric of our society. In that way, they dovetail so nicely with the artists that have a larger platform.” SP

New North State is on view at SOCO Gallery through Aug. 7. 421 Providence Rd., socogallery.com

LOCAL LANDMARKS

TONY’S ICE CREAM

by Whitley Adkins | photographs by Richard Israel

Tony’s Ice Cream has been a mainstay in downtown Gastonia for generations. Established in 1915 by Carmine Coletta, the family-owned business is now run by Carmine’s grandson, Louis Coletta.

“My granddad started out with a pushcart with wagon wheels on the back,” says Louis Coletta, 86. “Eventually, he had a horse-drawn wagon, and he went to the different mills to sell ice cream. It developed from wagons and then got motorized.”

Ice cream cones are served using a flat, spade dipper

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The scoop shop is named after Coletta’s father, Anthony Coletta, and his uncle, Antonio Janetta. “It’s a big old Italian family,” explains Coletta, who vividly describes helping out with the family business from a very young age.

“When I was 4 years old, I was on the ice cream truck with my daddy with an apron and a hat and a white shirt on,” he recalls. He continued working for the family business after high school, while he attended Belmont Abbey College. After serving in the Army in the 1960s, he took a short break from the business and worked as an industrial engineer.

“Then my dad got sick in 1970,” Coletta says. “He had Hodgkin’s disease. He died in 1973, which is when I came back here full time. And I have been back here since then.”

Today, the business employs more than 40 workers, including some who have been there more than 40 years. A wholesale division supplies local stores and restaurants.

“We make the ice cream the same way my granddad made it 100 years ago,” Coletta says. “Chocolate is our signature flavor — we sell three times as much chocolate as any other flavor, and we try

Top row center: Owner Louis Coletta shares a photo of his father’s vintage icecream truck.

to keep around 25 flavors total. Black walnut [is another favorite]. My grandmother used to make black walnut cakes — they were to die for.” Hot dogs, hamburgers, ham sandwiches and BLTs are other crowd pleasers.

“We get to see a cross-section of folks — from doctors and lawyers to working people,” Coletta says. “Mostly, I enjoy the babies. Every day, after school’s out, we get a building full of kids. I give them all ice cream — the little ones. That’s my joy in life: giving them a cone of ice cream after their dinner. This guy was in here one day from The [Gaston] Gazette, and he was telling me, ‘You can’t make any money doing that.’ The way I look at it, not one of those little people is driving. Somebody brought them down, so we’re going to be OK.”

In a dream world, Coletta says he would love to sell his ice cream at Myrtle Beach. “And Tony’s in Gastonia would stay the same. My dad told me there is a place in this world for things to stay the same. People come back here — they may have been gone for 30 years, but to come back and to have something they remember to still be there, that’s it.” SP

heartstrings

for a

Louis Coletta

TALE OF THE PLATE:

LOMO SALTADO

with Spaghetti Huancaina by Bruno Macchiavello

by Asha Ellison | photographs by Peter Taylor

It’s a typical Wednesday night, and Chef Bruno Macchiavello is milling about the kitchen. He’s hungry, but he can’t decide what he wants to eat. He peeks into the pantry, then checks the fridge, taking a mental inventory of the ingredients on hand. He has just what he needs to make his go-to meal.

In Lima, Peru, where he’s from, it’s typical to eat lomo saltado — strips of steak sauteed with onions and tomatoes — two or three times a week. It’s the kind of meal that brings families and neighbors closer together. Same meal, different day, some might think. But in Chef Macchiavello’s kitchen, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

When he makes it, the co-owner of Yunta Nikkei, a JapanesePeruvian fusion restaurant in South End, and Viva Chicken, a fast-casual rotisserie empire rooted in the Elizabeth neighborhood, adds something special as a nod to his heritage: pasta.

“Lomo saltado is a household dish — it’s fast and simple to make,“ Macchiavello says. “The huancaina [cheese sauce], which comes from [the city of] Huancayo and is typically served with potatoes, is very Peruvian. When you add the spaghetti, you get me and my family,” he adds. “We’re Italian.” Macchiavello’s paternal grandfather moved from Genova to Peru following World War II, and his mother is from Sicily.

The sentiment of the dish isn’t lost in its simplicity. For Macchiavello, it’s amplified by nostalgia. When the aromatic fragrances of cilantro, basil and aji amarillo tickle his nose, they evoke vivid memories of happy childhood moments.

Dr. Shane Mackey

“When I start cutting the aji amarillo, it reminds me of home,” Macchiavello says. “When I close my eyes, all I can see is food,” he adds. “I see my family sitting at the big table — no less than 25 people, all having a good time.” But before that, Macchiavello remembers his father and his grandmother, his Nonna, making the dish and its respective sauces.

The memories Macchiavello has of his Nonna are like an heirloom he holds dear: She’s the woman who taught him his way around the kitchen.

“She used to make an amazing huancaina,” Macchiavello says with an endearing smile. “She made it the old way — by hand.”

While anyone can make lomo saltado with spaghetti huancaina, Macchiavello shares a few important tips. When cooking the lomo saltado, the wok or saute pan should remain very hot, he says. “The secret of lomo saltado is to keep it blazing so that [you] can get some smoky flavor.” And when serving the meal, he adds, do it bien taipa, which means “very generously.”

Lomo saltado with spaghetti huancaina is a dish made to share with family. And, with the recipe below, chef Macchiavello invites you to be a part of his. Buen provecho!

Lomo Saltado

Serves 4

1 pound beef tenderloin

1 onion

16-20 grape tomatoes

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup olive oil

2 garlic cloves

1/2 ounce salt

1/2 ounce black pepper

Cut beef tenderloin into 2-inch cubes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cut onions in 1/2-inch wedges, and cut tomatoes into halves. Bring a wok or sauté pan to high heat and add olive oil. Once the

oil is hot, add beef and cook until thoroughly seared. Next, add onions. Stir for 2 minutes, then add tomatoes, garlic and soy sauce to the pan. Set aside.

Spaghetti

Follow cooking instructions for a store-bought or homemade spaghetti of your choice.

Huancaina Sauce

3 aji amarillo (yellow chili) peppers, cleaned 1/2 cup feta cheese

1/2 cup evaporated milk salt and pepper to taste canola oil

1 garlic clove

1/2 red onion, cut in pieces olive oil

Sauté peppers, onions and garlic in olive oil over medium-high heat until softened. Once halfway done, add milk and bring to a boil.

Then, pour all the ingredients into a blender. Blend slowly, and add 1/2 cup of canola oil until creamy. Pour sauce back into the sauté pan, and add cooked pasta. Stir and add salt if desired.

Plate the lomo saltado with the huancaina-topped spaghetti on the side. Top with fresh chopped cilantro or basil if desired, and serve. SP

BECKY MCGRATH TEAM LEIGH C. CORSO

LUCY BUTLER GROUP

CAY CRAIG

CHRISTIE HANSEN

LAURIE HALT TEAM

JOHN OGBURN

JOE HUNEYCUTT

HEATHER WOLKING

CHIP JETTON

HEATHER MONTGOMERY

KALIE KOIVISTO

MARY HOLLAND THE HUNEYCUTT TEAM

LINDA HENLEY

SARA ROCHE TEAM

LINDSAY REDFERN

CINDI HASTINGS TEAM

TREY SULLIVAN

LISA WARREN

TUCK TEAM

LISA RUPP

PIMENTO PASSION

Finicky Foods founder Jessica Gaddy turns her passion for cooking into a gourmet snack-food business.

by Jennings Cool Roddey

For Jessica Gaddy, the kitchen has been a place for creativity and experimentation. But it was the rave reviews from friends and family about her homemade pimento cheese that dared her to dream bigger.

“My friends would say, ‘Oh my gosh, Jess, this is so good; you should sell it,’” says Gaddy, founder of Finicky Foods, a gourmet snack-foods venture best-known for its pimento cheese.

In 2017, the Hickory native and her husband, Eric Gaddy, began hosting get-togethers on their 4-acre property in Waxhaw to extend their passion for cooking for others. Campout parties under the stars became their hallmark, with guests treated to a spread that included Gaddy’s signature pimento cheese. After receiving countless compliments about her recipe, she refined it further and took the bold leap into entrepreneurship.

“I really enjoy making food for people in a way that means something to them and that they can enjoy,” she says.

Her decision to start Finicky Foods in 2020 was rooted in her love for cooking, which she inherited from her father. “I grew up in the kitchen watching my dad cook. He was a single dad, and he was trying to do what he could to give family meals,” Gaddy says.

Finicky Foods offers several flavors of pimento cheese, including Everything, Carolina, Dill, Vegan Original and Vegan Jalepeño. Both vegan options are made with dairy-free shredded cheese and sour cream and egg-free mayo. Smoked Gouda, a 50/50 mix of smoked gouda and cheddar cheeses, and Spicy, an earthy flavor incorporating ghost peppers, jalapeños, and Spanish hot paprika, are bestsellers.

“The key, I believe, to a good pimento cheese is first and foremost not using pre-shredded cheese,” Gaddy says. “My second highly suggested rule would be using sharp or extra sharp cheddar blends and, of course, Duke’s. Its sharp tang adds that extra bump to a super savory bite.”

Tryon Medical Partners is honored to have achieved several prestigious statewide and national rankings for medical excellence:

U.S. News & World Report

Castle Connolly Top Doctors #2 in United States — Top Physician Practices, Primary Care #1 in North Carolina — Top Physician Practices, Primary Care

While we are humbled by these accolades from our peers and medical experts, we know that the ultimate measure of success is to be the first choice for our patients, year after year.

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Tryon Endoscopy Center ranked among North Carolina’s best ambulatory surgery centers

Along with Duke’s Mayo, which originated in Greenville, S.C., Finicky Foods supports other Carolina brands, including dehydrated jalapeno from Harmony House Foods in Franklin.

The best way to eat Finicky Foods’ pimento cheese is on a cracker, preferably one that is sturdy but not too flavorful, Gaddy says. “While it’s good on a burger or grilled cheese, it’s truly best, in my opinion, as a dip.” Gaddy recommends Wheat Thins or Firehook Crackers, which are typically found in the specialty-cheese section of the grocery store.

Her ideal snack plate includes gherkins, berries, apples, crackers, a chunky hard cheese, something chocolate and Finicky Foods Dill pimento cheese. “I typically follow the rules of balance — a little bit of sweet plus salty plus tangy,” Gaddy says.

Her business name stems from Gaddy’s blog and social-media handle, @finickylady. In 2012, she started blogging about local restaurants, which later led to professional food photography. “The name of my business is simply an extension

of my life and personality as a way to officially share my creations and joy of cooking with the community.”

Along with pimento cheese — which can be found at Pasta & Provisions, Salted Melon, and coming soon, select Food Lion stores — Finicky Foods also offers baked goods (sourdough, shortbread scones, cookies, cakes) plus whipped butter, protein bites and farm-fresh eggs at weekend markets or via custom orders. You’ll often find her at Front Porch Sundays at Atherton Mill, local brewery pop-ups or seasonal markets at OpenTap in south Charlotte.

“At the end of the day,” Gaddy says, “Finicky Foods is more than pimento cheese.” SP

Learn more about where to find Finicky Foods’ creations and the shop’s market schedule at finickyfoodsnc.com

MAKE IT MODERN

Amodernary’s sleek new furniture store opens at Apex SouthPark.

by Ebony L. Morman

Comfort and luxury might seem like two distinct qualities, but there’s no need to sacrifice one for the other. At Amodernary Furniture Designs, luxury and comfort are at the core of the brand, according to CEO and Principal Design Specialist Carlos Fuller.

Clients shopping at Amodernary’s new retail store at Apex SouthPark can browse items from more than 60 contemporary furniture manufacturers. The furnishings and accessories — mainly from Italy, Spain and Germany — have been researched and handpicked by Fuller. Unlike online shopping, Fuller wants customers to be able to come in, sit down and experience the furniture, and get educated about what they are buying before making a purchase. “We want to make it as easy as possible for you to shop,” he says.

The Martinsville, Va., native’s knack for design predates Admodernary’s inception and his enrollment at the New York Institute of Art and Design. While he didn’t initially realize his talent for elevating the look of spaces and coordinating items, people close to him did. So after leaving the automobile industry, where he worked in finance and management for several years, Fuller decided to follow his passion of modern design. After conducting a little research, he spied an opening in the market, especially for contemporary furniture in the mid- to high-end range.

Fuller started Admodernary in 2018, providing interior-design services and design consultations in a 3,500-square-foot space in South End. But many of his clients resided in and owned businesses

in SouthPark. The new $2.4 million, 9,000-squarefoot showroom opened in May.

Left: Amodernary sells indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting and accessories from more than 60 global manufacturers. Prices range from $500 to five figures. Below: Carlos Fuller, second from left, started Amodernary in 2018. The 9,000-squarefoot showroom opened at Apex SouthPark in May.

“This was a new opportunity for me to actually build out a brand new space,” Fuller says. “Now, people in Charlotte have a new home to shop in and a different aesthetic, a different look. There’s nothing in SouthPark or in Charlotte that looks like our store.”

His team includes four designers (Fuller is one) and two product specialists. Future plans include a membership program with added benefits, as well as an outlet location for clearance items.

When interacting with Fuller, clients may notice that he’s intuitive, paying close attention to body language, especially when people are sitting. (And sitting down at Admodernary is highly encouraged.) If a client sits back and doesn’t move during the length of a consultation, that indicates to Fuller that they’re comfortable. And being comfortable — whether in the showroom, at home or in their place of business — is key.

“I’m kind of like a therapist,” he says. “I sit down and I really understand your wants and your needs. It could be just a sofa, or it could be an entire room. I’m there for you to unload ideas and make sure that I bring some of the best products in the world.” SP

Revolutionizing Chiropractic Care in the heart of South Park

From Paris to Charlotte: A Chiropractic Journey

Paris native Dr. Levet has made significant strides in the field of chiropractic care, blending European sophistication with American innovation. His medical journey began in France but truly flourished when he crossed the Atlantic and he honed his expertise under the guidance of industry pioneers, specializing in advanced modalities such as Chiropractic BioPhysics, ScoliBalance, and ScoliBrace. His unique skill set in postural correction and scoliosis treatment has set him apart as a leader in the field.

Primary Spine Institute: A Sanctuary of Wellness

At Primary Spine Institute, Dr. Levet and his team have created a sanctuary where patients are treated as partners in their wellness journey. PSI is known for its personalized care and cutting-edge techniques, setting a new standard in chiropractic excellence. The clinic’s non-invasive approach reflects Dr. Levet’s philosophy of fostering lasting transformation in each patient’s life.

www.primaryspineinstitute.com

704-910-4943 | @primaryspineinstitute

6842 Carnegie Blvd. | Suite 203 | Charlotte, NC 28211

eat + drink

NOW OPEN

Calle Sol Latin Cafe & Cevicheria opened at Apex SouthPark next to the Hyatt Centric hotel. It’s the second location for the casual restaurant highlighting Cuban and Peruvian flavors — the first opened in Plaza Midwood in 2021. 3100 Apex Dr.  3rd & Fernwood, the newest concept from celebrated chef Greg Collier’s Bayhaven Restaurant Group, opened at Metropolitan. On the menu: charred chicken with fresno honey, braised beef meatloaf, shrimp po’ boys, candied sweet potatoes and other upscale southern fare. 1100 Metropolitan Ave., Ste. 170  Toastique, a gourmet toast and juice bar that originated in Washington, D.C., opened its first North Carolina location in June at Vantage South End. Menu items include avocado smash toast, spicy crab toast, smoothies, lattes and more. Future locations include SouthPark and Ballantyne. 1120 S. Tryon St., Ste. 150  The Casey by Beau Monde, an event space in north Charlotte, debuted in May. Chef Sam Diminich will oversee catering at the 25,000-square-foot venue. 1837 N. Tryon St., Ste. 800  Curry Junction, an Indian and Nepalese restaurant from the owners of Curry Gate, opened at the Arboretum in the former Akropolis space. 8200 Providence Rd.

COMING SOON

Salted Melon Market & Eatery plans to open a second location in Eastover in late summer. Gourmet offerings include all-day breakfast, salads, bowls and sandwiches, plus smoothies and a coffee bar. The first Salted Melon — from the team behind Reid’s Fine Foods — opened in South End in 2022. 815 Providence Rd.  Postino WineCafe is opening at the Bowl at Ballantyne later this summer, joining Flower Child, North Italia, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery and others. The Arizona-born all-day cafe and wine bar will have a 56-seat patio. 15210 Bowl St., Ste. 103

Toastique

Calle Sol Latin Cafe & Cevicheria

The Casey by Beau Monde

Salted Melon Market & Eatery

Perfect Pesto Caprese Sandwich at Salted Melon Market & Eatery

Natalie Carr is a cross-genre Pop/R&B Charlotte-based singer/songwriter She writes and engineers songs for herself as well as other artists. Carr began releasing music in late 2019 and has been featured on MTV, Billboard Magazine, iHeart Radio and Sirius XM. She has written songs that have had sync placements in film and television.

Carr’s recent release, “Cowboy,” is a song about women empowerment and standing strong despite societal hurdles. She plans to release several more singles leading into her debut EP and her performance at Lovin’ Life Music Festival.

July HAPPENINGS

EVENTS + ACTIVITIES

Back to the Future: The Musical at Belk Theater

July 9-21

The classic ’80s movie is now a Broadway musical. Marty McFly finds himself in a race against time as he tries to transport himself back to the future after landing in 1955, thanks to a time machine built by an eccentric scientist. Tickets start at $35. blumenthalarts.org

COPA America

July 10 & 13

Teams from South America compete in the continent’s premier — and one of the most-watched — soccer tournaments. Bank of America Stadium hosts semifinal and third-place matches. copaamerica.com

Live at The Amp: The Thurston Howell Band

July 11

On the road with its You Can’t Fake Smooth tour, Charlotte’s own yacht-rock band comes home to fill an evening in Ballantyne with soft rock hits from the ’70s and ’80s. ampballantyne.com

Nikki Glaser: Alive and Unwell Tour at Ovens Auditorium

July 13

She made headlines “winning” the Tom Brady Roast this spring; now the stand-up comedian, actress and podcaster comes to

Charlotte for what is sure to be a night full of bold humor. boplex.com/events

Water Lantern Festival

July 13-14

Experience thousands of lights reflecting on the water at Symphony Park. Each ticket includes a floating lantern kit, access to food trucks and more. Tickets start around $35, depending on date of purchase. waterlanternfestival.com

Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week

July 19-28

Experience some of Charlotte’s best eats as restaurants across the city offer special three-course prix-fixe menu deals. From SouthPark to NoDa, you can try something new or revisit an old favorite. charlotterestaurantweek.iheart.com.

The Magic of Motown at Knight Theater

July 24

Hear the music of Motown, including hits from: The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson. Tickets start at $39. blumenthalarts.org

24 Hours of Booty

July 26-27

For 24 hours, cyclists tour the Myers Park “Booty Loop” at their own pace while raising

ALL MONTH LONG

Charlotte Knights throughout July

With 11 home games this month, it’s easy to have summer fun at Truist Field. After the July 4th game, you’ll be in the perfect spot for fireworks; or see Santa and Mrs. Claus on the 14th for Christmas in July. Tickets start at $16. milb.com/ charlotte-knights

Crossroads Cinema at Camp North End Thursday evenings

The free movie series is back all summer with classic films from the ‘’80s, ’90s and 2000s. Bring a lawn chair and grab some food and drink from CNE vendors while you watch. July movies include Gladiator (7/11), Hitch (7/18) and Shrek (7/25). camp.nc/movies

Whitewater Center River Jam

Sit back and relax with live music from funk to bluegrass every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through September. Leashed dogs are allowed; no outside food or drink. Admission is free but parking is $12. whitewater.org/things-to-do

SUMMER HARVEST

The season for fresh produce is upon us! Scan the code to check out our guide to 11 local farmers markets.

money to support families coping with cancer. Set up in “Bootyville” and show your support. Adult and youth registration is $75; virtual and other options are available. events. 24foundation.org

New Kids on the Block with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff

July 27

The boy band of the ’80s and ’90s is all grown up and hitting the road with a solid throwback lineup at PNC Music Pavilion. concerts.livenation.com SP

Scan the QR code on your mobile device to view our online events calendar — updated weekly — at southparkmagazine.com.

Crossroads Cinema at Camp North End

ALLEN TATE REALTORS ® SOUTHPARK

ALL TOGETHER

Bowling, cookouts, art and more: Residents of a Charlotte group home engage in fun activities thanks to quiet support from a local foundation. by Vanessa Infanzon | photographs by Grant Baldwin

Apug named Jake should be credited with getting me more involved in my son Ben’s group home. My friend brought Jake over for a visit one evening in April 2023. She’d called to ask, “Jake is great with people — could he visit with Ben and his five housemates?” Sure, I said.

Jake won over the hearts of everyone. One resident, Sam, shared a memory from his childhood about his pug, Geraldine, named for comedian Flip Wilson’s alter ego. It was the most I’d ever heard Sam talk. Ben held Jake tightly on his lap in a hug, an unusual moment of calm for my frenetic son. Once assured that Jake didn’t bite, Bill, another resident, petted him and rewarded us with a grin. The other residents gathered around, waiting for a turn to touch the pug’s light brown fur. Jake soaked up the attention, and I realized how a simple activity started conversations and introduced new experiences.

Ben was born with a rare genetic disorder called POLR2A. He has developmental disabilities, uses a wheelchair to get around, and is vocal yet nonverbal. In fall 2022, Ben, then 19, moved into the Ashcraft Residential Home, a six-bedroom group home operated by Easterseals PORT Health. The Raleigh-based nonprofit, which supports people with disabilities and mental-health and substance-use challenges, operates 25 group homes in North Carolina, including two in Charlotte. The home, built in 1984 close to Park Road Shopping Center, was Ben’s second foray into living away from our house. The first had been a disaster, partially because he didn’t have housemates. My anxiety about a new placement was high,

Left: Volunteer Linda Riedel assists Ben, the author’s son, at a group outing at Bowlero in Matthews. Below: Steven, a group-home resident, approaches the lane at Bowlero.

and when resident Steven welcomed Ben to “the Ashcraft team,” I knew we were in the right place.

After the success with Jake and with the support of the group home’s manager, I started planning activities for “the guys” — what most of us call the six men ranging in age from 21 to 69 — living in the group home. We set up art projects, bocce ball, corn hole, meditation, movie night and pet therapy. A local artist, Lena HopkinsJackson, drew caricatures of each resident. During football season, Next Level Tailgates parked its Panthers Tailgate RV at the home for a party. And a brother-and-sister duo, Adam and Rosie Refaey,

performed classical music on the front lawn. With the help of family, friends and neighbors, we planned 22 activities and partnered with eight businesses and organizations in 2023.

“It’s a good thing, and I want to do a lot more,” Steven says, when asked about activities. “[The activity planners] always want to surprise me. It makes a difference to be special.”

TOGETHER PROJECT

Since 1999, the Merancas Foundation, a Charlotte-based nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anke and Casey Mermans, has funded ESPH’s various initiatives through a renewable grant. Merancas Foundation assists organizations across the country with a focus on children and youth programs, adult pathways, and crisis support. Nonprofits such as the American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs, Council for Children’s Rights, Disability Rights & Resources, Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels are all grant recipients.

In fall 2022, ESPH earmarked $3,000 from the grant for the Together Project, a new initiative to spark community activities after the pandemic slowed everyone’s ability to get out and about.

“Covid had an even larger impact on our folks because not only were we in lockdown but then staffing issues came about,” says Nina Deese, director of specialized consultative services for ESPH throughout North Carolina. “We saw a larger impact for our residents — not just socialization but emotional and physical well-being.”

The Together Project was piloted at the group home where Ben lives because it’s in the

heart of Charlotte, which has many options for community engagement.

Once Deese and I realized we were doing the same thing — providing activities for the guys — we teamed up and brought in the group home manager and the state residential director for ESPH. Deese oversees the distribution of the funds for the Together Project, and our group meets monthly to discuss potential activities at home and in the community.

We asked the guys to complete a form, giving them the opportunity to advocate for activities they would enjoy and share how they’d want to celebrate their birthday. Seeing the Carolina Panthers play at Bank of America Stadium is high on several lists, but the guys are open to trying just about anything. They always have the option not to participate in group activities.

“I think we’ve seen a positive outcome,” Deese explains. “It was a great way to hear their voices as individuals and ask them in great detail their preferences and tailor the activities around what they want to do.”

Top left: Ben, Linda Riedel and Sam, a group-home resident. Top right: The author with her husband and their son, Ben. Above: ESPH’s Nina Deese, second from left, takes a break from bowling with group-home resident Steven and volunteer Linda Riedel.

The Together Project also relies on staff members feeling empowered to provide meaningful activities for the residents. Since the program’s inception, the caregivers who work in the home have arranged outings, art activities and cookouts. Deese also wonders how the scheduled events impact downtime: Has Together Project planted the seed for residents and staff to start impromptu activities such as walks in the neighborhood, card games or decorating for an upcoming holiday? She plans to collect data on this going forward.

With the success of the pilot program, Deese hopes to implement the Together Project on a larger scale by using connections and resources to recruit volunteers who have the skills to coordinate activities in other group homes. “Long term, I’d like to see something like this replicated and offered to all of our residents across the state, regardless of funding opportunities,” Deese says.

BOWLED OVER

In early February, three ESPH group homes met at Bowlero in Matthews to bowl and eat lunch — a Together Project event. Participants high-fived each other after a strike and volunteers gave handover-hand help to those who needed it. Staff members distributed awards for best hat, best shirt, best socks, most enthusiastic and biggest comeback.

Michael Riedel, an avid bowler, lives with his parents and has been receiving services from ESPH since 2008. He joined the bowling party because he and his family are friends with some group home residents. Riedel helped his mom choose prizes for the awards. “It is great to see like-minded friends enjoy time together,” Riedel writes in an email. “They are some of the kindest people I know.”

Each time the Together Project hosts an event, I marvel at the way residents, staff and volunteers interact with one another. They’re laughing and smiling, asking one another questions about their day or simply engaged in the activity in front of them. I soak in each moment, try to capture their happiness on camera and focus on being thankful that we get to be part of our son’s second family. SP

New Construction in Myers Park 1969 Maryland Avenue

$4,475,000 | 5BR | 5.1BA | 6,400 sq ft

Stunning new home with a spectacular Olde Carolina brick exterior. Highlights include a fabulous plan with hardwoods, formals with fpl’s, gourmet kitchen, scullery, wine room, great room with fpl, primary suite down, office, 3rd floor en-suite + rec room, and covered porch w/ fpl. Proposed garage will have 640 sq ft finished loft space with a full bath.

Meg Wilkinson Broker | Realtor ® Licensed in NC & SC 704.906.5747

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Designed by Aaron Cote Built by Whittington Builders

LEAH WONG ASHBURN FAMILY

JULY BOOKS

Notable new releases compiled by Sally Brewster

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any 13-year-old: She’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished 14 years ago, never to be found. As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances.

The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan

On a secluded bluff overlooking the ocean sits a Victorian house, lavender with gingerbread trim, a home that contains a century’s worth of secrets. By the time Jane Flanagan discovers the house as a teenager, it has long been abandoned. There are still clothes in the closets, marbles rolling across the floors, and dishes in the cupboards, even though no one has set foot there in decades. The house becomes a hideaway for Jane, a place to escape her volatile mother. Twenty years later, now a Harvard archivist, she returns home to Maine and is horrified to find the Victorian is now barely recognizable. The new owner, Genevieve, has gutted it, transforming the house into a glossy white monstrosity straight out of a shelter magazine. Strangely, Genevieve is convinced that the house is haunted — perhaps the product of something troubling Genevieve herself has done. She hires Jane to research the history of the place and the women who lived there. The story Jane uncovers is even older than Maine itself.

Concerning the Future of Souls by Joy Williams

Williams’ new book balances the extraordinary and the humble, the bizarre and the beatific, as Azrael — transporter of souls and the most troubled and thoughtful of the angels — confronts the holy impossibility of his task, his uneasy relationship with death, and his friendship with the devil. Over the course of these 99 illuminations, a collection of connected and disparate beings — ranging from ordi-

nary folk to grand figures such as Jung, Nietzsche, Pythagoras, Bach and Rilke; to mountains, oceans, dogs, birds, whales, horses, butterflies, a 60-year-old tortoise and a chimp named Washoe — experience the varying fate of the soul as each encounters the darkness of transcendence in this era of extinction. Concerning the Future of Souls is a crash course in philosophy, religion, literature and culture.

I Was A Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones

In 1989, Lamesa, Texas, is a small town driven by oil and cotton, and a place where everyone knows everyone else’s business. So it goes for Tolly Driver, a good kid with more potential than application, 17, and about to be cursed to kill for revenge. Here, Jones explores the Texas he grew up in and the unfairness of being on the outside through a slasher horror from the perspective of the killer, Tolly, writing his own autobiography. Find yourself rooting for a killer in this summer teen movie of a novel gone full blood-curdling tragic.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She’s immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years — she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield — except for Phoebe and Phoebe’s plan, which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other. The Wedding People is an incredibly nuanced and resonant look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined — and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us. SP

Sally Brewster is the proprietor of Park Road Books, 4139 Park Rd., parkroadbooks.com.

AUG. 17-24, 2024 AUG. 17-24, 2024

THE BELLE OF STAR CITY

May her light shine on by

Jim Dodson

“Ithink you are really going to enjoy your Great Aunt Lily,” my dad says cheerfully. “She’s quite a colorful character. I call her the Belle of Star City.”

It’s a warm July morning in 1964. We are driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains to Roanoke, where I am to be dropped off at Great Aunt Lily’s apartment for the weekend before my parents take my brother, Dickie, on to church camp, then head to a newspaper convention in Hot Springs, Va.

He explains that Lily is my grandfather’s beloved youngest sister, a strong-willed beauty who spurned several suitors in rural Carolina before fleeing to Washington, D.C. There, she worked for years as a stage actress and theatrical seamstress.

“I suppose she was something of the family’s black sheep, but a delightful woman. You’ll love her.”

Though I fear I’m simply being dumped for the weekend on a boring maiden aunt, my old man turns out to be right.

Lily lives alone in a gloomy Victorian brownstone on Roanoke’s First Street, in an apartment filled with dusty antiques and Civil War memorabilia, including a Confederate cavalry officer’s sword she claims belonged to an ancestor who fought at Antietam and

Gettysburg. There are also exotic paintings of classical nudes and wild beasts adorning her walls, including the stuffed head of an antelope, a gift from her “favorite gentleman friend” who passes through town every winter with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

On my first night with her, Lily — a large-boned, blonde woman, endlessly talkative, swimming in White Shoulders perfume — takes me via taxi to a Chinese restaurant in the Market District, where we dine with a snowy-haired “gentleman friend” she says was once mayor. He talks about the recent Kennedy assassination and makes a half-dollar coin appear from my ears, pointing out that Roanoke is called Magic City.

The next morning, Lily takes me to breakfast at The Roanoker Restaurant, a legendary diner where she knows everyone by first name. After that, we are taxied up Mill Mountain to have a close look at the famous Roanoke Star. The cab driver, Ernie, has a gold tooth and a quick smile. Lily explains that Ernie is a true “Renaissance man,” a part-time preacher, former Navy cook, fulltime house painter and her “dearest gentleman friend in the world.” Reverend Ernie is also her “business partner,” who occasionally

drives her to estate sales and auctions to buy artwork and antiques, which Ernie sells to collectors, splitting the profits with her. The sword is one of their recent “finds,” which she hints might someday pass my way. This thought thrills me.

On the Sunday morning of my visit, we attend a small red-brick church to hear Reverend Ernie preach, followed by lunch at the historic Hotel Roanoke, the planned pick-up spot with my folks. Naturally, Lily knows the waiter, who brings me something called a “Roy Rogers” and her a small crystal glass. After we order our lunch, Lily discreetly removes a silver flask from her purse and pours herself a bit of ruby sherry.

She looks at me and asks if I’d like a taste.

I say yes.

She asks how old I am.

Twelve, I lie, giving myself an extra year.

She slides the glass across the table.

“Just a small sip, dear.”

During the two-hour drive home through the mountains, my folks are eager to hear about my weekend with the Belle of Star City. I tell them about her gentlemen friends and the interesting places she took me, and even mention the sword she promises to give me someday.

My dad glances at my mom. “I told you she’s a colorful character,” he says. “Glad you enjoyed her. But here’s the thing . . . ”

He reveals that Great Aunt Lily is about to move into a spe-

cial-care home due to what we now call Alzheimer’s.

“In the meantime, sport, she’s coming to stay with us around Thanksgiving.”

My mother chimes in, “And since your bedroom is the bigger bedroom, sweetie, we’re hoping you won’t mind giving it up to Aunt Lily. You can bunk with your brother. It’ll just be temporary.”

Four months later, Lily arrives with a large wooden trunk and her sewing machine in tow. On the plus side, she tells me stories about famous men she’s known — the actor David Niven, golfer Sam Snead, Will Rogers. Even better, she keeps boxes of Lorna Doone cookies hidden under bolts of fancy cloth in her trunk, which she shares with me. One afternoon as we are having our daily cookie conversation, I ask about the sword. Lily gives me a blank look, then waves her cookie dismissively. “Oh, goodness, child! I gave that silly old thing to the church auction ages ago. I think I paid 10 dollars for it at a yard sale up in Fincastle.”

ALLEN TATE SOUTHPARK

Predictably, as Christmas Eve approaches, my clean-freak mother grows concerned over our private cookie sessions. My father says all Aunt Lily needs is a good hobby. So, he sets up her sewing machine and she goes to work on a new project behind closed doors, with her machine humming for days.

It turns out to be quilted, floral potholders. Two dozen quilted, floral potholders.

“Lily thinks you can sell them in the neighborhood for Christmas money,” my dad says.

I am mortified. Two pals from my Pet Dairy baseball team live on our block, and so does one Della Jane Hockaday, who I hope to give a mood ring.

“Look, sport,” my old man reasons, “Aunt Lily is here for only a couple more weeks. Just let her see you go down the block selling them. You’ll make an old lady who has just lost her home very happy. Lily is very fond of you.”

So, I grit my teeth and do it early on a frosty Saturday morning a week before Christmas. To my surprise, I sell a half-dozen five-dollar potholders and make thirty bucks. Years later, my mom lets slip that she’d phoned every woman on the street to grease the skids, including Della’s mom. The next morning before church, my dad and I drive the remaining potholders to the drop-off box of the Salvation Army store.

He gives me an extra 20 for my trouble and insists that I tell Lily, if she asks, that her beautiful potholders sold out in just one morning.

But Lily never asks. Not long after the new year, my dad drives his aunt and her big wooden trunk and sewing machine to the special-care home.

I get my bedroom back and never see Great Aunt Lily again.

She passes away in the springtime two years later.

Every time I drive through Roanoke or eat Lorna Doone cookies, I think of her with a smile. SP

Jim Dodson is a writer in Greensboro.

TAMING THE CLUTTER

How our physical environment affects our mood

by Juliet Lam Kuehnle

Try this with me: Go into the room where you spend most of your time and look around. What do you see? What is your eye drawn to as you take it all in? Do you notice anything that creates annoyance or stress in your body? Does anything evoke a positive memory, or even a smile? Do any judgmental thoughts come up about the space or yourself?

Our everyday environment and the physical space around us have a significant impact on our mood. The reaction is very individualized — one person may feel very relaxed in a dark, moody and well-lived-in room, while others might feel more at ease in an open, light-filled space. But one thing research confirms is that for most people, living among physical clutter incites more mental chaos and feelings of being out of control.

Seeing clutter literally stimulates the production of stress hormones, various studies have shown. Living or working in a cluttered environment can lead to feelings of overwhelm, stress and anxiety. When surrounded by clutter, it becomes difficult to focus and concentrate, leading to decreased productivity and efficiency. The constant visual stimuli of clutter can overload the brain, making it harder to process information and make decisions.

On a deeper level, clutter can interfere with relaxation and hinder the ability to fully unwind and recharge. A cluttered space

can create a sense of unrest, preventing us from finding peace and tranquility in our own homes.

Knowing we can have a physiological response to disorder and messiness, it helps to find a balance. We can find a way to have things that we value and not obsess about cleanliness, and we can ensure that our meaningful objects have a place. We can work to catch any judgment we might have toward our spaces or ourselves.

Sometimes clutter can evoke feelings of guilt and shame. If seeing the dirty dishes in the sink brings up thoughts of inferiority or not having a house like you see in the magazines, perhaps you can meet that thought with a more compassionate one: “I’m doing the best I can and will ask for help when I need it.” You can also start thinking about your kids’ game pieces that are still on the floor as memories, not messes.

Here are some other tips to try in your physical space to enhance your mood:

• Spend a short amount of time each day working toward organization and decluttering.

• Increase the natural light in your room, and consider bringing nature indoors with fresh flowers or plants.

• Tap into your senses and identify what evokes positive feelings

for you. If a specific color induces joy, incorporate that color palette with paint or decorative objects. Light candles with scents that are soothing or that elicit positive memories. Pay attention to how the lighting in a room impacts your mood. Sometimes we need a brighter space for more motivation and clarity; other times we may yearn for a dimmer space in order to feel cozy and relaxed.

• Incorporate objects that bring up positive memories and feelings of nostalgia, connection and gratitude.

Juliet spoke with Kenzie Harkey, professional organizer and founder of Simply Dare, a home-organizing company. Below are excerpts from their interview, lightly edited.

How does your mental health journey intersect with what you do?

As someone who has had ADHD since I was young, I’ve always known that if things are disordered, I can’t focus. I also know the impact on my anxiety. Going to therapy and organizing my space have helped my mental health. I still remember the STOP [mindfulness] skill my therapist taught me when I was younger:

S: Stop — Take a brief pause.

T: Take a breath — Take a deliberate breath.

O: Observe — Acknowledge your thoughts, feelings, and the environment without judgment.

P: Proceed mindfully — Proceed with intentionality, choosing a response thoughtfully.

Organizing someone’s home is such an intimate thing. You’re literally looking in their junk drawers.

Absolutely. Some clients are hesitant, and others are super vulnerable. They all recognize, though, that how the energy feels in their space is important.

Do you talk about this as a team — how to create safety with this vulnerability?

Yes, that’s a question that I ask in my interview process: “What would you say to someone who expresses shame or embarrassment?” We have to be comfortable with this. The home is a safe space, and we need to know how to be an emotional support system alongside our organization specialty. There is so much psychology around how people attach to their things and how physical environments impact mood.

I was a health coach originally but never even asked about people’s environments, which I know now was an oversight. Design and organization is a health thing. It’s more than just creativity and how your space is set up. It impacts how you feel in your body and how you show up in the world. The home is the foundation for everything you want to accomplish. SP

Juliet Kuehnle is the owner and a therapist at Sun Counseling and Wellness and author of Who You Callin’ Crazy?! The Journey From Stigma To Therapy. The full interview of Kuehnle’s interview featuring Kenzie Harkey can be found on Instagram @YepIGoToTherapy or wherever you stream podcasts.

25 YEARS

THIS MONTH, SOUTHPARK MAGAZINE TURNS 25! TO CELEBRATE, WE SHOWCASE CHARLOTTE COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY FOR 25 YEARS OR MORE.

JUST AS OUR MAGAZINE AND CITY HAVE GROWN AND EVOLVED, SO TOO HAVE THESE LOCAL INSTITUTIONS. TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR RICH HISTORY, SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES AND WHY THEY LOVE CALLING CHARLOTTE HOME.

SOUTHPARK MALL

54 years serving the Charlotte community

SOUTHPARK MALL stands as the epitome of elegance in shopping. Owned and operated by Simon Property Group, a family business led by CEO David Simon since 1995, SouthPark has been a cornerstone of the community since its opening in early 1970. With over 250 global properties and a dedicated workforce of 4,800 employees, Simon Property Group acquired SouthPark in 2002. That same year, the mall introduced Symphony Park, a 7-acre outdoor theater and green space. The sole luxury shopping destination between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, SouthPark features the largest collection of iconic fashion brands in the Carolinas — many of which are exclusive to the Carolinas. A few of SouthPark’s newest residents include Alo Yoga, Aritzia, Alexander McQueen, Diptyque and Omega. The charming Village at SouthPark opened in 2007 with vertically integrated retail and residential spaces, and a 2014 renovation enhanced the mall’s interiors and amenities. Last year, SouthPark’s West Plaza transformed into an upscale family entertainment destination featuring Suffolk Punch Brewing and an open-air pavilion. Beyond shopping, Symphony Park hosts over 80 annual events, including the beloved Pops in the Park. SouthPark’s close ties with SouthPark Community Partners ensure its continued role in shaping the community’s future, including the inspiring 2035 Vision Plan. “To be able to grow and thrive in this vibrant community for over five decades is something we’re incredibly proud of,” says Randy Thomas, general manager at Simon Property Group. “We can’t wait for the next 50 years.”

QUEEN CITY AUDIO VIDEO & APPLIANCES

72 years serving the Charlotte community

IN 1952, Woody Player founded Queen City Audio Video & Appliances as a TV repair shop. Today, the family-owned and -operated company has grown to become one of the top 30 appliance retailers in the country, with more than $25 million in local inventory, 10 stores throughout the Piedmont and 200+ employees. Throughout its 72-year history, Queen City’s mission has remained the same: to select the right home products to enhance your everyday living. It carries over 75 top-rated, quality brands — guaranteed to be the most competitively priced in the market — and offers same-day or next-day delivery for most products. Outstanding customer service is a priority, backed by a knowledgeable sales team and strong, long-standing relationships with innovative partners. In 2018, Queen City Home Store in Pineville opened, adding designer furniture, custom fabrics and beautiful home accessories to its array of offerings. A 100,000-square-foot warehouse ensures inventory remains well-stocked, and new stores in the Triad introduce customers to the Queen City name every day. Queen City’s commitment to customers goes well beyond its stores. Since its inception, the company has worked with countless charities to support schools, children and those in need. “Our 70-year journey in Charlotte isn’t just about longevity,” says Kate Player, controller and third-generation owner. “It’s a testament to the enduring bond we share with this vibrant city and its people. With our continued growth throughout the state, we are thrilled we can impact other parts of the Carolinas, too.”

The Player family Hollis Player

Woody Player

KINGSWOOD CUSTOM HOMES

29 years serving the Charlotte community

PETER AND LOUISE LEEKE founded Kingswood Custom Homes in 1995, after moving their family from London to Charlotte. Peter, a successful, award-winning homebuilder and entrepreneur, and Louise, born into a family of English builders, envisioned a company that placed a premium on relationships with customers and contractors, comprehensive project organization, keen environmental concern, and expert design capability. Three decades later, those values still hold true. With locations in Charlotte and Kiawah Island, Kingswood’s staff of 17 skilled managers and field supervisors represents 300 years of collective experience. Strong communication, a rigorous respect for schedules and budgets, and the ability to adapt to today’s ever-changing world of technology, engineering and building materials have led to happy, longtime customers. “As a family business, we treat our clients like family and always put their best interests first,” Peter says. “We have had many clients over the years build second, third and even fourth homes with us. We believe that speaks to how enjoyable we make the process and how satisfied our customers are with the results.” Kingswood’s beautiful craftsmanship is consistently recognized by others in the homebuilding industry. Just recently, its “Kiawah Oasis” kitchen was named a global finalist in the prestigious Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Kitchen Design Contest. It has also garnered 18 awards from the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte and 11 from the Lake Norman Home Builders Association. “We take pride in what we do as a team,” Peter says. “We all work together to exceed our clients’ dreams.”

THE BUTTERCUP

49 years serving the Charlotte community

NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO, in the basement below the Manor Theatre, five women opened The Buttercup as a consignment shop. Through the years, it transitioned to a gift and stationery business, settling in the heart of Myers Park in the charming yellow brick house at the corner of Providence Road and Circle Avenue. In 2017, co-founder Stewart Gordon sold the business to daughter-inlaw Kim, and four years later, the shop moved to its current location in Myers Park Center. Along with well-known brands like Nest, Crane & Co., PJ Harlow and Kate Spade, Buttercup customers now enjoy an expanded selection of gifts, custom invitations and stationery by local designers, and dresses, skirts and tops at pleasing price points. “We hold our traditions close but love exploring what’s new,” Kim says. “We are always seeking to impress our customers with our selection, service and a fun element of surprise. My greatest joy comes from helping our customers find the best gifts for their clients, friends and family.” Many of those customers have turned to The Buttercup for years, finding special ways to celebrate some of life’s most memorable occasions, from graduations to weddings to births and more. Others are new to Charlotte. “We enjoy meeting those who have just discovered us,” Kim says. “It’s also special to connect with the generations that shopped with us as children and are now parents and grandparents themselves. Our team works very hard to make a difference with each customer that walks through the door.”

Buttercup owner Kim Gordon

Four of the five original Buttercup owners, 1984.

FINK’S JEWELERS

54 years serving the Charlotte community

IN THE MIDST OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION, Nathan Fink took to the streets of Roanoke, Va., pushing a cart through downtown, selling jewelry on credit. As his popularity grew, so did the need for a storefront. In 1930, he opened Fink’s Jewelers. Today, Fink’s Jewelers can be found in 10 locations throughout Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina, with 135 employees. Owned and operated by the third and fourth generation of the Fink family, customer service remains a cornerstone of the fine jeweler’s philosophy. So does family. You’ll often find Marc Fink and son Matthew on the sales floor at one of the Fink’s stores, working with longtime customers. “What sets us apart is when you shop with Fink’s Jewelers, you’re truly a part of the family,” says Marketing Director Lindsey Sinozich. “We’re lucky to help families for generations.” Fink’s arrived in SouthPark Mall in 1970, adding a second store in Huntersville’s Birkdale Village in 2015. The two prime locations in the Charlotte area, along with stores in Raleigh and Durham, offer customers the largest selection of the industry’s most sought-after brands. In addition to fine and designer jewelry, Fink’s carries an expansive collection of Swiss timepieces and the finest diamonds available. Ninety-four years’ experience translates into strong buying power, ensuring customers the best value with every purchase. Elevating the guest experience and creating a comfortable, welcoming environment remain Fink’s top priorities. “We always say we are not in the business of selling jewelry, we are in the business of marking moments,” Sinozich says. “We truly build relationships for a lifetime. And I think that’s the key to our success.” Fink’s Jewelers | SouthPark Mall & Birkdale Village | finks.com

Marc and Matthew Fink

COTTINGHAM CHALK

41 years serving the Charlotte community

IN 1983, Dan Cottingham and close friend John D. Chalk III opened their own real estate firm in Charlotte, Cottingham Chalk. Since its inception, the focus has remained the same: its people. Attract talented people and develop them into exceptional real estate agents who provide outstanding service. Ensure a collaborative team environment, where brokers work together, share ideas and support each other, all to the benefit of clients. It’s a formula that has proven successful, with a track record of more than four decades and a robust roster of accomplished, expert agents and satisfied clients. “When you work at Cottingham Chalk, you are part of the family,” says President Daniel Cottingham, the second generation to lead the business. “When you hire a Cottingham Chalk broker, you have the entire company in your corner.” As a local, independent company, Cottingham Chalk can adapt quickly to Charlotte’s ever-changing real estate market or stay the course when appropriate. Its exclusive membership in the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® offers valuable, innovative resources that serve clients both locally and around the world. Its agents’ years of experience and collective knowledge provide a solid foundation as clients make one of life’s most significant decisions. “Our longevity is a direct result of our people,” Cottingham says. “It’s about our agents, who work so hard to serve our clients, and it’s about our clients, who continue to place their trust in us and refer us to others. It’s fun selling a city you believe in so much.” Cottingham Chalk | 6846 Carnegie Boulevard | 704.364.1700 | cottinghamchalk.com

Daniel Cottingham Jr., Dan Cottingham, Leigh C. Corso

JERALD MELBERG GALLERY

40 years serving the Charlotte community

A FORMER CURATOR FOR THE MINT MUSEUM, Jerald Melberg opened his own gallery in 1984, fueled by a love of art and good faith from friends. Four decades later, he has brought major exhibitions for nationally and internationally renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Romare Bearden, Robert Motherwell, Wolf Kahn and Dale Chihuly to the Queen City, helping hundreds evolve from admiring art to collecting it. For Melberg, his life’s passion has always been more about how art makes him feel, rather than an artist’s style. “It’s the emotional response,” he says. “If that’s there for me, then I can convince others and I can sell it.” And sell it he has. Melberg’s confidence in the group of talented, diverse artists he represents — currently at 26 — has created a wide-ranging collector network stretching across the globe. Beyond art, his impact can be felt internationally, too. His involvement with Charlotte’s longtime Sister City program in Arequipa, Peru, has led to more than 30 visits, the establishment of an elementary school and technical high school, a show of Arequipa artists in Charlotte, and numerous fundraisers at the gallery. “If I were to leave a legacy at all, for me, it would be the kids and my work with the school,” Melberg says. In the art world, clients trust Melberg’s extensive knowledge and are inspired by his infectious enthusiasm. “It’s wonderful to watch people deepen their understanding of art no matter what their background, and I’ve been privileged to help make that possible,” Melberg says. “I love what I do.” Jerald Melberg Gallery | 625 S. Sharon Amity Road | 704.365.3000 | jeraldmelberg.com

PERRY’S DIAMONDS & ESTATE JEWELRY

46 years serving the Charlotte community

ERNEST “ERNIE” PERRY GOT HIS START in the jewelry business as manager of a jewelry store in the 1970s. By 1978, Perry and his wife, Priscilla, established their own jewelry company, Perry’s Jewelry Emporium, on Independence Boulevard. Three years later, the store moved to SouthPark Mall. Today, Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry is one of the nation’s top antique and estate jewelers and diamond brokers, offering on-site custom jewelry design and repair as well. Now located at Carnegie Boulevard, the store has become a staple in SouthPark for more than 40 years. Ernie passed away in July 2023, leaving a legacy of philanthropy and a reputation for integrity, loyalty and kindness. Volunteering as auctioneer at countless fundraisers, he raised millions of dollars for numerous Charlotte charities. “My father valued the relationships he built and stressed the importance of treating everyone with respect,” says daughter Hadley Perry, who joined the company in 2012 and now serves as CEO. “He taught us to treat every client like a million-dollar client, and the principles he instilled will always guide us in how we do business.” The store’s unique, distinctive selection, longtime relationships and expert staff set it apart from others in the industry. With 10 graduate gemologists, customers can be confident they’re choosing the highest quality, one-of-a-kind pieces. “We love playing a role in some of the most momentous occasions in a person’s life,” Hadley says. “Being a part of that is an honor.”

Perry’s Diamonds & Estate

Brittany, Priscilla and Hadley Perry with David Hyde of Jeweler’s Mutual accept the 24KT Club’s Jeweler of the Year Award on behalf of the late Ernie Perry, 2023

Ernie Perry at his SouthPark Mall location, mid-1990s

Ernie and Priscilla Perry, 1978

COSMETIC DENTISTRY OF THE CAROLINAS

44 years serving the Charlotte community

WHEN DR. ROSS NASH moved his Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas office from Park Road to SouthPark in 1995, he knew he had made the right choice. The location was less than 10 minutes from his home, the church he attended was on the corner, and he was close to the amenities he enjoyed. Since the practice’s inception in 1980, patients have traveled from all parts of the Charlotte metropolitan area as well as across the country for his care. At the time, Dr. Nash was the only dentist in the Carolinas who was an Accredited Fellow in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. (He has since received a Lifetime Achievement award from that organization.) He appeared on local news shows and public interest broadcasts featuring the latest innovations in cosmetic and aesthetic dental techniques and full mouth rejuvenation. In 1997, Dr. Nash added his post-graduate teaching center, The Nash Institute for Dental Learning, in the same building as his practice. Dentists and other dental professionals learned new techniques and discovered new materials under his instruction. Local dentists attended Dr. Nash’s courses and took those innovations to their practices. Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas moved to Huntersville in 2005. It continues to thrive with Dr. Tyler Wurmlinger as practice owner and Dr. Nash as his associate. “It’s a perfect match,” Dr. Wurmlinger says. “We both are committed to providing patients with outstanding general dentistry and exceptional clinical and aesthetic results. Together, we continue to stay on the leading edge of outstanding dental care.”

Drs. Ross Nash and Tyler Wurmlinger

JOHN DABBS LTD.

52 years serving the Charlotte community

IN 1972, JOHN DABBS SAID GOODBYE TO HIS CORPORATE JOB, wanting instead to tap into his creative side and be in business for himself. He and wife Carol felt there was a need in Charlotte for a place where customers could pop in when needing the perfect gift for babies to grandmothers and every age in between. Their instincts proved correct. For more than five decades, the eponymous store has been a fixture on Providence Road, its chocolate brown exterior chosen by John to match the shop’s gift wrap and logo. To celebrate its golden anniversary in 2022, a mural depicting the Rothschild Bird china pattern by Herend — Carol’s favorite — was added. John Dabbs passed away in 1995, but Carol and his four daughters continue to run the store, which carries an array of distinctive gifts, along with fine and everyday china and home and entertaining accents. A commitment to customer service has always been at the forefront, and a shared knowledge of a finely curated inventory from top lines like Anna Weatherley, Vietri, Herend, William Yeoward and Simon Pearce has created a loyal customer base. “Some families have been coming to John Dabbs for three generations,” Ginny Touma says. “We enjoy helping our brides find their perfect registry choices, and we enjoy the neighbors and friends who stop by for a gift or just to say hi. Having been here this long makes us feel that we have a solid foundation and understand our customers’ wants and needs.”

John Dabbs Ltd. | 759 Providence Road | 704.334.5040 | johndabbsltd.com

The Dabbs family

Mary Lance Sisk, John Dabbs’ first customer in 1972

PAUL SIMON CO.

49 years serving the Charlotte community

ESTABLISHED IN 1975 in the heart of Myers Park by Paul and Marcia Simon, Paul Simon Co. has built its reputation on traditional service and quality clothing handpicked for the Charlotte market. Since its founding, the family-owned and -operated boutique clothier has continued to expand its stores, offering a welcoming shopping environment to generations of men and women throughout the Queen City. All the while, Charlotte has evolved from a small Southern city to one of the most dynamic in the country.

Paul Simon’s meticulous editing of collections ensures that what customers find is not only fashionable but appropriate, meeting the demands of any professional or personal occasion. The Paul Simon team scours the market for style, value and quality so customers feel confident with every purchase. On-site, experienced tailors guarantee a custom, perfect fit. “Our emphasis has always been on the highest level of taste, well-trained sales associates and the very best tailoring,” says President Jon Simon, the second generation of the Simon family to lead the business. “It is our hope that shopping in our stores will be both easy and enjoyable. We are very grateful to the generations of loyal Charlotte customers and look forward to helping the many new ones moving to our city every day.”

Paul Simon Co. | 4310 Sharon Road | 704.366.4523 | paulsimonco.com

Stephanie and Jon Simon

VIA HEALTH PARTNERS

46 years serving the Charlotte community

FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, VIA Health Partners has been relieving suffering, enhancing dignity, and improving the quality of life through expert hospice and palliative care across the Carolinas. The company was founded as Hospice at Charlotte in early 1978 by a small group of dedicated volunteers who gathered at Caldwell Presbyterian Church. By 1984, it became the first hospice in the Carolinas certified for Hospice Medicare Benefit. In 2003, the organization began operating under the name Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, changing its name to VIA Health Partners in 2023. Over the years, the company has evolved from the state’s first nonprofit hospice to one of the largest nonprofit hospice and palliative care providers in the nation, serving over 4,000 patients daily. Under the current leadership of President and CEO Peter A. Brunnick, the organization now has more than 850 employees in 36 counties across the Carolinas and annual revenues of $125 million. VIA Health Partners also offers six hospice houses with 68 beds across its footprint. In addition to hospice and palliative care, VIA Health Partners’ comprehensive services include specialty care programs tailored for children and veterans, as well as disease specialty programs for heart failure, COPD and those with dementia. As Charlotte continues to grow, VIA Health Partners remains dedicated to providing skilled, compassionate care around the clock, ensuring those in need receive unwavering support every step of the way. VIA Health Partners | 7845 Little Avenue | 833.839.1113 | viahp.org

Levine & Dickson Hospice House - Huntersville

SHAIN GALLERY

26 years serving the Charlotte community

NESTLED ALONG

SELWYN AVENUE IN MYERS PARK, Shain Gallery is a testament to Charlotte’s art scene. Founded in 1998 by Gaby Shain, the gallery has been a cornerstone for art enthusiasts, evolving with the city while maintaining its commitment to showcasing exceptional talent. In 2013, Sybil Wornall joined Shain Gallery as its manager, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective from nearly a decade in Atlanta’s art world, including significant roles at The Madison Gallery and Anne Irwin Fine Art. A native Charlottean, Wornall’s return to her hometown marked a new chapter for the gallery. Her passion and vision culminated in her purchasing the gallery in 2017, following Shain’s retirement. Under Wornall’s leadership, the gallery has flourished, tripling its business and expanding its roster of artists. Wornall’s knack for spotting emerging talent and her dedication to nurturing artists has solidified the gallery’s reputation not just locally, but across the United States. The gallery’s ability to adapt to Charlotte’s dynamic growth, while maintaining deep connections with longtime collectors, is a hallmark of its success. “We have clients come in all the time saying their grandparents had works from Shain Gallery,” says Wornall. Shain Gallery continues to cultivate relationships with artists and clients nationwide. The gallery’s commitment to understanding and catering to the tastes of its collectors ensures it will remain a cherished destination for art lovers. Shain Gallery | 2823 Selwyn Avenue, Suite K | 704.334.7744 | shaingallery.com

PASTA & PROVISIONS

32

years serving the Charlotte community

IT’S OFTEN SAID THAT FOOD MADE WITH LOVE TASTES BETTER. At Pasta & Provisions, the proof is in the pasta. “I try to practice and live my life with loving kindness as a guiding principle,” says founder and owner Tommy George. “Treating employees and customers with that in mind fosters an environment of happiness.” In the 1980s, Tommy, a native Charlottean and graduate of the University of Massachusetts Boston, worked for Italian food purveyor Capone Foods in Boston’s historic Haymarket district. After welcoming three sons with wife Debbie, the couple spent nights crafting a business plan for a fresh pasta store in Tommy’s hometown. They opened Pasta & Provisions on Providence Road the day before Thanksgiving in 1992. Within a year, the company expanded its retail shop and wholesale business and notched a half-million dollars in sales. Since then, the neighborhood specialty grocer has become an epicurean institution in Charlotte, adding Park Road and Mint Street locations and offering house-made fresh pasta, a curated selection of gourmet foods, a rotating lineup of Italian wines and craft beers, a deli, bakery, and catering. Son Dylan serves as general manager. Pasta maker Agustin Ortez, a former co-worker of Tommy’s at Capone Foods, and baker Oscar Flores joined Pasta & Provisions in 1993. Tommy’s younger brother Stephen, a Johnson & Wales University graduate who passed away in 2003, was the shop’s first chef and developed recipes still used in the kitchens today. “We strive to keep our products affordable and of the highest quality,” Tommy says. “Never underestimate the power of pasta and good people.” Pasta & Provisions | Providence Road, Park Road & Mint Street | pastaprovisions.com

SOUTHMINSTER

37 years serving the Charlotte community

NEARLY 40 YEARS AGO, Christ Episcopal and Myers Park Baptist churches united to create a premier, nonprofit retirement community in Charlotte. This vision became a reality in 1987, offering a luxurious and ecumenical Life Plan community that quickly met the demand for upscale retirement living. Southminster’s success is a testament to its commitment to responsible stewardship and community service. Governed by an independent board of civic leaders, Southminster has continually evolved to meet the needs of its residents. In 2008, it added 89 spacious apartments and a wellness center. Its latest chapter of growth in 2023 included the addition of Southminster Terraces — boutique apartments featuring high ceilings, open floor plans and oversized windows — as well as Embrace Health at Southminster, a state-of-the-art short-term rehabilitation, assisted-living and skilled nursing-care center, and 20 renovated, roomy Top of East apartments. Southminster’s array of living options includes over 90 floor plans, from one-bedroom apartments to expansive three-bedroom homes. It offers a full continuum of care, outstanding amenities and a commitment to high-quality service, embodying the best in retirement living. As Charlotte grows, Southminster stands dedicated to innovative senior solutions, catering to the city’s aging population and ensuring a vibrant, caring community for years to come. Southminster | 8919 Park Road, Charlotte | 704.551.6800 | southminster.org

SouthPark moments 25

It seems like only yesterday we were partying like it’s 1999, excited to usher in a new millennium while simultaneously wary of the impending Y2K crisis (which thankfully never happened).

That’s the year this magazine debuted as a community-focused, glossy successor to SouthPark Update, a quarterly publication started by real-estate developer The Bissell Companies. Scott Martin was the editor of both. “I covered some of the bigger issues impacting the community but also joyously included ‘micro-news,’ and the readers seemed to like the editorial mix,” shares Martin, now a direct response copywriter, author and ski instructor in Colorado. “If you lived in SouthPark and you placed fourth in a baking competition in Delray Beach, Fla., you were in the magazine.”

Martin left a year after the magazine’s launch, and SouthPark leaned more heavily into luxury living — the pages were filled with stories about luxe watches, fine housewares (and where to shop for them), upscale homebuilders, even luxury dog care.

In 2008, another shift occurred when Leigh

1999

Dyer took the reins as editor. The magazine was owned by The Charlotte Observer, and then-publisher Ann Caulkins decided to move the magazine under the purview of the newsroom, Dyer recalls.

“We did not view SouthPark as a geographic boundary, but as a name synonymous with the Charlotte lifestyle we were covering,” says Dyer, who is now executive director at GreenHill Center for N.C. Art in Greensboro. “So we did stories from other places around the region that we knew would have region-wide interest. But we did deepen our ties to the SouthPark area and viewed it as our epicenter.”

In spring 2019, SouthPark’s current owner, The Pilot, a regional media company based in Southern Pines, acquired the magazine from the Observer. Design, local arts, cuisine, style and travel — along with spotlighting local luminaries and community leaders — have been at the core of SouthPark since the early years. Join us as we reflect back on the last 25 years — and look ahead to the next 25.

— Cathy Martin, editor, 2019-present

In the inaugural issue, topics ranged from a hotly contested rezoning to expand SouthPark Mall to the beer selection at the Morrocroft Harris Teeter (better known then and now as the Taj Ma-Teeter). Other stories touted the SouthPark Campus beautification project — a privately funded effort to improve the look of the shared campus of Selwyn, Alexander Graham and Myers Park schools — plus updates on Dean & Deluca Wine Room at Phillips Place and Noble’s restaurant, which had just opened. The cover story featured

the “Morrocroft Mansion,” a Tudor Revival-style home built in the 1920s in the heart of SouthPark that’s on the National Register of Historic Places.

“A really great group of creative professionals put some of their best work into SouthPark Magazine, founding editor Scott Martin recalls. “Despite the surfeit of anonymous office buildings and the carefully-manicured suburban sameness [that defined] SouthPark, there were lots of curious, interesting and generally amenable characters, and I liked to write about them in the magazine.”

2002

2007

The first segment of the Blue Line brings lightrail passenger transit to Charlotte, setting off a development boom along the train’s corridor, which today extends from Pineville to UNC Charlotte.

Symphony Park debuts, kicking off a period of growth for the SouthPark area, including the opening of Nordstrom and the “luxury wing” at SouthPark Mall in 2004 and Piedmont Town Center in 2005.

November 2008

Galas, gowns and plenty of glam: Led by longtime Observer writer and social editor Olivia Fortson, Swirl debuts in SouthPark, highlighting the best-dressed Charlotteans and the hottest parties of the season.

November 2008

Before Chip and Joanna Gaines, there was “Extreme Home Makeover,” a hit ABC series that filmed in Charlotte’s Windsor Park neighborhood in 2008. Leigh Dyer wrote about the filming in SouthPark, scooping other local news outlets. “[My] newsroom instincts stayed with me, as I liked to

April marked the first Blvd. section in the magazine, which Dyer described at the time as “a perusal across the cultural landscape — from shopping, to art, to philanthropy.”

print stories that still were ‘newsworthy’ even if they took two to three months to bring to print. For example, I was able to… publish the home-transformation photos that had been embargoed in the regular paper until the show aired, actually becoming the first in Charlotte to ‘break’ that particular story.”

July 2009

Former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt graced the cover, three months ahead of the opening of the uptown arts and cultural center bearing his name. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for AfricanAmerican Arts + Culture — better known as simply the Gantt Center — debuted in October 2009.

2010

The openings of the Gantt Center and Knight Theater in 2009 were swiftly followed by the debut of The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in January 2010 and Mint Museum Uptown in October, establishing the cultural corner of uptown known as Levine Center for the Arts.

2011-13

April 2010

“Pit of potential?” outlined the story of the failed attempt to land a Saks Fifth Avenue and a five-star hotel at the corner of Park and Gleneagles roads. The property owned by Dee-Dee Harris and Harris Land Co. was originally rezoned in 1989; plans for the site evolved over time. Thirty-five years later, the 19-acre lot on a prominent corner near Quail Hollow Club is still vacant.

The first three seasons of the hit Showtime series “Homeland” were filmed in Charlotte. In the October 2011 issue, writer Caroline Portillo, who would later become editor SouthPark, sat down for an interview with actor Mandy Patinkin. “I just absolutely love, love Charlotte,” Patinkin said. “I love virtually every human being I’ve come in contact with. I love the quietness of it. I love that you don’t feel the energy or insanity of New York or L.A. It’s not about any of that. To me, it’s about having a good quality, quiet life.”

The Bechtler Museum

July 2012

Writer (now local PR pro) Rachel Sutherland got an exclusive interview with Madeleine Albright when the former U.S. Secretary of State exhibited a collection of 200 pins at the Mint Museum. “Her pins have taken on a life of their own, sending subtle (and sometimes not too subtle) messages to the world,” Sutherland wrote. The diplomat was known for using jewelry to convey her views on political situations. “The way it started… the other ambassadors started asking, ‘What are we doing today?’ and rather than answer them, I told them to read my pins, and they began to do so,” Albright said. “It was fun. They came to know flowers were a good thing, bugs not so much.”

August 2012

“I’ll never forget interviewing Wolfgang Puck during the grand opening of WP Kitchen,” shares former editor Cristina Wilson, now founder and CEO of Mood House massage studios. “We chatted while he made a pizza from scratch in front of me. I asked him to share some cooking advice for readers, and he told me, ‘It’s pretty easy, really. Get the best ingredients and then don’t f*** them up.’ We chickened out of including that quote then, but looking back I wish we had gone for it!”

2014-16

“The features that stick with me the most are the annual dining issue potluck chef dinners,” shares Sarah Crosland, editor from 2013-2017. “We hosted our inaugural one inside an old trolley in what is now the Trolley Barn at Atherton Mill. We invited chefs, mixologists, and brewers to come together for the dinner, bringing some of their favorite food and drinks to share. Relish Carolina and Plaid Penguin styled it, Lunahzon photographed it, and Keia Mastrianni wrote about it. The first year, it included some of the people who really built the city’s food-and-drink scene; the second was our ‘new crop potluck’ of newer additions; and the third year we highlighted the leading women in Charlotte’s dining scene. I loved just listening to all the smart and ambitious Charlotte food folks in the room for those dinners — and, of course, getting to enjoy the leftovers.”

Top, Cloisonne frog, c. 1997. Left, Green Crystal Frog, 1999. Right, Crouching Green and Gold Frog, 1970 Kenneth Jay Lane (American).

September 2015

“The September 2015 issue was my very first styled fashion production for SouthPark Magazine,” says Style Editor Whitley Adkins. “With the help of an incredible team of contributors, I conceptualized a Charlotte neighborhood street-style interpretation for fashion’s biggest month of the year. Dressing and shuffling veteran model Chelsea Lewis from neighborhood to neighborhood was true to my desire to push the editorial envelope for our city’s ever-burgeoning fashion scene. All in a day’s work, we hit Ballantyne, two locations in SouthPark (naturally), Myers Park, Midtown, Dilworth, South End, Uptown and NoDa, in that order!”

September 2017

The September 2017 issue marked SouthPark’s first IT List, showcasing 45 women from ages 19 to 75. The feature led by Whitley Adkins would become an annual tradition.

“Chandra Johnson, Laura Vinroot Poole and Barrie Benson graced the cover in a show of pattern-mixing perfection that could only be attributed to the inimitable Whitley Adkins,” shares former editor Caroline Portillo.

“The package was her brainchild, and every year since, Adkins — now SouthPark’s style editor — has found a way to make it a fresh and inspirational feast for the eyes.”

June 2017

“It was late 2015 when lifelong pals Tim Miner and Matt Olin launched the Charlotte chapter of Creative Mornings, the global cadre of individuals who meet monthly for creative inspiration and meaningful connections,” says Contributing Editor Michael J. Solender. “Less than a year after launching Creative Mornings Charlotte, Miner and Olin established the nonprofit Charlotte is Creative, an entrepreneurial advocacy group for Charlotte artists, performers, makers and small creative businesses. Since its founding, the organization has delivered more than 450 HUG (Helpful Unfettered Gifts) grants… SouthPark Magazine’s June 2017 cover featured Miner and Olin, and I had the chance to profile their Queen City Quiz show project — a collaborative effort with Levine Museum of the New South that brought local history to Charlotte residents in a fun and engaging way. Miner and Olin embody the creative, artful spirit that makes Charlotte an energizing, fun and creative place to live.”

June 2018

Goodbye, Ski-Slope Church:

Sharon United Methodist, which anchored 7 acres at the corner of Sharon and Colony roads for nearly 50 years, was a local landmark with its iconic upward sloping roofline and steeple. Faced with a shrinking congregation, church leaders adopted a bold plan to sell the property, yet still maintain a presence on the land. Apex SouthPark is now a buzzing mixed-use development centered around the renamed SouthPark Church.

Queen City Quiz Show’s Matt Olin, Brenda Tindal, and Tim Miner.

July 2018

“You eat very well in the magazine business,” Caroline Portillo shares. “But, hands down, one of my top dining experiences was when Devin Funchess, the Carolina Panthers’ top wide receiver at the time, whipped up some of his signature shrimp fettuccine alfredo for the SouthPark staff from the comfort of his South End apartment. Funchess — known on the team for feeding friends a hearty meal after a hard practice — was going to be on the cover of our July 2018 food issue. So, in the name of research and good journalism, we posted up at his kitchen island to watch him sauté shrimp with butter and garlic while he told us stories of his grandfather’s collard greens, his grandmother’s pound cake and his own graduation from deep-fried mozzarella sticks to lamb chops cooked on the rooftop grill. I remember being eight months pregnant at the time, so asking for seconds was only natural.”

Legion Brewing brought the first local craft brewery to SouthPark, with an expanded food menu led by chef Gene Briggs. “We’re giving people the same experience they can get downtown, but in a very casual atmosphere… right here in their backyard,” Briggs told SouthPark in a July 2019 article.

May 2019 February

SouthPark Mall celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, and contributor Michelle Boudin interviewed shoppers and employees for a retrospective in our February issue. “The area just keeps growing and growing,” said Delores Scott, an assistant manager at Fink’s Jewelers who has worked at the mall since 1996. “You think there’s no more space, and then up comes more construction. It just means more people are in walking distance. [Even] in the days of online shopping, people still want to come in and touch and feel what they’re purchasing — and that’s a really good thing for the mall.”

Emily Maynard Johnson lit up the cover as SouthPark debuted a new look, blending the magazine’s longtime focus on style, design, cuisine and travel with a renewed emphasis on storytelling and celebrating Charlotte and North Carolina creatives.

May 2020

Fear, confusion and uncertainty were the best ways to describe the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. To lift people’s spirits, artist Kent Youngstrom came up with the idea of placing art in public spaces. Youngstrom and his two children created 100 poster-sized works and put them up around town, creating a social-media buzz and a scavenger hunt as people went out searching for them. After seeing his posts on Instagram, we reached out to Kent and sent photographer Justin Driscoll to photograph the artist with one of his works (from a safe social distance) for our May cover.

May 2023

First responders are recognized at a community event following the devastating SouthPark fire.

A five-alarm fire trapped and killed two workers, Demonte Sherrill and Reuben Holmes, at an apartment complex under construction off Fairview Road. The community and city leaders immediately rallied around the victims’ families, while praising the heroism of firefighters who rescued 15 people from the inferno. CFD determined the fire’s cause to be accidental.

Dec. 2020

In the ’80s and ’90s, former Charlotte Observer publisher Rolfe Neill was part of “The Group,” an unofficial band of local business leaders that held tremendous sway. In a December story by contributor Rick Thames, Neill, who died in 2023, reflects on his distinguished career, the newspaper’s fading influence and his passion for helping restore the city’s tree canopy through his work with Trees Charlotte.

April 2024

A vision for SouthPark: SouthPark Community Partners rolls out the SouthPark Forward 2035 Vision Plan, which aims to create a more walkable, energizing and connected community. SP

Farmhouse fabulous

Empty nesters transform an updated farmhouse into an urban-inspired retreat with a modern flair. by

 The couple wanted to keep this windowlined room light and airy to highlight the art and let the outside in. A painting by Rana Rochat from Hidell Brooks Gallery adds soothing tones.

Kris and Scott Evans weren’t planning to move, but when they toured their current home in the sprawling Carmel Estates neighborhood, they knew they had to have it.

“We lived in our previous home for 15 years and raised our two children there,” explains Kris Evans. “It was hard to let go, but we fell in love with the large windows and the spacious lot and liked the idea of one-level living.”

The Evans were drawn to the rural feel of the neighborhood and the home’s generous lot, nearly 1.5 acres. They learned that the home used to be a farmhouse before the surrounding land was developed for the neighborhood. The previous owners’ renovation gave the house a decidedly contemporary look, so the Evans

Catherine Ruth Kelly | photographs by Brie Williams | styling by Kendra Surface

endeavored to maintain that style while creating warm and welcoming interiors. They tapped Erin Dougherty, owner of local boutique and design studio Isabella, for the job.

“I’ve known Kris and Scott for about 15 years,” Dougherty says. “We were actually in the process of updating their previous home when they found this house and fell in love with it.”

Dougherty grew up in Charlotte and has owned Isabella for 20 years. A veteran designer, she worked closely with Kris Evans to conceive a plan that reflects her personality and to create a beautiful, comfortable space for living and entertaining.

The Evans’ Jack Russell terrier sits beside a Highland House acrylic game table in a corner of the den. The chairs are by Four Hands.

 In the den, the bright colors of a Colleen Leach painting sourced from Shain Gallery are echoed in the room’s fabrics and accessories, including the cushions topping a pair of Worlds Away burlwood stools.

 An elegant cabinet by Gabby from Isabella displays art, artifacts and books from the Evans’ personal collection in the living room.

A pair of abstract paintings by Kevin Tolman set a stylish tone in the living room, where guests can gather on the Charles Stewart sofa and Highland House swivel chairs.

“Their previous home was a bit more traditional, but Kris’ style has evolved,” Dougherty says. “And we wanted to complement the midcentury architecture with a cleaner, brighter, more modern aesthetic.”

The Evans were able to use some of their existing furniture, but with a larger space to fill and a completely different architectural style, they had to start from scratch in most of the rooms.

Designed with entertaining in mind, the living room welcomes guests with a chic gathering space. The lagoon-colored Charles Stewart sofa and Highland House swivel chairs surround a custom channeled ottoman. Thibaut grasscloth wallcoverings create a warm backdrop for a pair of abstract paintings by Kevin Tolman. The paintings and the Evans’ collection of pottery by Virginia Scotchie, who was raised in Asheville, complement the modern sensibility of the room.

A Restoration Hardware chandelier hangs above the round table in the dining room. Metallic wallpaper by York envelops the room. Green velvet fabric by Romo covers the front of the chairs, with a shibori-like print by MS Design Maven on the back.

 In the powder room, the Evans added a new cabinet and quartz countertop. Floral Farrow & Ball wallpaper makes a bold statement. Accessories include an Arteriors mirror, Visual Comfort sconces and Modern Matter hardware.

“Buying new art was one of the most fun parts of decorating this house,” Evans says. “We purchased a lot of the art before selecting fabrics so that could guide our decisions.”

One of their new pieces, a large-scale painting by Dennis Campay, hangs above the dining-room sideboard. The Evans selected a patterned metallic wallpaper with a cloud-like design, creating an ethereal atmosphere in the light, airy space. The table and chairs were from their previous home, but the chairs were updated with fresh fabrics — olive green velvet on the front and a shibori-like print on the back — adding sleek, sophisticated pops of color.

A favorite room in the house is the glass room, with two walls of windows offering unobstructed views of the Evans’ verdant lot. A whimsical variety of pendant lights, remnants of the home’s previous

 A four-poster bed by Noir is the centerpiece of the couple’s daughter’s bedroom, with walls covered in Schumacher’s Birds & Butterflies wallpaper. The drapery fabric is Condesa by Serena Dugan, and the Designers Guild throw blanket is from Isabella.

 Natural light fills the sunroom, where a beaded Ro Sham Beaux chandelier hangs above a dining table by Dovetail and chairs by Four Hands.

The primary bedroom offers a serene space with muted colors. Matouk bedding is from Isabella. The painting above the bed is by Scott Upton from Hidell Brooks.

owners, punctuate the ceiling with style. With the oversized windows and pitched ceiling, Dougherty opted to keep the walls a crisp white to allow the outside views and colorful art to take center stage.

“This light-filled room is the perfect spot for a morning coffee, reading, relaxing and also provides great views of the back and front yard,” explains Dougherty.

The Evans have enjoyed their new home and are pleased to have a comfortable, inviting space for their grown children and extended family when they come visit.

“The house has turned out so great,” Evans says. “Erin did a wonderful job creating a modern look that is still warm and inviting, and she made the process so easy for us.” SP

A beaded light fixture from Made Goods hangs above the bathtub in the primary bathroom. The painting by Ellen Levine Dodd is from Anne Neilson Fine Art.

PRIME

“I learned to command respect, communicate effectively and that a hug can go a long way,”

Led by founders DJ Fannie Mae, left, and Dennis Reed Jr., right, Sainted Trap Choir performs at the inaugural Lovin’ Life festival in May.

TIME

From “America’s Got Talent” to working with Fantasia, Charlotte musician and nonprofit founder Dennis Reed Jr. is enjoying the limelight.

by Krisha Chachra | photographs by Grant Baldwin

Award-winning singer and songwriter Dennis Reed Jr. has much to celebrate on his 40th birthday this month. This spring, the Charlotte native signed with Rock Soul Productions, an entertainment company founded by Grammy-award winner and North Carolina native Fantasia Barrino Taylor and Yvonne McNair.

Reed, who has worked with Fantasia for more than 10 years, and his Sainted Trap Choir — the modern gospel and hip-hop singing group he co-founded with local DJ Fannie Mae — sang backup vocals for The Color Purple star at this year’s Academy Awards. The group also shared the spotlight with Fantasia when she performed as one of this year’s Time100 Most Influential People. In addition, Reed and choir members accompanied R&B singer Andra Day at Super Bowl LVIII and played in front of thousands of people at Charlotte’s inaugural Lovin’ Life Music Festival in May.

As the Harvey B. Gantt Center for AfricanAmerican Arts + Culture’s first musical artist-in-residence, last month he produced Liberation & Inspiration: A Celebratory Juneteenth Concert hosted by legendary gospel singer Kirk Franklin. The concert at Knight Theater featured performances by local musicians, African dancers and Sainted Trap Choir. Fantasia made a special appearance.

All this after Reed kicked off the year as a fiancé: He proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Charlotte media maven and content creator Ohavia Phillips, in late 2023.

“You know how they say it takes decades to become an overnight success?” he asks. “I started playing piano, singing and conducting choirs at age 10, so these amazing opportunities of late are catching up.

I’m doing what I’ve always done and working hard — I’m just getting recognized for it now.”

It helps to have a star like Fantasia in your corner.

“Dennis isn’t just an artist; he’s a vessel of inspiration,” Fantasia shares in an email. “That’s why I knew he had to be one of the first artists signed to Rock Soul

Productions. His heart and passion are exactly what this label stands for, and I’m so grateful to have him on this journey with me.”

FOUNDATION IN FAITH

When asked why he chose to be a musician, Reed claims music chose him.

“My mom would tell me I pretended to play piano on the crib and the back of the pew at church,” Reed says. “My sister took lessons before I did, and I would wait until the teacher left and then bang on the piano.”

His parents eventually hired a piano teacher for Reed. But his strongest musical influence came from the church. Raised in east Charlotte, Reed credits music director Ron Gilliam of New St. John Missionary Baptist Church, who continued teaching him piano and encouraged him to lead a choir. “I learned to command respect, communicate effectively and that a hug can go a long way,” Reed says. “[Gilliam] could bring out the best in your voice — and in you. He is a pastor now, but as a music director, he would discipline me with a smile and tell me to go back and say things better when I would mess up with the choir.”

Reed felt comfortable expressing himself at church. “Black churches are not only our religious experience, but also our social arena. It’s everything,” he says. “Historically, the church is the place where we are free. We come in our Sunday best not only to find God, but to forge relationships and community.”

The church is also where he became a better musician. “You get direct feedback from the audience,” he says. “Once you finish that solo, the congregation is standing up telling you to ‘Sing it, baby!’” Reed carried the confidence gained at church through high school at Northwest School of the Arts and then Catawba College in Salisbury, where he won the BMI Foundation’s 9th Annual John Lennon Scholarships award for songwriting.

“As a songwriter and a performer, I learned to connect with people at church,” he says. “Now, I create a type of church everywhere I go. Whether it is leading

youth worship at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, teaching students or arranging vocals for Grammy-Award winning artists, I am making ministry.”

FROM CHURCH TO REALITY TV

Reed believes his spiritual sound is what caught the attention of television producer Simon Cowell of the NBC reality competition show “America’s Got Talent” (AGT). Sainted Trap was invited to perform on season 18 of AGT in 2023 and made it to the semifinals, where they sang their own arrangement of Nelly’s “It’s Getting Hot in Here” before being voted off in the finale.

“When we didn’t win Season 18, standing there in our pink outfits, [Cowell] was so disappointed,” Reed recalls. “At [the] commercial break he said, ‘This will not be the last time you hear from us’ — and he stayed true to that.”

Soon after, the choir got a call to compete on Cowell’s team in “AGT: Fantasy League,” which aired earlier this year. The group earned the “Golden Buzzer” from Cowell and a standing ovation from all the judges, sending them straight to the semifinals after singing their gospel-style version of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” The

“I am so passionate about bringing out what is best in these young people. No matter how far I go, I will carry them — and the city of Charlotte that has given me so much — with me.”

choir ultimately finished fourth.

But these appearances weren’t Reed’s first time on AGT. In 2012, Reed and Inspire the Fire (ITF), a nonprofit organization he created while in high school, got a call that the show was looking for a group that could dance and sing.

“At the time, the show traveled from city to city, so here we are as young kids, never been on a plane, flying to Florida, Las Vegas and then to New York City. We had the time of our lives, but in the end, we were naïve and let the producers change our style and ultimately got cut for that,” Reed recalls.

However, the exposure helped grow ITF, which encourages students to pursue creative talents and build community through art and performance. Now in its 22nd year, the after-school program has graduated hundreds of students.

“We help young people succeed on stage and in life,” Reed says. “It is completely grassroots and run by volunteers. The season ends with a showcase where the students write a show, build the set, sing and act in their own production for the community.”

In the past, ITF has performed for President Obama, Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey. Reed recalls Angelou being so moved

by their singing that she wanted to spend extra time with them. “She told us to remember that we were better than what we may think of ourselves,” he says. “She also assured us we would go far, and she was going to help us.”

Two months later, Reed got a call from Oprah’s team to sing at another celebration for Angelou. “It was a surprise for Angelou, so she had no idea Oprah called us. That’s a God thing — definitely an Angelou thing,” he marvels.

For some ITF students, the program has been a stepping stone: Many graduates are now members of Sainted Trap Choir, Reed says.

“We are church kids — we believe in God, but we like to turn it up,” Reed adds, describing the 28 singers of Sainted. Reed says he had been thinking about an idea for a trap choir — a fusion of gospel, hip-hop, soul and funk — for a while and reached out to DJ Fannie Mae, a local artist and the official DJ for Charlotte FC. The two pulled singers from ITF and had their first show in February 2020. “Fannie knows how to move a crowd and has a great sense of style and rhythm,” he says. “She came up with the name ‘Sainted’ — she wanted something cool and religious in nature. Our first show was lit, but then the pandemic hit.”

Reed says quarantining during Covid allowed him to refocus. “During the pandemic, creatives went to work,” he recalls. “We found social media and other tools to put our work out there. We were building momentum on Sainted, and I didn’t want to lose that, but I also had to keep ITF afloat and had my own music to concentrate on.

“Back then, everything was happening so fast,” he continues. “I felt like I had to put one thing on hold to focus on opportunities with another. I remembered a passage from the Bible that reminded me that ‘your gift will make room for you.’ Your gift will find a way to present itself.”

A BRIGHT FUTURE

Reed has already won a Grammy certificate for singing backup vocals on Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration, which won a Grammy for for Best Traditional Gospel Album in 2010. But there is more to come.

Now, at the newly formed Rock Soul Productions, Reed believes he’ll be able to amplify all his talents.

“At Rock Soul Productions, we focus on nurturing real talent

and letting artists shine in their own unique way,” Fantasia says in describing the new venture. “It’s not just about the music; it’s about the message, the journey and the soul.”

For Reed, it’s about paying it forward and helping other young artists gain exposure.

“The partnership with Fantasia and McNair and all the relationships and resources they have will help me grow exposure for Sainted but also the youth of ITF,” Reed believes. “I am so passionate about bringing out what is best in these young people. No matter how far I go, I will carry them — and the city of Charlotte that has given me so much — with me.”

Reed says Fantasia has already asked him to produce some of her future tours and arrange music for her television appearances. “Dennis has been such a blessing in my life over the years,” the superstar shares. “He’s been there through thick and thin, always bringing his heart, his love for God, and his musical talents. Dennis has a way of arranging music that speaks to the soul, and I’ve had the privilege to experience that first-hand.”

Reed is grateful. “Now, it seems that all the paths are converging, and my prayer to God is to please let me be the best custodian to all these gifts that are before me.” SP

At Charlotte’s inaugural Lovin’ Life festival in May, you could feel the energy in the air as Sainted Trap Choir took the stage and began their first song. With the Charlotte skyline framing the horizon, hundreds of people began to take notice as the choir began performing its rendition of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” sung with tight harmonies accompanied by hip-hop dance moves. Dennis Reed Jr. came up to me after the song, his eyes filled with awe. “Charlotte pulled up for this festival. I feel so blessed to be here.” — Krisha Chachra

Dennis Reed Jr. has worked with Grammy winner Fantasia for more than a decade.

CAPTIVATING QUEBEC

For an international getaway with historic venues, outdoor diversions and a French-Canadian flair, visit Montreal and the neighboring Eastern Townships. by Michael J. Solender

Montreal, Quebec, stands out in North America for its exceptional diversity, vibrant arts scene and pedestrian-friendly layout. Known as “La Métropole” by locals, Montreal shines as the cultural and culinary hub of French Canada.

This cool-weather city is a hot destination year round with its innovative music scene, alternative theater, elaborate visual and performing arts in jewel-box venues, and an international culinary landscape offering a masala of global flavors.

Tack on a few extra days to your visit and journey east by car to the storybook villages of Quebec’s Eastern Townships. Nine distinct territories comprise this region 60 miles from the city, which calls to outdoor enthusiasts and small-town explorers. Golf, cycling, boating, fishing and seasonal skiing are on tap here, alongside historical architecture, traditional crafts, unique artisanal shops and Nordic spas. There’s a burgeoning farm-to-table dining emphasis afoot, where Quebec’s top chefs work their magic with the region’s bounty. Here’s our take on enjoying a blend of urban excitement and rural charm in the North Country.

MONTREAL

STAY: Honeyrose Hotel is a four-star property that opened in May 2023. Part of the Marriott Tribute Portfolio of small, independently operated boutique hotels, the Honeyrose blends dashing art deco style, contemporary amenities and comfort in the center of Montreal’s arts and cultural district, the Quartier des Spectacles. Laid-back chic is the vibe, with an abundance of fresh roses blooming in Honeyrose’s public space. The hotel’s Commodore restaurant offers French bistro classics and a serious wine selection. A nightcap at the 5th floor Muze Lounge & Terrasse comes with an overlook of the buzzy cityscape below.

EXPLORE: Montreal is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with a backstory. Like a beaded necklace, communities are strung together side by side — collectively, they combine to make a grand mosaic.

Any newcomer should begin in Old Montreal to understand the city’s unique origins. Montreal was founded here in the mid-17th century by French settlers as a missionary outpost. The accompany-

ing economic development that came with the fur trade attracted the British, who in 1763 seized control of the growing city along the St. Lawrence River.

Several city squares in Old Montreal — Place Royale, Place Jacques-Cartier and Place d’Armes — along with the Champ-deMars public park, are historic touchstones surrounded by significant architectural wonders like the Marche Bonsecours, the domed public market. At Basilique Notre Dame de Montréal, an evening light show, AURA, is an eye-popping way to experience the stunning neo-Gothic architecture.

Old Montreal Walking Tour provides a splendid introduction to the history of Old Montreal and the nearby Old Port. The free tours offer orientation and references for further exploration. Cobblestone streets fronted by bistros and specialty shops make the lively area a popular tourist destination.

Seek out Montreal’s famed Underground City (La Ville Souterraine), the 21-mile subterranean retail, dining and entertainment-laden network of tunnels encompassing the heart of the city. Two favored destinations here are Belgian chocolatier Jeff de Bruges and the beloved year-round skating rink Atrium Le 1000. Watch as aspiring hockey stars and figure skaters young and old hit the ice in delicate harmony.

While underground, access Montreal’s easy-to-navigate Metro and head to Jean-Talon Market in the city’s Little Italy neighborhood for fresh fruit, specialty cheeses, artisan charcuterie, French pastries and stuffed crepes.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1860, is one of North America’s oldest and largest museums. The permanent collection dazzles with nearly 47,000 indigenous and international holdings. From contemporary works by Sam Francis, Jim Dine

Old Montreal

St-Viateur Bagel Shop

Honeyrose Hotel Schwartz’s Deli

and Kehinde Wiley to impressionists Camille Pissarro, Paul Cezanne, Auguste Renoir and Claude Monet, the breadth and depth of MMFA’s collection rivals any global institution.

No visit to Montreal is complete without a visit to the city’s inspirational namesake, Mount Royal, and its Fredrick Law Olmsteddesigned Mount Royal Park. At nearly 500 acres, this urban greenspace is a favorite recreational venue for families, city dwellers and visitors alike with cycling, running trails, bird-watching, boating, winter skating and sledding, and skyline views.

DINE: For visitors to Montreal, the toughest daily decisions are where, when and what to eat among the city’s seemingly endless, globally inspired offerings.

The least controversial choice revolves around the bagel — not just any bagel, but a Montreal bagel. The distinction is significant, as true Montreal bagels (crunchy on the outside, chewy inside with a hint of sweetness) must be made by hand, given a quick boil in honey-infused water, and baked in a wood-burning oven. St-Viateur Bagel Shop perfected the art in 1957 and is the city’s gold standard.

Montreal smoked meat is the next undisputed must-have while visiting here, and Schwartz’s Deli is a favorite haunt. Revered for its piledhigh sandwiches, Schwartz’s made smoked meat — spiced, marinated, smoked and steamed brisket — a local classic more than 90 years ago.

Chinatown’s Kim Fung is a tasty and fun introduction to Cantonese and Sichuan specialties, and dim sum is served all day long.

Old Montreal calls with Pincette, a lobster bar with a nuanced menu, Tunisian influences, and stunning execution and service.

Nearby, Maggie Oakes pours a mean cocktail, boasts a deep wine list, and rocks the grill with dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and seasonal veggies served with a creative touch.

After dinner, head to the Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill near the campus of McGill University for an intimate session of the city’s best live jazz.

Notre Dame Basilica

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Old Montreal

EASTERN TOWNSHIPS

After a few days in the city, continue your trip at a more relaxed pace with a visit to the province’s Eastern Townships, about an hour’s drive from Montreal.

Bromont is a charming small town of about 8,000 that shines with English architecture and French flair. A grand entrée to the Eastern Townships, Bromont hosts a noted Vieux-Village (old village) with a main street filled with art galleries, boutiques, bistros and shops. There’s a fun and quirky Musee du Chocolat (chocolate museum) with a confectionery, boutique and restaurant (the chocolate waffles are magnifique) to satisfy one’s sweet tooth.

Bromont’s Velodrome and multisports facility draws cyclists, BMX enthusiasts and mountain bikers from across the globe.

Some of the best golf in Quebec is found in the Eastern Townships. Two courses to consider are the Golf Club Parcours du Vieux-Village (The Old Village Path) and the course at Domaine Chateau-Bromont, with its spectacular mountain views and dense, tree-lined layout.

This is maple-syrup country, and there is no finer introduction to the traditional production method than at the rustic Cabane du Pic Bois. This multigenerational family-owned and -operated “sugar shack” hand-taps more than 1,000 maple trees in season, boiling the sap in an evaporator and concentrating the precious amber liquid into award-winning syrup. Owner Ande Pollender also makes a prized small-batch maple vinegar.

There’s a winery, Vignoble du Picbois, where the vineyards yield award-winning wines such as Syrah, sparkling rose and its Cuvee Seduction, an Alsace-style wine made from pinot gris, Geisenheim, Cayuga and muscat.

Stay at the well-appointed Hotel Chateau Bromont, situated at the base of Mt. Brome, home to one of the largest ski resorts in Quebec. Popular with families, hotel amenities include a full-service spa, thermal pools, fitness center and easy access to nearby Parc des Sommets, with miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking in the warmer months.

Fans of New York Times-bestselling Canadian mystery writer Louise Penny will thrill at the opportunity to visit a local historical landmark and that’s the inspiration for the fictional monastery in her novels, the Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac. Tours of the monastery, founded in 1912, are available year round, and services (many accompanied by Gregorian chant) are open to the public.

Dining venues include Chardo in Bromont, with an emphasis on seafood and foraged mushrooms, berries and herbs. At L’Espace Old Mill in nearby Stanbridge East, acclaimed organic-farming advocate Jean-Martin Fortier has created a special restaurant and homage to sustainable farming. Each meal here comes with a story, and most of the food is grown within steps of the dining room.

GETTING THERE: American Airlines offers nonstop service from Charlotte to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, with a flight time of 2 hours, 25 minutes. SP

L’Espace

Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac

Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac

SWIRL NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE

When SWIRL made its debut in Nov. 2008 under the direction of Oliva Fortson, little did she know how those few pages of society photos would become one of SouthPark Magazine’s most beloved and anticipated features. SWIRL endures because, yes, it shows Charlotte’s fashionable and fun side — but it also celebrates the people doing good work in our community through events that support local nonprofits and museums.

For SouthPark’s 25th anniversary issue, here’s a look back at some of our favorite photos. “So many of them bring back special memories of an exciting and glamorous time on Charlotte’s social scene,” says Olivia, who also spent 23 years with the Charlotte Observer and was well-known for her Scene & Heard Sunday column in the newspaper. She started SWIRL when the newspaper, which owned SouthPark at the time, didn’t have room for all the party pictures and Olivia didn’t want them to go to waste. “It means a lot to me and so many others that the SouthPark Magazine team is continuing to cover that scene so beautifully.”

It was Olivia’s vision that made SWIRL must-see material and her timing to introduce SWIRL as a monthly feature was spot-on. “The social strata was exploding with a vibrant philanthropic and arts scene fueled by the rise of the banking community and the top talent it attracted from all over the country,” she says. “It’s part of Charlotte’s culture that if you live here you give back, and there were so many following that creed and looking fabulous while doing it.” — Sharon Smith

On repeat, Opera Carolina’s Bella Notte gala takes dressing up to the next level in Charlotte. Fortson selected these gowns as “Looks we love” from 2011. “Laura Vinroot Poole and Chandra Johnson set the tone for what was chic in Charlotte,” Fortson says now about two of Charlotte’s style mavens, who are still regulars in SWIRL.

Photos by Jeff Cravotta and Heather Fink

Ife’ Moore’s LBD 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte Gala Fortson wrote in 2008: “Ife’ shows why the classic little black dress in a style that suits your figure and personality is one of the best weapons a woman can have in her wardrobe arsenal.”

Fred and Mary Whitfield

As Charlotte Bobcats president in 2012, Whitfield hosted this 500guest gala at what was then known as Time Warner Cable Arena.

Midge Barron and Patty Funderburg Miracle Night at The Palm, 2012

Photo by Daniel Coston

Paige Rosselle and Laura Vinroot Poole

Amy Welton and Chandra Johnson

More of Fortson’s “Looks we love”

Drs. Sherry and Matt Saxonhouse, Shelly Landau and Stephanie Bissell, Liz Hilliard and Clary Gray Opera Carolina’s Bella Notte is still one of Charlotte’s premier galas. This night in 2012 was no exception with attendees stepping out in classic gowns with bold colors.

JDRF Hope Gala, 2009 Fortson wrote in 2009 that Kirsta Wierda wore an Allen Schwartz by ABS dress from Nordstrom. Fast forward to 2024, Fortson says her “ensemble stands the test of time.

Angela Wells wears a dress from Paul Simon Women for Dress for Success in 2009.

Felicia and Herb Gray Always stylish and on-trend, the Grays attended the opening of a new exhibit at the Harvey Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture in 2012.

Lots of buzz! Sex and the City star Kristin Davis debuts a new line of clothing for Belk in 2008, with proceeds from the fashion show benefiting the Junior League of Charlotte.

Photo by Paul Williams III

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

SEE MORE PHOTOS ONLINE:

SouthPark Magazine Pro-Am

benefiting Wheel Serve NC

Olde Providence Racquet Club

June 1

Our round-robin style competition paired athletes from Wheel Serve NC, local tennis pros and players for a terrific afternoon of tennis. The nonprofit promotes and supports wheelchair tennis in Charlotte and across the state. Congratulations to the winners, Nick Burnham, Rob Chen, Scott Fligel and Madison Lohnes.

Special thanks to the pros who lent their time and talent: Beck Bond, Robbie Mudge, Andrew Myers, Luca Ricciardi, Omar Williams, Eric Winn and David Yett, as well as our sponsors Audi Charlotte, Banister Homes and Fligel Financial Services/ Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company.

by Daniel Coston

David Yett, Eric Winn Jennifer Ware, Mary Holland, Lizzy Ervin Scott Fligel and Grant Tesmer

Julie MacKellar and Sandy Holub

Suzette Watson, Madison Lohnes

Eric Pierce, Gary Grindell, Kelly Flouhouse, Ken Heuchert

Trey Bates and Mary Holland

Karla Williams, Mason Womack, Lori Priest and Sherri Ehrenberg

Trey Bates and Chris Thomas

Neil McLean, Brandon Blay, Michael Dixon and Christina Bowman

Doug Thingelstad

photographs

Greg McKee, Betsy Hartman, Sham Ostapko and Gary Grindell

Luca Ricciardi, Rob Chen, Omar Williams, Helen Leonard

Helen Leonard and Nick Burnham

Beck Bond, Robbie Mudge, Luca Ricciardi

Sham Ostapko and Bill Leonard

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Coveted Couture Gala

Mint Museum Randolph

April 27

The Mint Museum welcomed friends and supporters back to this signature black-tie event. Patrons dined under the stars and danced into the night.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Weston and Marty Andress

Aleta Braun and Bob Ebendorf

Garrett and Ellen Moseley

Todd Herman, Beth and Drew Quartapella

Jo Ann and Joddy Peer

Gavin Edwards and Jen Sudul Edwards

Natalie Stewart and Natalie Frazier Allen Shannon Smith and Daniella Sebova

Mary Melberg, Mary Lou Babb, Jerald Melberg and Jim Babb

Terry Russell and Marjorie Serralles-Russell

Stacie Peroulas and Marina Photopoulos

Ana and Manuel Rey

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Derby Days

benefiting Young Affiliates of The Mint Mint Museum Randolph

May 4

The threat of rain did not damper the festive mood at this year’s Derby Days. The grounds were filled with patrons wearing bright spring colors and eye-catching hats.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Tim and Samantha Knight

Matt and Katie Sharp

Kate Harrington and Alexa Wesselman

Manuel and Emilie Keller

Liz Fitzpatrick and Laura Snead

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Charlotte Wine + Food Week

Collector’s Gala and Live Auction

April 19

The marquee event of CW+F Week started with a wine and food tasting followed by a family-style meal. The evening drew serious wine and food enthusiasts with more than a dozen wineries, chef tastings and live jazz at The Union at Station West. photographs by PopRock Photography

John and Sara Reid, Justin and Courtney Rutledge

Suzy and Dr. Stephen Hannon

Neil Koul and Sheila D’Sa

Holly and Brian Natwick

Margo and Will Whitley

William Holby and Mark Hochar

Maria Steel and Kelley Bohrer Britney Turner and Meg Thompson

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Tea Time in the Garden

benefiting Wing Haven Gardens

Tea, please! It was all smiles at Wing Haven Gardens during this annual springtime tradition. Children explored the garden as parents and grandparents soaked in the special moments over tea and light refreshments.

photographs by Daniel Coston

North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame

Induction Celebration

Charlotte Convention Center

May 10

The celebration came to Charlotte for this 60th anniversary induction ceremony. Among the star-studded list of honorees: Steve Smith Sr., Jim Nantz and Bob McKillop. In all, 11 sports legends from the Tar Heel State were inducted.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Steve Smith Sr.

Deborah and Johnny Harris

Bob McKillop

Jim Nantz and Caroline Lind

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Charlotte Gem Preservation Awards

benefiting Charlotte Museum of History

May 9

The evening celebrates historic preservation through notable restoration and building projects. Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio was among the award recipients at The Revelry, an historic building at Camp North End.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Creating Your Best Life Tomorrow Begins Now

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Terri White and Veronica Cordle

Harvey and Lucinda Gantt, Mary Newsom

Dena Diorio and Bob Stickler

FLIGHT PLAN

Fans of flight, rejoice. Two aeronautical fixtures at Charlotte Douglas International Airport are back and better than ever — the aviation museum and the Airport Overlook.

The former Carolinas Aviation Museum returned after closing in 2019, rebranded as Sullenberger Aviation Museum. It’s named for Capt. C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, who safely piloted the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson” flight bound for Charlotte before a crash landing in New York’s Hudson River. Remember, actor Tom Hanks portrayed him in the 2016 film Sully

The Airbus A320 that carried 155 passengers and crew on US Airways Flight 1549 remains the museum’s centerpiece, but more space means more aircraft, including replicas of the Wright Flyer and glider planes that make North Carolina “First in Flight, a McDonnell F-4S Phantom II, and more than 40 others.

As part of the $34 million upgrade, museum planners placed more emphasis on STEM programs and introducing aviation

Above: The newly reopened Airport

Sullenberger Aviation Museum

4108 Minuteman Way sullenbergeraviation.org

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. TuesdaySaturday; noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday

Cost: $24 for adults; $18 for children (5-17 years); $20 for seniors (65+) and military/veterans/educators; free for children under 5

Airport Overlook

5130 Airplane Overlook Drive

Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Cost: Free

careers to young people with the reopening. STEM may stand for science, technology, engineering and math, but at the museum it’s more about interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, a paper-airplane launcher and target, and 3D printers — things that make learning fun.

Folks who remember the old airplane overlook, which closed in 2022, are in for a surprise with the fifth iteration: paved parking, the display of a retired U.S. military fighter jet (an F-4 Phantom II), bathrooms and an airplane-themed playground. The fenced attraction also has covered picnic tables, room for food trucks and a mock runway that kids were racing down on a recent visit.

The real highlight, though, is seeing the huge airplanes land from several vantage points, including one that offers a stunning view of Charlotte’s skyline.

And it’s free. SP

Two airplane attractions return to the Queen City, better than before. by Kevin Ellis

Left: The Airbus A320 from the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

Overlook.