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1625 Myers Park Dr. $1,575,000 6 bedroom / 4 full & 1 half baths Margaretta Leary / MLS# 808839
127 N. Tryon Street $950,000 2 bedroom / 3 full baths Kim Walton / MLS# 807123
UPTOWN
Virtual Tour
Virtual Tour
1931 Providence Rd. $899,900 4 bedroom / 3 full baths Debe Maxwell / MLS# 800019
ARTS DISTRICT
3509 Oakwood Ave. $484,500 4 bedroom / 3 full baths Caroline Jackson / MLS# 768622
MYERS PARK
1901 Peppercorn Ln. $1,145,000 4 bedroom / 4 full & 2 half baths Buck Montague / MLS# 774681
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2033 Lyndhurst Ave. $718,900 3 bedroom / 2 full & 1 half bath Sharon Blalock / MLS# 768447
2219 Vail Avenue $597,000 3 bedroom / 2 full baths Kelly Blandford / MLS# 803501
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257 Queens Rd. $489,000 23 bedroom / 2 full baths Ann Wood / MLS# 802204
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3004 Clemson Ave. $463,900 4 bedroom / 2 full baths James Scruggs / MLS# 771391
Charlotte Country Club
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3125 Pinehurst Place $850,000 4 bedroom / 3 full & 1 half bath Kevin Thompson / MLS# 774134
1715 Queens Rd. $3,545,000 5 bedroom / 6 full & 2 half baths Ann Wood / MLS# 719568
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2112 Hassell Place $549,000 3 bedroom / 2 full & 1 half bath Elaine Henderson / MLS# 785300
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10/27/2008 9:15:03 PM
LIVE
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O N LY 5 U N I T S R E M A I N I N G November 08.indd 5
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WHOLESALE OF NATURAL STONES & CUSTOM CABINETS
• Custom KitChen Design & installation • luxury Cabinetry • huge marble, travertine & mosaiC seleCtion • ConCept to Completion in 4-6 weeKs • our showroom is Conveniently loCateD in southenD Mention this ad and receive Free hardware with kitchen order up to $200 or get 10% oFF anY stone order.
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pictures: catchlight studios
l to r: erin bastnagel , matt kokenes and falon nye
With Larry Sprinkle leading the way as auctioneer, the 3rd Annual Uptown Sexy Auction raised $10,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation on Friday, October 24, at HOM. With close to 300 partygoers braving both the weather and the economy, the fundraising event was a huge success. Anna Kooiman may have stolen the show by bringing her mom onstage to entertain the crowd, but Lauri Wilks was the night’s big winner, raising just shy of $4,000 all by herself!
blain and viki haas
partygoers enjoying the auction
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larry sprinkle in action
10/28/2008 12:58:33 PM
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The ultimate choice for luxury living in Uptown Charlotte.
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HOMES FROM THE $180,000’S. MOVE IN EARLY 2009. CONDOMINIUM SALES CENTER 222 SOUTH CHURCH STREET
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Specifications, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. Illustrations are artist’s impression. Photography is representational. E. & O.E. Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF SELLER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE PUBLIC OFFERING STATEMENT REQUIRED BY CODE SECTION 47C-4-103 OF THE NORTH CAROLINA CONDOMINIUM ACT AND THE www.uptownclt.com PROPERTY REPORT REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW. NEED NOT BE BUILT. Sales by Cottingham Chalk. 704-364-1700.
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$449,000 400 N. CHURCH ST. #614 400 NORTH CHURCH MLS # 813084
$249,000 530 E. NINTH ST. CALDWELLS ON NINTH MLS # 796989
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$499,000 1796 JAMESTON ST. MYERS PARK MLS 750777
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$299,900 230 S. TRYON ST. #502 230 SOUTH TRYON MLS 803833
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Visit me at 218 North College Street www.ISellUptown.com 704.608.0964 10/27/2008 9:15:13 PM
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* North Carolina native ryan sumner is Creative Director of Fenix Fotography. Though Sumner’s been shooting in the Queen City professionally for years, he spent nearly a decade as a designer at the Levine Museum until he set up his studio last year in NoDa’s historic Highland Mill. This month Ryan’s work appears in “The Life” and “Vinyl it’s back”.
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Charlotte native Matt Kokenes is no stranger to the media sales business in the Queen City. as the newest member of the team at Uptown Magazine, Matt’s focus is on ensuring that our advertisers achieve outstanding results.
www.uptownclt.com
celina Marann Mincey is an emerging artist in many forms. She is the editor of Central Speak, a community magazine. as a singer/songwriter, she is beginning to perform locally while completing an album in the studio. Capturing people with a lens as well as words, Celina is a freelance photographer and dabbles in oil painting. This month Celina spoke with Louis Foreman of enventys.
name: Little Shiva species: mutant here for: the smell of ink on paper interests: juxtaposition, transformation, mystery, clarity, the process of becoming, images and design contributions to this issue: table of contents website: littleshiva.com
all the things Zoë Balsamo is, organized, fashionable and on time, are all the things our editor is not. That’s why as the Director of Sales she has made such a positive impact in such a short period of time. Zoë has made plaza Midwood her home and her new husband Sal has made an honest woman out of her. If you’re lucky enough to get a call or visit from Zoë, make sure you make the meeting--you’ll be glad you did.
sheri Joseph is a true Uptown mama. If she isn’t chasing after her two young sons, Sheri is writing for our blog, working on her first book, volunteering, or hanging out with her husband, MJ. She is originally from Texas and knows the best Texas ribs and margaritas in town can be found at her house. When she’s not scouring the city for her next article she can be found at home eating bon-bons with her children locked in a closet.
Your “Crackberry” only stores your errand list.
We will complete your errand List. Let us handle your...
Jim Mcguire has been doing commercial and fashion photography as well as video since 1986. Clients include fashion designer Otilio Salazar, gQ and Modern Bride. His work has been printed in Japan, Italy, Venezuela, Turkey and Holland. Jim has lived in plaza-Midwood since 1985 and is known for throwing outrageous parties like CaRNeVIL. To top it all off, he’s a father, too! See Jim’s photography in this month’s fashion layout and at www. jimmcguire.com.
Freelance writer Andy graves spent his childhood and teenage years on a small, muddy dairy farm in upstate New York. He came by higher education in Helsinki, Finland; Baltimore, Maryland; Cork, Ireland; and Buffalo, New York. When pressed about what he does for a living, he will explain that he is a hobo. This is not so much a lie, as he would have you believe. Feel free to invite him to dinner.
Writer and editor David A. Moore has more than 15 years of journalism experience. In addition to his work with “elmwood park” for Uptown Magazine, Moore has written for a atlanta Magazine and Creative Loafing, to name a few. He’s interviewed such personalities as John Travolta and Melissa etheridge, among many others. In years past, he’s worked as an editor for such publications as Jezebel, Q-Notes and Southern Voice.
Grocery Shopping Auto Repairs Auto Inspections Car Detailing Dry Cleaning Deliveries Personal Shopping Meal Delivery Appointment Scheduling Prescriptions Filled Landscaping Housekeeping Plant Care Pet Care Waiting for Repairmen Waiting for Deliveries Newspaper & Mail Collection Housesitting Packing/Unpacking Moving Assistance
Call Today. 704-969-7414
or visit www.absolutelifesavers.com
TAKE YOUR FREETIME BACK!
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Kelly Gray, Charlottebased travel and culinary journalist, has authored hundreds of articles on food, travel, and lifestyle for publications including travel site Johnny Jet, the Los Angeles Times, CEO Traveler, The Pilot, and Deep Magazine. Though Kelly believes travel is one of the four basic food groups, she loves returning to her Plaza Midwood home to share stories of the road. This month she walks the cobblestone streets of Charleston.
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Born and raised in Charlotte, Scott Lindsley provides a perspective on the city from a local’s point of view. As a successful serial entrepreneur, he has started, built, then sold Lindsley Appraisal Services and Urban Realty, and currently is a broker and consultant through Urban Realty Developer Services and co-owner of Metro Craftsman Partners. Scott is keeping an eye out for new projects and the history of our ring ‘hoods. This month he writes about the Silo’s in South End.
www.uptownclt.com
Chris Wooten is a designer, artist, builder of tree houses, father, and avid traveler who is known for a neurotically meticulous attention to detail. Since the 1990s, Chris has been designing print and interactive solutions with zeal! Modry Design Studio was born after he hooked up with his partner in 2003. For now the company is firmly rooted in NoDa. If you want to talk design, stop by their studio. ModryDesignStudio. com
Morgan Fogarty cohosts FOX News Edge weeknights at 10:35 PM. She didn’t have her hands full enough with the insane and unstable Brotha’ Fred, so she convinced Uptown Magazine’s editor to let her write some articles, too. Morgan was born a Yankee, and her new husband Jeremy has transformed her into a fanatical Philadelphia Eagles fan (Sorry, Jake.) This month, Morgan mixes two of her passions: writing and gift giving.
At one time a dancer, choreographer, and aspiring writer, one day Amanda Pagliarini woke up to find herself in a cubicle. Since relocating from DC two years ago, she has found a happy medium as the Sales Manager at Tribble Creative Group. In the off hours you can find her trotting around uptown with her boxer JJ or buried in her laptop working on the next great American novel.
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:PV NBZ BMTP GJOE VT BU #BMMBOUZOF 7FUFSJOBSZ )PTQJUBM 4UPOFDSFTU 7FUFSJOBSZ $MJOJD www.uptownclt.com
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URBAN LIVING NEWSLETTER urban realty BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Contact Scott Lindsley for any real estate questions ScottLindsley@UrbanRealtyNC.com // 704.906.1645
The Frederick: The Original 1920’s Luxury Apartments in Uptown
OWN A PIECE OF CHARLOTTE’S HISTORY! With few examples of the original uptown boom left in Charlotte, those that survive offer a fantastic opportunity to own a piece of history with all the modern updates you’d expect.
T
he growth of residential properties in center city is a relatively new phenomenon compared to the last few decades, but it wasn’t such an odd thing if you drop back to the 1920’s. The roaring 20’s brought growth and change all over the US and Charlotte was not left out. People had been living downtown before that era, but mostly in single family homes or above business buildings. With the growth of the city and a wave of new residents and
Scott Lindsley
ScottLindsley@UrbanRealtyNC.com // 704.906.1645 new business, a need arose which made multi-family living more typical in Charlotte. A building boom began in the 20’s that would rival the forest of cranes we have today. The numbers for the original building boom are pretty amazing: in 1920 there were 35 apartment buildings listed in Charlotte, in 1925 there were 59, and by 1929 there were 122. Keep in mind that the Charlotte city limits were barely a mile or so from The Square in any direction. The peak year of building was between 1927 and 1929. Thirty five of the new buildings were built during that two year period. Around half of the total number of apartment buildings were located in the core downtown area, although they were also found in all sectors, including Dilworth, Elizabeth and Myers Park. Most of these apartments were 4 unit “quad” buildings, though other larger projects were erected as well. Many of the quads can still be found throughout the city, but few of the other larger buildings remain. One of the more amazing buildings that did survive can be found on Church Street in Fourth Ward. The Frederick is an wonderful example of higher end building of the era. It is located at 515 N. Church Street, and at 3 stories with 36 units was considered a mid sized project. It was built by a local distributor of fine building
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prices starting at $145,000! materials and the craftsmanship and finishes of the building give away the original owners occupation. Touches like terra cotta tiles, tiled foyers, and fixtures were all of the finest available. The builder, W. Fred Casey, even lived in the building himself in unit 101 – larger than most with a fantastic ornate fireplace on the main level that is still in great shape today. The Frederick was converted to condos and renovated just a few years ago, and as units become available as renters move out, the owner has been releasing them for sale. A couple have been sold already, and we are excited to announce another 5 have been released. Prices start at $185,000 and move to
Since the building is a designated historic landmark, property taxes are cut in half
just under $300,000 with most in the mid-$200’s. Units are 1 and 2 bedroom and 1 or 2 story. The building was meticulously renovated over the past few years – original ornate features have been carefully preserved with modern amenities added. All units have hex-tile bathrooms, hardwood floors, huge windows, modern kitchens and high ceilings. A roof-top deck with fantastic skyline views was added during the renovations and the parking lot and all external doors are security enabled with electric code access and phone access to buzz in visitors. Historic pictures of Charlotte-past adorn the hallway walls and inside the building you’ll feel like you are in old Charlotte yet you have the ability to step out door into the bustle of a modern city. With The Square only 4 blocks away, you can’t beat the location. With only a handful of our original, beautiful, old buildings that have survived, the chance own a part of one of them is limited. Give us a call today if you’d like to take a look at this beautiful historic building – we’d love to give you a tour!
special promotional section 10/28/2008 12:04:14 PM
URBAN LIVING NEWSLETTER urban realty BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
ContaCt SCott LindSLey for any reaL eState queStionS ScottLindsley@urbanrealtynC.com // 704.906.1645
The Frederick Place Condos Master Pricing Sheet UNIT # 103 111 200 301 307 104 109 206 303 100 101-201
SQ. FT. 995 1390 905 965 680 1002 959 870 523 1241 2341
PRICE $279,000 $375,300 $255,000 $265,375 $190,500 $270,500 $250,000 $239,250 $145,000 $335,000 $635,000
BED/BATH 1 Bed/2 Bath 2 Bed/2.5 Bath 2 Bed/2 Bath 2 Bed/1.5 Bath 1 Bed/2 Bath 2 Bed/2 Bath 2 Bed/2 Bath 2 Bed/2 Bath Eff. Unit/1 Bath 2 Bed/2 Bath 3 Bed/2.5 Bath
STATUS AVAILABLE AVAILABLE Contingent/Contract AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE RESERVED RESERVED
NOTES Plus den Extra room for BR or dining (no closet)
URban REalTy lEaSing SERViCES
HOME OR CONDO NOT SELLING? TIRED OF MAKING THOSE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS? We can help. With the slow down in real estate sales and the struggle for qualified people to get mortgages, rental rates have risen and tenants are now easier to find!
PROS OF RENTING YOUR PROPERTY:
Eliminate the pressure to sell Hold your property for a better sales market Cover your mortgage = no more monthly losses Potentially sell to investors looking for cash-flow properties You may qualify for additional tax benefits OWNERS AND RENTERS-Contact us – we have lists of tenants looking for all types of housing available, ranging from efficiencies to penthouses, small bungalows to estate homes.
INVESTORS
Looking for cash-flow properties? Wanting to build your rental portfolio? Don’t buy, repair, and wait for a tenant- get instant cash flow! We’ve got homes and condos with tenants in place. Call Scott (704) 906-1645 or Anna Lauren (704) 907-6120 for more info URBAN REALTY will act as a leasing agent; qualifying tenants, setting up leases or lease/purchases, and negotiating for tenants and owners. Urban Realty is not a property management company but we can recommend clients with great management teams.
special promotional section
Letter frOM the eDitOr editor/publisher Todd Trimakas
The end is truly near. It’s not because of anything obvious, such as the Wachovia purchase, for instance, or the firing of Tommy Bowden in the middle of the football season, or even the cratering of the stock market. No I think the end is near because a dainty, conservative, churchgoing wife of a buddy of mine is stockpiling food for the Second Coming. When he told me this I thought he was joking, and I made a snide comment. But he was serious. He went on to explain that, yes, they are collecting massive quantities of food and water just in case “something” were to happen. In order to not sound completely insane, my buddy referred to the fights that broke out during the Hurricane Ike-inspired gas shortages. “Imagine the fights that would break out over the last can of Dinty Moore beef stew,” he tells me. Sure, I think.
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“What food is going to last for a couple of years in your basement?” I wondered. Wouldn’t the water get a thick layer of fuzzy green algae? and where would you put a years worth of ramen noodles? He proceeded to tell me that they are not only stockpiling, but that they have a system in place to rotate their food and water stocks into their normal diet. They use the food in their stockpile and then replace it with food they buy new at the grocery store. In that way they keep everything fresh, including the water. It doesn’t take up nearly as much room as you might think it would. Right. To top off what I’m now calling his economic-induced dementia, and to further solidify his argument that the world is ending, he sends me some scripture from Revelations. The material tells about not being able to buy stuff unless you’re marked, and compares that with the retina and fingerprint scanners at the Denver airport. I joke that I’d wear a barcode on my forehead if it got me through the line at Starbucks quicker. I picture him and his wife in their basement, huddled around a hand-cranked lantern with matching tinfoil hats eating Nissin Cup O’ Noodles and playing tic-tac-toe in the dust on the floor. However, because I am a child of the 80’s and saw the movies Red Dawn, War Games, and Mad Max, I start to think: “What if the world order falls apart, the communists invade the U.S., or Harris Teeter’s sliding doors are locked the next time I visit?” What would I do? I know exactly what I’d do. I’d fit a toddler-sized tinfoil hat to Kate’s head, gather up the remaining condiments in my warm refrigerator, and head to Barry’s house. ~Todd Trimakas Editor Todd@uptownclt.com
Advertising Zoë Balsamo Matt Kokenes 704.340.8130 contributing editors Kelly gray (Travel) Joey Hewell (Fashion) peter Reinhart (Food) copy editor andy graves contributors Sheri Joseph Scott Lindsley Celina Mincey David Moore Little Shiva Chris Wooten Morgan Fogarty Bryan Reed amanda pagliarini photography Ryan Sumner Todd Trimakas Jim Mcguire Distribution Sean Chesney Office 1111 Central a ave., #310 Charlotte, NC 28204 Contact us at info@uptownclt.com Uptown Magazine is a trademark of Uptown publishing inc., copyright 2008. all rights reserved. Uptown is printed monthly and subscriptions are $25 annually and can be purchased online at uptownclt.com.
NOW READY. YOUR FRONT ROW SEAT IN THE CITY. Welcome to THE ROW, located in the exciting First Ward development of Quarterside.
Designed by leading urban architect David Furman, THE ROW is comprised of 18 loft-style condominiums ranging from 619 to 1,065 square feet – with 13 units priced below $200,000.
Here’s just a hint of the amenities: - Stylish cork flooring - Unique Avonite countertops - Ceramic tile bath - Secure, covered parking - Easy walking distance to the arena, the Lynx and uptown nightlife
If you’ve been looking to make the move uptown, we’ve got 18 great new opportunities lined up in THE ROW. And ready to move into. Call us for more info and a tour of our furnished model.
NO ONE BRINGS YOU THE CITY LIKE CENTRO. www.uptownclt.com 21 uptown 704.332.4008. centrocityworks.com
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gifts
words: sheri joseph pictures: fenix fotography
WhAt tO get the recentLy MArrieD gAy cOupLe There’s no mistaking the look of the gay married couple: They’re at the Thai place looking just as bored as the straights, but better dressed. even if you weren’t invited to their nuptials in Conn., Mass. or Cali, you still should get them a trinket to memorialize the occasion. after all, they went through a lot to say “I do.”
the life No doubt the adopted kids are coming soon, but those marrieds always get the pooch as a tester. No need for Fido to have all the fun--this toy gives the humans a laugh too. It’ll provide the newlyweds with something to look at while they argue about whose turn it is to fold the laundry. ah, marital bliss. humunga tongue $10 – 12 paper skyscraper 300 east Blvd 704.333.7130
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While you were hanging the “awesome” Budweiser neon in your dorm room, they knew real art when they saw it. Show them you’ve evolved and that your taste isn’t just in your mouth. Bamboo and forsythia Lucite panels $92 each redsky gallery 1244 east Blvd. 704.377.6400
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It doesn’t matter what kind of wild rave partiers the newlyweds were in a former life, they’ll get the parental urge soon and need some help explaining stuff like the Tooth Fairy, the easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and why grandma says bad words after drinking her “special juice.” ever wondered how Santa sees you when you’re sleeping and knows when you’re awake? Read this book to get the answer. Santa’s little spy/helper, the elf, sits on a shelf watching the child’s every move, and reports directly back to Santa. Let the neuroses begin! elf on the shelf (elf included) $30 nofo on Liz 1609 elizabeth Avenue 704.444.9002
You can reach Sheri at: sheri.uptown@yahoo.com For more info go to www.uptownclt.com
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gifts
words: sheri joseph pictures: fenix fotography
WhAt tO get the WinO in yOur Life Oh sure, aunt Loretta claims she’s an oenophile, but don’t be confused by her fancy terminology or the shiny objects she throws when she’s over her limit. Let’s face it, she’s a wino. give her the very best. Words on a page might tend to run together for a wino, but your family will enjoy gathering around the hearth reading Secrets from the Wine Diva, by Christine ansbacher. Let’s be honest, it beats singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”--hooves down.
the life
are those pedestrian wine-corks more irritating than a bottle of White Zinfandel? Make even the lousiest liquids look fab with an elegant crystal bottle stopper. crystal Bottle stopper $15 paper skyscraper 300 east Blvd 704.333.7130
secrets from the Wine Diva: tips on Buying, Ordering & enjoying Wine $15 pura Vida Worldly Art 1521 central Ave. 704.335.8587
How many glasses of wine has that wino had? Think she’s tired of counting? Save her the hassle with the oversized Union Street Sienna Burgundy wine glass. It’ll give new meaning to “just one glass”! union street sienna Burgundy Wine glass $160 for two redsky gallery 1244 east Blvd. 704.377.6400
admit it. evenings out with the wino are pretty fun, but help your favorite tippler avoid a night spent with the toothless trannies of the tank with a Zingo gift card. a man on a folding motorbike will meet her at the (undoubtedly) disreputable bar where she’s spent the evening, and, upon locating her automobile, place the motorbike in the trunk, take the keys, safely drive the wino home in her own car, and then zoom off into the darkness. Zingo gift card 704.804.8000 $15 for the pick up + $3 per mile
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You can reach Sheri at: sheri.uptown@yahoo.com For more info go to www.uptownclt.com
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gifts
words: sheri joseph
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Did your friends move into a reasonably priced rental that seems as if it was only too recently inhabited by a corpse? Cheer them up with the Hummingbird Candle Set. With its nature-inspired motifs and floral scent, your friends will be motivated to cut down the crime-scene tape and look forward to a brighter tomorrow. hummingbird candle set $33 nofo on Liz 1609 elizabeth Avenue 704.444.9002
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words: amanda pagliarini
Last week I took my annual fall retreat to Vegas with some longtime friends. While there, a friend and I got into one of those late-night, drunken, theorizing discussions at 4 a.m. over a bag of $20 Bellagio cashews. “You know Amanda, I just woke up one morning and asked myself, What am I truly contributing to society?” I nodded furiously as I tend to do on any topic discussed after backstroking in a bottle of Patron. After a bit of sleep and post-greasybreakfast-served-at-a-lunchtime hour, I thought a bit more about our discussion. C.S. Lewis once said, “We read to know we are not alone.” As a writer, perhaps that is my gift to the world. And it is for that reason that I think in order to fulfill my contributing gift to society that it might be best for me to remain single for life. I had already had this thought just before my trip to Vegas. It was at some point after the time that I received an email from the fiancée of the “Mr. Mom” guy I was dating, and whom I referenced in last month’s article, , and prior to an email I received from “Mr. Mom” himself, in which in he copied my boss, my editor, and his attorney saying that he would sue me if I wrote about him any further. Between fits of laughter that turned to tears, I
concluded that in order for me to truly be the best writer I could be, I would have to stay single for life in order to continue to generate these experiences. This was all too good. And as my mother and friends have said for years, these things only seem to happen to me. “Mr. Mom” is without a doubt my new favorite story for the history books. Prior to this glorious encounter, my favorite was a man my friends and I simply refer to as the Vortex. I met the Vortex one night while I was drowning my break-up sorrows over margaritas. His friend began talking to my friend when he commented to me that I looked as miserable as he was. When I explained that I had just ended my relationship of two years and wasn’t
that interested in obligatory chatting, he responded with “You too?” We spent the rest of the night in a heated theorizing discussion on relationships, similar to my recent one in Vegas. He asked for my number, and unready to commit, I gave him my business card instead. A few days later, I got a voicemail from an agent with the FBI asking me to return his call. He wanted to discuss the two gentlemen
fOr Life? that I had associated with that Friday before. I called him back and to authenticate himself, he listed the places we had been, and even the outfit I had on, saying he was referencing pictures that had been taken by his undercover agents that night. Great, only me. Then he passed the phone. It was Vortex, laughing hysterically. He had gotten me, and in the process, he hooked me. Over the next 3 months, he hooked me further popping up with little surprises here and there – sending a bottle of wine to the table with a note to me and my girlfriends after I declined his invitation to dinner; flowers at the office with sarcastic notes. Then there was the gesture that both won everyone over and earned him his name. While on a trip to Sedona, Ariz., my friends and I got a call to our room telling us to get ready and be downstairs in the lobby in 30 minutes. When we arrived downstairs, the red carpet was literally rolled out for us. He had set up one of the Red Rock Vortex tours, complete with champagne and a photographer to capture me and my friends’ experience, followed by a four-course dinner at the nicest restaurant in town. I should have known something wasn’t quite right since all of his thoughtfulness was so often performed from afar. But he had been wooing me for four months at this point, so upon my return home, after yet another evening out, I invited him in. You must imagine my shock when he uttered to me, mid-consummating of our relationship, that he wouldn’t be able to stay because his
girlfriend was expecting him home. I actually laughed, thinking this was another joke of his. When he replied with, “Normally I could lie my way to a hall pass, but one of our little ones is sick,” I nearly got sick on him. After asking several questions that granted me the clarity that he had a girlfriend of nine years with whom he had two children, I asked one more question: “We met over the fact that we were both going through breakups. How have you been with someone for nine years?” “No darlin’, you made the assumption that I was asserting that I was going through a breakup. I just didn’t correct you.” Really? Really. There was the EMT who got my number while I was visiting a friend at the hospital, then scanned the number through the 911 system to get my address, who was confused as to why I wasn’t happy to see him when I found him outside my door with a gallon of ice cream and a smile. There was my ninth-grade boyfriend who called me up, drunk, just a few weeks ago, saying that I ruined him and his dreams of becoming a dentist 15 years ago. (What?) Then there was the boyfriend--yes boyfriend--who asked me if I would have a problem with him attempting a side-career as a male escort. I guess I should thank him for asking. It’s not just the atrociousness of some of the boys I’ve run into. I myself have acted in ways that are supremely embarrassing, typically as a result of when I truly fell for
someone. Like the time I was literally crying over the fact that I hadn’t heard from the guy I was dating since the evening before. As I lay on the floor weeping because he clearly wasn’t into me anymore and I couldn’t believe it was over, I can still picture my best friend standing over me saying, “You need to at least make an attempt at appearing normal!” Then there was the time I was set up on a blind date. When he picked me up, I knew I was in for a long night of tedium, so when he stopped at a gas station I began rummaging through the center console, and helped myself to some of the mounds of quarters he had collected over the years. Hey, I was living in D.C. at the time, and quarters for parking meters were like gold! I figured that at least the night wasn’t a total loss. Or there was the unfortunate chap who was next to take me out after the Vortex experience. Jaded, after several drinks and relaying my experience, he told me it seemed I had a lot of “stuff” I had to work out and took me home. One of my shining moments. Now if I were to settle down into a relationship, I would lose all of this material. Sure, I could pick off of my friends’ horrifying experiences, but there is just something about going through it for myself that creates such an organic writing experience. And if my gift to the world is to help people not feel so alone, then who am I to stop dating? U You can reach Amanda at: apagliarini@tribblecreativegroup.com For more info go to: www.uptownclt.com
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words: scott lindsley
Silos
J
ust a year or two ago it wasn’t unusual to have two or three construction projects in the Charlotte market announced in the same week. Construction cranes sprung up all over the city and sites were cleared on what seemed like every other corner of town. Condo units sold quickly and our office-vacancy rate was one of the lowest in the nation. The real estate slowdown that is gripping the country has changed that once-rapid pace of new development. Some projects have either been postponed or shelved for good. Others have seen changes as developers react to the current market conditions. One of these projects is “The Silos at Southend.” Instead of putting the whole project on hold, Citiline Resortline Cos. and principal Tim Crawford simply altered the timeline for the mixed-use project, moving commercial and office spaces ahead of the residential component. The Silos at Southend project was going to be multiphased anyway, and reservations have already been taken for 30 or so of the planned 115 flats and town homes of the first phase. Sales for these will continue, but the construction of two office buildings totaling about 67,000 square feet will begin in front of the residential buildings and an adjacent project with dining and lounge space is almost complete. eventually two more phases of residential construction will add around 500 units, and other commercial elements will be added to the project. an art park and gathering spaces will be finished as well. In addition to the office and residential buildings, the Silos at Southend will have a private one-acre art park and three of the former eight asphalt silos at the site will remain as the signature symbol for the project. a couple of months ago, three local artists wrapped huge murals around the silos, a display which easily seen by those traveling south on South Boulevard or Tryon Street. plans for movies on the back of the silos and other pubic events are part of what Citiline and Crawford want to include to set this project apart from others in the area and give residents, guests, and workers “a little somethin’ extra.” Citiline also added a sister project adjacent to the site, “The Silos Subdistrict.” about 20,000 square feet of existing warehouses and buildings have been converted to gathering and restaurant space with doors opening later this year. Only 3,000 square feet remain unclaimed, the rest of the space will be occupied by a bar called Local, the Carolina Classics restaurant, and Dharma Lounge (see sidebar). With these
neighborhood-oriented hangouts on one corner and Mac’s Speed Shop on another, the intersection of Ideal Way and South Boulevard is shaping up to be a new--and hot--hub of activity. at one point, South end nightlife was generally concentrated around park avenue and South Boulevard, but with these new hubs the district is now filling in and stretches all the way from 277 to New Bern Station. When city planners and transportation officials announced the light rail project, one of the future benefits cited was increased development along the line. Increased development would give options for homebuyers and tenants who wanted to live near mass transit and be less dependent on their cars. Development of commercial and retail spaces would likely follow. Increased development creates more valuable properties. This increases the tax base along the line, which, over time, would bring in property taxes--a way to repay some of the costs associated with building it. How has this one benefit suggested for the line panned out? So far, so good. Multiple projects have sprung up or have been announced near various light rail stops. This includes all stops down the line to pineville. The number of rail riders has far exceeded expectations, surpassing even the most optimistic visions for this line. In addition to the condominium and commercial projects currently underway, three large apartment projects have been started nearby as well. “Circle” is being built at Bland Street and South Boulevard and “Millennium” is going up a block away, at Bland and South Tryon. ashton apartments are being built at the end of Camden Road, at Tremont avenue. These three projects are all within a five-block stretch and will add hundreds of new units and over a thousand new residents to the area. The South end corridor is shaping up much as city and transit planners had hoped. a couple of new condo projects, “The Tremont” and “Southborough,” have just been completed and residents are moving in. Combined with the large-scale apartment projects nearing completion and the other projects that have been finished over the last couple of years, this will bring more than a thousand new residents to the area as well as new eateries, cafes, bars, and lounges. Top it off with easy access to multiple light-rail and trolley stops and you have one of the most complete districts in town in which to live, work, and play. U You can reach Scott at: scottlindsley@urbanrealtync.com For more info go to: www.uptownclt.com
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inyl
its BAcK
words: bryan reed pictures: fenix fotography
P
erched behind his old Apple laptop and a glass counter filled with stickers and buttons emblazoned with the names of various punk bands, Scott Wishart is an anomaly. Lunchbox Records, the Central Avenue storefront he owns, is one of an ever-slimming number of truly independent record stores. As the posters for local shows and indie-label releases plastered on the windows of the shop can attest, Lunchbox isn’t the place to go to pick up the latest T-Pain or Taylor Swift CDs. But that’s precisely what drives Wishart’s business.
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always bought records, but when I first started, records were on the way out. Labels, especially big ones, weren’t even releasing them and it kind of continued that way until a few years ago.” Today, I’m talking to Wishart with an armload of new (or, at least, new to me) records stretching the flimsy handles of the plastic bag in which they’re ensconced. He’s blasting Old Wounds, the latest CD from the Louisville, Ky.-based punk band Young Widows, through the store’s speakers as customers thumb through shelves for hidden treasures. In the
s a specialty shop, Lunchbox has been largely unaffected by the record industry’s catastrophic fall from grace that began around the turn of the millennium when a kid named Shawn Fanning developed a little computer program he called Napster. Internet filesharing boomed, then gave way to digital music sales through services such as iTunes. All the while, CD sales busted with little help from the antagonizing efforts of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Big box stores like Best Buy and Wal-Mart continually downsize the floor space devoted to shelving music. At large, the future of recorded music looks dismal. But at Lunchbox, business is doing just fine, thanks in no small part to the store’s unique and eclectic offerings—and helped along by a surprising resurgence in the popularity of the most outmoded of recording formats, vinyl records. Wishart, clockwise from right: stack of lps // who has been in the music retail inside lunchbox records business since 1997, says, “I’ve
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course of our conversation, Wishart sells three copies of the Charlotte-based band Yardwork’s self-titled EP to three separate customers. He sells an armload of obscure metal LPs to a couple who sheepishly admit to one another, to Wishart, and to me that they didn’t intend to spend so much money. They couldn’t help it. “People like to own things,” Wishart says. “Even though you can go and download anything in the world, if you want to look at the art or something physical, it’s a nicer, more tangible product.” “Me buying 1,000 records is just like some guy that has 200 pairs of shoes in his closet,” he adds. “It’s just different consumer addictions.” And he’s happy to be the well-stocked dealer-of-choice for the Queen City’s discerning music junkies. As record stores close nationwide, Lunchbox keeps its doors open. As the record industry as we know it spirals down a slipstream, wings ablaze, Lunchbox’s CD sales stay constant,
that can’t keep up with demand, the small record labels offering vinyl editions of albums also available on CD or digital formats, or the mere fact that retail giants like Best Buy and Amazon.com have begun making room for vinyl records. What then would bring a younger generation of music fans back to the format their parents discarded years ago? Well, price could be a factor. Used records often sell for much less than a new—or even a used—CD would. While visiting Lunchbox, I bought used vinyl copies of Willie Nelson’s classic Red Headed Stranger and Marvin Gaye’s essential Let’s Get It On for a paltry $6 each. There’s the collectible nature of records, as well. The cover art is much bigger, making them seem more like a keepsake for many consumers. Records also tend to be more limited in quantity than their five-inch counterparts. Most records are limited to only a few thousand— even for bigger releases. Boutique records are often made into limited-edition items
pieces of bone in it, but I like that because it makes it more homey.’”
S
o without audiophile equipment or misguided notions of aural “authenticity,” it would seem consumers are left with little incentive to purchase a record over a CD. And that’s why many records offer a little something extra. On their latest Top 100-charting album, The Second Gleam, Concord’s favorite sons The Avett Brothers offer two extra songs exclusive to the LP version. Many record labels also have begun to include coupons for free mp3 downloads with LPs, giving customers the improved sound quality and novelty of owning vinyl and the convenience of the digital format. But even at a vinyl-centric store like Lunchbox, CDs are still the most prevalent format. “There’s only been a couple months where I’ve sold more records than CDs,” says Wishart. Despite the Chicken Little claims of music industry reports, it
“Then people talk about, ‘Oh, I like the pops and clicks of vinyl.’ If you have pops and clicks in your vinyl you have scratched up records and you’re not taking care of them. That’s not what records are about. Good records sound good.” and even rise some months. And with vinyl’s new vogue status, Lunchbox reaps the benefits of being one of only a small number of retail outlets in town carrying the hip toy. Says Wishart, “Most stores it’s like less than 10 percent of their sales, and for me it’s like around 40 percent from [vinyl] records.” Success stories like Lunchbox are beginning to perk journalists’ ears nationwide, too. News stories in bigtime publications like Time, The Chicago Tribune, Wired Magazine, and NPR all point to a dramatic resurgence in vinyl’s viability as a recording format. Industry statistics showed a 15.4 percent increase in vinyl sales from 2006 to 2007—from 858,000 records to 990,000, overall. But that doesn’t include small stores like Lunchbox. More telling are the record pressing plants 40
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with mere hundreds of copies in existence. Plus, say some consumers, a record just sounds better. Or does it? “If you have good equipment, yes it does sound better,” says Wishart, “But, I mean, most people have crappy record players. If you get one of those crappy USB Ion turntables, and you play it on that, versus a CD player through a real stereo, the CD player’s gonna sound way better.” He adds, “Then people talk about, ‘Oh, I like the pops and clicks of vinyl.’ If you have pops and clicks in your vinyl you have scratched up records and you’re not taking care of them. That’s not what records are about. Good records sound good. If you have pops and clicks then you’re doing something wrong. That’s like saying, ‘I got a hamburger and there’s
seems unlikely the CD will ever disappear entirely. “They’re too cheap to make,” Wishart opines, suggesting the five-inch plastic discs might eventually assume an entirely promotional role, or become the provenance of small, local bands eager to get their music out there quickly and cheaply. This, of course, leaves a wide opportunity for vinyl to reassume its position as the dominant physical format for audio—especially in the realm of independent music. “Some genres never stopped making records,” Wishart says. “All the indie rock stuff always came on records…if you go down to Reggae Central they still sell 45s that they get from Jamaica because they never stopped making them.” And as more and more independent—and even local—bands begin to release records,
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it certainly seems to be possible. The Raleigh-based punk band Double Negative released its debut, The Wonderful and Frightening World of Double Negative, exclusively on vinyl in 2007. It sold out its initial pressing in a matter of days. Wishart runs a boutique label that has released 7-inch eps from local bands Obstruction and Calabi Yau. and the sale of turntables
has increased, as has their availability in mainstream outlets like Urban Outfitters and Target. already, vinyl records have moved beyond the provenance of obsessive collectors and teenagers unearthing their parents’ dusty collections in the attic. The once-obsolete format, it seems, is regaining its footing in a very real way. Just spend
some time in Lunchbox Records watching the customers coming in waves as they file through the store’s inventory for a dusty classic or a shrink-wrapped new release to fill some 12-inch hole. U You can reach Bryan at: bryan.c.reed@gmail.com For more info go to: www.uptownclt.com
The avett Brothers – the second gleam (Ramseur) a spare affair from Scott and Seth avett brings a subdued sound, led by banjo, guitar and the brothers’ preternatural harmonies, to this six-song mini-album. The vinyl version boasts two additional songs. riyL: The Louvin Brothers, Wilco, Bill Monroe Bellafea – cavalcade (Southern) The long-gestating full-length debut from the Chapel Hill-based post-punk trio provides an album bristling with energy. It’s frantic enough to provide an adrenaline rush, but also reined in enough to provide moments of tender beauty. riyL: polvo, Fugazi, Liz phair
Waumiss – Waumiss (Little Ramona) Clarque Blomquist, the bassist of Chapel Hill poprock outfit The Kingsbury Manx, lets down his hair with the assistance of his wife Caroline. The resultant Lp is a wrangling of reggae, phil Spector- esque pop, and electronica. Comes with mp3 download. riyL: The Ronettes, Lee “Scratch” perry, (late) Radiohead
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The Rosebuds – Life Like (Merge) The fourth full-length album from the Raleigh pop act finds the band focusing its lyrics on the natural surroundings of N.C., and its music on rhythmically engaging, guitar-pop—a contrast to 2007’s dance-ready Night of the Furies. riyL: The Smiths, The National, (early) www.uptownclt.com uptown Radiohead
The Foreign exchange – Leave it All Behind (Nicolay Music) The second collaboration between Wilmington-based producer Nicolay and Durham-based MC phonte (of Little Brother). Soulful, intelligent hip-hop laced with ’80s synths and an easy-going attitude. riyL: Little Brother, Kanye West, Common
Lost In The Trees – All Alone in An empty house (Trekky) Using folk-based pop songs rife with lush flourishes of orchestral texture and instrumentation as a template, Lost In The Trees creates a dynamic wellsuited to frontman ari picker’s reedy soliloquies. Vinyl includes CD and mp3 download. riyL: arcade Fire, andrew Bird, Danny elfman
Obstruction – Obstruction 7” (Lunchbox) Old school hardcore punk from the Charlotte band. Five songs of pedal-to-the-metal angst with a deceptive complexity and unshakable groove. The 7-inch record is packaged with a CD-R. riyL: Minor Threat, Black Flag, Bad Brains
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words: kelly gray
Historic, relaxing, stimulating, laid-back, slightly mysterious, altogether lovely Charleston. It’s nearly another world. Luxury with a dash of trendy living thrown in just for fun: all of the conveniences of a city with the particular charm of the Old South—this is a city of stories, some historical, some from only yesterday. Charleston enjoys thousands of visitors, from curious first-timers to those who’ve been coming for year in and year out for a lifetime. The shopping is fabulous, and antiquing in Charleston becomes an almost religious experience. Charleston’s historic homes are majesty. But beyond all of this, there’s an energy that runs through the streets. Charleston is history come alive: its beauty and graces are a bow to centuries long gone. Here, like Spanish moss clinging to the swaying oaks, the presence of the past cloaks everything.
Charleston after all, it’s
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Stay They say buildings take on the characteristics of their owners, which would explain why Charleston’s architecture and atmosphere is so intoxicating. If your hotel guest room feels like home to you, it was likely someone’s bedroom at one point in time. Perhaps a child cradled a baby doll in that very room, or a general bid a loving wife adieu in the west parlor as he left for war. Does the painting in your hotel lobby give you the creeps? Maybe that’s because it’s a portrait of the previous owner from the 17th century, still keeping watch over his beloved home even in the afterlife. The historic inns of Charleston seem to yawn in silent longing for you to stay… stay…. The Planters Inn is no exception. Between fourposter beds, five-star service, your very own teddy bear to snuggle yourself to sleep with, and Bertha’s welcoming smile, this Inn practically grabs your jacket as you walk out the door. Difficult to leave and impossible to forget, Planters Inn is a member of the uber luxurious Relais & Châteaux family of hotels. With just 64 rooms, the Inn is on the corner of Meeting and Market Streets in the heart of Charleston’s historic district. Seated in the Planters Inn front parlor, you can almost feel residents from ages past strolling by, carriages passing as the well-to-do prepare to be received in a nearby Charleston mansion. www.uptownclt.com
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n the parlor of Planters Inn adjacent to the lobby, there’s coffee, tea, lemonade, and such--along with a hearty dose of surroundings that transport you back in time to when parlors were for reading and enjoying afternoon tea, and for receiving important guests. During a recent hurricane, a guest of the Planters Inn sat staring out the parlor window at 5 a.m. The image of a lady and gentleman in 18th century dress hurrying around the corner to escape the coming storm sprang to mind. If the parlor inspires dreams of days gone by, the rich décor of Planters Inn inspires luxury and comfort. Larger-than-life baths, many with whirlpools, fireplaces and adjacent outdoor piazzas with some of the rooms, along with beds that seem to defy gravity make Planters Inn a destination property--you could conceivably come to Charleston just to stay here and eat at Peninsula Grill, the restaurant in the Planters Inn. The Wentworth Mansion is another area hotel deserving of the accolades heaped upon it You’ll understand why The Wentworth is so special as soon as you walk through its massive doors. A feeling of goodness washes over you immediately upon entering. You sense that at some point, love flowed in and out of this place as freely as air. You get the feeling this house has seen it all: happiness and a rush of activity, important milestones, tears of joy--absorbing everything into its great
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walls. Even now, more than a century later, the house still yearns to open its doors and welcome guests. This house seems to loves people. The house gives off a nurturing energy, complimented by the staff, Assistant Innkeeper Victoria Owen in particular, who seems just as happy to see you as the house is. A fine example of America’s Gilded Age, The Wentworth Mansion was a lavish private residence. Hand-carved marble fireplaces flanked by intricate woodwork and Tiffany stained glass windows set the stage for luxurious visits. Wentworth is largely unchanged since the original owner, Francis Silas Rodgers, built it in the 1800s. Rodgers organized the city’s first paid professional fire department and enjoyed watching for fires from the cupola of his house, now a popular place to view Charleston in all its splendor. Guests without budget restrictions should stay in the Grand Mansion Suite, but no matter which room you’re in, the European breakfast buffet served on the sun porch is included in your stay. Between the chaise lounge, seating area next to the fireplace, and an enormous sunken tub, Wentworth Mansion is a precious gem. Eat/Drink Charleston is a town for people who love good food. And it’s difficult to emphasize how good the food is in Charleston without sounding ridiculous, but the city is one of
the gourmet capitals of the world. Alas, patrons at Peninsula Grill agonize over a dizzying menu of items including such delights as Executive Chef Robert Carter’s duck comfit with egg salad, jumbo lump crab, tomato, and spinach salad, or wild mushroom grits with Lowcountry oyster stew. It could take an hour to decide which dishes to order. This chef loves sauces. Though some dining companions might say it’s impolite to double dip, even the most die-hard Southern lady would find herself sopping up any number of sauces with extra helpings of bread. The lobster threeway--ravioli, tempura-style, and sautéed-and seared foie gras with duck barbecue biscuit and Carolina peach jam have earned Chef Carter fame throughout Charleston and beyond. But he is best known for his Ultimate Coconut Cake, handed down to him by his grandmother—it’s so thinly layered that friends have been known to argue over exactly how many there are. Aside from a menu fit for the Gods, the wine list at Peninsula Grill is legendary, thanks to Sommelier Dennis Perry who is an expert at marrying fine wines with Chef Carter’s impossibly delicious courses. She-crab soup is one of a few Lowcountry foods that anyone who can eat seafood must try before they die. Nowhere is there a more perfect example of She-crab soup than at Hank’s Seafood. Here, Executive Chef Frank McMahon serves it up bowl after bowl, and people come from far and wide (literally, they come to Charleston just for his She-crab soup) to drink the sweet-n-salty concoction. There is no contest-- in this writer’s opinion, McMahon’s she-crab soup is the best. Anywhere. Ever. There are many surprises to be had at Hank’s too, and one in particular is inventively virtuous: seared tuna served with roasted tomato, caramelized onion, black olives, and herbed goat cheese. This is a chef who melds flavors into combinations you would never dream of, but man--does he ever pull it off! After the she-crab soup and tuna, just when you think you can’t get any higher, your server will appear with something called peanut butter pie--a specialty at Hank’s
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Seafood. This dessert is what Willy Wonka wished he had in his factory, and could be described as Reese’s peanut butter cups on steroids. Hank’s peanut butter pie is the best peanut butter dessert of all time, amen. Another food-lover’s choice in Charleston dining is Circa 1886, where Executive Chef Marc Collins features Lowcountry items like spicy grilled shrimp
having a crab cake at 82 Queen, home of the Stupid Crab Cake. The real name of the dish is the “82 Queen World Famous Crab Cake with Sweet Red Pepper Coulis,” but it was renamed by the author of this article because it’s just so good that it makes you stupid. Upon tasting this crab cake, you are likely to demand an audience with Executive Chef Brad Jones. Finding out from Chef Jones what’s in the crab cake and how the hell you can make your own may become an obsession. And most importantly, ordering a second crab cake for your table mates can have their own and none of yours is imperative. Thankfully, Chef Jones is accommodating and you discover the option of buying the 82 Queen cookbook with the crab cake recipe in it. Depression ensues when at
Here the very bricks you stand on could bear historic significance. That’s why Charleston after dark is spectacular. At once lovely and ghostly, Charleston at night can be downright creepy. over fried green tomato and Carolina crab cake soufflé, cheese courses and entrees like Key lime scallops and antelope loin. Circa 1886 is part of the Wentworth Mansion and is a favorite with foodies. You can’t come to Charleston without
home your crab cake doesn’t taste nearly as good as the one you had at 82 Queen, which made you stupid to begin with. Naturally there are many other wonderful dishes at 82 Queen, but the crab, well: it just takes the cake. If you find you’ve had one too many orders of shellfish or Lowcountry favorites, Mercato, also in Charleston’s historic district, is an Italian trattoria decked out in deco style. Fresh pasta made on-site along with regional Italian classics are courtesy of Executive Chef Jacques Larson and are as good as many an Italian restaurant you’d find in New York’s Little Italy. Hey, after all, this is Charleston. Good coffee is hard to come by in most cities these days: the onset of a Starbucks on every corner has forced many independently owned coffee shops out of business. About a block from the Market, City Lights coffee shop is everything a coffee shop should be and the perfect place to grab a cup of Joe on your way to greet the city. A tiny place with great coffee, good music, and a completely laidwww.uptownclt.com
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stores. Charleston is chock-full of wondrous antique stores, all of which have something to offer, but serious collectors frequent places like Mary Helen McCoy Fine antiques, on King Street. McCoy personally selects every antique in her exquisite shop, ~Helen Schwab many of which The Charlotte Observer she has traveled 7th st. the world to discover. McCoy 6th st. has an eye for that which sparkles, bobcats arena and customers in the know can’t get enough. an experienced FREE delivery to decorator having uptown residents worked on fax: 333-7441 selected high-end back vibe, places like City Lights are what assignments, McCoy’s sense of style is an helped put Seattle on the urban-chic coffeeadded bonus when you’re choosing a piece shop map in the ‘80s. Though americans to treasure for a lifetime. have somewhat gotten away from the true Here the very bricks you stand on spirit of the american coffee shop in favor could bear historic significance. That’s why of inferior corporate java, the resurgence Charleston after dark is spectacular. at a of places like City Lights means all is not once lovely and ghostly, Charleston at night lost in the coffee-shop universe. Leave it can be downright creepy. ghost tours are to charming Charleston to percolate the available for those who dare, and against success of a place like City Lights. the backdrop of some of the nation’s oldest Do cemeteries and buildings, Charleston has In Charleston you’ll eat, eat, and then duly earned the title of “one of america’s eat some more. good thing Charleston is most haunted cities.” Charleston’s ghost of a walking town, and that the best way the South candlelight tour, open to adults to experience the city is on foot. Just ask and children, takes patrons on a guided resident and historic homeowner Lou walk that stops at a hotel, houses, and Hammond how she gets around. She’ll be the city’s oldest graveyard. Charleston’s the first to tell you she walks everywhere, Original ghost Hunt, also a walking tour by with presto, her long haired dachshund, candlelight, is not for children under 12, and always at the ready for a stroll down to promises to take guests to the city’s most Dulles Designs. Once you’ve purchased infamous haunted locations. Their adultssome of Charleston’s finest custom only tour is based on real ghosts. all tours stationery at this darling boutique, it’s time are led by licensed tour guides. to really do some damage to your checking Once you’ve had the daylights scared account at a few of Charleston’s antique out of you, visit Museum Mile and places
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like the USS Yorktown at patriot’s point, and The Hunley, the world’s first successful combat submarine, which was raised from sea in 2000. For historical-landmark lovers, a good starting point is Drayton Hall, the oldest preserved plantation house in america that’s open to the public. Middleton place is home to america’s oldest landscaped gardens, and Magnolia plantation and gardens, heralded by Charles Kuralt as his “greatest Charleston pleasure,” is one of the top 25 most visited historic houses in america. Boone Hall plantation and gardens originated as a land grant from King Charles II in 1681. Marine life abounds at the South Carolina aquarium, a great destination for families. From Spoleto to the Cooper River Bridge Run, the Charleston Ballet to Harvest Fest, Charleston is a city of layers -- this article barely scratches the surface of what to do. Half the fun is discovering it for yourself. The Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau website lists event specific information to help you plan your visit. Or, you can simply go and let the ghosts of Charleston be your guide. However you come to know her, Charleston will be just fine with that. U You can reach Kelly at: kelly@kelly-gray.com Pictures: courtesy of Keri Morris, CCVB, Wentworth Mansion, Holliday Companies For more info go to: www.uptownclt.com
u resOurces u 82Queen.com u BooneHallPlantation.com BooneHallp BooneHall plantation.com lantation.com u BridgeRun.com u CharlestonCVB.com u CharlestonGhostHunt.com Charlestong Charleston ghostHunt.com hostHunt.com u CharlestonGhostsOfTheSouth.com Charlestong Charleston ghostsOfTheSouth.com hostsOfTheSouth.com u CharlestonMuseumMile.org u Circa1886.com u DraytonHall.org u DullesDesigns.com u HanksSeafoodRestaurant.com u Hunley.org u Magnoliap Magnolia MagnoliaPlantation.com plantation.com lantation.com u Middletonp Middleton MiddletonPlace.org place.org lace.org u patriots p PatriotsPoint.org atriotsp point.org oint.org u PeninsulaGrill.com peninsula p eninsulag grill.com rill.com u Plantersinn.com plantersinn.com p lantersinn.com u SCAquarium.org SCa SC aquarium.org quarium.org u SpoletoUSa SpoletoUS SpoletoUSA.org a.org .org u WentworthMansion.com
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him
trophy husband
your banker on a budget
words: morgan fogarty & sheri joseph
her
Original? Admittedly not. Effective? Hell yes. Take some time this holiday season to give both yourself and your man one of the greatest gifts of all: a revived and rejuvenated love life. Ship the kids to Grandma’s, turn off your crackberries, and make your own Christmas miracle. If dressing up like a sexy Santa’s helper is what it takes to get things jump-started under the mistletoe, then what are you waiting for? Where? Assorted goodies at The Red Door 200 East Woodlawn Rd. 704.523.5332 How Much? Prices vary depending on level of naughtiness
Ok, so buying a vintage-inspired motorcycle for your man is a big-ticket purchase up front. But with gas prices continuing to soar, a lot of people are turning to bikes to ease the pain at the pump and save cash. Enter the Royal Enfield Bullet Deluxe: it gets 75 miles to the gallon. Saving the environment never looked so totally retro-chic. And by the way, parking a Bullet in your driveway will make you the envy of all your West Coast friends: even though the Bullet is EPA certified, it’s not sold in the Golden State because the California Air Resources Board doesn’t currently certify small- or medium-volume motorcycles. Where? Royal Enfield Motorcycle Union Cycle, in Indian Trail 704.821.3719; ask for Carl, the owner How Much? $5,450
Cuff links get a bad rap as a boring, unoriginal gift. But actually, they’re chock-full of history. It’s said that a gentleman is not supposed to buy his own cufflinks. Instead, it was tradition to present them as gifts, the provenance of each pair providing a story to tell. Historians say cuff links predate even the shirt. There’s a National Cuff Link Society, even a cuff link museum, in New Hampshire. The most expensive cuff links ever sold were a pair given to a soon-to-be king by his wife that featured diamonds set in platinum. Those sold at auction for $440,000. You can get a much more affordable version at Tiffany & Co. and start your own family tradition. Where? Tiffany & Co., South Park Mall 704.365.7773 How Much? Prices vary; cuff links pictured, in titanium and sterling silver, retail for $375
My husband saw me researching gift ideas for this issue of Uptown and freaked out when I asked if the “Richard Petty Driving Experience” would pique his interest. Apparently men still like fast cars, and the folks over at RPDE aim to please. They describe it as a “hands-on, high-speed driving adventure where race fans sit behind the wheel of a stock car like the one that made Richard Petty ‘The King.’” In other words, your man will go fast. Really fast. And he’ll thank you for it well into the new year. There are 25 RPDE locations across the country, but we’ve got the headquarters in our backyard so there’s no reason to not add this to your holiday shopping list. Where? Richard Petty Driving Experience Concord, N.C. (800-BE-PETTY or online at 1800bePetty.com) How Much? Ride-Along Programs start at $99; Driving Experiences start at $399
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Nothing says “Bah humbug!” like telling your loved one that you think she might have overdosed on the eggnog and needs a little lipo. Therefore, I am not suggesting you get your loved one a gift card for a little nip-tuck. However, the good people at Metrolina Plastic Surgery offer far more than surgery, such as lots of relaxing facial treatments, including chemical peels. Peels improve and smooth the texture of your skin and can be used to treat blemishes, fine wrinkles, enlarged pores, acne, and uneven skin pigmentation. No matter if your loved one’s face is old or young, tan or pale, wrinkled or smooth--every girl should get a chemical peel. They vary in concentration and some can be performed over a lunch break. Let 2009 start off with smooth skin! Where? Metrolina Plastic Surgery 10620 Park Road 704.541.7654 How Much? Skin care procedures can be very affordable, call Metrolina for exact prices
For the environmentally friendly yet glamorous Queen City celebutante in your life, Oscar-nominated actress--and animal activist--Natalie Portman designed a surprisingly fierce line of totally vegan shoes for Té Casan. From ballet flats to boots to sexy sandals, there’s a style for every season and every occasion. Oh, and Portman is donating 100 percent of her proceeds from the Fall 2008 collection to Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, an organization dedicated to providing veterinary care to mountain gorillas afflicted with life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Where? Té Casan Shoes Online at TeCasan.com How Much? $185 - $395 (Pictured are the limited-edition “Paloma,” available in gold, silver, red, and purple; they retail for $275)
Every woman deserves a wickedly gorgeous pair of big, smoky designer shades at some point, and these easy, classic accessories can be worn at work or play and still make a “Jackie O” impact. And trust me, every lovely lady, including yours, wants a little “Jackie O” in her life. The sweet staff at Sally’s Optical Secrets can hook you up with the perfect pair. Where? Allure Vision in the Ivey’s Building 704.887.9728 Allurevision.net How Much? Prices vary (Pictured are “Ballerina” sunglasses, by Oliver Peoples)
You know how a lot of kids prefer the box their holiday gift came in to the gift itself? The Bilibo capitalizes on that irony. A young Swiss designer developed the toy after analyzing children at play. No bells and no whistles. No flashing lights. Nothing fancy at all, in fact. Nope, Bilibo relies on something your tot already has in abundance: imagination. Little Susie will use it to rock and spin. Little Jimmy might use it for roleplaying and make-believe. Your kid might use Bilibo to build a sandcastle, or to sled in some imaginary North Carolina snow. The toy, which has won more than a half-dozen awards, is made for children one year and up. The best part? It’s wonderfully budget-friendly! Where? Looby Loo 9852 Rea Road 704.544.3110, or online at SmallTimeChild.com How Much? $28
An oldie but a goodie! If you’re one of the few people in Charlotte who has yet to browse Paper Skyscraper, drag yourself out from beneath that rock you’re living under and get to it. Paper Skyscraper sells unique books and stationery and cards and games and gifts and frames and toys and jewelry and art and bath goodies and pet gifts--too much to mention. Just get over there. Even if you’re on a tight budget (or no budget at all), you’re bound to find something. Where? Assorted Gifts Galore Paper Skyscraper 330 East Blvd. 704.333.7130 How Much? Prices vary
In the heart of South End, a cozy women’s clothing boutique is making a name for itself throughout the Charlotte area. Everything in Eileen is modern yet classic--and all of it’s under a hundred bucks. That includes jackets, pants, tops, dresses, foundation garments, and even handbags and designer jewelry, like the $45 multicharm necklace, by Catherine Popesco, pictured here, made in Popesco’s French workshop and shipped to Charlotte. Eileen is a “must see” for holiday shoppers. Where? Eileen’s 1800 Camden Road 704.372.1002 ShopEileen.com How Much? Everything is less than $100, with some jewelry as low as $6
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You gotta hand it to him: this guy sure could talk a big game--but was it all yammering bullocks? Some people read the Wall Street Journal, but most count on the Wall Street Guru Magic Eight-Ball. All of life’s most difficult questions answered. Where? Wall Street Guru Magic Eight-Ball Paper Skyscraper 330 East Blvd. in Dilworth 704.333.7130 How Much? $10
Sure, he told you Google was for losers and Fannie and Freddie were forever, but you like the guy and hate to see him cry--well, it was fun for a bit, but enough already. Give your Financial Advisor something to smile about with these tokens of heartfelt appreciation and hope for the future. The bubble has burst and it’s back to basics: save your dough. This bank is large enough to accommodate the coin he’ll need for the repo man. Hubris is a buzzkiller. Where? My 1st Piggy Bank Paper Skyscraper 330 East Blvd. in Dilworth 704.333.7130 How Much? $27
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He was once so dapper, you were slightly jealous. Recently, however, you saw him at Trade & Tryon hawking his fave Ferragamo ties for pennies. Give the gift of Southern luxury to a man who can truly appreciate it. Images from agriculture to watermelon are sure to tempt him back to checkin’ on the pork bellies. Where? Southern Proper Necktie Fairclough and Co. How Much? $68
Your man looks good in anything, but he looks best buff, bronzed, and with an iron in his hand. Help him press any mess with the Laundress all natural “crease release” in Classic Scent. The less time he spends doing the laundry, the more time he has to massage your bunions. Where? The Laundress Crease Release NOFO on Liz 1609 Elizabeth Avenue 704.444.9002 How Much? $13
You can’t just sit back and relax when you’ve got a trophy husband; you’ve got to continually raise the bar to ensure his happiness. Off-the-shelf Jack Daniel’s or Jim Beam should never touch his lips. Instead, invest in some of the best small-batch American aged bourbon on the market. It’s in short supply and prices are going up--so much so that it would be prudent to put a couple bottles away to replace the money you lost in your 401(k). You need the best for your trophy right now, though--and that’s going to be Prichard’s Double Barreled Bourbon. It’s going for $60 a fifth right now, but with only eight barrels remaining the price for his happiness will only go up. Where? Enthusiasticspirits.com 845.255.0600 How Much? $60
Your man can’t ride just any old bicycle; he needs the most comfortable, cutting-edge bike on the planet. Plus, he can’t ride around with his buddies on the same carbon-fiber clunker he’s been riding for the past couple months--he needs something new! And you need to give it to him. It’s the Renovo hardwood bike. Not titanium, not carbon-fiber, not some hybrid material that sounds like it comes from the Russian space program. The Renovo is made of hardwood, just like the most successful airplane fighters of World War II. Make it extra special be selecting the specific wood you want. You might have to wait in line, and it’s coming from out West, but you’ll know it’s worth it when you see him jump into his spandex and ride off into the sunset. Where? Renovo hardwood bicycles renovobikes.com 503.231.4888 How Much? $2,300 and up
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words: celina mincey pictures: fenix fotography
conversation
Louis Foreman Five Notable Dorm Room Businesses u Dell u Facebook u FedEx u 1-800 Contacts u University Sportswear
You can picture it. A slow night, sitting with a few good buddies, a few more good beers. Something in your conversation or on the tube sparks an idea. “Hey,” you begin, and then tentatively describe your initial concept. “You know what they need to make?”
Your friends smirk at first, waiting to descend on your “bright” idea with criticism. But your listeners are surprised to hear ingenuity and venture encouragement. “Hey, that is a good idea.”
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E
mboldened by the feedback, you begin creating additional features. Your idea is taking off as you speak, until you are convinced consumers need your product, that there’s no way it wouldn’t make millions. Your friends agree, add aspects to your plan, and confirm, “You totally need to do it, man.” In all the excitement, someone makes the mistake of carrying the brainstorming into the realm of practicalities. “Do you think they could make it over in China or what?” This turns the tide from dreaming to doing. “What would you call it?” Ideas for catchy names stumble out of everyone’s mouth at once, followed by much laughter, then more names, until the suggestions turn first ridiculous, then lewd, until no one can further the conversation through all the laughs. The whole thing made for a good evening with friends, and provided material for side jokes throughout the coming weeks, as you all return to your day jobs. 64
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You are not the only one. Louis Foreman, founder and CEO of Enventys, says that 100 percent of people have good ideas, but 89 percent of those people will never actually take steps toward becoming an entrepreneur to see those ideas through. Foreman is of the 11 percent of the population willing to not only begin taking those steps, but also to take the risk required to launch his “pipedream.” Foreman executed on his sophomore idea for a dorm-room business, and after graduation parlayed University Sportswear into the nation’s 24th largest screen-printing company. In 2002, he created Enventys so that you, too, can turn your great idea into a money-making reality. Enventys launched Everyday Edisons, a nationally televised PBS reality show designed to fully support amateur inventors. The show holds casting calls around the nation, giving the public a chance to show off their brainchildren. Ten to 14 lucky ideas are chosen each season. Up to $500,000 is
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invested toward the refinement, development, packaging, branding, marketing, and sales placement of the product. The show has been a success, and is currently filming its third season, but Foreman is not content. “We can only choose a relatively small percentage of all the great ideas we see out there.” Foreman aims to break the old paradigm that if you want to invent a new product and get it to market you either have to be rich or risk everything. Traditionally, a would-be inventor is responsible for securing a patent (up to $10,000) and then building a working prototype (another $20,000 to $40,000). Then, the inventor still has to somehow get the attention of a retailer or manufacturer. Issues of production, distribution, packaging, and marketing haven’t even been addressed yet! “Many people can’t, or aren’t willing, to spend the time, energy, and money it would really take to act on a business idea. Others just don’t desire the style of work that being an entrepreneur demands.” Foreman has a radical twist: treat intellectual capital as a form of currency. To accomplish this, his company created Edison Nation (at edisonnation.com), a website that connects innovative thinkers and creative professionals with one another as well as with product development and commercialization opportunities. Foreman sees it as the “MySpace or Facebook of the inventing world,” with the goal of making product development accessible for anyone interested in bringing an idea to the market and reduce the time, energy, and money that manufacturers and retailers pour into research and development. Companies can use the site to make specific design calls, or search the site for new concepts. Individuals, while keeping their day jobs, can post their brilliant innovations and earn money for just that—their ideas. Enventys is more than a TV show and a website. Walk back through a refurbished industrial area known as Third Ward Warehouse District. At the end of a dead-end road, just as you are about convinced you are lost, there’s a gorgeous brick and mortar warehouse. A fully rehabbed gristmill, built in 1904, it is the perfect creative space for Foreman’s company of engineers, industrial designers, branding and marketing experts, web designers, sales and commercialization specialists, and sourcing experts. Enventys is a full-service product development company. While Enventys works mostly with mid-sized companies to either revitalize a product by fine-tuning its design, packaging or marketing, or to launch an entirely new product to the companies’ existing distribution channels, they have the capacity to work on all steps of the process, from a sketch on a napkin to sales. By the time Foreman created Enventys, he had already owned, run, and successfully sold two major businesses. He was in semiretirement, taking time to see what was next for him, and had began running out of friends who could take days off to play golf with him. “I began thinking about how I could give back.” Foreman started volunteering, teaching small business classes at CPCC, and got interested in the idea of mentoring. But Foreman wasn’t thinking on a small scale. He combined the idea of mentoring with his business experience. He knew that companies often have huge departments: PR, marketing, development, and so on. This model is great as long www.uptownclt.com
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as products are selling well, but when something isn’t successful, there’s no accountability. Was it the packaging? The branding? Maybe the pricing or market placement? It’s hard to tell, especially since each department tends to put the blame elsewhere, even as the company loses money. Foreman developed Enventys to provide a cost-effective and accountable way to bring products to market, envisioning his firm as a “mentor” to companies, helping them improve products or invent new products while providing a streamlined, accountable approach. Companies can cut back on costly research-and-development efforts and focus instead on manufacturing and distributing its product. It was in running Enventys that Foreman saw the need for his other ventures, Everyday Edisons and Edison Nation. “Along the way, while working with these companies, we always ended up talking to a lot of inventors, and were willing to listen and give advice, but it wasn’t very efficient. I realized I couldn’t help everyone.” Foreman also spends a lot of time in speaking engagements or giving seminars—all pro-bono—all in an effort to “give back.” This format, though he might speak to 300 people and outline his approach to entrepreneurship, is not very scalable. “Even a couple of hundred people at a time, when you think about it, that’s a slow process.” He’s hoping the website will finally propel Enventys’ concepts to the full population of potential inventors. “What if you could actually monetize your ideas? What if you could create liquidity without doing anything more than presenting your concept?” Foreman asks these questions hoping they will entice you, but they also state the very goals of Edison Nation. The next time you have that unexpected brainstorm, Foreman’s advice is not to brush it off, but to try to capitalize on it. He warns that there are many scams out there, people trying to harvest other people’s ideas without compensating them. Edison Nation is a good place to start, a place to learn about the process and what pitfalls to avoid. Foreman has an even larger context for the new paradigm he advocates, beyond helping individual inventors get paid for their ideas and helping companies develop products more efficiently. “The common thread of all my current businesses are that they enable innovation. All of them are ways of helping people and companies be more creative.” He explains the global importance of this, that since the U.S. doesn’t have low-cost manufacturing or a cost-efficient work force, the only thing left to separate it from other countries is great ideas. “If we lost this edge, it is then that we are in trouble. Just because things are made elsewhere, they can continue to be created here.” In short, Foreman envisions an idea nation. U You can reach Celina at: celinamincey@yahoo.com For more info go to www.uptownclt.com u resOurces u enventys.com u edisonnation.com u everydayedisons.com u inventorsdigest.com 66
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Webs
cLArice nArrOWs her eyes At A the White-hAireD LADy in the BLAcK chAneL suit sitting across from her at a small round table in gateway plaza. “ dria Owens Setzler, you say? If this was an Italian film and “a I was Ursula andress ndress I would probably say something like, ‘‘ah! It all makes sense to me now,’” Clarice laughs. “Only it doesn’t. Obviously you know my connections to the Setzler and Owens family. But I didn’t realize there was any direct correlation between the two.” Clarice cradles her forehead in her hand, momentarily shaking her head from side to side as though she is trying to make some sense of the confusion swirling around inside her brain. “So--just exactly who are you?” “I was paul Setzler’s wife, my dear,” adria explains. “Remember that story about the young girl that was killed in the car crash with him back in the ‘50s?” “Yeah,” Clarice answers slowly. “That was my oldest sister Marie. You see, back in that time my family and the Setzlers were both part of Charlotte society. We were all friends, darling. everything was all gay and exciting and we were all enjoying ourselves so much until paul made the dreadful mistake of killing my sister. “He didn’t mean to, of course, but for most of the Setzlers and Owens, it pretty much drove a permanent wedge between the two families. “But you married him anyway?” “He was my second husband and it was many, many years later. Both of my dear parents were gone by then and just my younger sister and two brothers were still alive. There was an age difference between paul and I--about ten years--I didn’t actually know who he was when I first met him. By the time I found out that he was responsible for my sister’s death, I knew him to be a sweet, caring man who would never do anything to hurt another person intentionally.” “Oh really? Clarice’s voice becomes somewhat agitated. “What about the dried-out mummy girl from the basement of St. peter’s we found a couple of years ago? Do you think he was kind and sweet to her?” adria falls silent and stares into her cup of coffee. “We don’t know the circumstances surrounding that girl’s death--it could have been an accident. I didn’t know about it until I returned to the States last year,” she offers sullenly. “Where were you?”
words: david moore
“ little French village called Mougins. paul and I split up ten “a years before his death, but we never divorced. I guess you could say we stayed friendly, but we didn’t see each other again and only spoke by phone a few times.” Clarice runs the fingers of her left hand through her massive red mane, pushing a sizable clump behind her ear. It’s something she always does when she is either perplexed, or deep in thought. Clearly this was perplexed hair play. “Why are you here?” Clarice asks suspiciously. ““and what is it you want my help with?” “I’m here because it was time to come home,” adria says off-handedly. “ nd I’m going to ask two things of you.” “a “Hang on a second--I don’t even know you--why should I help you?” “I have lots of money. I intend on giving you some of it for your efforts.” “go on.” “ ll right. Remember the little man that carjacked you, and “a later showed up with the stolen car at your last exhibit?” “How could I forget him?” “Have you seen him again since?” “I couldn’t swear to it, but there have been a couple of times I’ve looked out my window and, yes, I thought I saw him looking up at me from the street below. Then there was another time I saw a man sitting on the steps of a crypt in elmwood Cemetery. He was eating a sandwich and talking to himself. That looked like him, too. I tried to convince myself I was just being paranoid.” “I don’t think you are,” adria says knowingly. “That’s my brother Raymond. I’m not sure why, dear, but he seems to have developed some kind of an obsession for you. My sister Tessa was the one who made the connection. For whatever reason, you’ve become a focal point for him. No matter how hard we try, we can’t find him. It’s as though he knows we’re looking for him and he doesn’t want to be found. I want you to help us find our brother.” “So--lemme get this straight--you want me to be bait while you come in from the rear with a tranquilizer gun?” “You don’t have to overly dramatize it so, darling. Raymond is relatively harmless. He’s just off his rocker when he doesn’t get his medication. He needs someone to step in and help him. If you could be the kind-hearted soul who offers a scrap of food to a starving feral cat, I’d be eternally in your debt for
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helping me save my brother’s life.” “I have to give this some thought,” Clarice says, sighing heavily. “I’m afraid to ask, what’s the second thing?” “I want you to help me get the family home back. I think you know--it was auctioned off to a real estate developer and it’s in danger of being demolished. It’s my hope to restore the house so that Raymond and I can live out the rest of our days there. and then there will be something to pass on to my sister’s children when we’re finally gone.” “I don’t know exactly what I can do, but I’ll do whatever I can to help you save that house. It’s beautiful. It’s been around for over 150 years. It deserves to go on living.” “I’m glad to hear it,” adria beams. “Why don’t we start this off as civilized as possible?” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a checkbook and flips it open on the table in front of her. With a pen she jots down some words and numbers and dashes off her signature. She rips the check from the book and flutters it back and forth in the breeze a few times, apparently trying to hasten the ink-drying process. With a sense of grandeur about as subtle as a peacock displaying its feathers, adria passes the check into Clarice’s hands. “There my dear. What do you think of that?” Clarice glances down at the six-figure sum and swallows hard, trying not to act as though the amount is anything out of the ordinary. “Let’s just say I’m paying you to be my personal assistant for a little while, shall we?” “I think we can say that,” Clarice offers with a nod, as she folds the check and reaches for her wallet inside of her shoulder bag. From a pocket on the inside flap of the bag her cell phone emits a bird-like chirping sound that she has assigned as Marshall’s personal ring tone. She snatches the phone from its resting place and shoots her eyes in adria’s direction. “excuse me for a second--I need to take this.” ”Marshall?” “Hey Clarice...it’s me. You still coming over for dinner tonight?” “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. I think I figured out the friend I wanna bring along, too.” “Who is it?” “Let’s just make it a surprise. I don’t think you’d believe me if I told you. See you at seven.” Clarice closes the flip phone, holding it tight in her hand as she rests her chin on her closed fist. “ dria, are you free about seven o’clock?” “a “Of course, dear. What are we doing?” “Dinner with someone you need to meet.” U You can reach David at: davidmoore@post.com Read the stories leading up to this one online at uptownclt.com 78
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Dining and Nightlife Guide AMERICAN alexander michael’s – $ 401 W. 9th St. 704.332.6789 Brevard court sundries – $ 145 Brevard Court 704.342.4700 camilles – $ 1518 E. 3rd St. 704.342.4606 cans – $ 500 W. 5th St. 704.940.0200 cedar street tavern – $ 120 N. Cedar St. 704.333.3448 champions – $ 100 W. Trade St. - Marriott Hotel 704.333.9000 comet Grill – $ 2224 Park Rd. 704.371.4300 cosmos cafe – $ 300 N. College St. 704.372.3553 Dogwood cafe – $ 138 Brevard Court 704.376.8353 east Boulevard Grill – $ 1601 East Blvd. 704.332.2414 ember Grille – $$$ 601 S. College St. WestinHotel 704.335.2064 Fenwick’s – $ 511 Providence Rd. 704.333.2750 Fox and Hound – $ 330 N. Tryon St. 704.333.4113 French Quarter – $ 321 S. Church St. 704.377.7415 the Graduate – $ 1308 E. The Plaza 704.332.8566 John’s country Kitchen – $ 1518 Central Ave. 704.333.9551 Pike’s soda shop – $ 1930 Camden Rd. 704.372.0097 Presto Bar and Grill – $ 445 W. Trade St. 704.334.7088 Providence café – $ $ 829 Providence R d. 704.376.2008 Providence road sundries – $ 1522 Providence Rd. 704.366.4467 rock Bottom – $ 401 N. Tryon St. 704.334.2739 selwyn Pub – $ 2801 Selwyn Ave. 704.333.3443 simmons Fourth Ward restaurant estaurant – $ 516 N. Graham St. 704.334.6640 something classic café – $ 715 Providence Rd. 704.347.3666 south 21 – $ 3101 E. Independence Blvd. 704.377.4509 southend Brewery – $$ 2100 South Blvd. 704.358.4677 stool Pigeons – $ 214 N. Church St. 704.358.3788 the Gin mill south end – $ 1411 S. Tryon St. 704.373.0782 the Graduate – $ 123 W. Trade St. 704.358.3024 the Penguin – $ 1921 Commonwealth Ave. 704.375.6959 the Philosopher’s stone – $ 1958 E. Seventh St. 704.350.1331 the Pub – $ 710 West Trade St. 704.333.9818 thomas street tavern – $ 1218 Thomas Ave. 704.376.1622 tic toc coffeeshop – $ 512 N. Tryon St. 704.375.5750 union Grille – $ 222 E 3rd St. – Hilton Towers 704.331.4360 vinnie’s sardine – $ 1714 South Blvd. 704-332-0006 Zack’s Hamburgers – $ 4009 South Blvd. 704.525.1720
AMERICAN MODERN 131 main – $$ 1315 East Blvd. 300 east – $$ 300 East Blvd.
704.343.0131 704.332.6507
Bentley’s on 27 – $$$ 201 S. College St. Fl. 27 704.343.9201 (Charlotte Plaza Building) Bonterra restaurant – $$$ 1829 Cleveland Ave. 704.333.9463 carpe Diem – $$$ 1535 Elizabeth Ave. 704.377.7976 city tavern – $$ 1514 East Blvd. 704.343.2489 city tavern – $$ 214 N. Tryon St. 704.334.6688 custom shop – $$$ 1601 Elizabeth Ave. 704.333.3396 Fig tree – $$$ 1601 E. Seventh St. 704.332.3322 Harry & Jeans 201 S. Tryon St. 704.333.4300 Lulu – $$ 1911 Central Ave. 704.376.2242 mcninch House – $$$ 511 N. Church St. 704.332.6159 mimosa Grill – $$ 301 S. Tryon St. 704.343.0700 monticello – $$ 235 N. Tryon St. – Dunhill Hotel 704.342.1193 Pewter rose Bistro – $$ 1820 South Blvd. 704.332.8149 ratcliffe on the Green – $$ 435 S. Tryon St. 704.358.9898 taverna 100 – $$$ 100 N. Tryon St. – Founder’s Hall 704.344.0515 Zown restaurant – $$ 710 W. Trade St. 704.379.7555 Zink – $$ 201 N. Tryon St. 704.444.9001
ASIAN 88 china Bistro – $ 1620 E. 4th St. 704.335.0288 cherry Blossom – $ 2001 E. 7th St. 704.376.0880 china King – $ 128 Brevard Ct. 704.334-7770 china Queen Buffet – $ 127 N. Tryon St. Ste 3 704.377.1928 china saute – $ 2214 Park Rd 704.333.1116 creation – $ 1221-A The Plaza 704.372.2561 cuisine malaya – $ 1411 Elizabeth Ave. 704.372.0766 Dim sum – $ 2920 Central Ave. 704.569.1128 eggroll King – $ 8907 Steelechase Dr. 704.372.6401 emperor chinese – $ 337 S. Kings Dr. 704.333.2688 Fortune cookie – $ 208 East Independence Blvd. 704.377.1388 Fujiyama – $ 320 S. Tryon St. 704.334.5158 Fuse Box – $ 227 W. Trade St. 704.376.8885 Ginbu 401 – $ 401 Providence Rd. 704.372.2288 Great Wok – $ 718 W Trade St. Ste M 704.333.0080 Ho Ho china Bistro – $ 1742 Lombardy Cir. 704.376.0807 Hong Kong – $ 1713 Central Ave. 704.376.6818 Koko – $ 6609 Elfreda Rd. 704.338.6869 monsoon thai cuisine – $ 2801 South Blvd. 704.523.6778 orient express – $ 3200 N Graham St. 704.332.6255 Pho an Hoa – $ 4832 Central Ave. 704.537.2595 Pho Hoa – $ 3000 Central Ave. 704.536.7110 soHo Bistro – $ 214 N Tryon St. 704.333.5189
thai taste – $ 324 East Blvd. 704.332.0001 taipei express – $ 731 Providence Rd. 704.334.2288 tin tin Box & noodles – $ 101 N. Tryon St. 704.377.3223 Zen asian Fusion – $ 1716 Kenilworth Ave. 704.358.9688
BAKERY cloud 9 confections – $ 201 S. College St. Suite 270 Great Harvest Bread – $ 901 S. Kings Dr. marguerite’s Bakery – $ 2424 N. Davidson St. nova’s Bakery – $ 1511 Central Ave. Panera Bread – $ 601 Providence Rd.
704.334.7554 704.333.0431 704.675.5756 704.333.5566 704.374.0581
BARBEQUE art’s Barbecue – $ 900 E. Morehead St. 704.334.9424 Jolina tex mex & BBQ – $ 500 S. College St. 704.375.0994 mac’s speed shop – $ 2511 South Blvd. 704.522.6227 rib Palace – $ 1300 Central Ave. 704.333.8841
BREAKFAST art’s Barbecue – $ 900 E. Morehead St. 704.334.9424 coffee cup – $ 914 S. Clarkson St. 704.375.8855 einstein Brothers – $ 201 S. Tryon St. 704.332.4015 einstein Brothers – $ 1501 South Blvd. 704.333.4370 iHoP – $ 2715 E. Independence Blvd. 704.334.9502 monticello – $$ 235 N. Tryon St. – Dunhill Hotel 704.342.1193 owen’s Bagel & Deli – $ 2041 South Blvd. 704.333.5385 tic toc coffeeshop – $ 512 N. Tryon St. 704.375.5750
BRITISH Big Ben’s Pub – $ 801 Providence R d.
704.334.6338
CAJUN & CREOLE Boudreaux’s Louisiana Kitchen – $ 501 E. 36th St. 704.331.9898 cajun Queen – $$ 1800 E 7th St. 704.377.9017
C A R I B B E A N anntony’s caribbean cafe – $ 2001 E. 7th St. 704.342.0749 austin’s caribbean cuisine – $ 345 S. Kings Dr. 704.331.8778
CHINESE 88 china Bistro – $ 1620 E. 4th St. 704.335.0288 v vanloi chinese Barbecue – $ 3101 Central Ave. 704.566.8808 Wok express – $ 601 S. Kings Dr. 704.375.1122
COFFEESHOPS caribou coffee – $ 100 N. Tryon St.
704.372.5507
Dilworth coffee – $ 1235 East Blvd # B, 704.358.8003 330 S Tryon St, 704.334.4575 Dilworth Playhouse cafe – $ 1427 South Blvd. 704.632.0336 einstein Brothers – $ $ - 201 S. Tryon St. 704.332.4015 einstein instein Brothers – $ 1501 South Blvd. 704.333.4370 Java Passage – $ 101 W. Worthington 704.277.6558 Jump n Joe’s Java Joint – $ 105 E. Morehead St. 704.372.3217 La tea Da’s – $ 1942 E. 7th St. 704.372.9599 nova’s Bakery – $ 1511 Central Ave. 704.333.5566 sK netcafe – $ 1425 Elizabeth Ave. 704.334.1523 starbucks – $ 545 Providence Rd. 704.372.1591 starbucks – $ 101 S. Tryon St. 704.374.9519 tic toc coffeeshop – $ 512 N. Tryon St. 704.375.5750
DELI adams 7th street market – $ 401 Hawthorne Ln. 704.334.0001 art’s Barbecue – $ 900 E. Morehead St. 704.334.9424 common market – $ 2007 Commonwealth Ave. 704.334-6209 Dikadee’s Deli – $ 1419 East Blvd. 704.333.3354 Dogwood cafe – $ 138 Brevard Court 704.376.8353 Fresco cafe & Deli – $ 3642 Moultrie St. 704.376.5777 Grand central Deli – $ 101 N. Tryon St. 704.348.7032 Great Harvest Bread co. – $ 901 S. Kings Dr. 704.333.0431 Groucho’s Deli – $ 201 N. Tryon St. 704.342.0030 Halfpenny’s – $ 30 T Two First Union Ctr. 704.342.9697 Jersey mike’s subs – $ 128 S. Tryon St. 704.343.0006 Jersey mike’s subs – $ 1408 East Blvd. 704.295.9155 Jersey mikes subs – $ 2001 E. 7th St. 704.375.1985 Jump n Joe’s Java Joint – $ 105 E. Morehead St. 704.372.3217 Laurel market south – $ 1515 South Blvd. 704.334.2185 Leo’s Delicatessen – $ 1421 Elizabeth Ave. 704.375.2400 Li’l Dino – $ 401 S. Tryon St. 704.342.0560 matt’s chicago Dog – $ 425 S. Tryon St. 704.333.3650 owen’s Bagel & Deli – $ 2041 South Blvd. 704.333.5385 Panera Bread – $ 601 Providence Rd. 704.374.0581 Philadelphia Deli – $ 1025 S. Kings Dr. 704.333.4489 Phil’s tavern – $ 105 E. Fifth St. 704.347.0035 rainbow café – $ 400 South Tryon 704.332.8918 reid’s – $ 225 E. 7th St. 704.377.1312 ri-ra irish Pub – $ 208 N. Tryon St 704.333.5554 salvador Deli – $ N. Davidson St. 704.334.2344 sammy’s Deli – $ 1113 Pecan Ave. 704.376.1956
Dining and Nightlife Guide sandwich club – $ 525 N. Tryon St. sandwich club – $ 435 S. Tryon St. substation ii - $ 1601 South Blvd 1941 E. 7th St.
704.334.0133 704.344.1975 704-332-3100 704-358-8100
DESSERT Ben & Jerry’s – $ 507 Providence Rd. 704.333.1003 Dairy Queen – $ 1431 Central Ave. 704.377.4294 Dolce ristorante – $$ 1710 Kenilworth Ave. 704.332.7525 Luce ristorante – $$ 214 N. Tryon St. – Hearst Plaza 704.344.9222 monticello – $$ 235 N. Tryon St.– Dunhill Hotel 704.342.1193
ECLECTIC the melting Pot – $$$ 901 S. Kings Dr. Stuite 140-B 704.548.2431 therapy cafe – $ 401 N. Tryon St. 704.333.1353 the Fig tree – $$ 1601 E. 7th St. 704.332.3322
FRENCH terra – $$ 545-B Providence Rd.
704.332.1886
GREEK Greek isles – $$ 200 E. Bland St. showmars – $ 2004 East 7th St. showmars – $ 214 N. Tryon St.
704.444.9000 704.376.0565 704.333.5833
INDIAN copper – $$ 311 East Blvd. maharani – $ 901 S. Kings Dr. suruchi’s – $ 129 W. Trade St.
Luce ristorante & Bar – $$$ 214 N. Tryon St. – Hearst Plaza 704.344.9222 mama ricotta’s – $$ 601 S. Kings Dr. 704.343.0148 open Kitchen – $ 1318 W. Morehead St. 704.375.7449 Pasta & Provisions – $ 1528 Providence Rd. 704.364.2622 Portofino’s italian – $$ 3124 Eastway Dr. 704.568.7933 Primo ristorante – $$ 116 Middleton Dr. 704.334.3346 cafe siena – $$ 230 N. College St. 704.602.2750 salute ristorante – $$ 613 Providence Rd 704.342.9767 terra – $$ 545-B Providence Rd. 704.332.1886 villa Francesca 321 Caldwell St. 704.333.7447 volare – $$ v 1523 Elizabeth Ave. 704.370.0208 Zio authentic italian – $$ 116 Middleton Dr. 704.344.0100
L AT I N cloud 9 confections – $ 201 S. College St. 704.334.7554 Latorre’s – $$ 118 W. 5th St. 704.377.4448 coffee cup – $ 914 S. Clarkson St. 704.375.8855
M E AT & T H R E E Dish – $ 1220 Thomas Ave. 704.344.0343 mert’s Heart & soul – $ 214 N. College St. 704.342.4222 Blue – $$$ 214 N. Tryon St. 704.927.2583 intermezzo Pizzeria & café – $ 1427 E. 10th Street 704.347.2626
MEXICAN 704.333.0063 704.370.2824 704.372.7333
I TA L I A N carrabba’s italian Grill – $$ 1520 South Blvd. 704.377.2458 coco osteria – $$ 214 N. Tryon St.–Hearst Plaza 704.344.8878 Dolce ristorante – $$ 1710 Kenilworth Ave. 704.332.7525 Fig tree – $$$ 1601 E. 7th St. 704.332.3322 Frankie’s italian Grille – $$ 800 E. Morehead St. 704.358.8004 Hawthorne’s nY Pizza – $ 1701 E. 7th St. 704.358.9339 intermezzo Pizzeria & café – $ 1427 E. 10th St. 704.347.2626 Little italy – $ 2221 Central Ave. 704.375.1625
cabo Fish taco – $ 3201 N. Davidson St. Johnny Burrito – $ 301 S. Tryon St. La Paz – $$ 1910 South Blvd. Phat Burrito – $ 1537 Camden Rd. salsarita’s – $ 101 S. Tryon St. taqueria La unica – $ 2801 Central Ave.
704.332.8868 704.371.4448 704.372.4168 704.332.7428 704.342.0950 704.347.5115
MIDDLE EASTERN Kabob Grill – $ 1235-B East Blvd.
704.371.8984
OUTDOOR DINING Big Ben’s Pub – $$ 801 Providence Rd. cans Bar – $ 500 W. 5th St.
704.334.6338 704.940.0200
east Boulevard Grill – $ 1601 East Blvd. ember Grille – $$$ 601 S. College St. - Westin Hotel ri-ra irish Pub – $ 208 N. Tryon St sullivan’s – $$$ 1928 South Blvd. the corner Pub – $ 335 N. Graham St.
704.332.2414 704.335.2064 704.333.5554 704.335.8228 704.376.2720
PIZZA Brixx – $ 225 East 6th St. 704.347.2749 Donato’s Pizza - $ 718-A West Trade St 704.714.4743 Domino’s Pizza – $ 343 S. Kings Dr. 704.331.9847 Fuel Pizza – $ 214 N. Tryon St. 704.350.1680 Fuel Pizza – $ 1501 Central Ave. 704.376.3835 Hawthorne’s nY 1701 E. 7th St. 704.358.9339 italian village Pizza 1225 East Blvd 704.332.2880 Latta Pizza – $ 320 S. Tryon St. 704.333.4015 Papa John’s Pizza – $ 1620 E. 4th St. 704.375.7272 Picasso’s – $ 214 N. Church St. 704.331.0133 Pizza Hut – $ 901 S. Kings Dr. 704.377.7006 rudino’s Pizza & Grinders – $ 2000 South Blvd. - Atherton Mill 704.333.3124 uno chicago Grill – $ 401 S. Tryon St. 704.373.0085 villa Francesca 321 Caldwell St. 704.333.7447 Zio authentic italian – $ 116 Middleton Dr. 704.344.0100
QUICK BITES Bojangles’ – $ 310 E Trade St. 704.335.1804 Boston market – $ 829 Providence Rd. 704.344.0016 Burger King – $ 310 E. Trade St. 704.334.3312 chick-fil-a – $ 101 S. Tryon St. 704.344.0222 chicks restaurant – $ 320 S. Tryon St. – Latta Arcade 704.358.8212 church’s – $ 1735 W. Trade St. 704.332.2438 Dairy Queen – $ 1431 Central Ave. 704.377.4294 Domino’s Pizza – $ 343 S. Kings Dr. 704.331.9847 Fuel Pizza – $ 214 N. Tryon St. 704.350.1680 Fuel Pizza – $ 1501 Central Ave. 704.376.3835 Green’s Lunch – $ 309 W. 4th St. 704.332.1786 mr. K’s – $ 2107 South Blvd. 704.375.4318 Papa John’s Pizza – $ 1620 E. 4th St 704.375.7272
Pasta & Provisions – $ 1528 Providence Rd. 704.364.2622 Pita Pit – $ 214 N. Tryon St. 704.333.5856 Quiznos sub – $ 127 N. Tryon St. 704.374.9921 Quizno’s – $ 320 S. Tryon St. – Latta Arcade 704.372.8922 roly Poly sandwiches – $ 317 S. Church St. 704.332.6375 sbarro – $ 101 S. Tryon St. 704.332.5005 simply subs – $ 212 S. Tryon St. 704.333.0503 spoons – $ 415 Hawthorne Ln. 704.376.0874 subway – $ 201 N. Tryon St. 704.333.3302 Wendy’s – $ 211 N. College St. 704.376.8577 Woody’s chicago style – $ 320 S. Tryon St. - Latta Arcade 704.334.0010 Zack’s Hamburgers – $ 4009 South Blvd. 704.525.1720
S E A F O O D aquavina – $$$ 435 S. Tryon St. 704.377.9911 cabo Fish taco – $ 3201 N. Davidson St. 704.332.8868 capital Grille – $$$ 201 N. Tryon St. 704.348.1400 Fig tree –$$$ 1601 E. Seventh St. 704.332.3322 GW Fins – $$ 525 N. Tryon S 704.716.3467 Lavecchia’s – $$$ 225 E. 6th St. 704.370.6776 mccormick & schmick’s – $$$ 200 South Tryon St. 704.377.0201 mcintosh’s – $$$ 1812 South Blvd. 704.342.1088 outback steakhouse – $$ 1412 East Blvd. 704.333.2602
SOUTHERN & SOUL Lupie’s cafe – $ 2718 Monroe Rd. 704.374.1232 mert’s Heart and soul – $ 214 N. College St 704.342.4222 Price’s chicken coop – $ 1614 Camden Rd. 704.333.9866 savannah red – $$ 100 W. Trade St. 704.333.9000 Marriott City Center
S P A N I S H arpa tapas – $$$ 121 W. Trade St. 704.372.7792 sole spanish Grille – $$$ 1608 East blvd.. 704.343.9890
S T E A K H O U S E Beef & Bottle – $$$ 4538 South Blvd. capital Grille – $$$ 201 N. Tryon St.
704.523.9977 704.348.1400
Dining and Nightlife Guide
704.333.8118 704.374.0008
T A P A S arpa tapas – $$$ 121 W. Trade St. cosmos cafe – $$ 300 N. College St. town restaurant – $$ 710 W Trade St.
704.372.7792 704.372.3553 704.379.7555
V E G E T A R I A N Dish – $ 704.344.0343 1220 Thomas Ave. something classic café – $ 715 Providence Rd. 704.347.3666
V I E T N A M E S E Pho an Hoa – $ 4832 Central Ave.
704.537.2595
B A R S Big Ben’s Pub – $$ 801 Providence Rd. alley cat – $ 300 N. College St. amos southend – $ 1423 S. Tryon St. Bar charlotte – $ 300 N. College St. Brick & Barrel – $ 200 N. Tryon St. Buckhead saloon – $ 201 E. 5th St. cans Bar – $ 500 W. 5th St. cedar street tavern – $ 120 N. Cedar St. connolly’s on 5th – $ 115 E. 5th St. cosmos – $$ 300 N. College St. coyote ugly – $ 521 N. College St. crush – $ 300 E. Stonewall St. Dilworth Bar & Grille 911 E. Morehead St.
704.334.6338 704.375.8765 704.377.6874 704.342.2557 704.370.2808 704.370.0687 704.940.0200 704.333.3448 704.358.9070 704.375.8765 704.347.6869 704.377.1010 704.377.3808
CATERING by
CATERING by Serving the best since 1963.
PARTY SIZES AVAILABLE
Award winning Edge To Edge® Pizzas
UPTOWN 704-714-4743
5
718 W. Trade Street
15
DINE IN, CARRYOUT & DELIVERY • ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.DONATOS.COM
$
00
OFF
ANY LARGE PIZZA
EXPIRES 11/15/08
%
OFF
ANY CATERING ORDER OF $50 OR MORE EXPIRES 11/15/08
Mention coupon when ordering. Present at time of purchase.
704.370.0100
NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER COUPON, OFFER OR SPECIAL.
704.372.7757
OVEN BAKED SUBS
704.954.0087
FRESH, CRISP SALADS
704.372.3553
BIG & MEATY WINGS
cosmos cafe – $$ 300 N. College St. Fujo uptown Bistro – $$ 301 S. College St Ko sushi – $$ 230 S. Tryon St. nikko – $$ 1300-F South Blvd. restaurant i – $$ 1524 East Blvd. ru-san’s sushi – $$ 2440 Park Rd.
Mention coupon when ordering. Present at time of purchase.
S U S H I
Dilworth Billiards 300 E. Tremont Ave. 704.333.3021 Dixie’s tavern 301 E. 7th St. 704.374.1700 DoubleDoor inn 218 E. Independence Blvd. 704.376.1446 ed’s tavern 2200 Park Rd. 704.335.0033 evening muse 3227 N. Davidson St. 704.376.3737 Fox and Hound – $ 330 N. Tryon St. 704.333.4113 the Graduate – $ 1308 E. The Plaza 704.332.8566 Grand central Deli – $ 101 N. Tryon St. 704.348.7032 Hartigans Pub – $ 601 S. Ceder St. 704.347.1841 Hawthorne’s nY Pizza – $ 1701 E. 7th St. 704.358.9339 Howl at the moon – $ 210 E. Trade St. 704.936.4695 Jillian’s southend – $ 300 E. Bland Street 704.376.4386 Loft 1523 – $$ 1523 Elizabeth Ave. 704.333.5898 madison’s – $$ 115 Fifth St. 704.299.0580 morehead tavern – $ 300 East Morehead St. 704.334.2655 Phil’s tavern – $ 105 E. Fifth St. 704.347.0035 Picasso’s – $ 214 N. Church St. 704.331.0133 Pravda – $$ 300 N. College St. 704.375.8765 Presto Bar and Grill – $ 445 W. Trade St. 704.334.7088 ri-ra irish Pub – $ 208 N. Tryon St 704.333.5554 selwyn Pub – $ 2801 Selwyn Ave. 704.333.3443 southend Brewery – $$ 2100 South Blvd. 704.358.4677 stool Pigeons – $ 214 N. Church St. 704.358.3788 suite – $ 210 E. Trade St. 704.999.7934 the attic – $ 200 N. Tryon St. 704.358.4244 the corner Pub – $ 335 N. Graham St. 704.376.2720 the Forum – $$ 300 N. College St. 704.375.8765 the Gin mill – $ 1411 S. Tryon St. 704.373.0782 the Graduate – $ 123 W. Trade St. 704.358.3024 the Penguin – $ 1921 Commonwealth Ave. 704.375.6959 the Pub – $ 710 West Trade St. 704.333.9818 thomas street tavern – $ 1218 Thomas St. 704.376.1622 tilt – $$ 127 W. Trade St. 704.347.4870 tremont music Hall – $ 400 W Tremont Ave. 704.343.9494 tutto mondo – $ 1820 South Blvd. 704.332.8149 tyber creek Pub – $ 1933 South Blvd. 704.343.2727 vinnie’s sardine – $ 1714 South Blvd. 704.332.0006 visulite theater – $ 1615 Elizabeth Ave. 704.358.9250 Whiskey river – $ 210 E. Trade St. 704.749.1097
NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER COUPON, OFFER OR SPECIAL.
Lavecchia’s – $$$ 225 E. 6th St. 704.370.6776 Longhorn steakhouse – $$ 700 E. Morehead St. 704.332.2300 mcintosh’s – $$$ 1812 South Blvd. 704.342.1088 morton’s – $$$ 227 W.Trade St.- Carillon bldg. 704.333.2602 outback steakhouse – $$ 1412 East Blvd. 704.333.2602 ruth’s chris – $$$ 222 S. Tryon St. 704.338.9444 sullivan’s – $$$ 1928 South Blvd. 704.335.8228
Fabulous condominiums – now located at the intersection of urban & easy.
Last Four Loft-Style Units Available: Unit E201: Unit E226: Unit C202: Unit C201:
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$179,900 $229,900 $899,000 $1,600,000
704.362.3433 www.liveatmorrison.com Corner of Sharon and Colony South Park
www.uptownclt.com
10/27/2008 9:21:24 PM
All Brick Townhomes With A Two Car, Attached Garage In Uptown!
Enjoy The Best Value Per Square Foot In Uptown From The Upper $200’s • Located in the popular Gateway Center Area of 4th Ward • 1,704 Sq.ft. • 3 levels • 3 to 4 bedrooms • 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 baths 2-car attached garage • Huge great room • Dining room • Eat in kitchen • Study •Walk in closets • And so much more!
Phone: 704.334.0375
Sun. – Mon. 1 - 6, Tues. – Sat. 10 - 6 Prices, offers and financing are subject to change without notice. See sales representative for details.
www.uptownclt.com
uptown
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www.uptownclt.com
10/27/2008 9:21:30 PM