September SouthPark 2024

Since 1930. Trusted for Generations.

FROM THE EDITOR

For me, one of the best things about back-to-school season was the shopping. From binders and backpacks to new shoes and clothes, I loved it all. Once summer vacation was done, I couldn’t wait to stock up for the new year.

From my hometown in eastern North Carolina, we’d make the hourlong drive to Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, where the department stores were bigger and better and, as I got older, we could shop at places like Express and Benetton, which we didn’t have in my small town.

The summer before sixth grade, my best friend Deanna and I went back-to-school shopping together. At the time, our local district lumped kids in grades 4-7 together, before sending all the moody, insecure 13-year-olds from across the county to one massive school for an excruciating eighthgrade experience. (But that’s a story for another time...)

Deanna and I liked similar styles, and for some inexplicable reason, we made the ill-fated decision to wear the exact same outfit on the first day of school. It was the preppy ’80s, and I still remember it — a Kelly-green, oxford-cloth button-down shirt and dark periwinkle pants from Belk. (How and why we routinely wore long sleeves and long pants in mid-August — in North Carolina — is a mystery to me.)

Our unfortunate fashion choice might have gone unnoticed if we hadn’t ended up in the same homeroom. Back then, everyone gathered in a large auditorium on the first day of school to await their class assignments. Then, one by one, the teachers stood up and called out the names on their homeroom rosters, in alphabetical order. It didn’t help that my last name started with a ‘C’ and Deanna’s last name started with a ‘D,’ so when we lined up with our new class, we were standing right next to each other.

The laughter was hushed, but I still heard the snickering. We realized instantly what a fashion faux pas we had made! Twinning is cute for kindergarteners, but we were well past the acceptable age for matching outfits. Fortunately, once we got to our classroom, we were so excited to be together, we didn’t really care what the others thought.

September marks the beginning of back-to-school season, but it’s also known for fashion week, when designers in New York, Paris, London and Milan traditionally debut their spring and summer collections. That’s why we typically feature our annual IT List of style-setting Charlotteans in September. Each year, Style Editor Whitley Adkins searches far and wide to identify individuals with a unique and enduring sense of personal style. This year’s class is no exception (page 65).

IN THIS ISSUE:

1 - Graylyn, one of five historic homes-turned-hotels featured in Vanessa’s travel story (page 94)

2 - A brunch recipe to make at home from Lottie’s Cafe’s Chef Maria Martinez (page 40)

3 - Amie Newsome, market manager at Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, gives our IT List crew a lift (page 65)

4 - Frozen cocktails at Maiz Agua Sal (page 88)

In this issue, contributor Natalie Dick also caught up with boutique owner Laura Vinroot Poole, founder of Capitol, Poole Shop and Tabor (page 22). Laura’s been a fixture on Charlotte’s style scene since opening Capitol, her internationally acclaimed boutique, in 1998. For years, I’ve been a big fan of her podcast, “What We Wore,” which, more often than not, isn’t actually about clothing at all. In it, she interviews designers, fashion editors, friends and others and really gets to the heart of why people do what they do. This time, we flip the script and hear Laura’s story. After more than two wildly successful decades in the fashion industry, some of her answers might surprise you. SP

CATHY MARTIN

ALLEN TATE REALTORS ® SOUTHPARK

September

BLVD.

22 | people

SouthPark Sit-down: Boutique owner Laura Vinroot Poole

30 | interiors

Interior designer Erin Hodges brings a Barclay Downs kitchen back to its mid-mod roots.

34 | music

A new documentary immortalizes west Charlotte dive bar The Milestone Club.

38 | my favorite things

Media personality, emcee and host Ohavia Phillips

40 | cuisine

An at-home version of a brunch staple from Chef Maria Martinez at Lottie’s Cafe

44 | around town

What’s new and coming soon in the Queen City

46 | happenings

September calendar of events

DEPARTMENTS

54 | well + wise

The benefits of creating psychologically safe environments at work, home and elsewhere

57 | books

Notable new releases

59 | simple life

For love of gardens and democracies

107 | swirl

Parties, fundraisers and events around Charlotte

112 | gallery

Festival of India brings a showcase of Indian dance, food and art to uptown and Ballantyne.

ABOUT THE COVER:

Stylish Charlotteans on this year’s IT List. Photograph by Richard Israel; produced by Whitley Adkins; hair and makeup touch-ups by Josiah Reed.

FEATURES

65 | The IT List produced by Whitley Adkins photographs by Richard Israel

Our annual fashion showcase features 19 stylish Charlotteans.

80 | Vivid vision by Catherine Ruth Kelly photographs by Michael Blevins

A former finance executive with a knack for design blends a bold palette with vintage style in her new home.

88 | Hot spot by Kayleigh Ruller

How Charlotte’s west side became a destination for some of the city’s buzziest restaurants — and what’s ahead for the area

TRAVEL

94 | Back inn time by Vanessa Infanzon

5 boutique hotels in restored historic North Carolina homes for a sophisticated getaway

PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL BLEVINS

SUPERLATIVE style

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

southparkmagazine.com

Ben Kinney Publisher publisher@southparkmagazine.com

Cathy Martin Editor cathy@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

Natalie Dick, Jim Dodson, Asha Ellison, Vanessa Infanzon, Catherine Ruth Kelly, Juliet Lam Kuehnle, David Menconi, Ebony Morman, Kayleigh Ruller

Contributing Photographers

Michael Blevins, Daniel Coston, Richard Israel, Dustin and Susie Peck, Peter Taylor, Olly Yung

Contributing Illustrator Gerry O’Neill

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Jane Rodewald Sales Manager 704-621-9198 jane@southparkmagazine.com

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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

the art of Joy

At Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the holiday season is more than a time of year. It’s an experience where decadent dining meets breathtaking décor and spirited events that bring joy to every generation. From the warm glow of our tree lighting ceremony to carol singing, Santa sightings and bicycling along ten miles of sunkissed shores. It’s where memories are made and new traditions are unwrapped.

blvd.

people, places, things

MAD ABOUT MODERN

Charlotte’s annual midcentury-modern home tour, presented by Charlotte Museum of History, kicks off Friday, Sept. 27 with a wine tasting and light bites at Petit Philippe, the wine shop housed in a renovated 1962 dry cleaners on Park Road. At the main event on Saturday, tour four south Charlotte homes (in Foxcroft, Lansdowne and Town and Country) built between 1961 and 1974. Kickoff party tickets are $25; tour tickets are $38; and VIP tickets — which include the kickoff celebration, guided home tours via a shuttle bus, and a box lunch — are $150. The VIP tour also includes an exclusive stop at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter in Belmont. Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. charlottemuseum.org SP

LAURA VINROOT POOLE

Over two and a half decades, the enterprising boutique owner has experienced highs and lows. Through it all, she remains steadfast in championing Charlotte and building a brand that’s bigger than herself.

by Natalie Dick | photographs by Richard Israel

Laura Vinroot Poole is well-known in the international fashion world, but don’t call her a fashionista. While the Queen City native travels the globe curating pieces for her luxury clothing boutiques Capitol, Poole Shop and Tabor, her passion lies not with the industry but with the people.

“I don’t have a huge interest in fashion,” she tells me. “I am very interested in people, supporting them, and making them feel beautiful and confident.”

In fact, she doesn’t consider fashion as her true occupation.

“That’s the vehicle, but I believe in wearing the things you feel great in. That varies for every single person.”

And it varies for each occasion. We meet for lunch at one of her favorite “old Charlotte” spots, Arthur’s in the Belk department store at SouthPark Mall. Poole exudes subtle sophistication, dressed in a Charvet men’s shirt and hand-embroidered Pero coat, her blonde hair pulled back in a perfectly imperfect twist and wearing minimal makeup. Humble and approachable — inviting even — Poole has a gentleness that immediately puts one at ease.

“I grew up coming to Arthur’s. This is where we would go after school in junior high when I was at AG (Alexander Graham Middle). We would hang out in the mall, and then come here for something from the grill and fries,” she says nostalgically. “I still run into people from my childhood here. It just feels like home.”

HOMETOWN PRIDE

Poole is immensely proud of her hometown and feels a deep commitment to helping preserve the past while

working to shape its future. That ethos has been passed down in her family, starting with her grandparents.

“It’s a real American dream story,” Poole explains. “My grandfather immigrated from Sweden during the Great Depression, and my grandmother grew up on 36th Street in NoDa in an old mill house and took the trolley to work at a textile mill. My dad was the first in his family to go to college.”

Her father, Richard Vinroot, was a prominent political figure from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s. Now retired, he served eight years on Charlotte City Council followed by two terms as mayor before running for governor in 1996, 2000 and 2004.

“I grew up feeling like anything was possible and that this city could be anything we wanted it to be because I saw all the people around me doing that… making it that. I lived across the street from Hugh McColl; the house behind me was Harry Dalton, who arguably built The Mint Museum into what it is today.”

Her parents instilled in their three children a strong sense of civic duty. Poole’s mother, Judy, passed away in March after a long battle with breast cancer. Poole gave her eulogy.

“My siblings and I came from extraordinary people,” she tells me, wiping away tears. “My parents believed in serving this city and its people, and making things better than how they found them. It’s a lot to live up to, but I’m proud to come from people like that, and I’m doing my best to carry it on.”

One way she does that is by acting as a de facto ambassador for Charlotte through her business. “I have always seen that as my job. It is all about this sort of import and export of culture. We’re taking in beautiful things from all over the world, but in the process, we’re also sharing with designers who our client is, what she appreciates, what she loves, what an incredible city we live in, and how lucky they are to have their clothes in our city.”

International designers and press have taken note. Poole regularly

hosts in-store events designed to nurture relationships between the industry’s most coveted designers and her A-list clients. Her boutiques have been featured in Forbes, Vogue, Town & Country, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, to name a few.

“Mr. McColl has said to me several times, ‘It’s important to have you here, because when we’re recruiting people to this city, this is one of the things that makes it a world-class city,’” Poole says.

Beyond selling Charlotte through her business networking and travels, Poole is involved with numerous local philanthropies. She serves on the board of Communities in Schools and is a staunch supporter of Opera Carolina, The Mint Museum, Baby Bundles, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Wing Haven.

“I love that Charlotte has always had this can-do spirit, that we support each other. I do worry about the growth. We’ve always been this progressive city — we’re trying to reinvent ourselves, we’re always trying to be better, striving for more. There’s something beautiful about that. It’s exciting, but we need to make sure it is smart growth.”

AN UNLIKELY PATH TO FASHION

Poole’s entrepreneurial success didn’t happen overnight. She attended Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools through ninth grade before leaving home at age 15 for boarding school in Massachusetts. An outgoing student with an appreciation for art, Poole felt no particular calling to fashion in her formative years. Looking back now, it’s clear she had a natural talent for styling and a penchant for quality clothing.

“I was a kid who always helped ‘fix’ my mom’s friends. I would style their shawls and pin their brooches in a better place. That was my only fashion background. That, and I was a big thrift-store shopper. I was a regular at the Junior League Thrift Store. It taught me so much about fine fabrics, tailoring and the proper construction of garments. I was also a VIP client at Montaldo’s clearance rack,”

Arthur’s Restaurant

she tells me, referring to the ladies specialty shop that closed in the mid’90s. “Some of the best pieces in my closet now are from there!”

Her college years got off to a rocky start, with Poole deciding to take a pause after her freshman year at UNC Chapel Hill.

“I found it hard to assimilate after leaving home and North Carolina at the start of high school. I felt like I had seen and done so many things, then to go back to the way it was before, there were all these expectations and pressures to be who people thought I should be. I needed a year to unravel and unwind and figure out what I wanted to do.”

When she returned, she withdrew from her sorority, became an art major, and began following her heart rather than conforming to social pressures. This newfound perspective and the confidence she gained from it would significantly shape who she is today. After graduating from UNC, she met her husband, Perry, in Raleigh. They eloped when she was 25.

“It was really radical at the time. I didn’t know anyone else who had done it.” Poole tells me with a rebellious grin. “At the time, my dad was running for governor, and I didn’t want a 500-person wedding. I wanted something more real. My dad cried for a year every time he saw me, but as time went on and we went to more weddings, he would say, ‘you were so smart to have eloped and understand that getting married is a promise to God and a solemn thing. It’s not a show.’”

A year later, the couple moved to Charlotte so Perry could study architecture at UNC Charlotte. Poole was still searching for her professional purpose, which would soon reveal itself and set in motion an exhausting and exhilarating two and a half decades.

WHY NOT CHARLOTTE?

“It started really because it bothered me that my mom’s friends were traveling to other places to shop,” Poole says, as we continue our conversation in Arthur’s new wine bar on the main level of Belk.

“They would go to Bob Ellis in Charleston for their shoes, Mom would go to New York twice a year to shop at Saks or Bergdorf Goodman, and they would go to Neiman Marcus in Atlanta. It seemed odd that all these big corporations and Bank of America (then NationsBank) were based here, with people traveling worldwide to do business, but they didn’t have anywhere to shop for the proper wardrobe for those trips.”

So in 1998, Poole and her husband opened Capitol in an 800-square-foot space at Phillips Place. The luxury clothing store offered pieces found nowhere else in the South, along with personalized styling services.

“We had zero money, nobody funded it, we just worked incredibly hard,” she says. “We built the store out on our own, painting the walls and making it up as we went along. Neither of us knew what we were doing, but we always believed in Charlotte.”

While Poole’s name recognition and connections helped launch the business, her unique brand — and her eye for fabrics and patterns with a feminine-yet-statement-making feel — propelled it. Clients say she has an uncanny sense of what works best for them, and her dedication is unmatched. A full-service boutique, Capitol’s employees do it all, from packing clients for trips, pulling complete outfits, accessorizing — even making dinner reservations.

“I love serving people, supporting them, helping them feel their best and to be able to do their job without worrying about how they look,” she explains. “Clothes are our armor. It’s the first thing that people see and the first thing that people know about you. It’s what you’re communicating to the world about who you are, where you’ve been, what you believe in… You communicate a lot without saying a word.”

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGES

As Capitol’s reputation grew, Poole opened a sister store, Poole Shop, after relocating to a standalone, 6,000-square-foot building near the corner of Colony and Sharon roads. Housed on the second floor above Capitol, Poole Shop features contemporary designers and more relaxed silhouettes. In 2015, the couple opened menswear store Tabor in a cool cottage in Eastover. Then, just before the pandemic, Capitol opened a second store in Santa Monica, California. The same year, Poole launched her successful podcast, “What We Wore.”

“It’s not a glamorous business. Working hard and becoming successful is not an easy process, and it’s not a linear process either. It’s zig-zag all over the place,” Poole says, adding that being

an entrepreneur comes with high highs and super-low lows. Over the years, Poole has faced her fair share of personal and professional challenges.

“I’ve had many businesses that I created fail, and they’ve all been great learning experiences,” Poole says. Those include a Lilly Pulitzer shop that lasted only one year and an e-commerce business she co-founded called House Account. “Hardships and challenges make you who you are. I have a bachelor of fine arts in painting and never went to business school, so I think real-time failures were necessary to gain knowledge and understanding of what I needed to do next and where I needed to be. I have zero regrets.”

When the recession hit in 2008, it looked as though Capitol might become her next failed venture. Determined to keep the store afloat, Poole ignored the advice of her then-CFO to lock the doors and never return.

“I got up every day and went to work. I just kept going back, and eventually, we got into a better position. That’s when I saw just how much I was willing to do. I didn’t know my strength or my will or my resolve until those years.”

But her resolve would be put to its toughest test yet in November 2021, when Poole was diagnosed with breast cancer. With a family history of the disease and watching her mother fight it three times, Poole says she “felt like she’d been trying to outrun it for a long time.” At 49, she underwent a double mastectomy and breast-reconstruction surgery. She spent three months at home with her husband and teen daughter while she recovered.

“I think it was one of the first times in my life that I was able to receive love and receive support, and to be able to sit with that and not ‘do’ through it,” she tells me. “I have boxes and boxes of notes from friends, clients and people I didn’t even know. It’s a testament to this business, this community

of women clients, my team, designers and everyone in this industry… And for somebody who dropped out of the sorority, I always think that’s funny because I have the biggest sorority in the world with this circle of women that’s held me up and pushed me forward.”

TAKING A STEP BACK

Cancer-free for nearly three years, Poole describes herself these days as “way less stressed out.” She has a peaceful air about her, a contentment that radiates from deep within.

“I’m enjoying leading my team and guiding them, but I’m not in the middle of it anymore. I’ve learned to step back even more than I did before to let my team learn and grow.”

As we near the end of our lunch date, I ask her what success means to her now. Her first response is succinct: “To me, the biggest measure of success is still being in business.”

We sit in silence for a few seconds before she continues. “From the beginning, I knew for it to be a successful business it couldn’t be about me. It was at first, because that’s all anyone knew. All along the way, I’ve tried to take steps back to make it an entity of its own, an energy of its own, [to ensure] that it survives without me, no matter what. I want it to be a gift to all the people who work in it and shop in it. I want it to be a place that gives back to everyone.” SP

WATCH: Scan the QR code to see more of Poole’s interview, including why she chose UNC over Duke.

TAKE FIVE

Hobbies: I am crazy, bananas over gardening. I got into it while recovering from my breast-cancer surgeries. It’s the only place my phone doesn’t exist. I’m not sad. I’m not stressed. It’s a place where everything disappears. I know nothing about it, and I’m not good at it, but I love learning about it and failing and succeeding.

Favorite art form: My husband is an architect, and I love architecture. When we travel to different cities, we often visit famous midcentury or modern buildings or “brutalists.” I love to understand how people live within spaces.

What is something you wear that would surprise people? My favorite things to wear are navy cashmere sweaters, navy corduroys, vintage Levi’s or my husband’s old shirts.

What’s the biggest fashion offender today?

Wearing workout clothes outside of workouts. Being able to see every part of someone’s body — we don’t need to share that. Some things should be reserved for the workout class or at home.

Fall fashion trends: Trends are moving away from quiet luxury and toward things that are more special, more embellished, embroidered, and more one-of-akind. People are choosing quality over quantity.

PHILIP MULLEN

September 14 - October 26

550 companies

4,800 offices

70+ countries

134,000 sales associates

PAST PERFECT

Interior designer Erin Hodges brings a Barclay Downs kitchen back to its mid-mod roots. by Cathy Martin | photographs by Dustin and Susie Peck

The ’90s-era renovation of a midcentury Barclay Downs split-level left the kitchen feeling dark, dated and out of sync with the rest of the home. The homeowners — a young family of three — wanted something lighter, brighter and more open.

“The space didn’t work well — it was very traditional with stained cabinetry that didn’t match the style of the house,” says interior designer Erin Hodges, who led the kitchen renovation along with Dominion Remodeling. Hodges launched Edenn Design, specializing in kitchens and baths, about four years ago after working in residential and commercial construction and for a custom cabinet manufacturer.

ISLAND GOALS:

“Everyone always wants an island, and to work with the homeowner’s budget and the confines of the space, we had to embrace an asymmetrical approach to keep things feeling balanced,” Hodges says.

“One of the main goals was to open it up for the homeowners — to make it feel brighter and more modern, but also match the style of the existing house.”

To begin with, the design team removed a low wall and narrow doorway between the kitchen and an adjacent sunroom, allowing natural light to stream in. Next, the footprint was reconfigured for a more family-friendly flow. Previously, the cooktop was in the corner. To make it more accessible, a small window was removed to create a spot for the new range and stainless-steel hood that’s at the center of the workspace.

“Bringing it into the center really opened up the space and made that prep area and work triangle a lot better,” says Hodges. “Luckily for us, the sunroom that the kitchen opens into lets in so much natural light that you don’t miss the window at all.”

A small island with limited storage was replaced with a larger one featuring custom wood accents to tie in with the original wood paneling in the adjacent family room.

Cabinets were finished in a high-gloss lacquer for a modern, sleek look, and the blue tile backsplash in a vertical grid adds interest while playing up the midcentury feel.

“I feel a strong responsibility to preserve original architecture when it exists, partly because it’s rare in our area to find something that is not relatively new construction or a home that hasn’t already been updated,” Hodges says. “This renovation was a great opportunity because the kitchen had already been changed, but they had left other original elements intact, so there was no guilt about ripping out the kitchen and starting over.

We were able to honor the spirit and style of the home while improving and updating the homeowners’ space.” SP

A COHESIVE STYLE: “I always want the design to feel integrated with the rest of the home, and I think the connection and flow between spaces is very important,” says interior designer Erin Hodges. “Achieving this usually requires updating some architectural elements while mixing the style of the existing spaces with the homeowner’s personal taste… In this case, they purchased a midcentury home and also appreciate midcentury style.”

LOCAL LEGEND

A new documentary immortalizes west Charlotte dive bar The Milestone Club.

by David Menconi

Atime-honored rock ’n’ roll trope is the dive bar, the place where music happens. Nightclubs are typically decaying, down-market structures populated by colorful characters on both sides of the stage. And that pretty much sums up the vibe of The Milestone Club, the venerable Charlotte music venue.

For more than half a century, the 180-capacity room on Tuckaseegee Road has hosted thousands of bands ranging from legendary to obscure, outlasting waves of gentrification as well as every other club in town. “How To Save A Milestone,” a new documentary film, traces this improbable gathering place’s history. It’s about as close to permanent as joints like this ever get despite several close brushes with the wrecking ball.

“Charlotte just likes to mow s**t down,” says Liz McLaughlin, the film’s producer. “Once we realized The Milestone might not be here for long, we had to capture history before it was gone.”

A TV reporter who covers climate change for Raleigh station WRAL, McLaughlin made “How To Save A Milestone” with her husband/director Jason Arthurs, a former newspaper photographer and who has gone on to a solid filmmaking career. This is Arthurs’ fourth documentary, and his first about music after a series of films about agricultural issues. It’s also a homecoming of sorts for him; Arthurs, a graduate of Gastonia’s Ashbrook High, grew up at The Milestone, playing there with his high-school band Nashua way back in the 1990s.

By then, The Milestone was already established as a local institution. The building was originally constructed in the early 1900s by the Hoover family (one descendant, Jamie Hoover, would gain fame in the 1980s as leader of Charlotte pop band The Spongetones). The building served as a grocery store and hardware store before the family sold it in the 1960s.

New owner Bill Flowers turned it into a nightclub christened The Milestone Club in 1969. It’s been a music venue ever since, with a few semi-inactive stretches. But The Milestone’s legend took hold early and lasted, hosting everybody from Bo Diddley to The Flaming Lips plus R.E.M.,

Clockwise from left: Club employees and musicians Kyle Knight and Andy Fenstermaker; former Milestone Club co-owner Neal Harper; and current club owner Wyley “Buck” Boswell

Fugazi, The Go-Go’s and Violent Femmes, among many others.

North Carolina Music Hall of Famer Hope Nicholls started going there in the late 1970s and says it’s the first place that made her think she could be a musician herself.

“I just thought it was the coolest place,” says Nicholls. “When I first started Fetchin Bones, I remember my biggest goal was to sing onstage at The Milestone. Top-tier goal. Everything else has been gravy. It’s foundational to me. Part of my deep mental wallpaper, and that’s a fact.”

The Milestone has had a series of operators over the years, including Wyley “Buck” Boswell, its proprietor since 2018. But the managerial figure who looms largest might be Neal Harper, who Arthurs calls “the unsung life force that has kept The Milestone alive all these years.”

“I mean, the place is a dump. The wood has been in there so long it’s petrified, like cement. But it’s like grandma’s house. We’ve been close to losing it a few times, and I would lay down my life to keep it open.”

– Neal Harper

Harper has been a Milestone regular since the mid-1990s, when he was running sound and booking shows as a teenager. He was co-owner from 2010 to 2018 and nowadays calls his handyman role “backup logistics.” In many ways, he’s the Greek-chorus voice of “How To Save A Milestone.”

“It’s special to me,” Harper says of The Milestone. “I mean, the place is a dump. The wood has been in there so long it’s petrified, like cement. But it’s like grandma’s house. We’ve been close to losing it a few times, and I would lay down my life to keep it open.”

Indeed, one of those times The Milestone almost closed came in 2019, when the former landlord put up a “For Sale” sign. That was when Arthurs and McLaughlin decided to make a short film about the place, then kept filming through the pandemic shutdown. The

story even has a happy ending, with current landlord Ross Pierson’s purchase of the building with a commitment to keep it open as a music venue.

“I told Ross once, ‘I prayed for you to show up because we needed someone with more money than sense,’” quips Harper.

“How To Save A Milestone” has numerous interview segments with musicians and clubgoers, plus long, lingering shots of the interior walls — which are completely covered with rock ’n’ roll wallpaper of graffiti and stickers. The movie premiered Labor Day weekend, with screenings at Charlotte’s Independent Picture House and The Milestone itself. The goal is to have it wind up streaming somewhere soon.

“It’s a special place that has touched so many fans, bands, owners and neighbors,” says Arthurs. “I’m so happy we made this. I love hanging out there. I’d go there right now if I had the time. Anytime I’m in there, I feel good. And it feels good to make an impact. I don’t think anyone wants to be known as the one who bought The Milestone and tore it down. Bare minimum, we bought them some time.” SP

MY

FAVORITE THINGS:

OHAVIA PHILLIPS

by Ebony L. Morman

Ohavia Phillips has a knack for storytelling. Across Charlotte’s media and entertainment scene, she’s known for her authenticity, her “1,000watt energy” and using her platform with intention. “I love people, hearing their stories and amplifying others — that’s where my local media comes from,” she says.

Phillips got her start in the industry in 2012 as an intern for Spectrum News. She later worked as a TV news producer and reporter, but her passion led her to a different kind of storytelling. The Brooklyn native eventually launched a YouTube channel and in 2019, she introduced “The Oh Show,” a live talk show. She’s also an in-arena host for The Charlotte Hornets.

“My favorite part is I did it all my way. I never switched my accent, my hair — I never switched [any] of that. It was all Ohavia, all these years, and it will continue to be.”

Comments are edited for length and clarity.

DAY TRIP

Whenever I need a mood boost, I go to Stay Lake Norman (a luxury vacation-home rental agency). I also host my business retreats there. That’s where I’m able to decompress, and it’s a good change of scenery. I also plan staycations at AC Hotel in Ballantyne or uptown. If my fiance (musician Dennis Reed Jr.) and I want to drive three hours away, we will have a quick getaway to Myrtle Beach.

DINING OUT

We love Uptown Yolk . I adore the owners, Subrina and Greg Collier. They have this very specific way of creating a home at every table. And I love that they are giving us new and different culinary experiences, and the food is good. And I am Caribbean, so we go to Cocoas Authentic Jamaican Jerk in University, which is a hidden gem.

SHOPPING

Whenever I have an event, I always try to support local or partner with businesses that are local to Charlotte. Menia Paige Couture is an incredible seamstress and dressmaker. She has done runways here in Charlotte and beyond. Another place is St. John boutique. But honestly, I like to go to Dupp&Swat to hang out with the owner, Davita Galloway, in her shop. She also amplifies local brands and their merchandise.

SELF-CARE

For spas, it’s Mood House. They really set it off with keeping you calm and the candles. The whole experience is really big.

NIGHT OUT

STATS Restaurant & Bar. I also love Red @28th because of the elevated drink experiences. We will also spend our “night out” at home, and we will order in.

LOCAL ART

If I ever want to tap in with local art, I’ll just hang out at Camp North End . I like Frankie Zombie and Sir Will , and The Harvey B. Gantt Center is the hub for me.

CHARLOTTE PHOTOGRAPHER

My favorite photographer of all time is Christopher “Sancho” Smalls . He fully embodies the experience of what you want to be in your brand, and he’s super creative. Most recently, I worked with Myicha Drakeford . She captures beautifully — she keeps it airy and natural.

TREAT

My favorite treats are from Suarez Bakery & Barra in Optimist Hall. That’s usually when I’m having a cheat week. Notice, I said week, not a day. Suarez, they just get it right. And being a Black woman, Caribbean and Latina, I try my best to always support our folks. It’s always been delicious. SP

Uptown Yolk

Suarez Bakery

Camp North End

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TALE OF THE PLATE:

“HUGO’S” HASH

An at-home version of the Lottie’s Cafe brunch staple from Chef Maria Martinez by Asha Ellison | photographs by Peter Taylor

Alow, consistent tick sounds from the corner of the room.

The young girl glances at her backpack and the shoes she’s strategically placed near the door. She shifts her attention to a nearby window, and turns down the volume on the TV. She can’t hear the school bus, but she knows it’s near. For Maria Martinez, every morning is a race against the clock. Would today be the day she makes it to school on time, or would she risk her attendance to finish watching Alton Brown’s “Good Eats” on the Food Network?

“Maria!” A voice calls to her from another room in the house. “Did you just miss the bus?” She looks out the window with enough time to see the bright yellow chariot pass by.

“Oh no!” she whispers to herself. “Late again.”

Today, the 21-year-old Mexican-American chef, a native Californian who grew up in Georgia, is making a name for herself as head chef and assistant manager at Lottie’s Cafe in uptown Charlotte.

“I didn’t grow up cooking, so the way this all came about is a little unorthodox,” she chuckles. “In middle school, I actually

wanted to be an orthodontist because I got braces and I thought, ‘Oh, this is so cool!’”

Martinez would later take a food-science class that allowed her to tap into an unexplored skill set; it’s also where she discovered she was a natural in the kitchen. From there, Martinez traded cartoons for culinary shows, and with a push from a beloved high-school teacher, she fashioned her passion into a career —one that caught the eye of Lottie’s Cafe owner, Ashley Hines. The breakfast and lunch cafe opened in June in the newly rebranded Queen City Quarter, formerly the EpiCentre.

“Ashley trusts my creativity,” Martinez says. “She is really good about showing me what she wants and letting me bring it to life — and I do that with total nutrition in mind.”

Martinez is also committed to challenging food stereotypes by bringing her cultural experiences to light.

“In California, you see a lot of fruit and people eat lighter dishes. Growing up in a Mexican household, people seemed to think we eat

Arts.orgSTARVING

Kurma Murrain graduated from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and is a published Colombian born American poet. Her works include the books Esta Soy and In the Prism of Your Soul as well as collaborative projects. For her most recent book Coffee, Love and The American Dream, which she published thanks to the Charlotte Is Creative HUG (mini-grant, Kurma was awarded Author of the Year by Queen City Awards in 2021.

Her poetry and writings have appeared in online magazines and international publications such as El Tiempo (Colombia), Label Me Latina/o, Iodine Poetry Journal, Qué Pasa Mi Gente, (United States), and Focus Magazine in China.

In 2021 Kurma was one of the faces of the Latin American Chamber Of Commerce of Charlotte’s #ChangeTheNarrative video campaign. In addition, she was a model in Irisol Gonzalez’s mural “Lavarse las Manos”. The mural hung in The Mint Museum for a year.

Her love story, which happens during a global pandemic, is in the archives of the Mint Museum, the Levine Museum, and UNC Charlotte.

Kurma’s personal story was featured during the I Am Queen Charlotte week and the coffee table book with the same name. She also performed her cumbia dance at the Belk and the Knight Theatre while her story was being told.

Kurma was added to the César Chávez Liderazgo Hall of Fame by the National Council for Leadership during the Annual César Chávez Contemplation Breakfast and is an inductee of Who’s Who in Black Charlotte.

She has been painted and photographed by the most renown artists in Charlotte, such as Eva Crawford, Jeff Cravotta, Gregory Thielker, Julio Gonzalez, and John Mejía among others.

heavy dishes but, beyond the holidays, it’s simply not true,” she says. “My mom, who is from Michoacán, would always cook light proteins like fish or she’d stew beef instead of adding heavy oils.”

At Lottie’s, Martinez also proves balanced meals aren’t boring. With a mix of carbs, healthy fats and proteins on the menu, she wants diners to feel nourished, comforted and loved.

Today, Martinez holds associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry, and is on track to earn a bachelor’s degree in food science from Johnson & Wales University in 2026. But the ambitious chef has greater aspirations to pursue a doctorate in food science to focus on food production and developing healthy ingredients for all.

Until then, Martinez warmly shares a modified version of Lottie’s beloved “Hugo’s” Hash — named after the iconic Charlotte Hornets mascot — to enjoy at home — one bite at a time. SP

“HUGO’S” HASH AT HOME

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

1 medium russet potato, peeled and diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

2 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked to desired texture and chopped

3 tablespoons onion jam (sold at specialty grocers)

1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

1 egg, prepared to your liking Microgreens, for garnish Salt and pepper, to taste Chipotle aioli (recipe below)

DIRECTIONS FOR POTATOES:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add the diced potatoes to the skillet in a single layer. Allow them to cook without stirring for a few minutes to brown the bottoms.

3. Sprinkle the garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper over the potatoes. Stir to evenly coat the potatoes with the seasonings.

4. Cook the potatoes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This will take about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of your potato cubes.

5. Once cooked, taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

NEW CONSTRUCTION IN SOUTH

TO ASSEMBLE THE BOWL:

1. Drizzle chipotle aioli in a circular pattern in the bowl

2. Place cooked potatoes in the bowl

3. Place crumbled bacon on top of the potatoes

4. Add a dollop of onion jam

5. Place avocado in the center

6. Top with the egg

7. Finish with microgreens, flakey salt and black pepper

CHIPOTLE AIOLI

INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder (adjust to taste)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, chipotle powder, garlic powder and lime juice.

2. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

3. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

4. Use immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve.

eat + drink

Postino WineCafe opened at the Bowl at Ballantyne. The Arizona concept features wine, beer, soups, salads, paninis, 12 types of bruschetta, and desserts. Yafo Kitchen plans to open a new location in Ballantyne in early 2025. Popular Matthews brewery Seaboard Brewing opened a second taproom in Lower South End. The Fox & Falcon by David Burke at Sharon Square shuttered less than a year after opening. Longtime brunch spot littlespoon closed in Myers Park.

Flight restaurant and wine bar opened in Elizabeth, serving pizzas, shareable snacks and small plates, international wines, and craft cocktails. The restaurant is owned by Elizabeth residents Dwight and Vicki Bailey, a pediatric physician and nurse practitioner, and is inspired by the couple’s love of travel. Their daughter, Kayte Morton, is general manager. The interior is elegant-yet-cozy with moody hues, and patio seating is available.

shop

Fink’s Jewelers opened a new TUDOR watch boutique at SouthPark Mall. Diamonds Direct held a grand reopening of its flagship SouthPark showroom following a renovation. MINISO and a Lacoste outlet opened at Concord Mills.

explore

Mood House is now open in Oakhurst. The massage studio’s new location has eight massage suites, three infrared saunas and a private patio. The Side Room nightclub opened in NoDa, with a focus on house music.

TUDOR Diamonds Direct

Postino WineCafe

BECKY MCGRATH TEAM

LEIGH C. CORSO

LUCY BUTLER GROUP

CAY CRAIG

CHRISTIE HANSEN

LAURIE HALT TEAM

JOE HUNEYCUTT

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

ANJA ZIMMERMAN

TUCK TEAM

LISA RUPP

September HAPPENINGS

EVENTS + ACTIVITIES

Matthews Alive Labor Day Festival

Aug. 30-Sept. 2

This downtown tradition includes live music, a parade, 150 arts-and-crafts vendors, food, plus rides and inflatables for the kids. Free, at Stumptown Park. matthewsalive.org

Around the Crown

Sept. 1

Charlotte’s 3-mile Interstate 277 loop gets shut down once a year, and it’s for this race! Experience skyline views like you’ve never seen and stay for the postrace festival at Truist Field. Proceeds benefit Sustain Charlotte and Carolina Farm Trust. Registration costs vary by sign-up option. aroundthecrown10k.com

SouthPark After 5

Sept. 5-Oct. 10, Thursdays

The evening concert series returns this fall with a new lineup of musical acts and food trucks at Symphony Park. The free concerts are family- and dog-friendly. On Sept. 19, enjoy a

performance by the Birdmen as part of CIAF. southparkclt.org

Yiasou! Greek Festival

Sept. 6-8

Charlotte’s Greek festival returns with Hellenic cultural exhibits, live entertainment, wine tastings, art and shopping — plus authentic Greek cuisine and pastries. Admission is $5; free for kids under 12. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd. yiasoufestival.org

Duke’s Mayo Classic

Sept. 7 I 7:30 p.m.

It’s an ACC-SEC battle, as the N.C. State Wolfpack challenge the University of Tennessee Volunteers at Bank of America Stadium. ticketmaster.com

Charlotte International Arts Festival

Sept. 13-29

Where Charlotte meets the world, and the world meets Charlotte. This family-friendly festival takes place from uptown to Ballantyne, with immersive installations and performances by

ArtPop Upcycled Fashion Show

Sept. 14 | 6-9 p.m.

This night of jaw-dropping fashion turns ArtPop’s retired billboards into wearable vinyl creations. Proceeds further the nonprofit’s mission of supporting local art and artists. Fashion-show tickets are $150; VIP tickets are $200 and include a private reception from 5-6 p.m., a meet-and-greet with designer Daniel Gonzalez and premier seating. Sullenberger Aviation Museum, 4108 Minuteman Way. artpopstreetgallery.com

Roaring Riot Kickoff Jam

EAT WELL, DO WELL

Support local family farms and sample dishes from top Charlotte chefs at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

What happens when dozens of local chefs, farmers, food artisans and mixologists come together in a lush botanical setting? A gastronomic garden party, of course.

On Sept. 29, Piedmont Culinary Guild (PCG) hosts its annual Farm to Fork Picnic in the Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont. Founded in 2012, PCG is a network of chefs, farmers, food artisans and others working to preserve the local foodshed.

“This annual fundraiser helps PCG raise money for our farm grant program, which helps small family farms in our region,” says Kris Reid, founder and executive director of PCG. All proceeds support area farmers, Reid says, with half the money going directly to grant recipients (selected by the N.C. Cooperative Extension) and half going to the Center for Environmental Farming Systems. Based at N.C. State University, the center supports and develops new farming programs in the state.

Guests can enjoy more than 30 tasting stations, where chefs and farmers pair up to create dishes with fresh, regionally sourced ingredients. Pairings include Stagioni and Charlotte Fish Company; Mimosa Grill and Dover Vineyards; and Thoughtful Baking and Wild Hope Farm.

Mixologist Larry Suggs, co-founder of the roaming bar Ramble Drinkery, will create craft cocktails with North Carolina spirits. N.C.made beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages will also be available.

PCG is a grassroots nonprofit funded solely by membership dues. Prior to 2020, the organization was flourishing, Reid says. But after a pandemic pause, membership waned, and PCG is still rebuilding. The organization hosts monthly meetups for members and for its Tastemakers group of culinary enthusiasts.

“This work has never been more important, as the American Farmland Trust (AFT) has listed North Carolina as the second most endangered state for agriculture land loss,” Reid says. According to a recent AFT report, the state is expected to lose nearly 1.2 million acres of agricultural land by 2040.

— Cathy Martin

Farm to Fork: In the Garden Sept. 29 l 4 - 7 p.m.

6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont Tickets are $125; guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets. There will be a designated kids play zone, and little ones can also enjoy DSBG’s Lost Hollow children’s garden. Children 6 and under are free; 6-12 are $50. To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit piedmontculinaryguild.com.

local and global artists. Some favorites are returning (Birdmen, Lotty by Moradavaga) with many new featured events. Most attractions are free; some are ticketed. charlotteartsfest.com

Flow Fest at Whitewater Center

Sept. 14

This annual festival centers around yoga and wellness. Expect more than 40 yoga practices, workshops, local vendors and live music. The first class starts at 7:30 a.m., and the last class starts at 8:15 p.m. Free registration online. flowfest.whitewater.org

Roaring Riot Kickoff Jam

Sept. 14 | 2-10:30 p.m.

With all-day live music and appearances by Panthers legends, the second annual Roaring Riot Kickoff Jam will get you pumped for some football. Headliners include Moon Taxi and The Nude Party. Play games in the Football Fun Zone, nosh on food from local food trucks, and sip exclusive beers at NoDa Brewing Co. Tickets start at $39. kickoffjam.com

Festival in the Park

Sept. 20-22

The 60th annual festival returns to Freedom Park with an art walk, live performances, food vendors and more. Free to attend. festivalinthepark.com

Festival of India

Sept. 14-15

This annual celebration of Indian culture and heritage showcases food, dance, music and art. (To learn more about this year’s festival, turn to page 112.) charlotteartsfest.com

Latin American Festival Sept. 21 | noon-9 p.m.

Now in its 34th year, this event celebrates the food, culture, dance and music of 21 countries at Ballantyne’s

Sept. 20-21

This annual market features works by more than 50 North Carolina potters on the grounds of Mint Museum Randolph. From functional vessels to decorative pieces, the works reflect a variety of styles and techniques. While pottery is the main attraction, there will also be live bluegrass music, pottery demonstrations, raffles, food for purchase, a beer garden and the Mint’s galleries to enjoy. General admission is $20; tickets to the Friday night preview

party are $200 and include dinner, drinks, music and early access to purchase works. 2730 Randolph Rd. pottersmarketatthemint.com

Backyard. Dominican merengue musician Eddy Herrera is the special guest. 11611 N. Community House Rd. Admission is free, but guests must register online. latinamericancoalition.org

Charlotte Film Festival Sept. 24-29

The entries are in, now it’s time to watch. The Charlotte Film Festival celebrates established and emerging indie filmmakers locally and from around the globe. Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St. charlottefilmfestival.org/2024

Mad About Modern Home Tour Sept. 28 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tour four south Charlotte homes as part of this annual event presented by the Charlotte Museum of History. Tickets are $38; VIP tickets are $150 and include a kickoff celebration at Petit Philippe wine bar Friday night and a guided tour via shuttle bus. charlottemuseum.org SP

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

ALLEN TATE SOUTHPARK

Potters Market at the Mint

DESTINATION: WOODHOUSE SPA

SouthPark’s newest luxurious day spa

It’s September. Summer vacations are in the books. The back-to-school rush has ramped up. A stacked calendar of fall activities and social commitments looms. Now is the perfect time for some much-needed self-care — a reminder to yourself to recharge, refocus and relax.

Enter Woodhouse Spa SouthPark, a new luxury day spa in Piedmont Row, where every detail — from the most indulgent treatment to the reflexology sandals you slip on when you arrive — is customized to enhance your well-being. Each service, treatment or signature ritual is crafted to help you feel connected, resilient, calm, confident, energized, balanced or some blend of all.

“Woodhouse is a sanctuary that goes beyond a day of wellness,” says owner LeAnn Lambert. “Every moment of our experience connects guests to their overall wellbeing and is designed to ensure guests feel better, so they operate better in the world. They leave feeling more alive, joyful and calm.”

Woodhouse provides expert facials that rejuvenate and refresh, along with customized massages that help melt away tension and restore balance. The spa features luxurious body treatments and signature rituals like the Shirodhara, where warm, healing oils gently cascade

onto the forehead, followed by a soothing head and scalp massage that creates a sense of tranquility. The Infrared Sauna can ease inflammation and soreness, while the Himalayan Salt Room sessions improve respiratory health, decrease anxiety and rejuvenate dull, dry skin.

Personalized lockers, luxurious robes and plush slippers create an atmosphere of comfort and care from the moment guests enter the sleek, sophisticated spa. The cozy, serene Quiet Room offers a perfect space to relax before, between or after treatments, with complimentary snacks, teas, Mimosas, and other beverages available to enhance the experience. What truly sets Woodhouse apart is its emphasis on hospitality; the attentive and friendly team is dedicated to ensuring your Woodhouse experience stays with you long after you leave.

“We strive to create a strong connection with each and every guest and are committed to ensuring everyone who walks through our doors receives the finest service,” Lambert says. “Every detail at Woodhouse is intentional, designed to provide an elevated experience that leaves your mind and body transformed.”

Visit Woodhouse Spa SouthPark at 4625 Piedmont Row Drive, Suite 125. Take a tour here.

Since the pandemic, more and more workplaces continue to embrace conversations around mental wellness and prioritize psychological safety. They now understand that this is a crucial ingredient for fostering and maintaining a productive and healthy workplace and also contributes to a company’s overall success.

Psychological safety is an environment where people feel safe taking risks, expressing their thoughts and ideas, asking for help, sharing feedback, and admitting mistakes without fear of negative consequences. It’s a culture that is supportive and nonjudgmental. It fosters creativity and innovation, because people are willing to brainstorm and share their unique perspectives. And perhaps most importantly, everyone feels valued, heard and respected.

In order to create and maintain psychologically safe environments — at work, at home, or in other groups — leaders need to model and embody vulnerability and openness. This can be a big shift for some people and even feel foreign and intimidating. Some ways to do this are to practice open communication and active listening, normalize making mistakes, and make expectations clear through consistent messaging.

Another phrase for psychological safety is “internal hospitality.” Self-compassion and self-care are key for practicing internal hospitality, as they create the nurturing and kindness required to build resilience and connection.

Restaurateur Steve Palmer lives this sentiment and prioritizes it within his company, The Indigo Road Hospitality Group. The Charleston restaurant group has a deep presence in the Queen City with O-Ku, Oak Steakhouse, Indaco and Mizu. Palmer is also a co-founder of Ben’s Friends, a support group for the food and beverage industry. He often gets tearful when discussing his gratitude for his journey, what he has overcome, and where he is today. Palmer embodies gratitude as a way of being, then endeavors to pass it down through his restaurants, their people and their food. Comments have been lightly edited.

You share your story a lot, and literally wrote a book about it. What’s that truly like?

I talk about the intersection of passion and purpose. Passion is my obsession with hospitality: the drive to grow a [concept] from one restaurant to 25. Purpose is Ben’s Friends: being homeless, be-

INTERNAL HOSPITALITY

The benefits of creating psychologically safe environments at work, home and elsewhere.

by Juliet Lam Kuehnle

ing addicted for two decades, coming through that and getting the gift of sobriety and seeing how the most horrible things in your life can be of service to others. The feeling that I have when I’m talking about my recovery — I wish for every human to have that feeling. When you’re aligned in a way that you absolutely know this is where you’re supposed to be, there’s a sense of awe, wonder, grace and humility that comes with the privilege of getting to do that. Addiction wins more than it doesn’t. I feel honored and so grateful to be in my purpose.

You use a lot of therapy language!

I have “therapeutic Mondays.” I go to individual and marriage counseling. Everyone should be in therapy. You can get an objective opinion in your life that can help guide you. But we know people are afraid of looking at themselves. I have all the vernacular and words, and I still need therapy. All the self-knowledge in the world doesn’t heal wounds. Can you heal yourself from real trauma? My mother abandoned me 43 years ago. My father died when I was 10. I was in rehab three times before I was ready to surrender. Some wounds get smaller, but they don’t go away. There’s not truly a destination with healing, it’s a process. Why is it worth it to you to learn how to be loved?

I’m still in awe sometimes of how hard it is for me to allow myself to be loved. But, if not now, when? I want to learn this thing. On a soul level, these are the lessons I chose to learn in this life. I’m grateful I’m an alcoholic, because I seek the depths of this life I now have.

Thank you for standing in your truth in service.

Asking for help is a sign of intelligence, not a sign of weakness. The guiding principle of our company is that our employees have to have a hospitable experience before our guests can. Internal hospitality is about how we treat each other, how we speak to each other, creating safe spaces. In my company, I always say everyone is welcome at our table, even those we disagree with. This business truly gave me everything I have. They took me when no one else would. SP

Juliet Kuehnle is the owner and a therapist at Sun Counseling and Wellness. The full interview of her conversation with Steve Palmer is on Instagram @YepIGoToTherapy or wherever you stream podcasts.

October 10th, 5:30-7:30 PM

Furnished 2024 Designer & Sponsor Party at Slate Interiors

October 10th - October 13th

Online Auction & Voting

View the vignettes and auction items in person at Slate Interiors!

Furnished 2024 Designers

Ashley DeLapp, Ashley DeLapp Interior Design

Meredith Beregovski, Georgia Street Design

Natalie Papier, Home Ec.

Marie Cloud, Indigo Pruitt Design Studio

Lisa Sherry, Lisa Sherry Interieurs

MEDIA SPONSOR EVENT SPONSOR

SEPTEMBER BOOKS

Notable new releases compiled by Sally Brewster

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

On an ordinary, short, domestic flight, something extraordinary happens. People learn how and when they are going to die. For some, their death is far in the future — age 103! — and they laugh. But for six passengers, their predicted deaths are not far away. No one will later recall noticing “The Death Lady” boarding the plane. Her appearance and demeanor were unremarkable. But what she did on that flight was truly remarkable. Months later, three passengers die, exactly as she predicted. Soon, no one is thinking this is simply an entertaining story at a cocktail party. If you were told you only had a certain amount of time left to live, would you do things differently? Would you try to dodge your destiny?

The Siege by Ben Macintyre

As the American hostage crisis in Iran boiled into its seventh month in spring 1980, six heavily armed gunmen barged into the Iranian embassy in London, taking 26 hostages. What followed over the next six days was an increasingly tense standoff, one that threatened at any moment to spill into a bloodbath. Policeman Trevor Lock was supposed to have gone to the theater that night. Instead, he found himself overpowered and whisked into the embassy. The terrorists never noticed the gun hidden in his jacket. The drama that ensued would force him to find reserves of courage he didn’t know he had. The Siege takes readers minute-by-thrilling-minute through an event that would echo across the next two decades and provide a direct historical link to the tragedy on 9/11.

Night Magic by Leigh Ann Henion

New York Times bestselling nature writer Leigh Ann Henion invites us to leave our well-lit homes, step outside and embrace the dark as a profoundly beautiful part of the world we inhabit. Because no matter where we live, we are surrounded by animals that rise with the moon and blooms that reveal themselves as light fades. Henion explores her home region of Appalachia, where she attends a synchronous firefly event in Tennessee, a bat outing in Alabama, and a moth festival in Ohio. In North Carolina, she finds forests alight with bioluminescent mushrooms, neighborhood trees full of

screech owls and valleys teeming with migratory salamanders. Along the way, Henion encounters naturalists, biologists and others who’ve dedicated their lives to cultivating relationships with darkness. In an age of increasing artificial light, Night Magic focuses on the amazing biodiversity that still surrounds us after sunset.

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

Brothers Peter and Ivan Koubek seem to have little in common. Peter is a Dublin lawyer in his thirties — successful, competent and apparently unassailable. But in the wake of their father’s death, he’s medicating himself to sleep and struggling to manage his relationships with two very different women — his enduring first love, Sylvia, and Naomi, a college student for whom life is one long joke. Ivan is a 22-year-old competitive chess player. He has always seen himself as socially awkward, a loner. Now, in the early weeks of his bereavement, Ivan meets Margaret, an older woman emerging from her own turbulent past, and their lives become rapidly and intensely intertwined. For two grieving brothers and the people they love, this is a new interlude — a period of desire, despair and possibility; a chance to find out how much one life might hold inside itself without breaking.

Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout

In Crosby, Maine, the town lawyer Bob Burgess has become enmeshed in an unfolding murder investigation, defending a lonely, isolated man accused of killing his mother. He has also fallen into a deep and abiding friendship with writer Lucy Barton, who lives down the road in a house by the sea with her ex-husband, William. Together, Lucy and Bob go on walks and talk about their lives, their fears and regrets, and what might have been. Lucy, meanwhile, is finally introduced to the iconic Olive Kitteridge, now living in a retirement community on the edge of town. They spend afternoons together in Olive’s apartment, telling each other stories about people they have known — “unrecorded lives,” Olive calls them — reanimating them, and, in the process, imbuing their lives with meaning. SP

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

FARM TO FORK GARDEN IN

• 25 tasting stations featuring delicious fare from top chefs & local farms

• NC crafted beverages

WORRYING AND WATERING

For love of gardens and democracies by

Jim Dodson

Aneighbor who walks by my house each evening like clockwork sees me sitting under the trees with a pitcher of ice water and walks over to say hello.

I invite Roger to take a seat and have a cold drink.

“It’s tough to keep moving in this heat,” he explains, sitting down. “It’s something, isn’t it? But your garden looks great. How do you keep it so nice and green?”

“A lot of worrying and watering,” I say. “Sometimes you have to make tough choices.”

In one of the hottest and driest summers in memory, I’d decided to let my yard turn brown in favor of keeping flowering shrubs and young trees watered and green. As the late British landscape designer Mirabel Osler once said to me, landscape gardening is a ruthless business, especially in a drought. Grass will eventually return, but no such luck with a shriveled shrub or a dead young tree.

“September brings relief, rain and second blooms,” I add. “I’m already in a September state of mind.”

He smiles and nods.

“Hey,” he says casually, “let me ask you something.”

I expect another question about the garden. Like the best time of the day to water your shrubs, or when it’s safe to fertilize or prune azaleas.

But it isn’t even close.

“I’m worried about America. People seem so angry these days. Why do you think Americans hate each other?”

The question takes me by surprise. I could give him a few thoughts on the subject: the woeful decline of fact-based journalism, an internet teeming with conspiracy peddlers, politicians who feed on polarization, the unholy marriage of politics and religion, and the sad absence of civility in everyday life.

Instead, I tell him a little story of rebirth.

In spring 1983, I telephoned my dad from the office of Vice President George Bush and told him that I no longer wanted to be a journalist. For almost seven years, I’d worked as a staff writer at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sunday Magazine, covering everything from presidential politics to murder and mayhem across the deep South. As a result of my work, I’d been offered my dream job in Washington, D.C., but found myself suddenly fed up with writing about crooks, con artists and politicians. Bush, however, was an exception. We’d traveled together extensively during the 1980 campaign and had wonderful conversations about life, family and our shared love of everything from American history to golf. During our travels, Bush invited me to drop by his office anytime I happened to be in the nation’s capital. Unfortunately, he was traveling the day I turned down my dream job in Washington, but his secretary allowed me to use her phone. So, I called my dad and told

Tryon is proud to have been recognized once again by our peers among Charlotte magazine’s Top Doctors, across all 10 of our specialty areas.

him I planned to move to New England and learn to fly-fish.

“When was the last time you played golf?” he calmly asked.

“I think Jimmy Carter had just been elected.”

He suggested that I meet him in Raleigh the next morning.

So, I changed my flight and there he was, waiting with my dusty Haig Ultra golf clubs in his back seat. We drove to Pinehurst, played famed course No. 2 and finished on the Donald Ross porch, talking about my early midlife career crisis over a couple of beers. I’d just turned 30.

I told him that I “hated” making a living by writing about the sorrows of others, especially when it came to the increasingly shallow and mean-spirited world of politics.

“You may laugh, but here’s a thought,” the old man came back, sipping his beer. “Before you give up journalism, have you ever considered writing about things you love rather than things you don’t?”

Sadly, I did laugh. But he planted a seed in my head. A short time later, I resigned from my job in Atlanta and wound up on a trout river in Vermont, where I learned to fly-fish, started attending an old Episcopal Church and knocked the rust off my dormant golf game at an old nine-hole course where Rudyard Kipling played when he lived in the area.

I soon went to work for Yankee Magazine and spent the next decade writing about things I did love: American history, nature, boat-builders, gardeners and artists — a host of dreamers and eccentrics who enriched life with their positive visions and talents.

I also got married and built my first garden on a forest hilltop near the Maine coast.

“I never looked back,” I tell Roger, my neighbor. “I’ve built five gardens since.”

Roger smiles.

“So, you’re telling me we all need to become gardeners?”

“Not a bad idea. Gardeners are some of the most generous people on Earth. We make good neighbors. Most of the country’s founders, by the way, were serious gardeners.”

I pour myself a little more ice water and tell him I’ve learned that gardens and democracies are a lot alike. “Both depend on the love and attention we give them. Especially in difficult times like these.”

Roger finishes his drink and stands up. “That’s something to think about. Here’s to September, cool weather and good neighbors,” he says. “Maybe by then even your grass will be green again.” SP

Jim Dodson is a writer in Greensboro.

created and produced by Whitley Adkins

photographs by Richard Israel

on-site hair and makeup touch-ups by Josiah Reed

profiles edited by Cathy Martin

production assistants: Sydney Gallagher, Pressley Jonas, Ashley Martin, Heather Sendler and Emma Stuart

On location at Charlotte Regional Farmers Market

Special thanks to Amie Newsome, market manager at Charlotte Regional Farmers Market

Each year, I’m always struck by the enthusiasm and ever-evolving style radiating from our artistic, diverse and compassionate community. And in selecting a venue for each new group, I’m forever chasing that unexpected juxtaposition of fashion and nostalgia. For this eighth year of the IT List, the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market — a community mainstay — provided the perfect backdrop, with a bounty of edible art at every turn. We hope you find this year’s feature as salivating as we do! — Whitley Adkins

About the venue: Charlotte Regional Farmers Market was established in 1984 and is managed by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. With more than 200 vendors across 22 acres, the market at 1801 Yorkmont Rd. attracts more than half a million visitors annually. The market is open year-round Wednesdays through Sundays. Comments have been edited for length and clarity.

Kimberly Powell

45, senior associate and office manager at LandDesign

Personal style: Classic sophistication and eclectic flair, with a dash of country and rock. I gravitate toward pieces that are versatile, complemented by statement accessories. Comfort and confidence are paramount. Fashion influences: The sky, art, music, movies, flowers, friends, playing with what works for me and what doesn’t, taking chances. Where she shops: Handpicked Sister (Belhaven), Nina’s Boutique (Cornelius), Boris & Natasha, Revolution Clothiers, Sleepy Poet, ASOS, Hufkie-Wright Designs, my friends’ closets, Marshalls and Poshmark. Style icons: Iris Apfel. Why fashion? Fashion is my form of creative expression. Once I fully leaned into it, I felt so free to be me. I embrace “dopamine dressing” and the belief that clothing can absolutely boost your mood and confidence. Most stylish piece of produce: The pineapple, baby! Much like we clothe ourselves in fashion armor, beyond our surface layers, there’s more love and sweetness to be discovered inside.

Lee Kennelly

45, director of training, Hilliard Studio Method; podcast co-host, “Be Powerful with Liz & Lee”

Personal style: I spend half of my day in athletic wear, so I really enjoy an occasion to play with my style. I go with unencumbered, simple silhouettes that juxtapose sweet and sassy, and a high heel always makes me feel my best! Fashion influences: My partner, muse and original IT girl-fashion icon, Liz Hilliard. She has helped me become far more confident and has taught me to dress for my body, not for trends. Where she shops: Zara and Wolf & Badger online; in town, Vestique, Poole Shop, Sloan, Veronica Beard and our boutique at HSM. Shoutout to Daniel Gonzalez for the couture gown he made me for the Bechtler gala. Style icons: Kristen Bell, Kerry Washington and Naomi Watts. Why fashion? It’s finally fun! I’m practical and linear, but I love color and texture. Most stylish piece of produce: Herbs elevate everything, and tomatoes for their diversity.

Holly Hollingsworth Phillips

52, interior designer and content creator, The English Room

Personal style: Whimsical, colorful and layered. I always add more accessories instead of removing them. I am a true maximalist in my personal style and interiors. Caftans and cowboy boots are my favorites! Fashion influences: My mother was always exquisitely coiffed and turned out. While her style was more classic than my own, I also love to get up and get dressed. As a child, my mother allowed me the freedom to try different looks and encouraged my individuality. She often took me to New York shopping, and I lived for the looks that had yet come to Charlotte. Fiorucci was everything for that moment. Where she shops: Everywhere — Shopbop, Net-a-Porter, 24S, Showroom, Hampden (Charleston, S.C.), Capitol, Poole Shop, Etsy, eBay. Style icons: Iris Apfel. Most stylish piece of produce: Romanesco broccoli, for the intense lime or purple color and the cool pattern.

Renata Gasparian (opposite page)

42, fashion designer; co-founder and creative director of Renata by Renata Gasparian

Personal style: “Friends and a disco ball!” I like to wear clothes that turn any moment into a special occasion. Fashion influences: Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, and working with the largest fashion designers’ mecca in South America, I met, traveled abroad, and was able to feed off of so many different styles. Where she shops: I love to research and shop while traveling overseas. For shoes and bags, I shop the designers’ websites. Shopping local makes it all come together — we build a community and tight relationships. Style icons: Bianca Brandolini, Martha Graeff and Isabella Fiorentino — modern and sexy but still conservative. And Coco Chanel forever! Also Gisele — she is more than a style icon, she’s a personality icon. Why fashion? Getting dressed your own way is how you make yourself feel better, transfer your well-being to others and inspire the ones around you to do the same. It’s all about the energy! Most stylish piece of produce: I’d say corn, because you cook, peel, eat corn on the cob, or slice it off… it’s multifaceted… it goes with the flow.

Annie Totten, Kimberly Powell, Whitney N. Douglas and Stephen Warwick

Whitney N. Douglas

38, wardrobe and prop stylist; visual production at Alice + Olivia; founder and owner, Wardrobe With Whitney

Personal style: Sartorial and sassy. Classic and cultural. I am an eclectic and conscious style soul. Fashion influences: My mother, Teresa, is a classy, refined lady of style, always seen in a scarf, stiletto heels, leopard print and the best accessories. Where she shops: Everywhere — I can find a gem in the worst or best of them. Consignment and thrift shops, designer outlets like Saks Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack, Neiman Marcus Last Call, even TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Locally, Showroom. I intentionally support indie and designers of color via Harlem’s Fashion Row — Fe Noel, Undra Celeste New York, Aime Leon Dore and Christopher John Rogers. Style icons: June Ambrose, Diahann Carroll, Tracee Ellis Ross, Amanda Murray, Victoria Beckham, Dapper Dan. Why fashion? It’s in my DNA. It is my happy place. Fluent in fashion, then English. Most stylish piece of produce: Beets — they are like revealing a jewel; they are so pretty and vibrant.

Sarah Edwards Bharti, Gaurav Bharti, Olga Brooks, Grace Patrick and Ricky Coleman

Stephen Warwick

47, singer/songwriter, composer; visual artist; digital designer

Personal style: Vintage meets modern. Mostly tank tops or henleys and jeans. My aesthetic is pretty neutral with the occasional pattern or pop of color. I keep it simple so I can draw more attention to one or two showcase pieces like a nice boot or some accessories. Fashion influences: ’60s/’70s rock ’n’ roll, and a little bit of old Hollywood. While traveling abroad, I’m always taking mental notes of the different mix of styles and cultures. Where he shops: Boris & Natasha, Stash Pad, Hong Kong Vintage, Pochly, Levi’s. Style icons: David Bowie, James Dean, Lenny Kravitz, André 3000. Why fashion? Fashion, like any other art form, is about freedom. Freedom of expression, freedom to explore, to try new things. I love when fashion can [lead to] a conversation with a stranger. Most stylish piece of produce: Definitely watermelon. It’s eye-catching with bold patterns and vibrant colors, not to mention so much flavor.

Annie Totten

45, founder and executive director of Generation WE, a nonprofit providing inclusive literature and workshops for children

Personal style: California dreaming — I am a San Diego native raised by gorgeous hippie parents. Those vibes are completely ingrained in me. Some of my friends here call me Fancy Granola, and I suppose it fits my fashion as well. Fashion influences: Thanks to my crazy talented interior-designer mom, I love all things vintage mixed with new. I get inspired by the colors, patterns and textures of pieces from the past. And my friend Laryn Adams taught me to push the boundaries and step into my own style. Where she shops: Farfetch, The RealReal, anywhere with vintage Levi’s — but my favorite pieces are vintage or handed down from family. Style icons: Talitha Getty and Iris Apfel. Why fashion? Fashion is a tangible way to share your energy. When I am dressed in what feels truly me, I can glide into almost any situation with peace and confidence. Most stylish piece of produce: Red radish — that color is unmatched.

George Hodge

62, model; fashion show producer/choreographer; photographer

Personal style: Fashionable, sophisticated and diverse. Fashion influences: Kenneth Cole, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Murano. Where he shops: Mostly Nordstrom, Saks and Zara; at various boutiques during my travels to Europe. Why fashion? Fashion enhances my creativity and keeps me motivated in all situations. Most stylish piece of produce: The apple, because apples are vibrant, colorful, textured, appealing to the eye and they tend to stand out among the others.

Sarah Edwards Bharti

44, retired emergency-medicine physician and stay-at-home mom of four

Personal style: I always try to dress for the occasion. There is a time and place for almost every outfit. The key to looking stylish is picking the correct outfit for each occasion. Fashion influences: The women of Charlotte. Women here are gorgeous and they dress well all the time. There are tons of events, parties, occasions where I see my peers looking like they just stepped out of a magazine. The women of this city bring the heat! Where she shops: Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi. Style icons: Sophia Richie, Lady Kitty Spencer, Charlize Theron, Blake Lively, Jennifer Lopez and Queen Rania of Jordan. Why fashion? It is a form of self expression that is fun and beautiful. Most stylish piece of produce: Dragon fruit — they are colorful and full of texture on the outside, and you cut them open and they reveal another color palette inside. They are multidimensional.

Olga Brooks

66, internal medicine physician at Tryon Medical Group

Personal style: Classic, fashion-forward and feminine. Fashion influences: My mother had an innate sense of fashion and design — something you are born with — and it was inherited by me. Where she shops: For brick-andmortar, Neiman Marcus. The sales team is friendly and experts in their fields. Online: Jacquemus, Dolce & Gabbana, Nina Ricci, Mytheresa, Moda Operandi and Farfetch. Style icons: I do not have any, but I learn from different creative directors — Jacquemus is my current favorite. Why fashion? I dress for myself as I love fashion, and my outfits depend on my mood. I never dress to impress.

Holly Hollingsworth Phillips, Alisa Gregory, Lee Kennelly and Renata Gasparian

Fannie 36, DJ/entertainer

Personal style: Moody, sleek street fashion. I mainly dress for comfort, but I will stand for an uncomfortable moment to serve an amazing look. Fashion influences: My parents and grandparents. Where she shops: I’m an avid online shopper, and I live for a sale! Why fashion? My family. As a unit, we love looking and smelling good. That has translated into a lifestyle. “You look good, You feel good.” Most stylish piece of produce: Watermelon — it’s versatile and hydrating! It’s also my favorite fruit.

Shayne Doty, Davina Fear, Daniel Gonzalez, Murielle Hage and George Hodge

Gaurav

Bharti

42, plastic surgeon and co-founder of H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery

Personal style: Classic with a modern twist. I love clean lines and patterns and quality fabrics, but I’m not afraid to add a pop of color. Fashion influences: My father always told me you have to play the part and look your best, no matter what the setting. Where he shops: TRC, Tabor, Neiman Marcus, Abbeydale, Ralph Lauren. Style icons: David Beckham, Ryan Reynolds and Brad Pitt. Why fashion? It honestly makes me feel good. I get a sense of strength and confidence when I like how I am presenting myself to the world. Also, a strong understanding of current fashion trends and aesthetic ideals allows me to better connect to my patients. Most stylish piece of produce: Avocado — its unique shape, hearty green exterior and creamy, luxurious interior exudes an effortless chicness. It’s versatile, adaptable and can double as a natural beauty product!

Alisa Gregory

40, stylist/buyer at Sloan boutique

Personal style: I follow current trends but like to add edge by accessorizing as much as possible. More times than not, you will see me accessorize with a hat. Fashion influences: Music: Like different musical eras, my fashion choices have changed and evolved over the years, usually coinciding with whatever ear snacks I am listening to at the time. Also ’90’s culture: from Madonna and the cast of “Beverly Hills, 90210” to Korn, Guns N’ Roses and classic rock, I learned to combine trends. Nowadays, I draw influence from my peers and [social-media] influencers. Where she shops: Sloan, Shopbop, Net-A-Porter, Madewell, Gap. Style icons: My most recent obsession has been Kristen Stewart. She’s such a badass but pulls in juuuust a little femininity. I dig that. Why fashion? I love how you can express who you are or how you’re feeling through what you choose to wear. Most stylish piece of produce: I’d have to say, the pineapple. It’s sweet on the inside but edgy AF on the outside.

Davina Fear

53, family documentary photographer, style coach

Personal style: Expansive, spacey, dramatic, joyful, vibrant, evolving, fierce and fun. Unapologetically maximalist. Where she shops: Thrift Pony, Stash Pad, Clothes Mentor, vintage shops and charity shops around the world. Style icons: Kate McGuire of Converted Closet, Eve-Lily, Yulia Fomenko, Wisdom Kaye, Vivenne Westwood and David Bowie. Why fashion? My dream, for decades, was to get chosen for one of those makeover shows like “What Not to Wear.” I believed I had no style and wanted someone to tell me what the heck to wear, already! About three years ago, I worked with Eyenie Schultz, the Technicolor Priestess, and realized a style icon already lived inside me. Most stylish piece of produce: An artichoke flowers and has many layers. A fig has a lovely silhouette, and the inside is even more beautiful than the outside. Trusting in your own layers, inner beauty, and taking a risk on yourself is where style really begins.

Shayne Doty

63, vice president of development, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

Personal style: Classic, with European tailoring and a dash of color. Fashion influences: Going to school and later living in France, style — like classical music — is just part of daily life. Sixteen years in New York played a big role as well. Where he shops: Tabor — one of the most surprising and creative things about Charlotte and hands-down my favorite store in the U.S. Also: Charvet and Alain Figaret in Paris; Richard James, Peter Elliot and J. Mueser in New York; Monocle, Hackett and Oliver Brown in London; various consignment shops. Style icons: As a teen, Roger Moore and Cary Grant. More recently, Tom Ford, Bronson van Wyck, and my friend and art curator Amin Jaffer. In Charlotte, I always admire the great look that Kieth Cockrell achieves. Most stylish piece of produce: Asparagus — the long, thin stems make me think of fingers on the piano or organ.

Grace Patrick, Olga Brooks, Fannie, George Hodge and Murielle Hage

Daniel Gonzalez

33, fashion designer and owner of Daniel Gonzalez Designs

Personal style: Timeless shapes and silhouettes; a natural, relaxed fit; an artistic flair. Fashion influences: My mother has always loved to dress up and have fun with her fashion. Dance, and my dance coach, taught me to appreciate quality and individuality. My most important influence comes from analyzing the garment — how it was made, what it’s made from, and how loud or quiet it is. To coexist In society, we all have our time to talk and a time to listen — I believe our clothing should be chosen to reflect that. Where he shops: I love to research brands and shop from their websites. Locally, Tabor. Style icons: Men’s ’70s fashion (the tailored pant, short-sleeve shirts in fun textures, groovy colors and playful accessories). Also vintage designers like Cristobal Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent. Most stylish piece of produce: Dragon fruit — a vibrant, spiky-skinned fruit that’s unique and dramatic but also yummy and healthy.

Grace Patrick 24,

manager, Poole Shop

Personal style: It changes daily, but right now street style with a twist of chic classics. Fashion influences: My parents — when I was younger, they let me express myself through wearing whatever I wanted. I remember wearing a pink fur coat in 90-degree heat, just because it made sense to me. I’m surrounded by women with incredible style at my job, and I always take mental notes on how I can re-create outfits for myself. Style icons: Princess Diana’s street style. I love how she could make sweats look effortlessly chic. Also Sarah Jessica Parker. Why fashion? It brings people together. One of my favorite things about putting on a fun outfit is the conversation starters that come out of it. I dress for myself, and I love affirming others that do as well. Most stylish piece of produce: Any type of berry — the deep colors of red, blue and pink are striking!

Ricky Coleman

59, real-estate investor and entrepreneur

Personal style: I wore suits to school from seventh to 12th grade, almost daily. A suit doesn’t make you “a boss,” but it sure makes you look like one. Proper tailoring is equally important. I love to look and dress sophisticated. Fashion influences: Old Hollywood, and J. Frederic’s in Charleston. Where he shops: Neiman Marcus (Charlotte), Saks (Atlanta), J. Frederic’s and Givenchy (online). My favorite designers are Zegna, Givenchy, Armani, Kiton and Ferragamo. Style icons: Sidney Poitier, Frank Sinatra, Nate King Cole, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Gregory Peck. Why fashion? I feel great when I look good. A man in quality clothing and shoes, well-groomed, and wearing elegant cologne can’t be beat. Your style and clothing speaks the moment you walk into a room without you saying a word. Most stylish piece of produce: Peaches — I love the taste and color variations of them.

Murielle Hage

42, French teacher, co-chair, Generation WE’s Unique Sneaks

Personal style: European chic and modern, always with a touch of sexy! I love expressing myself through unique pieces that reflect my outgoing personality and femininity. Fashion influences: I was born in Lebanon, I was French-educated, I inherited Argentinian roots from my maternal grandmother, and I immigrated to the United States. This has exposed me to different international cultures as well as unique fashion looks. Where she shops: Online: Zimmermann, Dolce & Gabbana, Zara, Cara Cara. Locally: Veronica Beard, Renata Gasparian, The Pearl Pagoda and Daniel Gonzalez Designs. I also enjoy a fun Edit Sale with friends, and I love my go-to (stylist) Brittany Noble Newcomb, who handpicks the most stylish gems and helps me find beautiful pieces. Style icons: My mother — she always dresses with elegance and femininity, radiating effortless confidence. Most stylish piece of produce: Red cherries — a fun pop of red goes a long way. SP

VIVID VISION

Jenn Waugh chose a neutral wall color for the living room so the brightly colored fabrics and art could take center stage. The artwork above the sofa is an actual page from artist and jewelry designer Justin Giunta’s desk blotter and includes his doodles and sketches.

A former finance executive with a natural knack for design blends a bold palette, vintage style and punchy patterns in her new home. by Catherine

Ruth Kelly photographs by Michael Blevins

“I’ve never shied away from color,” admits Jenn Lamarre Waugh, referencing the interiors of the Myers Park home she and husband, Al, purchased in 2020.

The Waughs, co-owners of Reid’s Fine Foods and Salted Melon Market & Eatery, have a blended family that includes six adult children. They were aiming to downsize since their children no longer live at home.

“My daughter was surprised when we bought this house because it needed some updates, but I could tell it had great bones and could see the potential,” Waugh says.

They updated the bathrooms before moving in, then added a pool during the pandemic. In 2023 they renovated, eliminating the formal dining room to create a larger kitchen with a sitting area.

Waugh enlisted the help of her cousin to draw up the kitchen plans, then South End Kitchens oversaw the cabinet design and implementation. Aside from that, Waugh handled all of the other interior-design elements on her own.

“This is the third or fourth house that I’ve ‘refreshed,’ but I’ve never had formal training,” shares Waugh.

Though her background is in finance, Waugh has always been interested in art and displayed a

 Four coral chairs by Wesley Hall offer comfortable seating in the sitting room adjacent to the kitchen. The light fixture is Visual Comfort by Julie Neill.

In the den, Phillip Jeffries wallpaper adds pattern to the ceiling. A painting by Ann Sophie Staerk hangs above a semicircle sofa covered in a magenta tweed fabric by S. Harris. The midcentury coffee table is from 1stDibs.

The kitchen cabinets are painted a bright green, Hunt Club by Sherwin Williams. Waugh sourced the fan-shaped tile backsplash from Artistic Tile. In the background, Pierre Frey wallpaper by Carlos Mota creates an accent wall.

 A Florence Leif painting from the 1950s rests on the kitchen counter next to the coffee bar, hidden behind brass grille cabinets.

penchant for creativity. For four years, she was co-editor of The Scout Guide, a directory showcasing local businesses via artfully designed pages and professional photographs.

“There is definitely a design element to editing The Scout Guide,” Waugh says. “We helped stage the photo shoots, which included choosing lighting and clothing, and we assisted with the design and layouts of each page.”

Waugh’s discerning eye and creative flair is apparent throughout her home’s vibrant color palette, sophisticated design elements and notable art collection.

In the kitchen, which was formerly the home’s dining room, Waugh selected a bright green hue for the cabinets, setting a bold, modern tone. A favorite Florence Leif painting is displayed next to a hidden coffee bar, which is nestled in an old nook under the staircase and

Pecky cypress paneling creates a warm ambience in the dining room.

Waugh’s office is anchored by an antique desk with an emerald green marbleized finish. The walls are swathed in a chartreuse vinyl grasscloth by Phillip Jeffries. Waugh was able to reuse the curtains from her previous home. She recovered a favorite chair in blue velvet for her home office.

 Far left: A bar is tucked into the corner of the den for easy entertaining. Left: A collection of Secla porcelain and Helle Mardahl glassware is displayed on the built-in shelves leading to the kitchen.

 Opposite: A bold wallpaper design by Lindsay Cowles makes a statement in the powder bath.

camouflaged by decorative brass grille doors. Waugh sourced the countertops from Artistic Tile and was drawn to the distinctive veining of the marble.

“The marble is called Cipollino, which means ‘onion stone’ in Italian, because it looks like the layers of an onion with all of these different colors like green, yellow, gray and white,” Waugh explains.

Adjacent to the new kitchen, Waugh had contractors remove a wall and convert the former kitchen into a sitting area. New built-in shelving houses the television and bar.

“This is where we spend most of our time,” Waugh says. “With the original floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool, you feel like you’re outside.”

Formerly a music room, the dining room is paneled with pecky cypress wood that had been painted a matte white by the previous owners. Waugh had the paint removed to expose the wood, then hired finishing expert Tony Montognese to enhance its natural qualities.

“Pecky cypress is a very cool textured wood from swamps, usually in Florida,” says Waugh. “We loved it so much, we sourced more of it for the kitchen.”

Waugh’s colorful style and design sensibility are exhibited throughout the house. She was even able to incorporate much of the furniture from her previous home.

“So much of our furniture fit perfectly, like to the inches, when we moved it in,” Waugh adds. “It was amazing! I was like, OK, this was meant to be.” SP

A daughter’s bedroom features wallpaper by French designer Nathalie Lété and a rattan bed from Anthropologie.

The Lower Tuck development in west Charlotte. Photo by Clear Sky Images.

HOT SPOT

How Charlotte’s west side became a destination for some of the city’s buzziest restaurants — and what’s next.

by Kayleigh Ruller | photographs by Peter Taylor

Destination dining is in full swing. But it doesn’t have to involve long road trips — really, just a quick mile-and-ahalf drive from uptown Charlotte.

Charlotte’s west side — the geographical area stretching from Wesley Heights to the Historic West End near Johnson C. Smith University — has emerged in recent years as a hot, flashy, cool-kid area to wine and dine. However, this locale has been on a steady climb since just before 2020.

Westsiders like Restaurant Constance, Counter-, Pizza Baby, Not Just Coffee, Noble Smoke, Pinky’s Westside Grill and Maiz Agua Sal are some of the strongest names in Charlotte’s food-and-beverage scene — and they’re all within a few blocks of each other.

FROM RISK TO REWARD

For restaurateurs, building a hospitality concept in this burgeoning food corridor today seems like a smart, maybe even obvious, choice. However, just two years ago, “it felt very much like a risk,” says Alyson Davis, one of the pioneering restaurateurs in the area. Davis co-owns Wesley Heights’ new Maiz Agua Sal (MAS), along with a trio of South End spots including Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails.

So far, the risk has been worth the rewards: affordability of the adaptive-reuse location in the Lower Tuck development, ample space to be creative, and supportive neighbors. Plus, killer skyline views — a universal draw to the area.

“As long as affordability is there… and the neighborhood is supportive of the risks you’re taking … you can offer something unique to the community,” Davis says. MAS’ semi-experimental offerings: tortillas pressed daily from heirloom masa, mural art along the patio, funky agave cocktails and an impressive lineup of nonalcoholic drinks.

Residents of Wesley Heights — largely white-collar workers around 30 years old, according to the latest census — have embraced the new restaurant. Davis has been pleasantly surprised by the amount of young families and locals that have visited MAS since its April debut.

But trendy restaurants often transcend location. Despite being in different parts of town, the clientele at MAS and Lincoln Street — largely younger millennials, couples and even some young families — are similar: Build the culinary hot spot, and Charlotteans will follow. “Rumor on the street is that there will be more restaurants coming, and maybe even some more experiential concepts coming out that way,” Davis says.

Summer is notoriously quiet for restaurants in Charlotte, and while Davis admits foot traffic has been slower than expected, she’s heartened by the reception so far. “It feels like we have been embraced by the community,” she says.

In conceptualizing MAS, neighborliness — by way of minimal

Maiz Agua Sal

overdevelopment and an approachable menu — was a primary consideration.

It has to be, because while revitalization is exciting in many ways, it can’t be separated from the active gentrification happening in the area.

REVITALIZATION MEETS GENTRIFICATION

Just the striking increase in both commercial and residential market values in this area over the last five years alludes to the area’s gentrification.

“I think we are well into calling this an established, dense urban area,” says Keely Hines, senior vice president of Foundry Commercial, noting the proliferation of apartments under construction in the neighborhood. The real-estate development firm is repurposing Savona Mill, a century-old former textile mill on the west side, into a retail, hospitality and office hub. Single-family home values have also soared in Wesley Heights, which appeals to millennials and others with its bungalow-lined streets and greenway access.

With revitalization comes change, not only for the newcomers, but for the locals who were here long before the recent developments. “I see some people being left behind,” says Sam Diminich, chef-owner of farm-to-table Restaurant Constance in Wesley Heights. “I definitely see elements of capitalism that are very, very sad.”

At Original Chicken ’n Ribs off of Beatties Ford Road, third-generation owner Jermaine Blackmon acknowledges that new business and restaurant growth is exciting. Still, “pricing is driving a lot of the blue-collar

The patio at Maiz Agua Sal

Alyson Davis and chef Jonathan Olvera at MAS

Maiz Agua Sal

workers out of the community,” he says. These adverse consequences of economic and residential development are especially concerning to Blackmon because workingclass residents — construction workers, teachers and service employees — and older generations are “the heart and soul” of his clientele — about 90% of his customers, he says.

Younger families are also being affected. “The community used to have a lot of kids in it,” Blackmon says. “And you can see it kind of dwindling down because of the growth.” He sees the change firsthand, as he has provided free lunch for schoolkids once a week every summer.

IN SERVICE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Many restaurateurs are mindful of their effect on local communities. “It’s not lost on me what the commercialization of the community has done to the locals,” Diminich of Restaurant Constance says. “What I can control is our intent behind what we do. We stay in service… that’s our job,” Diminich says.

Staying in service, particularly in service of this neighborhood, is markedly poignant for Diminich, because Wesley Heights was where — just 10 years ago — Diminich was unhoused and in active addiction.

Fast forward to today, Diminich is well into his next chapter: sobriety and owning a restaurant, where he practices “living amends,” a tenet of sobriety and recovery. His living amends are exemplified in the type of reciprocal relationship Diminich has with the neighborhood. He hosts Ben’s Friends, a sober support group, dishes out community-impact meals 365 days a year to treatment centers, and hopes to employ folks in the neighborhood to make meals and mitigate food insecurity in Charlotte.

“What we are trying to do is be a lighthouse of goodwill in Wesley Heights to attract other lighthouses that come in the form of people and businesses,” Diminich says.

ALL-ENCOMPASSING CHANGE

The life-180 that Diminich experienced happened alongside a similar turnaround on the west side of Charlotte. “It looked a lot different than it does now,” he recalls.

What’s changed? A sprawl of mixed-use, adaptive-reuse spaces have popped up, like Lower Tuck. Pierce Lancaster of Third & Urban, the developer of Lower Tuck, says the design is strategically “human-scale,” with single-story development and mixed-use warehouse-style buildings.

According to Lancaster, Wesley Heights’ proximity to uptown, its blend of affordability and character, combined with the “texture” that adaptive reuse offers, makes this neighborhood, and this retail center, an appealing location for up-and-coming restaurant projects. The Savona Mill team predicts future breweries and one-off, chef-driven restaurants will be a draw for the extra drive across town.

Sam Diminich, chef-owner of Restaurant Constance

Maiz Agua Sal

WHAT PLACE-MAKING IS ALL ABOUT

Developers often use the word “place-making” in their conceptualization of retail and hospitality spaces. However, spots like Blackowned Original Chicken ’n Ribs, which opened in the 1950s, were quite literally the original place-makers on Charlotte’s west side.

“Loyal customers remember me as a child, my father as a child,” Blackmon says. His counter-service restaurant is the only remaining Queen City establishment that was in the Green Book, a travel guide used in the Jim Crow era that outlined places where Black people could eat with dignity and travel safely.

As a self-proclaimed foodie, Blackmon is happy to see more sitdown restaurants in a once primarily carry-out area “especially if it’s changing for the better and it’s bringing a positive exposure to our community,” he says.

Simultaneously, he acknowledges that the growth has to be coupled with investment strategies, be that from the immediate community or the city’s stakeholders, into locally-owned businesses that have been longtime neighborhood staples.

WHAT’S NEXT

Witnessing the growth of these sweeping mixed-use developments, new apartments and residential growth firsthand, many people on the ground on the west side — the chefs, neighbors and small-business owners — don’t necessarily want the community to become the next South End, where steep rent has decreased affordability for local businesses and led to a sprawl of corporate chains.

Diminich describes enthusiasm about the area’s growth as

“guarded optimism.” Because alongside excitement, there seems to be a genuine care for honoring the legacy of this area while still leveraging the growth to introduce creative, culinary ventures to the city and really put Charlotte’s food scene on the national map.

“The more we grow, the more we can take care of people, which is the original mission,” Diminich says.

In this promising side of town, trendy restaurants and boutique cafes seem to be on everyone’s mind. These are the place-makers. Food spaces have historically shaped the built environment into a connected, vibrant place to live. Today, we see the food scene actively molding the culture of the west side, making it, at this moment, one of the city’s top spots for destination dining. SP

Original Chicken ’n Ribs

Third-generation owner Jermaine Blackmon

Many of North Carolina’s historic homes, some built more than 150 years ago, have been transformed into luxury accommodations for travelers. The stewards of these properties — couples, families and corporations— embarked on restoration projects underscoring the historical significance of the buildings. “These buildings tell stories,” says Myrick Howard, president emeritus for Preservation North Carolina, a nonprofit based in Raleigh that “rescues” endangered historic properties. “The stories for each one are interesting and complicated. When the buildings are gone, the stories are gone too.”

5 boutique hotels — in restored historic North Carolina homes — for a stylish and classic getaway

by Vanessa Infanzon

While guests enjoy spa treatments, fine dining and lush gardens, Howard suggests also learning about the home: what changes were made, what was kept the same and who was involved in its design. The stories may surprise you. “We can use these buildings to learn a whole lot more about our history, our society and how we got to where we are,” Howard says. “And that covers race and gender and class and all sorts of ways of looking at history.”

Heights House

HEIGHTS HOUSE

Raleigh, built in 1858

In 2021, husband-and-wife team Sarah Kunz and Jeff Shepherd opened Heights House with nine en-suite rooms after a three-year renovation. The couple noticed the house while walking through the historic Boylan Heights neighborhood in Raleigh. Architect William Percival designed the Italianatestyle home in 1858 for William Montfort Boylan, the son of a local businessman. After 10 owners and 150 years, the dilapidated home sat empty for some time, overgrown with vines.

When Kunz and Shepherd finally viewed the inside of the home, they saw potential in the arches, columns, curved walls, 15-foot ceilings and painted glass dome in the cupola 40-feet above the entryway. Bryan Costello, a Raleigh-based designer, took the lead in redesigning the interior. Costello honored the home’s architectural elements, adding furnishings and art that complement the original colors, shapes and textures.

Upon arrival, Heights House guests are welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine. A European-style continental breakfast, including locally sourced products, is served each morning. Take a spin around Raleigh on a Linus bicycle, or work out at one of two off-site gyms — both amenities are complimentary.

Book a massage and facial in your room through the hotel’s front desk. Afternoon tea featuring organic Rishi tea, sandwiches and desserts from local bakery Lucettegrace can be reserved in advance.

308 S Boylan Ave., Raleigh heightshousenc.com

THE GRAYLYN ESTATE

Winston-Salem, built in 1932 Bowman and Nathalie Gray moved into the Graylyn Manor House in 1932. Bowman, who started as a traveling salesman for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, was the son of the co-founder of Wachovia Bank, now Wells Fargo. Bowman eventually became CEO of Reynolds, the first non-family member to hold that position. The country estate was built in the Norman Revival style architecture with stone walls and a hipped roof. Individual room décor was inspired by the Grays’ travels: The Persian Card Room displays paneling from Syria and Arabic poetry on the walls.

After serving as a home for two generations of Grays, a hospital and a medical school, the estate was donated to Wake Forest University in 1972. Since the 1980s, Graylyn has hosted guests for leisure travel, meetings and weddings in its bungalows, cottages, manor house and mews. Book Mrs. Gray’s room, and view the golden rose design embedded in the bathroom tile. Relax in the sunroom and enjoy the home’s original fountain.

Each afternoon, Graylyn staff serve complimentary butterscotch cookies, a recipe handed down from Mrs. Gray and named for her two Scottish Terriers, Butter and Scotch, with lemonade or hot chocolate, depending on the season. Another unique perk: Unlimited ice cream is available any time of day throughout the property.

1900 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem graylyn.com

PANDORA’S MANOR

High Point, built in 1905

When Henry Fraser — a furniture-company executive — commissioned Pandora’s Manor in 1905, he spared no expense. Named for his wife, Pandora, the home’s distinct craftsmanship — wood laid in concentric squares, granite quarried from Mount Airy, oak paneling in the hallway — is seen throughout.

In 2016, Eastern Accents, a Chicago-based textile company, purchased Pandora’s Manor and gave Louise Traficanti, the company’s creative director, free rein to “make it beautiful” and retain the early 1900s vibe while adding modern conveniences. Traficanti secured six designers, including Thom Filicia, Celerie Kemble and Madcap Cottage, to reimagine the six en-suite rooms. Guests may select from a pillow menu, from high-power goose and duck down to a hypoallergenic down-alternative microfiber.

The manor serves a three-course breakfast, all made from scratch by the innkeeper, and homemade cookies. Live music and wine tastings are held on the home’s 14-foot-deep porch.

Each season, Pandora’s Manor hosts a themed high tea in coordination with High Point Museum. The event focuses on a component in history, while guests enjoy dishes that tie into the topic.

407 West High Ave., High Point pandorasmanor.com

THE FEARRINGTON HOUSE

Pittsboro, built in 1927

Over the last 50 years, R.B. Fitch and his late wife Jenny Fitch developed Fearrington Farm into a village with brick walkways leading to an independent bookstore, café, spa and boutiques.

The farm’s colonial-style home became The Fearrington House Restaurant in 1980. The chef-led tasting menus, including a vegetarian option, and prix-fixe four- and seven-course dinners are served in rooms overlooking the picturesque Knot Garden and Garden Terrace. The bar’s Late Bloomer — a floral cocktail made with gin, citrus and cucumber — won the 2024 Cocktail Trophy from Relais & Chateaux.

The Fearrington House Inn debuted in 1986. Its 32 rooms and suites offer decadent amenities, such as heated bathroom floors and towel bars and turn-down service. Linens and bedding like those in the rooms are also available for purchase at the village shops. Guests enjoy a full breakfast, from eggs and bacon to pancakes and steel-cut oatmeal. The sunroom and garden house, with views of Jenny’s Garden and the Knot Garden, are available to inn guests for relaxing, reading and meeting up.

Wine tastings at The Belted Goat, the village’s café, are every Saturday from 1-3 p.m. and are free and open to the public. McIntyre’s Books, listed in Southern Living as one of 15 most beautiful places in North Carolina, hosts author events and story time every week for children. Curl up in the Literature Room’s cozy seating with a book recommendation from the staff.

2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro fearrington.com/the-fearrington-house-inn

THE SALUDA INN

Saluda, built in 1880

The Saluda Inn was in disrepair when Jay Burriss and Joel Kirby bought it in 2020. It required a professional cleaning and 12 construction dumpsters before the couple could begin a two-year renovation project.

Saluda’s first doctor and pharmacist E.B. Goelet built the Queen Anne-style home in 1880. By 1914, it had doubled in size and changed names to The Charlton Leland, an inn to accommodate summer vacationers.

Now, the four-story home features 12 en-suite rooms, heart pine floors and a four-sided exposed brick fireplace in the lobby. Any doors or wood removed from their initial locations were repurposed in the renovation. Goelet’s apothecary cabinet was gifted to the inn for display in the house. Burliss and Kirby scoured local towns for old and new furniture and other accents. Guest rooms, each decorated with a different custom fabric, include California king beds and period-style black-and-white hexagon tile in the bathrooms.

Guests are met with a glass of cava and given a tour of the inn, highlighting the history and its original footprint. Breakfast is a high-scale continental affair, served in the sunroom overlooking Judd’s Peak, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The wine cellar, once the home’s root cellar, is open to overnight guests. On Wednesday and Friday nights, the wine cellar also opens to the public and serves artisan flatbreads and salads. SP

229 Greenville St., Saluda thesaludainn.com

Private school showcase

Private schools continue to be a popular choice for North Carolina families, with enrollment climbing once again in the 2023-24 school year to 131,230 students.* In Mecklenburg County — which houses the highest number of private schools in the state at 96 — enrollment remained steady, with 20,965 students attending private schools.

There are numerous reasons why families may choose a private education, but a key factor is religion. Of the 881 North Carolina private schools, 65% are faith-based. Deciding which private school is the best fit for your child and family takes time and research. Consider the size, mission, traditions and values of the school and whether they align with your family’s.

Learning about each school’s curriculum, teaching philosophy and academic standards is also important. Explore the variety and quality of extracurricular activities too, such as sports, arts and clubs as well as summer programs and community-service opportunities.

Spending time at a school is a great way to get a feel for a school’s culture, meet teachers, faculty and other students and see firsthand what a typical day looks like. Most schools encourage prospective students to attend a day of classes during the school year. “Your child will spend half their waking hours in school,” says George Marshall, director of marketing and communications at Charlotte Preparatory School. “It’s important to immerse them in an environment where they can feel safe, loved, nurtured and challenged, the way you would want them to feel at home. Ensure that the school has a childcentered philosophy that resonates with your parenting style.”

Verifying a school’s credentials and accreditations ensures it meets or exceeds comprehensive standards and consistently delivers an exceptional education. Additional factors to consider: the school’s fiscal health, tuition payment plans and available financial assistance.

In this sponsored section, we introduce you to several Charlotte private schools, asking what’s ahead for this new school year and what sets them apart.

*Source: The N.C. Department of Administration, July 2024

SPONSORED SECTION

Admissions checklist

Private schools begin accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year in September. Visit websites for information on requirements, as well as helpful links for testing and additional resources.

Begin application

Attend open houses, register for tours

Schedule testing. Most schools require standardized assessments and tests for younger and older applicants.

Gather transcripts and teacher/ community recommendations.

Schedule interviews with faculty/ admissions team.

Stay on top of application deadlines — most are due in January or February.

Charlotte Preparatory School

Grades served: Age 2-8th grade

Total enrollment: 425

212 Boyce Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211 charlotteprep.org • @charlotte.prep

Mission: Charlotte Preparatory School fosters lifelong learning and provides an exemplary educational experience founded on academic excellence, positive character and leadership development in a diverse, inclusive community.

What sets your school apart? We are not distracted by the shadows cast by a high school, which means students grow up learning to be responsible leaders on campus while maintaining age-appropriate playfulness. With nurturing and guidance, each child progresses along their individual journey toward maturity, emerging an accomplished Charlotte Prep leader, ready to graduate. Students have the opportunity to explore, contribute and lead, developing confidence from being challenged and supported so they can refine their talents and interests. Charlotte Prep is also one of the few schools that encourages 5th graders to participate in athletic teams, allowing them to try new sports early on, develop skills and practice teamwork outside of the classroom.

What’s new this school year: Our exciting campus master plan kicks off with the construction of a new 24,000-square-foot, two-story facility. Set to open in the fall of 2025, this gorgeous space reimagines classrooms to enhance student learning. The state-of-the-art building will house 11 lower-school classrooms, a spacious multi-use dining hall, warm and welcoming spaces for collaboration, learning support and meetings with school counselors, and our lower school office suite surrounded by grounds that support learning and play. The contemporary design features open, light-filled rooms designed with the guiding principles of sustainability, safety and connectedness to nature. What parents say: “The small size of our school truly amplifies the benefits of the PreK-8 model. The focus on leadership naturally expands as students move toward middle school.”

–

Andrea S., Charlotte Prep parent

Carmel Christian School

Grades served: K-12

Total enrollment: 1,135

1145 Pineville-Matthews Rd., Matthews, NC 28105 carmelchristian.org • @carmelchristiancougars

Mission: To provide an excellent education, built on biblical truth, which equips students to reflect Christ to the world.

What sets your school apart? Carmel Christian has a strong academic program as evidenced by our high school AP Capstone program and AP Platinum distinction from the College Board. While this is a reason to celebrate, we are most proud of the ongoing Christian discipleship of our students. Middle and high school students participate in an annual spiritual retreat each fall, and each spring, ConneXion Week provides a time for schoolwide discipleship. Students participate in mission and service opportunities throughout the year. Additionally, we have added Bible standards across all grade levels to help support our efforts to ensure Christ remains the center of our classrooms and is illuminated across all core subjects.

What’s ahead: We have partnered with Rubicon Atlas to enhance instruction for all students. Teachers will use this curriculum mapping system to design daily lessons and activities, illuminate core Bible standards throughout all units of instruction, collaborate with other teachers on instructional practices, and more. This will help to maintain consistency within our programs, directly impacting student achievement. We are introducing a new schoolwide event, the Celebration of Nations, to honor cultural and ethnic diversity at our school and around the world. This event will engage students, faculty and our entire Carmel Christian community.

What parents say: “Carmel Christian is more than just a school for our children; it has become a second home. The exceptional teachers and staff deeply care about not only the academic growth of each student but also their spiritual and emotional well-being. The daily commitment to discipleship is truly remarkable, and we are proud to call Carmel Christian our school.”

– Brittany and Randy Russell

Charlotte Latin School

Grades served: TK-12

Total enrollment: 1,545

9502 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC 28277

charlottelatin.org • @charlottelatinschool

Mission: To encourage individual development and civility in our students by inspiring them to learn, by encouraging them to serve others, and by offering them many growth-promoting opportunities. What sets your school apart? Leadership continues to be a core value. For our students to excel at Latin and in life, it is essential for them to develop and exercise leadership skills, and those are taught and practiced throughout our classrooms and community. Our Leads with Honor program begins in lower school and allows students to learn and live out their leadership potential at every step of the Latin experience. We are the only high school in the nation with a Fab Lab certification. Designed by MIT, our 20-week Fab Academy teaches engineering skills to develop and build prototypes of all kinds, integrating art, physics, bioengineering, mathematics and more.

What’s ahead: We are excited to introduce the theme of “Illumination.” This theme emphasizes the importance of shining the light of our attention on others, helping to draw them out and encouraging them to be their true selves. By focusing on illuminating others, we aim to increase our collective happiness and strengthen our connections with students, parents and the broader community. This approach is designed to foster a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

What faculty says: “Our curriculum is designed to help students learn how to uncover the truth. Their academic journey is guided by ‘timeless values’ which provide the foundation of their success, specifically the values of critical thinking, analytical writing and hard work. Latin classrooms are designed to get students to think. They are safe places to learn, to think — not because you will be protected from ideas you don’t like — but for the exact opposite reason. You will be introduced to ideas that you disagree with, and you will learn how to wrestle with them; to decide if you agree or disagree. You can form your own opinion and dig deeper to weigh it against the facts until you have come to your own conclusion about whether your idea is valid.”

– Chuck Edwards, history department chair, alumnus, coach & parent

With locations in South Park, Plaza Midwood, West Morehead & South End, Legion Brewing’s spaces are Charlotte’s premier destination for events. Perfect for Wedding Receptions, Rehearsal Dinners, Corporate Happy Hours, Presentations & more

events@legionbrewing com

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swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

24 Hours of Booty

presented by 24 Foundation July 26-27

This year’s tour through the “Booty Loop” in Myers Park raised more than $1.5 million in the fight against cancer. 24HOB always draws a crowd of supporters and friends, as hundreds of cyclists pedal their way through the night. photographs by Daniel Coston

Sonia Irusta

Grant and Amy Groeschel

Bob Woods, Blake Brinkley and Spencer Lueders

Alex and Johan Jooste

Spencer Lueders and family

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Legends of

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

the

Game speaker series with Roy Williams

presented by Charlotte Touchdown Club

Sheraton Charlotte

June 28

Roy Williams, the legendary retired UNC basketball coach, shared stories from his time with the Tar Heels. Former player Joel Berry, part of UNC’s 2017 championship team, was also on hand for chats and autographs. photographs by Daniel Coston

Sonja Gantt, Rameses and Joy Paige Springs

Bill and Sarah Currens

Bryan Overcash and John Rocco

Josh Schlechty and Steve Lowe

Mike Gminski and David Chadwick

Roy Williams

Joel Berry

Warren-Green conductor laureate

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

ISF Charity Classic

benefiting the Isabella Santos Foundation

Firethorne Country Club

June 24

There was plenty of sunshine during this annual day on the greens, which raised more than $100,000 for ISF’s mission to support rare pediatric cancer care and research. New this summer, ISF launched the Torch Initiative to expand its reach beyond Charlotte.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Hailey Rorie, Erin Santos-Primis and Katie Landy

Carrie Sindelar and daughter

Matt Yarmey and Jesi Allen

Jason Hlewicki and Sarah Francis

Ashton Barlow and Craig Danforth

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

EQUALibrium Awards

presented by WFAE

Revelry at Camp North End

June 27

Some of Charlotte’s brightest lights were celebrated with the nonprofit radio station’s inaugural EQUALibrium Awards, which recognizes those making a difference in race and equity issues.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Alex Bùi and José Alvarez

Caroline and Ely Portillo

Grace Nystrum, José Alvarez and Gina Esquivel

Charles Thomas and Micalia Ayorinde Milburn-Thomas

Sammy and Linnea Realon Gurdian family

KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLORS

Get ready for a cultural feast. For two days in September, Festival of India will bring a showcase of Indian dance, food and art to uptown and Ballantyne. by Sharon Smith | photographs by Olly Yung

Afew years ago, my children’s eyes immediately lit up as we happened upon an electrifying and beautiful street scene in uptown during a big festival weekend. We were like moths to a flame — the flame being dancers in brightly colored traditional Indian garb escorting a man and woman on horseback. The horses were also adorned with golden bells and vibrant silks for the celebration. More passers-by stopped in their tracks. The joy was infectious. Our first taste of Festival of India was delightful.

Festival organizers know something about captivating a crowd. Since 1994, the India Association of Charlotte has hosted this memorable, immersive cultural experience. In recent years, it’s found a home under CIAF, the highly successful international arts festival that brings together local and global artists for two weeks each fall.

This year, each day and location offers something different, with some overlap. Performances at Belk Theater on Saturday will feature Bollywood glamour and classical Indian dances. Look for

a mini-bazaar with arts and crafts plus cuisine along Tryon Street. The next day in Ballantyne will also feature traditional Indian foods; sari, jewelry and craft vendors; plus activities around Indian dance, henna painting and rangoli (an ancient Indian folk art). Charlotte Symphony Orchestra joins renowned Indian composers in a closing concert at Ballantyne’s Backyard.

The festival shares such a joy-filled presentation of Indian culture, it would be easy to forget how much planning and work goes into it every year. For me, it’s worth another visit to create new memories. SP

Know before you go: On Saturday, Sept. 14, events take place at Belk Theater and on Tryon Street from noon-8 p.m. Theater performances cost $5, and tickets are available online. On Sunday, Sept. 15, the event is free at Ballantyne’s Backyard from noon-8 p.m. charlotteartsfest.com