Charlotte Magazine June 2020

The District Attorney’s Challenge p. 60

The History—and Future— of Lance Crackers p. 30

A Charlotte Restaurateur on Navigating COVID-19 p. 45

We’ve got your summer plans covered, whether you’re sheltering at home or in the sun

Wheeeeee.

JUNE 2020

charlottemagazine.com

to each, her own Every woman deserves care on her terms – to make her own decisions – to feel accepted and supported. And that’s why we’re here: to answer your questions, help you stay safe and informed, and provide care for you at any stage of your life. Whether you’re looking to start a family or just to stay healthy, we’re here to help you be the best you that you can be.

Find an OB/GYN today.

AtriumHealth.org/Women

KRISTEN ARMSTRONG STEVEE BASKERVILLE

704.400.5734

704.650.7073

MARCY BASRAWALA

LINDSAY CARTER SUZANNE CODDINGTON MIMI L. CONNER 704.589.7172 704.604.8252 704.575.6668

704.280.1469

KERRY CONWAY 615.293.9936

SARAH CURME 704.578.7011

TONY D’AGOSTINO

704.241.4769

EVE DAVIS 704.999.0719

MEGAN DESPARD

MICHELLE DYMAN

BEVERLY ELLER 704.280.2300

SHERRY GEORGE 704.968.5322

HEATHER GIBBS 704.975.9485

ELLEN GIBSON 704.614.2296

JOAN GOODE 704.953.3035

AUBREY GRIER 704.502.4612

TIM HANSLEY 704.621.6837

MISSY HIGHSMITH

SUSAN HOOVER 704.277.8399

ROBIN HUSNEY 704.517.6370

PEGGY JONES 704.607.5351

CHRISTINE KEAGY

704.905.6680

704.953.8585

KATHY LANCASTER

704.534.5552

LIZ LEA 704.905.8169

704.998.7357

704.577.7321

JULIETTE LANE 704.408.4748

JANE LEMMOND 704.451.5871

KAREN H. MILLER VICKY MITCHENER

SHERRY MOLELLA 704.607.1224

HEATHER MACKEY

ASHLEY McMILLAN FRAN MILLER

704.575.2369

704.488.0288

PAIGE MOODY 704.906.8291

ANDI MORGAN 704.494.1082

ADRIENNE MORRIS MICHAEL NESTER 704.408.3468 412.965.1955

CAROLINE NICK 704.891.7666

CATHARINE PAPPAS

JIMMY ROUNTREE 704.608.8656

SHARON ROUNTREE

SHELLY RYDELL 704.649.6530

JENNIFER SAARBACH 609.306.9975

MISSY STEWART 704.996.9080

TAWNYA STOMMEL

BONNIE STROUP 704.458.2558

MARGO WELLS 704.576.2854

LISA WHETSTONE

PRINCE WITT 704.661.2322

704.661.0635

MARJORIE REDDING ISABEL ROBERTS

704.619.3823

WINNIE SIMMONS

704.576.9225

704.607.5560

ASHLEY SMITH 704.756.3494

DUCIE STARK 704.641.5398

SARAH SZCZODROWSKI JOHANA TROUTMAN LORI TURNER

704.877.3350

704.756.3637

704.904.2585

704.574.0580

704.608.0448

704.517.0177

704.778.7617

704.607.9619

When you choose our Dickens Mitchener team, you are putting your trust in the most talented, experienced and technologically astute Realtors® in the Charlotte region. We are committed to setting new standards for extraordinary customer service as well as providing our clients with intimate community knowledge and expertise. We’ve spent more than 25 years perfecting our unique and effective business method to become your best source for residential real estate.

Your Best Source for Residential Real Estate. // 704.342.1000 // Discover more on at dickensmitchener.com

704.661.2402

Imagine your home, totally organized.

ClosetsbyDesign

®

Closets byDesign

®

40% O F F P L U S F R E E I N S TA L L AT I O N

Schedule a free in-home design consultation.

704-741-8013 | closetsbydesign.com

Here comes the sun.

Shining upon 20,000 acres of Lowcountry wonder. Rising over waterways for boating and paddling. Filtering through giant oaks arched over pathways for walking and biking. Bringing life to vibrant greens on the golf course.

Streaming through the open curtains of your room and calling you to the balcony. The sun is here and you should be too.

MON TAG E . C OM

B E V E R LY H I L L S

|

PA L M E T T O B L U F F

D I S C OV E R L I F E , W E L L L I V E D

D E E R VA L L E Y |

|

H E A L DSB U RG

K A PA L UA B AY

|

(866) 348 -1069

L AG U N A B E AC H

|

LOS CABOS

( Opening in 2020 ) | B I G S K Y ( Opening in 2021)

CONTENTS CHARLOTTE / JUNE 2020 / VOL. 25, NUMBER 6

Features 46

A STAY-AT-HOME SUMMER COVID-19 has disrupted plenty of our summer plans. But we can still find ways to have fun. We’ve compiled a list to help you make the best of it—and another if we go back to normal by summer’s end

BY TAYLOR BOWLER, VIRGINIA BROWN, GREG LACOUR, AND ANDY SMITH

60 SPENCER MERRIWEATHER’S

CHALLENGE Mecklenburg County’s first black district attorney pushes the state to rethink how it handles an outdated criminal justice system

BY GREG LACOUR

ON THE COVER: On Lake Norman for a summer turned upside down.

ON THIS PAGE: One of the many activities not encouraged during a pandemic. Photographs

by Logan Cyrus.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

7

30

26

06 20 CONTENTS

COURTESY; PHILIP L. VAN EVERY FOUNDATION; JONATHAN COOPER; PETER TAYLOR

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 From the Editor 13

Connect

80

You Are Here

THE GUIDE 72 Restaurants The city’s savviest restaurant listings

23

41 THE BUZZ 17 Community Can breweries survive the virus?

26

Design Katie Schindler’s custom finishing business

20

28

Art Dr. Michelle Rivera’s creative outlet

30

History How Snyder’s-Lance stays homegrown and humble

Life Lessons Tana Greene fled an abusive marriage at 17 and went on to launch two multimillion-dollar staffing companies

THE GOOD LIFE 23 Real Estate Can developers honor historic black neighborhoods as they build for the future?

34

Style CLT Fashion Fund promotes sustainable fashion

36

Room We Love A mudroom with function and flair

FOOD & DRINK 41 Now Open Leah & Louise celebrates Delta culture and cuisine 44

On the Line Capishe’s David Cavalier left fine dining for pizza, pasta, and family

45

Local Flavor The COVID-19 shutdown forces restaurateur Bruce Moffett to serve customers curbside

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

9

F RO M T H E E D I TO R

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER

Volume 25, Number 6

JUNE 2020

morrismedianetwork.com

www.charlottemagazine.com

Guess what, Charlotte: This one’s different

NOSTALGIA FORMS MORE QUICKLY in a fast-changing city than in small towns like the one I’m from. My wife and I moved here from West Virginia in the summer of 2013; it took only a few years for our favorite spots to dissipate and enter the spiritual plane. The hot spots of that first season included Common Market South End’s first location on South Tryon Street and Food Truck Fridays on an adjacent lot; shows at nearby Tremont Music Hall; and the Kickstand Burger Bar patio in Plaza Midwood, which we frequented before our first daughter was born the next year. In Charlotte, one of the first things newcomers Andy Smith andrew.smith@charlottemagazine.com learn is how to eulogize a fallen business.

We miss those spots, but the aesthetics of that Charlotte summer remain: a gorgeous tree canopy, sprawling parks packed with kids and unreasonably fit influencers, and, underscoring all of it, a jubilant vibe that warmly embraces newcomers, as I was seven years ago.

In conversations with our daughters, ages 2 and 5, we’ve had a difficult time explaining why we’re not out and about, basking in that goodness with the rest of Charlotte. They know there’s this thing called “coronavirus.” They know it makes people sick, and if we’re not careful, we could become a few of those sick people. But that one-word answer isn’t good enough when it’s keeping them out of a pool float.

This is the most highly anticipated time of year for elementary school-aged kids. Instead of a true Charlotte summer, they’ll have their own first cases of nostalgia, longing for what a child’s mind can conjure of summers past.

That was my fear, anyway, until we came up with the concept for the June issue. Is it possible to have a great Charlotte summer during a pandemic? The question became a challenge, and we got to work.

Something special came out of that charge, in our guide to a Stayat-Home Summer (page 44). We wanted to create something that encourages you, despite the reality of this challenging season, and provides hope for the kind of fun your family can have in the future.

At least I’m not the only one pining for the Charlotte of yesterday in this issue. On page 30, Jared Misner traces the history of Lance Inc., the Charlotte-based manufacturer of peanut butter crackers for more than a century—and looks at how new ownership is forming its future. The past plays a different role in our deep dive into the criminal justice system in Charlotte, as senior editor Greg Lacour explores the many ways things haven’t changed but should to meet a growing city’s challenges.

You’re not as free to traverse Charlotte as you were last summer.

But as you sun in your backyard, take a few minutes to probe its past, present, and future with this issue—and remember that one day, this ordeal will be just another memory.

10

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Smith SENIOR EDITOR Greg Lacour LIFESTYLE EDITOR Taylor Bowler ART DIRECTOR Jane Fields ASSOCIATE ART Melissa Stutts DIRECTOR CONTRIBUTING Allison Braden EDITORS Jen Tota McGivney COPYEDITORS/ Allison Braden FACT-CHECKERS CONTRIBUTING Jonathan Cooper PHOTOGRAPHERS Logan Cyrus Peter Taylor Rusty Williams CONTRIBUTING Shaw Nielsen ILLUSTRATORS CONTRIBUTING Cristina Bolling WRITERS Michelle Boudin Virginia Brown Jared Misner

Charlotte magazine 214 W. Tremont Ave., Suite 303 Charlotte, NC 28203

CONTRIBUTORS

Email editor@charlottemagazine.com for writer’s guidelines. Unsolicited photographs, illustrations, or articles are submitted at the risk of the photographer/artist/author. Charlotte magazine assumes no liability for the return of unsolicited materials and may use them at its discretion.

YOUR MERCEDES TEAM IN CHARLOTTE

Upon entering our doors, our customers are immediately blown away by our impeccable customer service, extensive product knowledge, and the professional ambiance of the Charlotte showroom. We take deep pride in the quality of our exceptional team members – the people here set this dealership a step above the rest. We also provide luxury concierge sales and service offerings where you can purchase or service your vehicle from the comfort of your own home.

Hendrick Motors of Charlotte - Mercedes-Benz 5201 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28212 877-251-8547 • hendrickmotorsofcharlotte.com

Point of view A hike to the top of the world is just one of many reasons to visit Linville and The Eseeola Lodge.

You’ll fall in love with how we look at things.

Volume 25, Number 6

JUNE 2020

morrismedianetwork.com

www.charlottemagazine.com

PUBLISHER Allison Hollins ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Gail Dougherty ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jessica Santee DIGITAL MARKETING Alyssa Ruane STRATEGIST

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES 877-248-9624

The

Inspiration is waiting.

Book your reservation today.

800.742.6717 • Eseeola.com

Eseeola Lodge

ADVERTISERS

For advertising information and rates please contact us at advertising@charlottemagazine.com.

MORRIS MEDIA NETWORK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Tina Battock

Don’t be afraid to show your smile.

DIRECTOR-FINANCE & Scott Ferguson OPERATIONS DIRECTOR OF Sherry Brown MANUFACTURING & PRODUCTION PUBLICATION SERVICES Cher Wheeler MANAGER ACCOUNTING MANAGER Veronica Brooks CIRCULATION BUSINESS Michelle Rowe MANAGER

A Publication of MCC Magazines, LLC a division of Morris Communications Company, LLC 735 Broad Street, Augusta, GA 30901 Chairman CEO

DR. TARA HOWELL CAROLINA DENTAL IS A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY PROVIDING CARE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. 15830 Ballantyne Medical Pl. Ste. 120, Charlotte, NC 28277 | (704) 814-6006 *MENTION THIS AD TO RECEIVE COMPLIMENTARY CUSTOM BLEACHING TRAYS WITH YOUR FIRST PREVENATIVE CARE VISIT!*

12

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

William S. Morris III Craig S. Mitchell

Connect

ONLINE EXTRAS, EVENTS, AND CONVERSATIONS

REACT

Responses to the April issue of Charlotte magazine

To: “What Growth Costs,” p. 48 While the economy overall is headed for (already in) a recession, our housing market is strong according to key economic indicators. Low inventory, low interest rates, high demand/low supply.

Things will stay solid here if we can nip this virus sooner than later. Time will tell Instagram comment from @alexgranger704 Grateful that you are using your platform to talk about it!

Instagram comment from @moazenjewelry It’s pretty wild. If you don’t own property anywhere in the Charlotte area or surrounding ’burbs you’re gonna be paying big $$$ in the coming years. Just look at NoDa or Harrisburg. It’s crazy that not long ago you could buy a house in NoDa for less than $100k.

Instagram comment from @dino_crazyy

My friends and I are *literally* praying for a real estate crash so we can actually afford a house. We’re all professionals with degrees btw.

Instagram comment from @curl_power316 To: “Apartment Roulette,” p. 50 Make more money. It’s that easy.

Devote more time to making money and less time to spending it on swanky apartments and wool coats.

What a joke.

Facebook comment from Glen Reinard

ON THE WEB Want more to read? Check out these popular stories on charlottemagazine.com.

1.

What It’s Actually Like When a Loved One Has COVID-19 2.

What You Can, Can’t Do Under Charlotte’s Stay-At-Home Order 3.

Opinion: No, Seriously.

Go Home.

To: “Stuck in Neutral,” p. 70 This was a great story that perfectly depicts Charlotte’s disenfranchised and poor. Charlotte has got to do less talking and more executing on the behalf of this population.

Tweet from @TiffanyMAllen1 Pam Kelley’s story is full of wisdom and compassion. A must-read.

Facebook comment from Nancy Stancill Wonderful reporting @CharlotteMag and @pamkelleyreads Tweet by @lisaquis

The BOBs, Deferred You’re holding our annual BOB Awards issue in your hands, which we trust you’ve washed thoroughly, which highlights what’s making this year’s BOBs such an odd, disjointed experience. Normally, we publish the BOBs issue in May, then throw a party to celebrate the winners. This year, we’re living on Virus Time. Nonetheless, we’re planning to throw a 2020 Best of the Best (BOBs) Party. It’s just going to have to wait until Thursday, October 1, at the Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. BOB winners should arrive at 6:30 p.m.; general admission begins at 7, and the party will go to 9:30. Buy tickets at charlottemagazine.com/bobsparty, and we’ll see you then.

Charlotte magazine’s tablet edition is available via the Apple Newsstand and at magzter.com.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA /charlottemagazine @charlottemag @charlottemag

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

13

Customized Shea Plans on Your Homesite from $300K to over $2 million SheaCustom.com | 704.602.3333 Modern Design Studio provides thousands of on-trend options Home Warranty | Large plan portfolio | Fixed Pricing Contracts

Sales: Shea Group Services, LLC DBA Shea Realty (NC: C21630; SC: 10424). Construction by Shea Custom, LLC (NC: 68244; SC: G116078). This is not an offer of real estate for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, to residents of any state or province in which registration and other legal requirements have not been fulfilled. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. Equal Housing Opportunity.

INSIDE: BREWERY NEIGHBORHOODS / LIFE LESSONS

BUZZ

THE

WHAT MATTERS NOW IN THE CITY

Craft breweries like Divine Barrel Brewing in NoDa have transformed urban neighborhoods and introduced patrons to unique beers like The Third Room (left), a pilsner, and My First Crush, a West Coast Pale Ale. But most have never had to operate in a bad economy.

CO M M U N I T Y

JAMES AMATO

THE BREWHOOD REVOLUTION’S FIRST TEST The craft brewery explosion has reshaped urban neighborhoods. Can it survive this?

TOWARD THE END OF OUR CONVERSATION, as she nurses the last of her sour IPA at Divine Barrel Brewing in NoDa, one of the nation’s foremost researchers of craft breweries and their effects on urban economies gestures toward the beer menu scrawled, as in most taprooms, on a chalkboard that hangs behind the bar. “Most of these guys have not seen a downturn yet. The big boom has come during this recovery period,” says Isabelle Nilsson, a 34-yearold academic who retains the accent of her native Sweden.

BY GREG LACOUR

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

17

THE BUZZ “But now, if we go into another recession—I mean, these beers are not cheap.

Are people going to go back to Bud Light?”

It’s the evening of Wednesday, March 11. Neither of us anticipates what’s coming the next day. On Thursday, March 12, the Mecklenburg County Health Department confirms its first two cases of COVID-19. Charlotte cancels its St. Patrick’s Day parade. Governor Roy Cooper recommends the cancellation or postponement of gatherings of more than 100 people. Cooper later amends the recommendation to an order. Within days, people everywhere are working from home, keeping their distance from each other—and absent from stools and picnic tables at the Charlotte area’s nearly 50 breweries, which close their taprooms and sell beer for home consumption only.

No one knows how long the sudden coronavirus downturn will last. But even if the breweries and their neighborhoods suffer, craft breweries will have helped transform urban areas and economies as few things have in recent years— and Nilsson, an assistant professor in UNC Charlotte’s Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, has spent much of the last decade trying to figure out what that might mean for cities.

Nilsson specializes in economic geography, a niche within the study of urban economics. Researchers try to answer questions like: How far apart should businesses in the same industry be from each other? From their workforce? How does their physical proximity affect cost of living, crime, traffic? In 2011, she was working on her master’s degree in economics at the University of Toledo, where she’d landed as part of an exchange program with the Swedish university where she’d earned her bachelor’s, and fielded a request from a UT professor named Neil Reid, a.k.a. “The Beer Professor.”

Reid, a native of Scotland, is a professor of geography and planning who has written and lectured extensively about the beer industry. Reid wanted Nilsson to join him in researching the benefits of “clustering” among craft breweries in the United States—the phenomenon of brewery neighborhoods. “Brewhoods” tend to establish themselves in seemingly forgotten industrial areas like birds that

land on a wire: One brewery leads to two, then three, until the collective forms the backbone of a distinct, walkable urban community. The neighborhood where Nilsson and I meet—the northern edge of NoDa; NoNoDa, if you will—provides a representative example: Bold Missy Brewery, across North Davidson Street from Divine Barrel, closed in February.

But you could conceivably walk from here south to Protagonist to Heist Brewery to Birdsong Brewing Co. “Here, we have South End and NoDa, right? You map the

hood pride. “In a lot of cases,” she says, “those who open up breweries are local and want to give back to their communities.” Brewery owners, for instance, are the kinds of people likely to join and lead neighborhood associations.

Since 2017, she and Reid have written or co-written four papers published in academic journals and a pair of chapters planned for an upcoming book, including one chapter devoted to NoDa. They’re still trying to work out whether craft breweries catalyze or follow neighborhood investment; so far, it appears to be a mix of the two, one boosting the other. Ultimately, she’d like her work to help form a statistical foundation to guide urban planners and policymakers in decisions on land use and economic development. She concedes that may take a while, and it’s at this point when she raises the question of whether craft breweries can survive hard times. Most of the growth, after all, has come in and after 2013, when the country began to emerge from the post-2008 recession.

It took only a couple of weeks for the possibility of hard times to grow far more likely, and Nilsson’s research may end up illustrating a short-lived movement.

We’ll see how it goes. But on that warm Wednesday evening, with spring and dusk approaching and couples sipping from tulip-shaped glasses at picnic tables, that prospect seems a long way off. We move to the bar, where Nilsson’s husband, Jeff, has worked on a laptop as she and I talked. Two men walk by with their dogs, one of them missing a hind leg. Nilsson briefly drops her academic formality and—though she, surprisingly, confesses she’s not much of a beer drinker—revels in the space this movement has filled.

“And this, right?” she exclaims. “You can bring children, you can bring dogs—you can more or less bring your whole family.

It can be your second living room. That’s great!”

18

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

—ISABELLE NILSSON

brewing industry, it’s like a strip,” Nilsson tells me as a freight train passes, wailing.

“So then you start asking yourself, as an economic geographer, why is that? Why would they do that? So we started looking at some of these benefits in terms of knowledge-sharing and things along those lines.”

She moved from Toledo to Charlotte and her UNCC professorship in 2015.

Her research here and in other cities, like Denver, Austin, Chicago, and Cincinnati, reveals that the young craft brewery subindustry takes on the characteristics of profit-driven commercial and manufacturing ventures—but nurtures a love of craftsmanship and spirit of cooperation common to artisanal and artistic communities. Those in turn reinforce their respective neighborhoods’ individuality. (The beer she’s drinking validates her research: Transitional Sunglasses is a 5.6-percentABV collaboration with Heist.) That’s another trait she found in brewhoods, a strong sense of community and neighbor-

GREG LACOUR is the senior editor for this magazine.

COURTESY

“But now, if we go into another recession—I mean, these beers are not cheap.

Are people going to go back to Bud Light?”

Brewhoods worth a road trip OTHER CITIES within a few hours’ drive of Charlotte have their own neighborhood counterparts to South End and NoDa: formerly decaying industrial areas that young entrepreneurs have rejuvenated through the raw power of IPAs, stouts, and scotch ales.

Here’s a flight of them—assuming they’ll still be intact, in whole or in part, after the crisis passes.

—Greg Lacour

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM. SUBSCRIBE TODAY.

South Slope, Asheville. A decade or so ago, this compact area just south of downtown was primarily a catchment basin for factories, along with local auto dealerships and repair shops. A few of those remain alongside a garden of coffee shops, art galleries, local bistros, and, of course, breweries and shops that sell the beer they produce. South Slope hosts nine of Asheville’s more than 40 craft breweries, including brands recognized far beyond western North Carolina—like Green Man Brewery and Asheville Brewing Company, which have been brewing since the late 1990s.

Details: exploreasheville.com.

The Neck, Charleston, S.C. The name’s origins are geographic; it’s the mile-wide northern end of the uvula-shaped peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper rivers, which continues south and culminates in the Charleston Historic District. Once a dismal repository of fertilizer factories, lumber yards, and their toxic runoff, the area began to develop anew after Palmetto Brewing Company opened just south of it in 1994. Now, The Neck is the center of Charleston’s small but celebrated brewery movement, with roughly half of the area’s 15 breweries—which, says Explore Charleston spokesman Doug Warner, “is clearly one of the reasons why people come here.” Details: charlestoncvb.com.

Scott’s Addition, Richmond, Va. It’s been eight years since the Virginia legislature allowed on-site sale and consumption in breweries, and few parts of the Old Dominion have benefitted more than this historic district northwest of downtown. It’s the locus of 13 breweries and one of the city’s hottest real estate markets, drawing more than $400 million of investment in high-end apartments—sound familiar?—even as the brewing community stays tight. “It’s really a small scene, and that’s what people miss sometimes about Richmond,” says Tom Sullivan, who founded Ardent Craft Ales in the dead center of Scott’s Addition. “It’s not like we’re copying each other.

We’re feeding off each other’s successes.”

Details: scottsaddition.com.

Charlotte magazine covers dining, travel, events, the arts, culture, real estate, business, and people.

We explore every corner of city so we can bring you the best places to eat, drink, shop, and hang out in every neighborhood. Make better plans with your essential go-to guide for life in Charlotte.

E S S AY S / F O O D A N D W I N E / T R A V E L / S H O P P I N G & M O R E

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT

charlottemagazine.com/subscribe.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

19

THE BUZZ

LI F E L E SS O N S

TANA GREENE She fled an abusive marriage at 17 and went on to launch two multimillion-dollar staffing companies.

Amid the coronavirus, Tana Greene is still putting people back to work

BY 18, TANA GREENE was a divorced single mother of a 2-year-old son. An abusive marriage had left her shaken— but not sidelined. She finished school, bought a house, and by 29—with her second husband, Mike—had cofounded Greene Group, a national staffing company that grew to operate in more than 20 states. She took on one of the most heavily regulated, male-dom-

20

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

inated industries in the country, trucking, and proved her innate talent for hiring and managing staff.

In 2017 she launched MyWorkChoice, an app that connects job seekers with business owners. The program recruits, screens, and trains workers for hourly positions in the industrial, warehouse, and call center industries; posts companies’ schedules; and allows workers to

select four-, six-, or eight-hour shifts to accommodate their needs. In three years, it’s expanded to nine states with customers that include Shutterfly, Nordstrom, DeWalt, and Saddle Creek Logistics.

We sat down with Greene, now 61, to discuss domestic violence, flexible staffing, and how she’s responded to COVID19. Her words have been edited for space and clarity.

BLAKE POPE

BY TAYLOR BOWLER

I WAS BORN AND RAISED in Chesapeake, Virginia. I was an honor roll student, chaplain of my school back when you could have that as an elected position, and president of the principal’s committee. When I started ninth grade, everything was wonderful. But what does every girl want when they start high school? A boyfriend. I got lucky, and Mr. Popular, a senior, picked me.

In the summer between ninth and 10th grade, I got pregnant. What do you do in the South in 1974? You walk down the aisle in a white dress as quickly as possible.

IT WASN’T LONG before I realized I was in a domestic violence relationship. He slowly isolated me from friends and family. I really hit a wall one night when we were supposed to go on a date. I spent all day getting ready; my parents were going to babysit.

My husband was late, and when he came home, I knew he’d been drinking. I started crying, and he said to get in the car. When we got to my parents’ house, he took the baby carrier out with our 8-month-old, set it on the ground, beat me, and drove off. So I had to go to the door. My dad took one look at me, grabbed his keys, and went looking for him—thank God he didn’t find him.

WHEN MIKE AND I went into business together, I assumed the support role, and we went along that path for a long time.

A lot of it was my upbringing, whether it was the South, the church—the message that the male is the leader of the house.

After 9/11, my husband and a consultant of ours called me in for coffee and said, “We need you to lead this organization.”

I said, “No, it would ruin my marriage.”

My husband was sitting there saying he wanted me to lead, but it took me a long time to embrace that and become the voice of a leader. I was always told I was too bossy and I needed to be quiet because I was a Southern girl and you weren’t supposed to do that. I realized I had a real passion for this, helping

My world changed the day I came out and talked about domestic violence. people get jobs. I had to lead this. It’s crazy how you get these messages in your head. We stand in our own way.

MY MOM was smart enough to connect me with a counselor. He said I had a choice to make: I could be a victim or a survivor. He sent me home to write my goals on paper. I knew I wanted to finish school, own my own house by 25, and my own business by 30. And I wanted to marry a knight in shining armor somewhere in there, too (laughs). I completed each one of those goals by the dates I’d set. I married Mike in 1985, and we opened the doors to our first staffing company, Greene Group, on May 9, 1988.

I DON’T THINK I WAS AUTHENTIC to myself for many years. We want people to believe this character we create because they’ll accept us more. We’re afraid to be ourselves, to be a woman. I didn’t go to college; I went to business school. I didn’t get a four-year degree. I got married at 15 and quit school, then went back. These are all things I kept very quiet from the public. My world changed the day I came out and talked about domestic violence. It changed my leadership style.

IN 2001, we were mainly in manufacturing, and when 9/11 hit, the first thing the industry did was lay off. We lost half our business overnight. We had to sell our home—we didn’t know how we’d make payroll. But we made it work because we had a lot of people depending on us. The crash of ’08 wasn’t much better. But you fail three times before you make it.

IN 2007, a close friend’s daughter who knew my story asked if I would come speak to her high school class. I knew nothing about domestic violence except what I went through. So I called a hotline, and they connected me with a woman who said she’d go with me and help field questions. The woman who came was Karen Parker, CEO of Safe Alliance. Later, she asked if I would be on the board of

directors. We raised $10 million to open the center, and I became a spokesperson.

At first, I couldn’t get through telling my story without crying my eyes out. That was the point at which I said, “It’s time for me to speak out for others.”

MY STAFFING is all in the hourly sector, mostly blue-collar, and my biggest “aha!” moment was when I realized the way we staff and the way we treat people was broken. The staffing industry was experiencing 433 percent turnover a year and 31 percent absenteeism every day.

It made no sense to force a way of work that was created 120 years ago, when there were only men in the workforce.

People want flexibility in their life. If they work contingent, they can’t commit to a 40-hour workweek, not with the way life happens. We launched MyWorkChoice three years ago, and it resonates, especially now with COVID-19. How do you get people to show up when they have kids at home? Allowing a worker to schedule when they can work is the answer to productivity.

THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC is a challenge, but I’ve faced challenges in the past and I know it’s very different this time. I can see that it’s temporary.

Everybody will be even stronger on the other side. My model has never been more at the right place and the right time to help people. You’ve got all these displaced people, but you also have a huge demand for supplies. Companies like Amazon, Kroger, and Walmart are all stepping up their hiring efforts. Our technology eliminates the need for inperson interactions to recruit, train, and put into place the workers they need.

We’re not declining right now; we’re growing. I’m able to take a lot of people that aren’t working and put them to work. I’m almost over-the-top excited— not for what’s happening, but for what I can do for these displaced people. We’re helping bridge that gap. After 32 years, I am making the biggest impact right now.

TAYLOR BOWLER is lifestyle editor of this magazine.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

21

“This place is nothing short of amazing.”

—LIBRARY GUEST

©2020 BGEA

GRAHAM FAMILY HOMEPLACE

EXHIBITS & MEMORABILIA

“All were astonished at the majesty of God.” —LUKE 9:43, ESV

T

ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

here’s nowhere else quite like the Billy Graham Library. The interactive Journey of Faith tour is a trip through history for the whole family. See how

God’s love changed millions as you experience inspiring videos, photo galleries, and memorabilia. Explore Billy Graham’s childhood home, stroll the peaceful Memorial Prayer Garden, relax over lunch and specialty coffees, or shop the

Christian bookstore. An extraordinary journey starts here.

Monday to Saturday, 9:30–5:00 BillyGrahamLibrary.org • 704-401-3200 Reservations required for groups of 10 or more; email LibraryTours@bgea.org or call 704-401-3270. 4330 Westmont Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina. A ministry of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association • Franklin Graham, President

10350 BGL CLT Mag Ad_V1.indd 1

{

3/27/20 8:29 AM

See forever.

Together.

}

Hand in hand is a wonderful way to share the awe and delights that await you at Grandfather Mountain. Share the joy today and help us preserve it for tomorrow. w w w. g ra n d f a t h e r. c o m

FOREVER

CLTCM_200600_Grandfather Mountain.indd 1 Grandfather

Mountain

GRANDFATHER® MOUNTAIN WONDERS NEVER CEASE

Half pg ad: June 2020 Contact: Frank Ruggiero (828) 733-2013

4/23/20 1:45 PM

GOOD LIFE

THE GO REAL ESTATE / DESIGN / ART / HISTORY / STYLE / ROOM WE LOVE INSIDE: s.

THE

MAKING THE MOST OUT OF LIVING HERE

R E AL E STAT E

BROOKLYN, RETURNED Can developers honor historic black neighborhood’s past as they build its future?

BY JOHN SHORT PHOTOGRAPHS BY JONATHAN COOPER

THE SMELL OF OLD WOOD and creaking sanctuary floorboards tip you off to the age of the Grace AME Zion Church on South Brevard Street in Second Ward.

It’s one of the oldest black churches in Charlotte, dedicated in 1902 after a $2,000 fundraising campaign by the founding congregation. Next door, at 229 South Brevard, stands one of the oldest commercial structures in the city, the Mecklenburg Investment Company Building, completed in 1922.

Continued on next page JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

23

THE BUZZ

THE GROUP, the Brooklyn Collective, bought the corner parcel and the three buildings on it in 2015. Since then, they’ve moved forward with their plans, which include a handful of small businesses, a future expansion to include artists-inresidence and community meeting space, and a renovation of the main church

24

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

building into a museum that celebrates Brooklyn’s memory. The plans intentionally echo the MIC Building’s uses in its heyday, when restaurants occupied the ground floor, offices for black professionals dominated the second, and the third held a meeting hall for black social clubs—whose members in the Jim Crow era were barred from white gatherings. In recent years, the new owners have used the space to host a marketplace for minority retailers, events for International Women’s Day, and a forum for local independent authors.

“Our mission is centered on upward mobility and inclusivity,” says Jason Wolf, who runs Brooklyn Collective. “That type of person and that type of work has been performed on this corner of downtown Charlotte since 1886, and we have the privilege of drawing upon the history of these buildings to inspire future actions.”

Wolf says he wants to recreate the “energy” these buildings and their tenants brought to this corner of uptown, although it’ll likely take him and his team several more years to fully realize its plans for the properties. But bringing new life to the corner is more than a matter of energy. Uptown property is some of the most valuable in the city, and Brooklyn Collective has to make money with their development plans—and that raises the uncomfortable possibility that, even as

it pays nominal The Mecklenburg Investment homage to historic Company Brooklyn, it’ll price Building was out the very people completed whose history Wolf in 1922. and his partners seek to honor. A warning stands just a few blocks away in Second Ward, where BK Partners is moving ahead with plans for its 17-acre, $683 million Brooklyn Village mixed-use project. Community leaders and descendants of Brooklyn families have criticized the developers for not including enough affordable housing units.

THAT KIND OF CONFLICT is common in Southern cities. Some developers, like those who helped rejuvenate the historically black Sweet Auburn district in Atlanta and Anacostia neighborhood in Washington, D.C., took pains to preserve the areas’ unique history as they sought private investment, says Dr. Willie Griffin, staff historian at the Levine Museum of the New South. The developers of those neighborhoods established research libraries with company and family records as part of their projects, Griffin says: “Those developments kept the history alive by playing an active role in preserving it.”

Wolf and his Brooklyn Collective partners say preservation of Brooklyn’s his-

JONATHAN COOPER

A brightly colored mural, painted last year by young artist Abel Jackson, incorporates portraits of three black men critical to the MIC Building’s development and the neighborhood, Brooklyn, where it was developed: J.T. WIlliams, Thaddeus Tate, and William W. Smith. Williams and Tate were prominent business leaders in Brooklyn and investors in the building’s construction; Smith, the project’s contractor, was Charlotte’s first black architect. If you stand on Brevard and look at the building’s façade, you notice a strip of light-colored brick just below the roof line with dark, diamond patterns embedded along its length. The diamonds were Smith’s signature design.

This intersection of Brevard and East Third streets was one of the social and commercial hubs of Brooklyn, a historic black community razed and redeveloped in a series of urban renewal projects in the 1960s and ’70s. More than 1,000 homes and 216 businesses were demolished. Brooklyn remains the foremost symbol in Charlotte of a pattern that repeated itself in city after city in that era: Black communities with homes, businesses and fully formed identities condemned as slums and destroyed to make way for government buildings and developers’ plans.

Except for the two church structures and the MIC Building. They’re the only remnants of Brooklyn left standing.

Today, a new group of developers is trying to resuscitate the buildings in a way that seems like an impossibly tricky balancing act—a renovation that can serve as a mixed-use hotbed for entrepreneurship and a fresh sense of community as it honors the property’s, and Brooklyn’s, history.

COURTESY

tory and opportunities for the poor and working class are central to their vision, which aims to resurrect the spirit of what in the 1890s and years afterward was known as “the Black Better Class.”

Williams, Tate, and Smith were prominent in this community of local black businessmen in the post-Reconstruction era.

A generation removed from slavery and educated during Reconstruction, these men coalesced around values of self-discipline, morality, and education.

They believed clean living, business success, and building wealth through land ownership provided a path for Charlotte’s black community to elevate itself from poverty after centuries of slavery. The Black Better Class rallied around the Temperance Movement of the late 19th century, and many of its leaders split in 1886 from the largest black congregation in Charlotte, Clinton Chapel on Mint Street, to form Grace AME Zion Church because they believed Clinton Chapel leaders were too permissive toward drinking.

The new church was one of the Black Better Class’ anchors. Over the next several decades, many of its congregants created institutions for the black community, including libraries, insurance companies, churches, law and medical practices, and social organizations like the YMCA, Shriners, and Masons. The destruction of Brooklyn put an end to that community and way of life. It’s what’s missing from Brevard and Third even now, and part of what Jason Wolf and his team hope to resurrect. It’s far from clear, even with the best intentions, whether they can. But they’re committed to trying.

“We are surrounded by surface parking, on a corner of downtown that doesn’t even have a sidewalk on the other side of the street,” Wolf says. “This corner hasn’t seen energy in the last few decades. Look for the energy. It starts there.”

JOHN SHORT is a freelance writer (among other professions) who loves digging up Charlotte’s past and pondering its future.

Email him at jwesleyshort@gmail.com with your favorite Charlotte history trivia, or just say hey when you see him on the fully operational streetcar.

R E AL E STAT E

Hot Listings Real estate transactions are designated essential under Governor Roy Cooper’s statewide Stay at Home Order. But in-person leasing and sales are not considered essential parts of those transactions, so many realtors rely on virtual tours of their listings. Find these properties on their agencies’ websites. —Taylor Bowler

757 SKYTOP RD. $998,000 WAXHAW Renowned architect Victor Civkin designed this midcentury modern masterpiece that sits on nine acres in Aero Plantation. Community features include a 2,400-foot airstrip, a three-hole golf course, and 38 acres of lakes. 5 BD, 4 BA, 2,530 sq. ft., Dickens Mitchener, dickensmitchener.com

2038 WENDOVER RD. $750,000 MYERS PARK This traditional two-story home has a new roof, windows, and NEST thermostats and carbon monoxide detectors.

3 BD, 2.5 BA, 2,191 sq. ft., Coldwell Banker, coldwellbanker.com 405 7TH ST., APT. 501 $305,000 UPTOWN The excitement of city life mixes with Southern charm in Fourth Ward. This top-floor corner unit has high ceilings, hardwood floors, and a private balcony.

2 BD, 1 BA, 1,227 sq. ft., The McDevitt Agency, themcdevittagency.com

2505 SHENANDOAH AVE. $950,000 CHANTILLY This new build has 10-foot ceilings, oak floors, a butler’s pantry, and a sprawling master closet. 4 BD, 3 BA, 3,311 sq. ft., Savvy + Co. Real Estate, savvyandcompany.com 4411 MOTTISFONT ABBEY LANE $544,900 SOUTHPARK Enjoy the security of a gated community and the charm of an updated townhome. The two-story unit has an open floor plan, high ceilings, and a twocar garage.

3 BD, 2.5 BA, 2,565 sq. ft., Cottingham Chalk, cottinghamchalk.com

All properties available as of April 6, 2020.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

25

DESIGN

True Grit

Katie Schindler creates custom finishes for some of the city’s biggest players

BY JARED MISNER

Katie Schindler FOR SOMEONE WHO spends her life getting dirty, Katie (above) designed, Schindler’s nails are surprisingly flawless. They’re painted in built, and finished OPI’s Cloud White, and she’s very glad you noticed. the display cases at Then again, she spends her days in a paint shop; taking pride The Golden Carrot in Atherton Mill in her own 10 tiny palettes isn’t all too shocking. As she stands (top right). in her studio, all five-feet-and-three-quarters-of-an-inch of her, fanning out her cloud-colored nails, it’s hard to picture her commanding job sites dominated by burly, hard hat-wearing men. But that’s exactly what she does.

Schindler, 37, owns and runs the custom finishing company Fine Grit out of a cavernous blue warehouse on the northern fringes of NoDa. This is where Schindler will pointedly remind you in her Tennessee twang that she gets her jobs—which have included commercial projects at The Waterman, Resident Culture Brewing, and The Golden Carrot—because of her talent, not her gender.

Not that the role is easy for a woman. Misogyny on a construction or repair site is often implied rather than overt, she says. “I have had to earn my respect. So, I walk in and I’m like, ‘No, this is not how we do it.’ And they’re like, ‘Who are you?’ And I’m like, ‘Who are you, because you’re on my job site!’”

26

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

That attitude endears her to some of her clients.

“I was jazzed that I was getting to work with such a badass chick,” says Nicole Corriher, owner of The Golden Carrot in Atherton Mill. She hired Schindler to design, build, and finish her display cases last year after she moved her upscale jewelry store from New Jersey to Charlotte. “I loved the fact that Katie was so willing to explore ideas that were out of the box,” she says. “She’s thirsty for creativity.”

Custom finishing is a labor-intensive, detail-oriented method of spraying lacquer paint on a surface (often cabinets, countertops, or other large wooden surfaces) to “finish” it or, as Schindler would say, perfect it.

In addition to the smooth, modern, slim-legged jewelry display cases at The Golden Carrot, her finishing resume includes the rustic, nautical woodwork at The Waterman that makes diners in the middle of Charlotte feel like they’re at a seafood shack on the coast. When the team at Undercurrent Coffee designed the Plaza Midwood location, it hired Schindler to create the custom tabletops and shelving units to complement the cool tones and extensive tile work in the cafe.

Schindler’s thirst for creativity and love of paint began in her childhood bedroom in East Tennessee. Like many children, she wanted to paint her walls—but in a custom color. “I liked taking something and something else and making them into something that I wanted to see,” she

COURTESY

THE GOOD LIFE

COURTESY

(Above) Fine Grit says. So she comfinished the custom bined red, yellow, shelving and and purple to cabinetry at Selenite Beauty in South End. create her first Schindler finished custom color. the nautical After college, she woodwork at The shopped thrift Waterman (right) and refinished the wood stores for old pieccabinets and range es of cheap furnihood for a recent ture, reinvigorated kitchen renovation (bottom right). them with paint, and resold them at flea markets.

Schindler later worked as a sales representative for Axalta, the coatings company she still relies on for lacquer. Clients and industry types began to ask her why she was selling paint instead of working with it. One day, a customer offered to sell her the full-service paint shop he planned to shut down. Three days later, the NoDa warehouse was hers, and she was her own boss. “I had no LLC, no plan on, like, how to start a business, no idea,” she says. “That was five years ago.”

In her first year, she managed with just herself and some part-time workers. A client hired her to refinish cabinets in 15 rooms of his home, which she completed within one month. “I don’t know how I did it,” she says with a laugh.

But she still does.

JARED MISNER is a writer for this magazine.

His work has also appeared in Our State, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Knot and Logo.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

27

THE GOOD LIFE

ART

When Blues Fight the Blues Dr. Michelle Rivera paints to relieve the strain from an emotionally charged career

BY MICHELLE BOUDIN

28

she decided to paint an exaggerated version of her dog, Sparky, a lab-pit bull mix. “I was walking Sparky one day, and he had such a beautiful, shiny, jet-black coat that it looked blue when it was reflected in the sky,” she recalls. “I started painting dogs, and that’s why most of them are blue.”

Soon, her new artistic specialty emerged: bold, life-sized dogs against an abstract, colorful background. She layers big, thick strokes of paint at a “frenetic” pace, signifying a world of fun and play. “My goal is to make people happy when they look at it,” she says. “I think that’s part of the counter to my other work.”

As a physician, Rivera specializes in breast imaging. She has to read mammograms and deliver the results. “That part is really hard because you know what it means for the patient,” she says. “We have tissues all over the office. It’s a tough field to be in—you make women cry a lot. Nobody wants to do that.”

The harder her week is, Rivera

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

COURTESY

DR. MICHELLE RIVERA didn’t know she was a painter until she was almost 40. “I went to a high school in New Jersey that didn’t have a lot of resources,” says Rivera, who’s 53 now. “Our art teacher rolled in a cart with magic markers and construction paper, and that was art class.”

The Harvard- and Duke-trained physician moved to Charlotte with her husband in 1998 so they could both take jobs as radiologists. The couple raised three kids, all competitive rowers, in their Foxcroft home.

“It’s nonstop at work, and the days are very long,” Rivera says. “Then I come home and make dinner. I end up falling asleep on the couch.”

She remembers the day she told her husband she felt she could paint.

“There are really good artists in Charlotte, and I would see their work and get inspired,” she says. She started taking classes with nationally recognized artist Andy Braitman at his Charlotte-based Braitman Studio. At the time, her kids attended Charlotte Country Day School, which holds an annual Big Saturday Art Sale. Rivera entered a few pieces and sold every one. “Back then,” she says with a laugh, “I really just wanted my hobby to pay for itself.”

Braitman taught landscapes, so that’s what Rivera did—at first. Then

(Above) Rivera paints bold, lifesized dogs against abstract colorful backgrounds in her home studio.

(Below) Her painting Pink Crush Pup.

COURTESY

says, the more she paints. She retreats to her small home studio as often as she can. She estimates most paintings take four hours of intense work, but many days she can work for only a half-hour at a time.

She does some commissions—she asks for a photo but prefers to see the dog in person—and shows her work locally at Allison Sprock Fine Art and Cotswold Marketplace. She also sells original art through her website, michelleriveraoriginalart.com, where an agent saw her work and contacted her about selling her paintings to the public in 2016. At first, Rivera thought it was a scam.

It wasn’t. Today, her work is licensed and sold by Target, Home Goods, and Wayfair.

“My work with patients is all about science, and there’s a certain lexicon,” she says. “It’s all very rigid and scientific, and everything is done according to percentages and has to be just so.” One of the reasons she loves painting is that it doesn’t have to be perfect; she says her best work starts after a few misguided brushstrokes.

“As a doctor, I have to get everything absolutely right,” she says. “With art, mistakes can make things better. I think, fundamentally, that’s what keeps me going. If I want to make the sky green, it doesn’t matter. I can mess it up, and in the end it can be even better than you planned.”

Rivera’s paintings, which include Frisbee Dog 2 (above) and Piglet (below), are licensed and sold at Target, HomeGoods, and Wayfair.

MICHELLE BOUDIN is a reporter for NBC Charlotte and a frequent contributor to this magazine.

FIVE STAR PROFESSIONAL

Who will be named a 2020 award winner?

Find out in a special section of the December issue Tell us about your home professional today — they could win the Five Star award! Go to www.fivestarprofessional.com/homesurvey or call 651-259-1865.

Untitled-3 1

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE 29 4/1/20 2:35 PM

THE GOOD LIFE

H I STO RY

The Cracker Kingdom’s New Ruler Lance stayed homegrown and humble over its first century.

Can it still, now that the Campbell’s Soup folks own it??

SANDRA WALKER is the type of lifelong Charlottean who, when you ask if she’s from Charlotte, tells you, No, but thank you for asking. She’s from Indian Land, South Carolina, back “when it was all country.”

Today, at age 67, Walker lives in a much different Charlotte, one that encompasses Indian Land in its ravenous regional sprawl. Indian Land is home to Red Ventures, the Google-like technology company, and its expansive campus, with a basketball court, food trucks, and nearly 4,000 employees.

In Walker’s lifetime, Charlotte’s population has more than sextupled, having grown from a textile manufacturing hub of about 134,000 to a nouveau-Southern metropolis of nearly 873,000 residents, skyscrapers, and two professional sports teams with a third on the way. One thing that hasn’t changed for Walker—at least not in 47 years—is her employer.

She’s worked at Lance, Inc., the nationally renowned cracker company, since 1973, when she was 20. She started as a “packer,” placing the company’s sandwich crackers into boxes, when Richard Nixon was president and John Belk was Charlotte’s mayor.

“I didn’t know a lot about Lance,” Walker says in a bustling coffeehouse in Steele Creek, not far from her home. “But

30

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

then I started hearing things, like it was such a good company to work for and good people to work with.”

THE COMPANY’S TIES TO THE CITY are even older. Philip Lance established the first in 1913 when, after a mix-up with a customer, the food broker was stuck with 500 pounds of peanuts. To recoup his costs, Lance sold bags of peanuts for 5 cents each on the corner of Trade and Tryon, steps away from what is now Charlotte’s Epicentre.

The snacks were a hit. They continued to evolve thanks to the ingenuity of his daughter, Mary Arnold Lance Van Every, who had the idea to grind the peanuts into peanut butter and spread it between two saltines. It sounds obvious today, but those became the world’s first commercially sold peanut butter cracker sandwiches.

“Lance’s is one of the great success stories of Charlotte and the Carolinas,” Tom Hanchett, historian in residence at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, told WTVI in a January documentary about the company.

By 1973, the year Walker started at Lance, the company had grown from just Lance and his son-in-law, Salem Van Every—who joined him in 1915, dou-

bling the company workforce—to an $80 million company with 4,500 employees in 34 states.

But it remained where it started, in Charlotte. Walker still works at the factory at 8600 South Boulevard, an address she’s memorized after nearly five decades.

When she started working on the line, she was one of 26 people who worked multiple shifts to feed packaging into machines and pack crackers into boxes.

Two years after she started at Lance, a utility worker named Karl Walker caught a glimpse of her—and kept staring. Soon the couple went on their first date to play pool at a bowling alley on Independence Boulevard. (She doesn’t remember the name; it’s not there anymore, anyway.

She does remember that he won.) Fortythree years later, they have two children, two grandchildren, and still attend the United House of Prayer For All People.

HOW DOES A COMPANY that specializes in peanut butter cracker sandwiches thrive for 107 years? How does a company built on tradition and light on innovation survive in 2020 amid grocery store aisles of snack competition and flashier choices like Birthday Cake Oreos and Little Debbie Zebra Cakes?

For much of its first 25 years, Lance was primarily a candy company. That all

PHILIP L. VAN EVERY FOUNDATION (8); COURTESY

BY JARED MISNER

(Above) A 1955 billboard advertised Lance Crackers at the corner of Pecan Avenue and Independence Boulevard.

(Right) While Philip Lance started selling roasted peanuts on foot, the method of transportation has evolved throughout the years.

(Left) Company culture played a big role in the business, and employees were treated like family.

(Below) When Sandra Walker began her career at Lance in 1973, she was one of 26 people who worked multiple shifts.

She met her husband, Karl, two years after she started at Lance.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

31

THE GOOD LIFE

Nekot cookies are (allegedly) so named because they were originally circular and called “Token” cookies. One day, the wrapping machine packaged them inside out.

Nekot is “token” spelled backwards, and the name stuck.

Whatever you do, don’t call these “Nabs.” That’s short for Nabisco, a competing snack and cookie company.

Philip Van Every used to bring peanut oil home from the factory for the women in his family to sunbathe with, according to Quincy Foil White.

The popular Captain’s Wafers are named after Van Every’s boat captain at his beach house in Georgetown, South Carolina.

IN DECEMBER 2010, Pennsylvaniabased Snyder’s of Hanover, a purveyor of potato chips, pretzel sticks, and other salty tidbits, announced a merger with Lance that created a new, combined company, Snyder’s-Lance. The new company’s CEO, David Singer, hailed the “strategically compelling merger” as a

Lance’s peanut brittle was originally packaged in shirt boxes

A BRIEF HISTORY OF LANCE

32

pany, which had grown to $9 million in sales (about $134 million in today’s dollars).

“He was 29 years old and found himself at the head of a company,” White says. “What in the world’s he going to do? You know, that’s a big responsibility.”

Van Every, who would later serve as Charlotte’s mayor from 1953 to 1957, turned the company into one of Charlotte’s biggest success stories. As the cracker company expanded—it hit $14 million in sales in 1950, $26 million in 1960, and $80 million in 1973, the year Van Every retired—he was careful to maintain its Southern, family-sown roots.

The company delivered two prayers every day—one at 9 a.m., before the first shift, and one at 5 p.m., before the second—over its loudspeakers. It celebrated Thanksgiving each year with a feast for its employees at the factory. Christmas parties were at the old Carolina Theatre in uptown, steps away from where Lance sold the first nickel bags of peanuts in 1913.

When Van Every retired, he was the last in the family to run the company.

It was an early foreshadowing of larger changes.

1913

1914

1915

1916

Philip L. Lance starts Lance Packing Co. with peanuts

A soldier from Camp Greene shares a peanut brittle recipe which becomes a popular Lance candy

Lance and son-in-law Salem Van Every formally found Lance Packing Co.

Lance’s daughter Mary Arnold Lance Van Every creates the peanut butter sandwich cracker.

Above, she visits the plant as an employee packages holiday boxes

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

PHILIP L. VAN EVERY FOUNDATION (6); CAMPBELL’S SNACKS (2)

LEGENDS

changed with World War II and sugar rationing, but the Lance peanut brittle recipe, which came from a soldier at Camp Greene during World War I, is still a favorite among the Lance and Van Every descendants.

Lance reached its first $1 million in sales in 1935, in the thick of the Great Depression. Much like today with the coronavirus pandemic, the economy tanked, people lost their livelihoods, money vanished. But Lance emerged stronger than ever.

“It’s largely because you could get a great pack of crackers for a nickel a pack,” Quincy Foil White, Salem Van Every’s great-granddaughter and current chairwoman of the Van Every Foundation, told WTVI in January.

The price helped, but Hanchett says there was more to the recipe than that.

“The whole notion of manufactured food, corporate food, was really cuttingedge at that point,” he adds. The number of textile mill workers who lived and worked in Charlotte was, perhaps, an even bigger reason for the company’s success. “Ten hours on the factory floor and you want a little bit of a snack,” Hanchett says. “There’s this need by working folks to have something that fits in your hand, that’s wrapped, and Lance fit into that niche that no one knew existed.”

Eight years later—amid another crisis, during World War II—a death shocked the company. On Easter Sunday 1943, Salem Van Every, Philip Lance’s son-inlaw, died. He left his 29-year-old son, Philip Van Every, in charge of the com-

A bronze sculpture of Philip Van Every was unveiled on the Trail of History along King’s Drive in 2019.

Grandchildren of Van Every include (left to right) Pebbles Glenn Nix, Anne Glenn Rettiger, T. Glenn, Quincy Foil White, Carolyn Sisk Williams, Marty Foil, Mary Lance McGinn, and Peaches May.

PHILIP L. VAN EVERY FOUNDATION (4); SNYDER’S; CAMPBELL’S SNACKS

marriage of the two brands’ “strengths in salty, cracker, and cookie snacks.”

Suddenly, the company—though still based in Charlotte—was one wing of the country’s second-largest snack empire.

Eight years later, consolidation struck again. Philip Lance had started his company with only $60. In 2018, Campbell Soup Co. bought Snyder’s-Lance for $50 per share in an all-cash transaction, which represents an enterprise value of approximately $6.1 billion. The biggest immediate change: It was no longer a Charlotte company. Campbell’s is based in Camden, New Jersey.

Externally, the Campbell’s purchase doesn’t appear to have changed much, although Lance is now just a partner in an empire after nearly a century as its own.

1939

1943

Lance introduces ToastChee crackers

Philip Lance Van Every becomes president and CEO, a position he would hold until 1973

Internally, what’s changed is smaller, subtler. Campbell’s offered its new employees $50-per-share company stock buyouts, which Sandra Walker accepted; she’d held the stock for decades. After a quarter-century as a packer, Walker has worked for the past 20 years in the company store, where people can buy their favorite Lance products. For years, she says, ToastChee reigned supreme. Now, Cape Cod potato chips, an old Snyder’s product, are the Lance store’s top seller. And she works on an iPad now rather than a cash register, a change she says she’s still adjusting to.

Today, Walker says, only six people work on the packing line. Robots do her old job. Karl, who left Lance after about five years and is now retired, knows better than to try to coax his wife into retire-

1961 - 1990s Lance moves from its third location to its current facility at 8600 South Boulevard.

The old factory in historic South End (above) becomes a mixed-use building in the late 1990s

ment, too. “I like working there,” Walker says. “I like being busy.”

Even as the pandemic eliminates jobs worldwide and overwhelms unemployment offices, Walker is still at Lance, selling chips and cracker sandwiches in the store at 8600 South Boulevard—although now, with the virus around, she wears gloves every day. She has no immediate plans to retire from the only company she’s ever known. She makes $23 an hour, up from the $86 a week she made when she started.

“I’m having fun,” she says with a smile.

“Why stop?”

JARED MISNER is a writer for this magazine.

His work has also appeared in Our State, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Knot and Logo.

2010

2018

Lance merges with Snyder’s of Hanover to become Snyder’s-Lance

The Campbell Soup Co. acquires Snyder’s-Lance

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

33

THE GOOD LIFE Kelly Lu Rose is wearing the Alexia skirt ($210) with a Kate Spade Rhinestone top.

ST YL E

The Past Repurposed CLT Fashion Fund revives the city’s textile heritage through sustainable fashion

BY VIRGINIA BROWN PHOTOGRAPHS BY RUSTY WILLIAMS

KELLY LU ROSE didn’t know about Charlotte’s rich textile manufacturing roots when she moved to Optimist Park in 2009. “Learning about historical aspects of the neighborhood,” she says, “it seemed my destiny to land here.”

The seamstress and founder of CLT Fashion Fund learned to sew from her mother when she was 10.

“I always made my clothes,” she recalls. “I thought it was ‘rich’ that I could have my own custom clothes.”

Her family moved to Charlotte in 1988 and, for

34

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

an end-of-year project at South Mecklenburg High School, she created a fashion line and show. She took her passion and skills to Bauder College in Atlanta, where she earned a degree in fashion merchandising in 2003.

Last summer, her 14-year-old niece, Sh’Cia, now in ninth grade, decided to create an upcycled clothing line for a school project, and she turned to her aunt. Rose took her to fabric stores to teach her all she could.

Today Rose promotes sustainable fashion and “upcycling,” creating new, often better uses of old products to honor our city’s past. “I feel like I was called to this area,” she says. “I feel the energy of those who came before me. It’s like they’re saying, ‘Don’t forget about us.’”

CLT Fashion Fund, an online retailer of hand- and machine-sewn, upcycled clothing, creates one-of-akind items by giving new life to discarded denim.

“Everyone—man, woman, black, white, young, old—owns a pair of jeans, and I think we connect as a society with that,” Rose says. “It can unite us.”

She’s certainly on-trend. This year, the Academy Awards shone a light on recycled dresses, as Saoirse Ronan wore a custom Gucci dress with repurposed material from a gown she wore at another event.

Actress Elizabeth Banks wore a red gown she’d donned at a 2004 Oscars party and, on Instagram, said she wanted to highlight the importance of sustainability in fashion and consumerism.

“We have to do something to reduce the negative impact of the industry,” Rose says. “It’s like the switch turned on, and the whole industry went into emergency mode. This is my way of being an activist.”

For her, activism starts with denim, one of the fashion industry’s largest polluters. Manufacturers use toxic chemicals and hundreds of gallons of water to dye and finish one pair of jeans, and more chemically altered washes to achieve the fashionable “distressed” look. Studies of dyeing and finishing facilities in Asia have found heavy metals like mercury and lead in the water supply.

CLT Fashion Fund sources denim remnants from local thrift stores, Etsy, and Bellam Jeans in Greenville, S.C. Rose and her team of local seamstresses add embellishments to create new pieces from the scraps of others. Plus, she says, “denim has a rich heritage and is extremely durable.”

A classic A-line skirt, cream-colored with denim leaf appliques, starts at $210, while other items—a star-studded, patriotic mini and a dainty patchwork mini—range from $60 to $540. All pieces are available on Etsy. While her creations are more expensive than some everyday items from chain retailers, Rose believes customers, especially younger ones, want to support small businesses that do good.

CLT Fashion Fund plans to produce tote bags and bookmarks, among other smaller items, at lower prices. “We are in an emergency state of trying to connect,” Rose says. “Combining remnants is my way of connecting and blending society.”

(Left) A few skirts offered by CLT Fashion Fund. (Below, left to right) The Gabriella dainty patchwork skirt, $210; Star Embellished Denim skirt $65; and the Amelia leaf appliqué skirt, $210. (Bottom) Rose also offers an upcycling embellishment service. The pink dress was provided by a customer which was appliquéd in a velvety floral design. For details, visit cltfashionfund.com.

VIRGINIA BROWN is a native Charlottean and full-time writer whose work appears in Our State magazine, AAA Go magazine, SouthPark Magazine, and BBC News Magazine, among others. Reach her at vbwrites.com.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

35

THE GOOD LIFE

RO O M W E LOV E

Grime, Meet Style Designer Brooke Adler builds a mudroom with function and flair

BROOKE ADLER, owner of Brooke Adler Interiors, knew her family would outgrow their Myers Park home as soon as they moved in five years ago. But she was already planning for that. “You know what your house needs once you’ve lived in it for a bit,” she says. Two and a half years later, they knew they needed an expanded kitchen and upstairs playroom, a fourth bedroom, and a covered porch. At the top of her wish list was a mudroom with plenty of storage for her two boys, ages 7 and 4. After a six-month renovation, the family finally had a house— and a dedicated room—that could stand up to a little mud. —Taylor Bowler

36

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

DURABILITY Adler chose a dark gray tile for the herringbone-pattern floor because it hides much of the dirt the boys bring inside. “The shiplap is super durable, and the paint is super wipeable,” she says. “I liked the idea of nothing to clean—I wanted a plain look that’s low maintenance.”

STYLE MEETS FUNCTION A gold pendant light from Visual Comfort complements gold hooks and handles from Emtek, and the shiplap walls modernize the otherwise traditional house. The full-light entry door allows in plenty of natural light, and the long area rug invites people into the kitchen. “I like having the washer and dryer in a spot where I can still see my kids, and this is right off the kitchen— it’s an essential location for functionality,” she says.

“This is what the house was really missing.”

APRIL WALTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

SPACE TO MOVE Before, the washer and dryer lived in a cramped closet with no storage. “With two boys, I wanted a sink where they could throw their stinky stuff, good ventilation, and countertops for folding laundry,” Adler says. She added hooks for their backpacks and jackets, drawers for their shoes, and cabinets to store paper towels and cleaning supplies.

THE GOOD LIFE TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”

The Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly comedy was shot partially at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Also, the titular racer’s homestead? A house on Lake Norman.

TUSK Filmed in Charlotte in 2013, it stars Justin Long, Michael Parks, and Haley Joel Osment. The idea for the film was born out of a conversation on Smith’s SModcast, Smith’s weekly podcast, part of the True North Trilogy, a set of horror films that take place in Canada.

The QC’s Cue Card See anywhere familiar?

UNDER A STAY-AT-HOME ORDER, we’ve all streamed more films and TV shows lately than in previous summers. Some people binge on certain directors or genres; I’ve revisited movies and shows filmed in the Charlotte area. Below, I’ve assembled some of the marquee examples of Hollywood cameras in our beloved city. —Andy Smith DAYS OF THUNDER This 1990 racing movie with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman— they met on set and were later married for 11 years—used Charlotte Motor Speedway for several scenes. Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, even served as a technical consultant for the film.

FILMS

ASHBY This 2015 film with Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff, Sarah Silverman, and Emma Roberts used thousands of Charlotteans as extras. Filming locations included South Mecklenburg High School and spots around Plaza Midwood.

CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR This Nick Jonas vehicle filmed at Lakes Norman and Lure.

The 2015 thriller was inspired by the 1981 film Body Heat, in which a young man finds himself in a dangerous romance while he stays at his parents’ lake house.

38

THE HUNGER GAMES In 2011, uptown was the epicenter of this highly anticipated adaption of the young adult book series. In one scene, Stanley Tucci’s Caesar Flickerman takes the stage in The Capitol to interview the protagonists. That’s Knight Theater, and many audience members are locals.

LEATHERHEADS This 2008 George Clooneydirected film used American Legion Memorial Stadium at Central Piedmont Community College for several football scenes. Look for traces of our skyline as a stand-in for 1920s Chicago.

LOGAN LUCKY This 2017 heist film uses the Coca-Cola 600 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway as its backdrop—and the filmmakers used the real thing to pull it off. If nothing else, it’s fun to watch Daniel Craig, known for portraying James Bond, affect a West Virginian accent.

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

THE RAGE: CARRIE 2 This 1999 horror sequel was filmed entirely in Charlotte.

According a fan site about the film: “An 11,000 square foot house was built on the floor of Charlotte’s old convention center (soon to be a shopping mall) in the heart of downtown. The house … was completely destroyed for the climactic party scene.”

SULLY The “Miracle on the Hudson” aircraft once rested at Carolinas Aviation Museum, and director Clint Eastwood filmed in this space for the dramatic retelling.

TELEVISION

BANSHEE The Cinemax show used Charlotte to represent an Amish community in Pennsylvania.

Look for locales in Mooresville and Waxhaw throughout the show’s run.

HOMELAND For a few years, you could occasionally spot Claire Danes or Mandy Patinkin around town. The spy thriller series left town for Season Four in 2014, opting to shoot in Cape Town, South Africa.

SHOTS FIRED Primarily filmed in Kannapolis, this Fox miniseries also shot in Concord, Charlotte, and Mooresville. The show follows a federal investigation of a police shooting of an unarmed teenager.

WILD WILD COUNTRY This addictive Netflix docuseries about the religious community Rajneeshpuram has a surprising cameo from Charlotte, and it arrives during the concluding episodes of the popular series.

LIONSGATE; PARAMOUNT PICTURES; LANGLEY PARK PRODUCTIONS

ST R E A M I N G G U I D E

Guests of Rock Barn enjoy access to members-only amenities, including our Robert Trent Jones, Jr. golf course, restaurants, 8-court tennis complex, outdoor aquatic center, and fitness center.

&

Stay

in our luxury townhomes or our 5-bedroom Lodge.

Rock Barn Country Club & Spa in Conover, NC has two 18-hole golf courses, a day spa, five restaurants, eight tennis courts, an aquatics center, a fitness center, and event venues.

Play golf and tennis, swim in the outdoor pool, or get a massage at The Spa ... then join us at the Club for dinner.

Visit for the day. Stay for a weekend.

Schedule your Stay & Play: events@rockbarn.com

Rock Barn Country Club & Spa Members enjoy discounts on Spa services, lodging, and event spaces, in addition to member golf tournaments, varied social events, and monthly themed dining events.

Hospitality. Community. Lifestyle.

www.rockbarn.com / (828) 459-1125

Congratulations to all

BOB Awards Winners!

Celebrate your recognition with a commemorative plaque, available in two sizes and ready to display.

Learn more at: charlottemagazine.com/bobwinner

E S S AY S / F O O D A N D W I N E / T R A V E L / S H O P P I N G & M O R E

CLOG-FREE GUT TERS

OR YOUR MONEY BACK

GUARANTEED! ilte

fF Lea

1

D R

TH

GU

ORE

BEF

r

TT

NATIO

’S

AF

E

N

TER

r

ilte

fF Lea

ER GUA

“My only regret is that I wish I had known about LeafFilter sooner.”

–Doug L.

INSTALLS ON NEW & EXISTING GUTTERS

LIFETIME WARRANTY

THE LEAFFILTER SYSTEM Micromesh

15% OFF

Virgin Vinyl

YOUR ENTIRE LEAFFILTER PURCHASE* Exclusive Offer – Redeem By Phone Today!

Hanger

ADDITIONALLY

10% OFF SENIOR &

Existing Gutter

MILITARY DISCOUNTS

CALL US TODAY FOR

A FREE ESTIMATE

1-704-266-1244 Promo Code: 285

Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST

PLUS!

THE FIRST 50 CALLERS WILL

RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL

5% OFF

YOUR ENTIRE INSTALL! **Offer valid at estimate only

FINANCING THAT FITS 1 YOUR BUDGET! Subject to credit approval.

Call for details.

1

*The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” *For those who qualify. **Offer valid at time of estimate only **One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 License# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H

FOOD DRINK

INSIDE:

NOW OPEN / ON THE LINE / LOCAL FLAVOR

+

EXPLORE THE TASTES OF CHARLOTTE

The Quail of 2 Chiles dish is hot fried quail with pickled celery on top of a warm blue cheese biscuit.

N OW O P E N

FROM BEALE STREET TO THE BAYOU Leah & Louise celebrates Delta culture and cuisine

BY TAYLOR BOWLER PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER TAYLOR

NEW RESTAURANTS often promise a concept unlike anything we’ve seen in Charlotte—and sometimes pull it off. Conveyor belt sushi was unexpected.

Barbecue and Asian cuisine was a surprisingly good mash-up. Gaming venues are having a moment. But a Memphis-style juke joint that serves river chips and hot fried quail? This one lives up to its promise.

Continued on next page â JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

41

FOOD+DRINK

Sous chef Tchnavia “Tché” Carter (above). Smoked lamb rib (top right) and dirty grits (bottom right).

LEAH & LOUISE

301 Camp Rd., Ste. 101 (980) 309-0690 leahandlouise.com

WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY: 5-10 p.m.

Editor’s Note: Leah & Louise will announce its public grand opening via Instagram. As this issue went to press, the restaurant offered curbside pick-up and delivery via Postmates and Uber Eats from 4 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. The prices above reflect those on the online ordering menu.

42

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

Leah & Louise is the third concept from husband-and-wife team Greg and Subrina Collier and the first restaurant to open in Camp North End. They were on track for a grand opening in late March until COVID19 hit, forcing them to halt dine-in service before they opened their doors to the public. Prior to the bar and restaurant closures, the Colliers hosted a few private events in their new space. At press time, they were limited to takeout and delivery orders.

The Memphis natives—who had to temporarily close their other venture, Uptown Yolk, as well—spent close to a year renovating the 1,800-square-foot space. They named it after Greg’s late sister and grandmother and modeled it after a “juke joint,” a place African-Americans would go for “booze and blues” in the Deep South beginning in the Jim Crow era. The décor takes a use-what-you’ve-got approach, with mismatched dishes, whitewashed oak tabletops, and reupholstered church pews that function as booths along the back wall. A long communal table in the center seats 14, and the booths and

patio seating accommodate an additional 44. (That’s it, 58 seats total, so make a reservation.)

Greg, the James Beard-nominated chef and Soul Food Sessions co-founder, serves dishes inspired by the Lower Mississippi River Valley soul food he grew up with.

(Think Memphis, mainly.) The one-page menu starts with a “Bar None” section of small-ish shareable plates like River Chips ($6), the fried chicken skins he perfected at Loft & Cellar, his previous uptown restaurant. The Roll Up ($5) is a thick slice of cornmeal brioche with black garlic butter, a decadent but not-too-filling starter for a party of two.

For a true taste of the Delta, order the Quail of 2 Chiles ($16), hot fried quail with pickled celery on top of a warm blue cheese biscuit you won’t want to share. The Black Sheep ($16) is a sweetand-savory mash-up of smoked lamb rib topped with boiled peanuts and sweet potato “pickliz.” If you still have room, try the Dirty Grits ($7) with smoked mushrooms—and get them with fried livers

(Left) Pastry sous chef Jasmine Macon makes a crepe cake (above, left), layered with butternut crepes and sunchoke butter cream, topped with applesauce and pecan crumbles. The Arthur Lou tart (above, right) has an oatmeal crust and ginger meringue.

for an additional $5. The “Shugahs” section has treats like the Arthur Lou ($8), a Tang tart with ginger meringue and oatmeal crust, and the Crepe Cake ($8), a pear fritter with cardamom whipped cream.

Look for a rotating PWYC (“pay what you can”) dish, which the Colliers include so every patron can enjoy a great meal regardless of their social or financial status. At the bar, mixologist Justin Hazelton serves seasonal cocktails and low-to-no-ABV drinks. Guests can also head next door to Free Range Brewing for a beer and order food from Leah & Louise’s bar menu.

The Colliers hired sous chef Tchnavia “Tché” Carter and pastry sous chef Jasmine Macon in their ongoing effort to give a platform to more black women in the hospitality industry. Everything about this restaurant feels like an extension of this couple, and in a time when we could all use an escape—mental or culinary—this restaurant transports you to a different place and time.

Don’t leave without trying: The Farro Cookie ($6), which looks like a standard chocolate chip cookie but actually combines wheat spices, smoked pumpkin, and white chocolate chips.

(Above) Chef and co-owner Greg Collier. (Left) The Farro Cookie.

TAYLOR BOWLER is lifestyle editor of this magazine.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

43

FOOD+DRINK

O N T H E LI N E W I T H

DAVID CAVALIER Capishe’s head chef left the world of fine dining for pizza, pasta, and family

BY TAYLOR BOWLER

You may know him from: Kindred, where he was sous chef Age: 40 Relationship status: Married with a 19-year-old daughter and a son born in May Hometown: Buford, Georgia Currently lives in: Mooresville Currently watching: Ozark Favorite sports team: Atlanta Falcons

Why do you think Italian food is having such a moment in Charlotte?

For a long time, there was no good Italian food here, so there’s an open market for it. There’s a lot of pasta going on right now—the Napoli region of Italy is making a big impression. And how can you not love it? It’s pizza, pasta, and family.

How did this opportunity at Capishe come to you?

One of the (silent) partners is a good friend of mine and introduced me to (founder) Bruce Willette. I thought, “Do I really want to work for the fast casual guy from Salsarita’s?” It was an adjustment, but it’s been a year and a half now, and I don’t want to be anywhere else. It was the perfect time to do something I said I would never do.

How did you develop Capishe’s menu?

I’d been working at more fine dining restaurants, so in a sense I had to tone down my flavor profiles. I think I understood immediately when Bruce asked me to put Kindred down and do something new and different. I created 80 percent of the recipes here. We make all of our pastas, sauces, and pizza dough in-house with mostly Italian products.

THE TOUGH STUFF Chocolate or cheese?

Cheese Coffee or tea?

Tea Beer or wine?

Beer Pasta or pizza?

Pasta Cannoli or gelato?

Gelato Baked or fried?

Baked Appetizer or dessert?

Appetizer Cheerios or Frosted Flakes?

Cheerios Street eats or sit-down?

Street eats Lobster roll or egg roll?

Egg roll French fries or French onion soup?

Soup Spicy noodles or spaghetti & meatballs?

Spicy noodles

How is this experience different from a white tablecloth restaurant?

People come here for the food, not the alcohol or amazing dining room with art everywhere. There are no other bells and whistles. They’re coming here to eat good food or take it home to share with friends and family.

44

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

What ingredients do you always have on hand?

Flour, water, and really good olive oil. And you can never let go of butter.

What do you think is an underappreciated flavor?

Bitter. You have sweet, salty, and sour, but bitter is one of the more misunderstood flavors. Garlic is bitter until you treat it properly. Arugula is bitter, but when you put the right dressing on it, it tastes amazing.

What’s one recipe you nail every single time?

The marsala cream sauce on our rigatoni with chicken. People want that sauce on their table with a straw.

What’s your favorite dish to make?

I love making pasta. If you have something on your mind, go make pasta. It’s therapeutic.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Charlotte, other than your own?

Haymaker. William [Dissen] works so hard at sourcing local foods and really cares about Charlotte. They do really good food and share a lot of the same ideas we shared at Kindred.

And I still really like Kindred a lot (laughs).

Any rules to live by in the kitchen?

Teamwork. A restaurant is a team sport. If you’re not coachable, then the restaurant industry might not be the place for you.

ANNE WILLETTE

How do you describe your approach to cooking?

I’m pretty methodical. If it’s great now, I try it a few more times.

It’s my creative process. I like to have fun at work, but I have a serious edge to me. When my staff sees me being a little silly, it catches them off guard.

LO C AL F L AVO R

Try This at Home

The COVID-19 shutdown forces restaurateur Bruce Moffett to pass dishes from his five-restaurant food empire from curb, window, and doorway

STEFANIE HAVIV

BY TAYLOR BOWLER

AT THE START OF 2020, Bruce Moffett looked forward to celebrating the 20th anniversary of Barrington’s, his first restaurant in Charlotte. “For the first time in several years, I wasn’t hemorrhaging money on a new restaurant,” he says with a laugh. Over the last two decades, he’s added Stagioni, Good Food on Montford, NC Red, and Bao + Broth to his portfolio.

Business was good. Then COVID-19 came to Charlotte, and Governor Roy Cooper ordered all restaurants and bars to halt dine-in service. In late March, Moffett laid off 50 of his 70 employees.

The longtime chef had to pivot—fast.

Like many Charlotte restaurant owners, he switched to takeout and curbside pick-up. His remaining staff, all of whom agreed to a “massive” pay cut, rallied.

They took phone orders, wore rubber gloves, packed meals in boxes, and used extra sanitary measures at every turn.

“I made a decision to cut down on our menus and offer less prep-intensive

items,” Moffett says. “A lot of people are looking for comfort food right now, so we’re adapting our menus to be more family-style. Barrington’s chicken, which has been on the menu since it opened, is still a go-to item.”

Diners who once came to Moffett’s restaurants for the atmosphere and distinctive table experience now line up in their cars to grab their dinner to go.

The Nashville hot chicken from NC Red is still hot, and the steamed buns from Good Food are still delectable. But a huge piece of the Moffett experience is lost in the age of COVID-19. A 24-ounce Narragansett will always taste better on a patio with friends gathered around a table covered in bowls of empty clam shells.

Moffett, whose flagship restaurant withstood dips in business after 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis, says this one has hit him harder. “In this instance, the governor gets on TV and says you’re no longer allowed to support the 70

people that work for you—that’s tough,” he says. “Is this it for independent restaurants? That’s the scary part.”

In 2015, Moffett took his staff to Aruba to celebrate the 15th year of Barrington’s.

He’d hoped to do something similar for the 20th. “A really nice 20th anniversary would just be getting back to working with my people,” he says. “Seeing everyone gainfully employed, doing the stuff we know how to do—that’s what I want.”

As Charlotte continues to participate in “The Great American Takeout,” Moffett hopes diners no longer take restaurants for granted. “We operate on small margins, and we’re in it because we love it,” he says. “We have a vital place in this community, and when this is over, I think restaurants will be the first place a lot of people go.”

TAYLOR BOWLER is lifestyle editor of this magazine.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

45

SHUTTERSTOCK

With the right tools, you can turn your backyard into a mini-obstacle course.

46

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

From a frolic in Freedom Park to a zoom down a Whitewater Center zip line, Charlotte is typically an active summer city. (Remember when “zoom” had only one meaning as a verb?) Not this year. COVID-19 has changed our reality in 2020, and this season—normally a fun-filled break for families—wasn’t spared. But the staff of Charlotte magazine still believes lively and dynamic dog days are possible even when you have to spend most of your time indoors, and we’ve got the list to prove it. In these pages, you’ll find a call to (tan) arms for Charlotte’s dejected denizens.

Welcome to a Stay-at-Home Summer.

Grab a frosty beverage and some tanning lotion. Both are still necessary

BY

Taylor Bowler, Virginia Brown, Greg Lacour, and Andy Smith

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

47

Toast to Captain Jack.

48

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

UP YOUR GARDENING GAME. Outdoors, socially distant—what a wonderful activity gardening is during the spread of an airborne virus! Early summer, through mid-July or so, is a perfect time to plant a host of vegetables, like eggplant, summer squash, cucumbers, peppers—and tomatoes, which thrive in the abundant sunlight of June and early July. Once the calendar closes in on August, get your fall garden ready: lettuce, spinach, kale, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, which require you to plant deeper in drier soil. Plant rows a week or so apart to avoid a wasteful surplus, and revel in the fact that you needn’t visit the supermarket to enjoy fresh produce. —Greg Lacour

COURTESY OMB: SHUTTERSTOCK

On a hot summer day, crack open a cold CAPTAIN JACK, a year-round staple of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, and honor Charlotte’s version of Paul Revere. This popular pilsner at the city’s oldest brewery is named for James Jack, a young Colonial-era tavern owner who, outraged by the news of a British massacre of colonists at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, volunteered to deliver the Mecklenburg County declaration of freedom on horseback to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Captain Jack has become a favorite local brew, of course, but he symbolizes much more: the freedom of a people tired of tyrannical rule. (Liberation is something all of us have been longing for these past few months.) A statue, The Spirit of Mecklenburg, also honors him at Little Sugar Creek Greenway park at 4th Street and Kings Drive near uptown.

At press time, the beer was sold at local grocery stores and at the brewery via drive-thru. OLDE MECKLENBURG BREWERY, 4150 YANCEY RD. —Virginia Brown

Find your favorite flavor of ice cream.

Shops still closed? No problem. Get these treats to go.

For the no-frills soft-serve fan: Family-owned in Charlotte since 1967, MR. K’s in South End serves up good, old-fashioned soft-serve in three flavors—chocolate, vanilla, and a twist of the two. Order it “blitz”style with your choice of toppings, which include gummy bears, pecans, sprinkles, Butterfinger, M&Ms, and more. Mr. K’s serves sundaes, malts, shakes, and other sweet treats, too. 2107 SOUTH BLVD. For the adventure-seeker: TWO SCOOPS CREAMERY is known for homemade, “secret” family concoctions like Cookies by the Sea, Krazy Kake, Nana Delight, and Boom. The Plaza Midwood mainstay, owned by three Charlotte friends, serves unique, fun, funky flavors. Take your ice cream to go or have a pint delivered.

913 CENTRAL AVE.

For the lover of locally sourced ingredients: Not only is everything made fresh on-site at THE LOCAL SCOOP in Ballantyne, but the ice creams (with rotating flavors like Vanilla Bean, Sea Salted Caramel, and Nutella Truffle) and gelato are made with locally sourced milk from Jackson Farms and Homeland Creamery.

5355 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PKWY. —V.B.

SHUTTERSTOCK; COURTESY

STAY COOL. As of press time, we could only hope that the state will have lifted the stay-at-home order by summer, because if summer 2020 is anything like 2019 … Oy. Experts suggest basic steps to keep your home as cool as possible: Close windows, blinds, drapes, and doors to unused rooms. Set ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise to draw warm air up and circulate cooler air. Change your HVAC filter regularly, and make sure your unit has been serviced recently. Grill outside when you can to prevent the stove or oven from adding to house heat. Keep your thermostat no lower than 75 degrees when you’re not home to avoid taxing the unit and to keep power bills within Earth orbit, anyway. —G.L.

(Top to bottom) Two Scoops Creamery’s Krazy Kake and Berry Sorbet; Mr. K’s vanilla swirl cone with sprinkles; and The Local Scoop’s Sea Salted Caramel.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

49

GRILLED PEACHES

Get inventive in (and out) of the kitchen like Charlotte’s chefs.

When summer temperatures hit their peak, turning on the stove or cranking up the oven is unbearable. That’s why we asked a few Charlotte-area chefs to share recipes that will make us look like bosses with spatulas:

FROM ROB CLEMENT Executive Chef, The Porter’s House Start with clean grates and a hot grill.

Cut your peaches in half, remove the pit and cut the two sides in half again. Each piece should have two flat surfaces.

Sear each flat surface for two to three minutes, then rotate to the other flat surface for the same amount of time.

FROM CHEF JIM NOBLE 1 whole Joyce Farm free range chicken ¼ teaspoon sea salt and fresh ground pepper Olive oil ½ cup Noble Smoke “Lex” Barbecue Sauce Light grill. “I use a Green Egg, so I will use a mix of natural lump charcoal and some wood chunks,” Noble says.

“I suggest Carolina Cookwood chunks and coal from here in North Carolina.”

Wash and dry the chicken. At the cavity at the bottom of the chicken (near the legs), get a chef’s knife and split the “H” bone from the femur on both sides of the backbone, all the way up to the neck.

Then, flip the chicken and finish removing the chick back bone.

Turn over and split into two halves.

50

Lightly coat chicken with olive oil and season skin side liberally with salt and pepper.

Add to the grill, skin side up. Keep temperature around 350-400˚F. Turn over after 30-40 minutes, skin-side down, and coat with barbecue sauce.

Cook another 10 minutes and turn over once again. Sauce skin side.

When cooked through, remove from grill and let rest 10 minutes, basting with Lex sauce again to taste.

Cut into pieces and serve with a little sauce on the side. —V.B.

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

PORK WITH PEACHES FROM SCOTT WALKER of the Grinning Mule (formerly of Heist Brewery) Brine pork for 12 hours. Roast on grill over low heat for approximately two hours, applying plenty of wet rub every 35 to 45 minutes. Remove and rest for two minutes, then fan-slice pork and spoon peaches over top.

FOR THE BRINE: 1 pork loin, cut in half 1/2 cup pineapple juice 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup salt 1/4 cup sugar 4 cup water FOR THE WET RUB: 1 12-oz. pilsner beer 1/2 cup honey 1/4 cup pineapple juice 2 cups brown sugar 1/4 cup whole grain mustard 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 tablespoons melted butter

“Pork loin and peaches are easy to get and cheap around June in our area. The pepper and mint combined with the caramelized spice and sugars are a great combo to pair with any beer or cocktail.”

Melt butter and mix all wet rub ingredients in a bowl. (Spoon rub on loin if you don’t have a brush.)

PEACH MARINADE: 6 peeled and cored peach halves 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon fresh mint julienne (or cilantro) 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 red onion julienne cut 1 red Fresno pepper Salt Mix ingredients together and refrigerate until use. When pork is pulled to rest, remove peach halves and grill. Once peaches are caramelized, quarter the cooked halves and add back to the marinade. Spoon when ready to serve.

ALTERNATE: Add lettuce cups to make tacos around the grill or pool.

SHUTTERSTOCK; COURTESY ROB CLEMENT

GRILLED BARBECUE JOYCE FARMS CHICKEN

“We ran grilled peaches and burrata all last summer, and it was a hit. South Carolina actually produces more peaches than Georgia, so you can get great local Transfer grilled peaches to a rack, peaches as early as June. These peaches brush lightly with sorghum syrup, and are a great snack on their own or will sprinkle with coarse salt or, if you have upgrade a salad.” it, the chili-lime salt Tajin.

Celebrate the crape myrtle.

One of Charlotte’s signature flowering trees makes its big debut in June. The eye-catching hot coral pink crape myrtle blooms line streets and parks. We spoke to chief city arborist Tim Porter about one of the Queen City’s ubiquitous summer trees: CM: What should we know about the crape myrtle—or is it crepe?

TP: I see both, but I tend to go with “crape.” Crape myrtles are one of the most common in Charlotte, accounting for 16 percent of the city’s street tree population.

Roughly 25,000 crape myrtle street trees grow within city limits, according to the city’s street tree inventory. Second on the list is willow oak, followed by red maples and Bradford pears.

CM: Other than their bright colors, what makes them so popular?

TP: Crape myrtles are extremely resilient and hardy, and they tolerate urban environments better than most other trees. When there’s a difficult planting location with less than ideal growing conditions, crape myrtles are often a great choice. They can be overused in the landscape, though, and their hardiness can detract from efforts

to increase species diversity.

CM: What’s a fun fact about the crape myrtle?

TP: They bloom at times most other trees don’t bloom, and blooms typically last much longer than other flowering trees in the South, such as dogwoods and redbuds.

CM: We talk about banding our oaks and growing concern for the age of our oak canopy. Are we caring for our crapes well enough?

TP: Don’t top crape myrtles! [Ed.: “Topping” is the practice of removing the tops of trees.] Crape myrtle root systems can live on long after the tree above ground dies or is removed. The tree will often sprout from stumps and roots for years after removal or death. I’ve seen new trees grow back in the same location from the same root system that a previous tree was removed from. —V.B.

Feed baby birds with Carolina Waterfowl Rescue.

SHUTTERSTOCK; COURTESY LIBERATE YOUR PALATE

Liberate Your Palate delivers cocktail kits to homes, and founder Tamu Curtis teaches her virtual cocktail class on Zoom.

From blue jays and robins to chickadees and cardinals, CAROLINA WATERFOWL RESCUE takes in more than a thousand orphaned and injured songbirds every year. They also welcome domestic and exotic ducks for placement, do nuisance referrals, and offer bird, duck, and goose rescue assistance. Each year, CWR provides housing, food, and medical care for more than 50 types of baby birds. That means they can use some help. Volunteers dedicate three hours a week to one of four shifts daily—seven days a week to make sure these fluffy little ones get the nutrition they need. For information on volunteer opportunities, email songbird@cwrescue.org or visit cwrescue.org/baby. 5403 POPLIN RD., INDIAN TRAIL. —V.B.

REFRESH WITH A SUMMER COCKTAIL. Bars and restaurants may have halted dine-in service, but this doesn’t mean you can’t have your favorite cocktails at home. Pick up a cocktail kit curbside at BARDO in South End (1508 S MINT ST.), and make Amanda Britton’s raspberry mojitos in your kitchen, or swing by FIN & FINO (135 LEVINE AVENUE OF THE ARTS #100) for a box of the bitters, tinctures, and garnishes you need to recreate Brittany Kellum’s tiki-inspired libations. If your bartending skills need some refining, book a virtual cocktail class with Tamu Curtis at LIBERATE YOUR PALATE. She’ll deliver a cocktail kit to your doorstep with a Zoom link to the class.

For a cocktail demonstration and good company, check out Stefan Huebner’s virtual happy hour at DOT DOT DOT and learn how to make variations of his favorite daiquiris.

Cheers! —Taylor Bowler JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

51

DONATE. In this time of virus, cash donations are especially important, as they allow large nonprofits—like FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS’ and UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL CAROLINAS’ COVID-19 Response Fund and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ COVID-19 Relief Fund—to direct resources as the situation on the ground changes.

The nonprofit connector organization SHARE CHARLOTTE maintains a list of coronavirus-specific needs among the more than 400 organizations it represents, from letter writing to check-ins for the elderly to bookkeeping from home. For information, go to sharecharlotte.org and click on the top banner, then follow the links. —G.L.

Have your own Queen’s Feast at home.

MEET THE BIRDS ALONG THE RAPTOR TRAIL AT CAROLINA RAPTOR CENTER.

Opened in 1948 in honor of Charlotte’s World War II soldiers, 98-acre FREEDOM PARK in Dilworth is known for the gorgeous cherry trees at its entrance. Tons of room for picnics and reading make this popular “central” park one of the city’s most beloved. During a typical summer, you could walk, run, or bike the paved trail that meanders around a 7-acre lake or play on the basketball courts, soccer fields, and tennis courts.

Usually, the park hosts a variety of events like Festival in the Park in fall and during summer: concerts, including jazz, draw crowds to the covered amphitheater. But as of press time, the county had closed parking lot gates, which left the park open only to foot traffic. So walkers, runners, and cyclists: Keep it moving! One more warning: Watch out for the park’s infamous goose poop, which is still congregating in the park. —V.B.

SPEND SOME TIME IN FREEDOM PARK.

COURTESY DONNA EATON, CAROLINA RAPTOR CENTER; LOGAN CYRUS

Rough-legged hawk Aletta (rhymes with cheetah) is just one of dozens of birds who, after surviving serious injury in the wild, now call the CAROLINA RAPTOR CENTER in Huntersville home. Aletta is just one of 81 residents of 37 different species—they include eagles, falcons, owls, and vultures—at the Center, one of the most well-respected of its kind in the nation. Until it reopens, tune into Facebook at 11 a.m. on weekdays for an Avian Home Adventure. 6000 SAMPLE RD., HUNTERSVILLE. —V.B.

At press time, CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT WEEK was slated for July 17-26, with participating restaurants still joining the lineup. In the spirit of #thegreatamericantakeout, grab your Queen’s Feast to go and add some pizzazz to your at-home dining routine. Enjoy gnocchi Bolognese, grilled octopus, beef tartare, or chocolate hazelnut pie, and support the local chefs and restaurant owners who’ve been hit so hard by the COVID-19 restaurant closures. For event information, pricing, and a list of participating restaurants, visit charlotterestaurantweek.iheart.com. —T.B.

52

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

Take in a concert from your couch.

GET YOUR WIGGLES OUT. If months of home confinement have your little ones itching to get up and move, sign them up for virtual lessons at ARTS+. The faculty at Arts+ (formerly Community School of The Arts) has worked since the onset of the pandemic to make art and music lessons available online.

SingPlayMove lessons are for children ages 3 through 6 and their families, and they teach kid-friendly songs, moves, and tips for making music on your own at home. Visit artsplus.org/programs for more information. —T.B.

SINGPLAYMOVE; SAM ROZZI/@CRAFTCAROLINA

Learn a new skill.

The Charlotte-born company SKILLPOP, known for classes in a variety of fields, has switched to a virtual format over the past few months.

This summer, take a class like “Instagram Workshop,” “Makeup Made Easy,” “Home Decorating Basics,” “How to Care for Houseplants,” or any of the season-specific ones available at skillpop.com. —A.S.

Summer is typically the season for outdoor concerts at PNC Music Pavilion or Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre. In lieu of shows packed with disease vectors, several local music venues will host virtual concerts instead of in-person performances. THE EVENING MUSE and THE MILESTONE have pivoted to video. In April, The Milestone held a “digital benefit” with performances from Mike Watt of The Minutemen and fIREHOSE, J. Robbins of Jawbox, and local acts like Dollar Signs, Late Bloomer, and Dylan Gilbert of Hectorina. —Andy Smith

Chill out with a cold brew or iced coffee.

You may not be able to have meet-ups or work remotely at Charlotte’s coffee shops right now, but you can still enjoy warmweather pick-me-ups. Below, see how to get cold brew, iced coffee, and more on the go, with spots located across town:

GET ORGANIZED. Think of summer organization as the new spring cleaning. Take this time to tackle the heaps of junk under your bed or purge your kids’ closets of outgrown clothes and shoes. If you need someone to walk you through the process, contact an organizational pro to help you decide what stays and what goes. Julie Bertram, owner of THE ORGANIZING PRO, declutters pantries, garages, playrooms, attics, and more. After a monthslong stay-at-home order, it’s time to put everything back in its place and get our houses ready to host friends again. —T.B.

Drive through CUPLUX at 3115 FREEDOM DRIVE and score any number of cold go-to pick-meups, from iced lattes in flavors like hazelnut and matcha to signature selections like Iced Honey and Oates. On really hot days, opt for the Cold Brew Slushee, made with local milk, cold brew, and vanilla bean syrup. (You can also get these delivered through Postmates for a fee.)

Made with Joe Van Gogh beans and roasted in Hillsborough, the refreshing cold brew options at CENTRAL COFFEE come with or without ice or even bottled. Brick-and-mortar locations include South End (1700 CAMDEN RD. #101) and its original spot in Plaza Midwood (719 LOUISE AVE.), but with the stay-at-home order, the shop has also become mobile: You can email info@ centralcoffeeco.com and get your order delivered if you’re within 5 miles of one of those shops.

THE HOBBYIST, which Bryson and Julie Woodside own in the Villa Heights neighborhood, sells drinks for curbside pickup and delivery. Signature options include lavender-vanilla lattes or an iced flat white, made with oat milk, cinnamon, and honey. Teas are also available and include green, white, oolong, and herbal options. To order, call 704-526-0073 or download the Cloosiv app, which supports local coffee shops and bakeries.

2100 N DAVIDSON ST. —V.B.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

53

READ BOOKS WRITTEN

BY YOUR NEIGHBORS. Lounging on the beach with a good book is quintessentially summer. This season, you can still do the “good book” part, at least.

Here are three books by Charlotte authors released since last summer that’ll provide an escape from your porch:

A Conspiracy of Bones (Scribner)

by Kathy Reichs The adventures of the author’s famous forensic anthropologist, Temperance Brennan, continue with a new story that takes place here in Charlotte.

The Life & Afterlife Of Harry Houdini (Simon & Schuster) by Joe Posnanski

Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever (Dey Street) by Gavin Edwards We could all use more kindness right now. Edwards looks at the legacy of Fred Rogers in his most recent book. —A.S.

54

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

COURTESY (4); KATIE POSNANSKI; REICHS: MARIE-REINE MATTERA

The celebrated sports journalist dives into the mysterious life of the famous magician—and why he continues to captivate us.

THROW A VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY. Under social distancing, event planners and others who gather people into groups for a living have fallen back on connection-by-video. Helen Apple Edwards and Carrie Spicher from SPARK BY DESIGN offer custom online “party packs” with handmade posters, postcards, scented candles, playlists, and customized digital backgrounds. Spark By Design also offers four types of packs: happy hour, brunch, Southern supper, and Charlotte-themed night in, with caricature artists, magicians, and comedians as popular add-ons.

Each party pack comes with ingredients, digital instructions, and tips for success (like making sure you’re front-lit). “You still want to dress up, wear your lipstick and your makeup,” Edwards says. “It’s such a private party experience, you really do feel like a VIP,” Spicher says. “It’s almost more personal this way.”

Looking to host your own? Just support local businesses whenever possible. “If you were going to host an event on your own,” for example, Edwards says, “like an ‘uptown night,’ you could each get takeout from a restaurant uptown.” —V.B.

Turn your backyard into a sports venue.

When the parks are closed and you long for the great outdoors, it’s time for some DIY adventure. Here are three ways to transform your backyard into a sports complex while also shopping local: ROPES COURSE If your yard has two or more trees, tie ropes to them, attach anchors, and hone your balancing skills. The U.S. National Whitewater Center’s Outfitters store ordinarily carries brands like Sterling and Black Diamond—but at press time, the store remained closed under the state Stay-at-Home Order. (You can always purchase equipment directly from the companies.) You can also purchase adventure gear and accessories from GREAT OUTDOOR PROVISION CO. (4275 PARK RD.), a small chain of adventure equipment stores in North Carolina and Virginia. Whatever gear you buy, we recommend you keep your makeshift course safely near the ground.

TOMMY MCCART; SHUTTERSTOCK

SOCCER ARENA Major League Soccer is coming to Charlotte, and it’s only adding to the sport’s popularity in the QC. PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS (8500 PINEVILLE-MATTHEWS RD.) has a local location, but you can also purchase anything you need online. Find balls, cleats, goals for your yard, and even shorts in both used and new condition.

CORNHOLE OK. So this one’s not as high-impact as the previous offerings. But some of us need a game that doesn’t require putting down our beer. If you invest in your own cornhole set, it’s important to note that some of our most prominent sports teams (outside of the great sport of cornhole) have their own sets: The CAROLINA PANTHERS have one in the NFL Shop, the CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS licensed a set through Victory Tailgate, and the CHARLOTTE HORNETS sell a set in the NBA Store. —A.S. JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

55

Maybe the experts weren’t optimistic enough, and the pandemic subsides as you’re reading this issue. Whether it’s this year or next, these activities represent a typical, glorious summer in Charlotte

COURTESY

Spring at the Duke Mansion’s gardens.

56

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

The Jailhouse bar and cigar lounge is located in Belmont’s former jail.

Race go-karts at GoPro Motorplex.

GOPRO MOTORPLEX brings a little bit of Italy to Mooresville. The 0.7-mile, 11-turn track, based on the famous Kartdromo Parma circuit, allows speeds up to 55 mph. Pull on that helmet (outfitted with its namesake’s fast-action camera) and hop in your kart for 10 minutes of whips, twists, and turns.

130 MOTORPLEX DR., MOORESVILLE. —V.B.

EXPLORE THE ’BURBS. Charlotte’s booming suburbs hold food, drink, shopping, and other options that rival the quality of what you’ll find in the city. WAXHAW offers quality dining options, popular bars like DreamChasers Brewery, walkable streets with antique shops—and historic sites like the one-time home of Andrew Jackson and the Museum of the Waxhaws. MATTHEWS has a top-notch farmers’ market, wine bars in Black Chicken Wine Cellar and Seaboard Taproom & Wine Bar, and fine dining at the Euro-influenced Santé. In BELMONT, sip a cocktail at The Jailhouse, a bar and cigar lounge within the cells of downtown Belmont’s former jail. CORNELIUS offers lakeside dining at Hello, Sailor, plus a unique coffee shop/bar/live music venue, Old Town Public House. —V.B.

Explore the trails at the Whitewater Center.

CHRIS RODARTE

Relax in the Duke Mansion’s gardens.

Hidden off Hermitage Road, which meanders through the lush trees of posh Myers Park, THE DUKE MANSION is the former home of James Buchanan Duke of Duke Energy and Duke University fame. Built in 1915 and located on the National Register of Historic Places, visitors love it as a charming bed-and-breakfast. But this storied home has a secret: Locals love the Mary DBT Semans gardens out back. Bright pops of purple, pink, and white flirt with shrubs and flowering trees in the four-and-a-half acre garden and grounds. Grab a cocktail or the dog’s leash and take your lunch break in the middle of Myers Park—the garden is free and open for visiting during daylight hours most days. Call 704-714-4400 to check the events schedule before you go. 400 HERMITAGE RD. —V.B.

We all know this spot for its thrilling, high-octane zip lines and whitewater rapids, and even its popular River Jam music gatherings. But the U.S. NATIONAL WHITEWATER CENTER, which covers 1,300 beautifully wooded acres, boasts more than 50 miles of meandering trails great for hiking, mountain biking, dog walking, and trail running—and it’s shaded from the hot days of summer.

The center grades trails from green to blue to black in order of difficulty, as on ski slopes. The center is open 365 days a year, and the trail network is always open (weather permitting), even when programming is shut down. Note: you still have to pay the $5 parking fee. 5000 WHITEWATER CENTER PKWY. —V.B.

Gear up for football season at Panthers Fan Fest.

Get hyped with Sir Purr and lively performances by the TopCat dancers and PurrCussion drumline as our beloved CAROLINA PANTHERS make their first appearance of the 2020-21 season at Bank of America Stadium. The new season marks the debut of new head coach Matt Rhule (previously of Temple and Baylor universities). Watch the team practice on the field and end the night with a fireworks display and laser show at this anticipated annual family event. Tickets are $5. For more information, visit panthers.com/schedule/ fan-fest. —V.B. JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

57

Backside Trail reaches the summit at Crowders Mountain State Park.

TAKE A HIKE. Break away from the heat for a nice day drive and hike at one of several nearby hiking areas. CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK is the closest, at just about a 30-minute drive west, near Kings Mountain. The Pinnacle and Crowders Mountain paths offer challenging hikes, boulders, cliffs, and 25-mile views all the way to the Charlotte skyline. The park’s 11 trails range from leisurely to strenuous and include the Ridgeline Trail, which links to Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina. South Mountains State Park is a bit farther (about 60 miles) but packed with rugged terrain up to 3,000 feet, an 80-foot waterfall highlight, refreshing streams, and more than 40 miles of gorgeous nature trails. Horses and mountain bikes are welcome.

Other options include PILOT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, north of Winston-Salem near the Virginia state line, and the UWHARRIE NATIONAL FOREST/BADIN LAKE RECREATION CENTER, east near Albemarle. —V.B.

SLEEP UNDER THE STARS. Whether you’re in your own backyard, a state park, or a glamping site like LAKE LURE’S EMBERGLOW, camping is a great way to reset and enjoy summer’s evening air. The MCDOWELL CAMPGROUND at McDowell Nature Center and Preserve offers 56 reservable campsites that range from primitive sites for serious outdoors folks to RV pads with full hookups. For an elevated experience, head to COPPERHEAD ISLAND campground or spend a night or two under the stars at TREEHOUSE VINEYARDS in Monroe. —V.B.

Spend a day on the lake.

On sunny days, the water sparkles on LAKE NORMAN to the north of Charlotte and LAKE WYLIE to the southwest, both of which offer outdoor activities to cool things off. Rent a motorboat and float with friends on the open water or go organic and kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. Call 704-987-3300 or email visitorcenter@lakenorman.org for more information about lake activities. —V.B.

Go for a ride at Carowinds.

After the day is done, the lasting memory won’t be those sweaty waits in line to zip around one of the 407-acre amusement park’s signature rides. You’ll remember the thrill of the Fury 325, the tallest giga coaster in the world and the quickest non-launched coaster, or the newest one of the bunch: Copperhead Strike, the 50-mph ride that happens to be the park’s first double-launched coaster.

The price of admission includes access to Carolina Harbor, the 27-acre water park with its own attractions. If you’re going to sweat, you should at least have a chance to rinse off. 300 CAROWINDS BLVD. —A.S.

LOGAN CYRUS; CAROWINDS

Copperhead Strike offers a 50-mph roller coaster ride.

58

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

Brakeman’s Coffee & Supply Co. offers outdoor seating in the front and back of the cafe.

Plan a day on the water at Lake Norman, and end it with a beautiful sunset.

Charlotte Knights’ lovable mascot, Homer the Dragon.

SPEND A DAY PATIO-HOPPING. In the MORNING, Brakeman’s Coffee & Supply Co. (225 N. TRADE ST., MATTHEWS) in Matthews offers an ideal outdoor nook to post up and start the day. Whether you work, catch up with a friend, or simply—and slowly—enjoy the day, as the Brakeman’s slogan suggests, it’s not too hot yet, and the shade from the tree-covered back patio (and broad table umbrellas) keep things cool in this secret garden. After that, it’s LUNCHTIME. While the signature bangers and mash or shepherd’s pie options at English pub-style Sir Edmond Halley’s (4151 PARK RD., STE. A) may be too hot for a summer day, opt for a more appetizing blackened salmon wrap or salad, sit back, and enjoy the shade at this longstanding Park Road Shopping Center joint. To ROUND OUT THE DAY, hit happy hour at RuRu’s Tacos & Tequila (715 PROVIDENCE RD.). Tucked behind an old Myers Park estate, RuRu’s patio never disappoints when you’re in search of specialty tacos and margaritas. Keep it in the “Friend Zone” (RuRu’s simple house margarita) or opt for something a little spicier, like the “Pineapple Express” (made with jalapeño-infused tequila and tamarind spice). —V.B.

LOGAN CYRUS (2); COURTESY

Take in a Knights game at BB&T Ballpark.

At 7:04 p.m. (a nod to Charlotte’s area code) on summer evenings on their home field, the Charlotte Knights throw the first pitch to begin their popular uptown games. Homer the Dragon bounces around BB&T Ballpark to take photos with kids and highfive fans. The smell of popcorn and peanuts fills the stands. Supporting our own Triple-A baseball team (an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox) with a stadium dog and refreshing local brew is just good, old American summer fun. —V.B. JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

59

Last year, Charlotte registered its most homicides in 26 years and a dramatic surge in gun violence. The district attorney, the first person of color to hold the position, has adjusted to combat the spike—and called on North Carolina to recognize that criminal justice in our growing cities can’t be done the old way anymore

BY GREG LACOUR

60

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

LOGAN CYRUS

TKTKTTK Spencer Merriweather

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

61

WE TAKE THE ELEVATOR to the basement. “Now, these are closed files,” says Spencer Merriweather. “The open files are spread throughout the office.” We disembark, and Merriweather opens the door to the archives, what you might call the Hall of Shelves and Boxes. You can’t see the end of it.

“I mean, this is what we’re dealing with,” he tells me, as we step between cliff faces of cardboard boxes jammed with paper. We pass some of the greatest hits of the Charlotte district attorney’s office—here’s the 16-box collection from the trial of serial killer Henry Louis Wallace, the “Taco Bell Strangler,” in the 1990s; and here’s the Rae Carruth case, 19 boxes that have filled space on the shelves since the ex-Carolina Panther’s murder-conspiracy conviction in 2001. Carruth finished his sentence in 2018, but the paperwork remains in prison down here—where, on a drizzly February morning, an industrial dehumidifier runs in one corner to offset a leak from the ceiling.

“Now what happens is, we’ll send some of these and put them on microfiche or send them someplace,” says Merriweather, the district attorney in Mecklenburg County since 2017. “But we’re all based on paper here. For most court systems, this is highly unusual. If you go to any of our ADAs’ desks, they’ve got files and files of this stuff. You go to California, everybody’s walking around with iPads.”

Merriweather is not saying he wants new gadgets for himself and his staff because that would be nice, although it would. He’s not saying the monoliths of stacked boxes in the basement are a nuisance, although they are. He’s saying that Charlotte is the 17th-largest city in the United States and that more than a million people live in his jurisdiction—North Carolina’s 26th Prosecutorial District, i.e., Mecklenburg County—in the ninth-most-populous state. He’s saying that the state’s cities—Charlotte, of course, but also Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham—are bursting with people who have moved here from around the country, and that means more people in the criminal justice system, and that system is running more or less the same way it has since the days when North Carolina was home mainly to textile factories and hog and tobacco farms. He’s saying that system no longer works.

Merriweather said so in late January during a news conference he called to announce his office’s response to a surge in gun-related violence and the 2019 homicide total: 107, the highest in Charlotte in 26 years. He announced his plan to bring 20 homicide cases to trial in 2020, up from 13 in 2019, and to emphasize prosecution of gun crimes after an investigation by The Charlotte Observer revealed that more than half of Charlotte’s murder suspects in 2019 had been charged before with weapons crimes, and that most of those were dismissed. The larger issue, he said, is the General Assembly’s failure to respond to the specific, and swelling, needs of North Carolina’s cities. Prosecutors’ offices are underfunded, he says—a common complaint from district attorneys everywhere but warranted in Mecklenburg County, where local governments pay for more than a quarter of the office’s 85 technically state-employed prosecutors.

But criminal justice in urban areas, Merriweather said, requires more than just additional money for prosecutors, public defenders, and court clerks.

Reform-minded prosecutors around the country recognize the need to stretch into spaces beyond the courthouse—for example, to establish community courts in neighborhoods; employ staff members who speak languages other

62

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

than English; and adopt technology, like iPads, that allows for the quick transfer and review of criminal records. In Charlotte and other North Carolina cities, reliance on paper records and a hodgepodge of antediluvian computer programs wastes valuable time and, Merriweather insists, undermines the pursuit of justice. Lawyers and judges suffer, but so do defendants, witnesses, and, most important, victims.

During the news conference, Merriweather said his and others’ suggested reforms shouldn’t be thought of as luxuries for prosecutors or sops to criminal defendants. “This is not just about hugging it out,” he said.

“We are seeing something happening in all of North Carolina’s urban centers, and it’s time for government to reflect the system we have. What is equal is not equitable. We call on the state to wholly reconsider the way large urban centers are staffed and resourced in the administration of justice.”

Wholesale reform would take years and millions of dollars, and the COVID-19 outbreak in March forced the DA’s office to shut down most of its operations and wait it out like everyone else—which corralled Merriweather’s plans to more aggressively prosecute homicides and weapons cases. When we speak again in early April, he estimates that his office will have to reschedule at least two and as many as five murder trials because of an April 2 order by state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley that postpones court proceedings until June 1. Courthouses statewide remain open, but under limited hours and with skeletal staffing; Merriweather says he maintains a minimal staff in the office and tries to conduct as much business by videoconference as he can. “Just because the (Supreme) Court says court sessions are down, it doesn’t mean that we’re not getting new rapes and new murders and new burglaries,” he tells me. “They’re still coming in the door, and those cases need to be reviewed.”

The virus will eventually subside.

Barring changes, the structural issues in the court system won’t. When we meet in February, I ask Merriweather

UNC CHAPEL HILL SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT; N.C. GENERAL ASSEMBLY

what he meant during the January news conference when he said, “What is equal is not equitable.”

“It is the craziest thing in the world that you would try to treat every single county in North Carolina the same, proportionally, when all of us face so many different, unique challenges,” he replies. “That’s the issue.”

EVEN BEFORE THE VIRUS, the courts weren’t as active as they could have been. It takes about five minutes to walk the long block from the DA’s office, in the old Mecklenburg County courthouse at East Trade and South Alexander streets, to the new courthouse at East Fourth and South McDowell, which opened in 2007.

On the day we meet in February, Merriweather and I walk up Fourth Street in the rain. “I can talk about this all day,” he says. “But until I’m able to walk people around and explain what sort of constraints we have here in our justice system, it’s hard for them to understand it. The court system is one of those things where, as a citizen, you kind of want to know that it’s there. But you’d rather not fool with it if you don’t have to.” We enter through the back and ascend to the fifth floor, reserved for Superior Court judges to preside over felony cases.

When they can, that is. The state constitution requires Superior Court judges to rotate among judicial districts—usually groupings of two or three counties—within their administrative divisions. Until 2019, the state was divided into eight of those.

A law that legislators passed over Governor Roy Cooper’s veto in 2018 cut the number to five. (Cooper, a Democrat, asserted that Republicans, who have controlled both legislative houses since 2010, were gerrymandering to secure partisan advantage.)

The new, larger divisions force judges to travel farther to preside over court when the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts, the agency that oversees the court system throughout North Carolina, assigns them to the far reaches of their territories. The seven Superior Court judges based in Mecklenburg County, who before 2019 had to travel no farther than

N.C. Superior Court Divisions Until 2019, North Carolina was divided into eight Superior Court divisions. A new law redrew the lines in 2019 to create five divisions—which forces judges to travel farther to preside over court and can waste time and resources.

Fifth

Third First

Sixth Eighth Seventh Second

2015-2018

Fourth

2019

Lenoir in Caldwell County—roughly a 90-minute drive from Charlotte— now find themselves at the eastern tip of a division that stretches to Murphy in Cherokee County, North Carolina’s westernmost, a four-hour drive away.

The change means, among other things, empty courtrooms in North Carolina’s largest city on a Monday morning. Merriweather and I walk around the corridor that frames the fifth floor of the wedge-shaped courthouse. A cacophony of voices floats up from the first floor, the domain of initial appearances in criminal cases, but up here, even with trials in two of the floor’s seven courtrooms, it’s silent. Merriweather pulls at the door

of Courtroom 5130. “Locked,” he says.

“Which means we weren’t able to get a judge in a courtroom. In Charlotte.

With 107 homicides.” Next to 5130 is 5150: also locked.

“This is supposed to be a week when we are proceeding on habitual felony cases, but you haven’t heard me say the first thing about a habitual felony trial, have you? Because we’re not able to start one,” he says, voice rising. He lifts his arms and drops them to his side in exasperation. “So that means we’re not trying habitual felons this month. We’re going to have to wait until next month before we can do it. That system is crazy. That’s something that may not impact you as much if you live in JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

63

Alexander County. But if you’re in Charlotte, and you have people who are in custody and who are waiting for their trial dates, or if you’re in the community and you’re like, ‘This guy got arrested nine months ago. What is happening?’ This is happening.

“Let’s say we start a drug or habitual felon case on a Monday, and it takes Monday to pick a jury, two days to put on evidence. Verdict comes back late Wednesday or early Thursday, and your judge says, ‘Well, I’m only assigned for this week, so unless the AOC actually gives me an approval, I’m not going to be able to start another case.’ That means we lost two full days of court time. That’s intensely frustrating. If they knew about it, most taxpayers would blow a gasket. It’s an absolute disaster—and not every place functions like that.”

The system will replace more than 200 unconnected software programs— many, including Mecklenburg’s, that run on MS-DOS operating systems, obsolete since the mid-’90s.

Slowly, on some fronts, the state is making progress. The AOC last year signed an $85 million contract with Texas-based Tyler Technologies, the nation’s largest provider of software and technology for the public sector, to implement a statewide system of electronic filing and public access to court records—what’s called an integrated case management system, or ICMS. The system will replace more than 200 unconnected software programs—many, including Mecklenburg’s, that run on MS-DOS operating systems, obsolete since the mid-’90s. The ICMS was one of the key recommendations of a commis-

64

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

sion formed in 2015 by then-Chief Justice Mark Martin and assigned to the first comprehensive review of North Carolina’s judicial system in two decades. A uniform, statewide management system would save employee hours, reduce errors, and allow judges, lawyers, and the public to quickly access records, the commission concluded in its report to Martin in 2017. The AOC expects to have the system in place at some point next year, says Charleston Carter, the agency’s trial court administrator for the 26th District.

The new case management system will help, Superior Court Judge W. Robert Bell tells me when I meet with him and Carter in March. But there’s a lot more to do, and additional judges or prosecutors alone won’t solve the problem; court systems, which rely on clerks, defense attorneys, and support staff, move only as quickly as their slowest parts. “I do believe that urban areas have a different need than rural areas,” Bell says. “I think that’s always been one of the tensions in the legislature with funding. We’re still by and large a rural state, and most of the legislators come from those places. I don’t think they have a real appreciation of the differences between a smaller city or town and a place like Charlotte.”

Bell, 66, was appointed to the Superior Court bench in 1997 and has successfully run three times for reelection; he’s been Mecklenburg County’s chief resident judge since 2015. He says travel to and from places like Sylva and Waynesville, which requires him to stay in hotels when he’s assigned there, doesn’t affect his work but “can wear you down.”

To him, the strain on the system is largely a matter of lack of resources, although the outmoded ways they’re applied hinder the courts, too.

“One of the things I’ve learned, as chief resident in particular, is that so much of what we do, we do because it’s the way it’s always been done,” Bell says. “It was probably the right thing to do 25, 30 years ago, but we have grown and changed so much in those 25 to 30 years that it’s no longer the right thing to do. But inertia is a very difficult force to overcome—

and change is something that people will kick and scream to not have to endure.”

MERRIWEATHER’S UPBRINGING sharpened his sense of how cruel or incompetent institutions can hurt people who have to tangle with them. He was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, the son of parents who lived through the civil rights movement in the Deep South. As a teenager in 1994, Merriweather was attending a summer program for gifted students in Philadelphia when, on foot, he accidentally collided with a police officer, who kicked him in the ribs. Merriweather, who would later graduate from Princeton and the law school at UNC Chapel Hill, says the incident taught him a lesson about how the unjust exercise of authority can stick with people for life.

The Philadelphia cop was white, but Merriweather downplays the racial aspect of what likely was a case of racial profiling. Merriweather, who turns 42 in July, is the first African-American district attorney in Mecklenburg County. His position lends him extraordinary power over young black people in the justice system and places him in a delicate spot—urban, black communities typically don’t see prosecutors as allies.

He responds with a pair of black-andwhite photographs that hang near the front door of the DA’s office: one of Mamie Till, the mother of black civil rights icon Emmett Till, a 14-year-old boy lynched in Mississippi in 1955; and Till’s uncle, Moses Wright, who identified his nephew’s killers during their trial in an era when he had every reason to expect he’d be killed for it.

(He wasn’t, but the jury acquitted the two white men, who later publicly confessed.)

The photos are Merriweather’s way of telling those who visit his office that he pursues justice, not people.

“Folks who have historically been disenfranchised, folks who have not been able to have a level of comfort or confidence in our judicial system,” he says as he raps a table in his office, “are exactly the types of folks who need to see that their government actually is working for them.”

He already understood the shortcomings of the court system in late 2017, when Cooper appointed him to fill the district attorney’s seat vacated

by Andrew Murray, now U.S. attorney for the western district of North Carolina; Murray recommended Merriweather to replace him, and voters elected Merriweather to a four-year term in May 2018. He had joined the DA’s office in 2007, eventually leading the team that prosecuted habitual felons. But Merriweather says his insight into its structural problems deepened once he ran the office.

They’re hardly new. Four years ago, Murray asked the Washington, D.C.-based Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and its president and CEO, David LaBahn, to compare the number of prosecutors in the Charlotte DA’s office to their counterparts in cities with similar populations. LaBahn found that prosecutors’ offices in large cities typically employ about 10 assistant district attorneys for every 100,000 residents in their jurisdictions—and Charlotte’s, with 84 ADAs in a county with a population of more than a million, lagged behind those in 10 other cities, including Memphis, Nashville, and Atlanta. Mecklenburg County’s population has since surged past 1.1 million, according to census data. As of April, the DA’s office had

85 prosecutors—and the state, which employs all of them, fully pays for only 59. Mecklenburg County pays for 20, the City of Charlotte for two, and the state, city, and county pay jointly for four.

“We offered a lot of deals that I’d have preferred we not offer—but we couldn’t take everything to trial because we didn’t have the resources,” Murray, who spent seven years as DA, tells me in March. “Those are decisions that prosecutors make all the time. But, in my opinion, it’s an acute problem in Charlotte because (the DA’s office) doesn’t have anywhere near the resources that any other metropolitan area’s prosecution district has. So it’s difficult for Spencer to function and do his job.”

That’s why refocusing the office’s efforts to combat a specific problem, as Merriweather announced during his news conference in January, is a temporary measure, not a solution, Murray adds: “When you’re doing that—what my mother used to say—you’re robbing Peter to pay Paul, right? So you’re taking somebody off habitual felonies; you’re taking somebody out of prosecuting property crimes. You can only refocus that many resources for so long without it showing up in other areas of your office.”

ON MARCH 6, less than a week before the first reported coronavirus cases in Mecklenburg County, six members of the county’s legislative delegation— which consists of 12 representatives and five senators, all but one of them Democrats—met with Merriweather to discuss his and other district attorneys’ ongoing funding requests to the General Assembly. The legislators generally supported Merriweather’s suggestions, which include enough money to pay for 115 prosecutors, a total that would bring his staff into line with others in comparable cities.

They offered Merriweather no hope that he’d get them.

Among the group at the meeting was John Autry, a former Charlotte City Council member who recalls his surprise, when he reviewed his first city budget in 2012, that it contained funding for prosecutors. “That’s not the city’s responsibility,” he says.

Autry won an N.C. House seat in 2016 and, as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, has a better idea now of why that is.

(Below) Four years ago, the district attorney in Charlotte asked a Washington, D.C., prosecutors’ organization to compare the number of assistant district attorneys in Charlotte to the number of ADAs in cities of comparable size.

Prosecutor staffing levels, 2016

Jurisdictions with populations comparable to Charlotte’s 13.07 12.34 11.72

12.42

11.78

9.16

9.75

10.04

10.17

= JURISIDICTIONS

125 ADAs

SHELBY COUNTY (MEMPHIS), TN

120 ADAs

PIMA COUNTY (TUCSON), AZ

120 ADAs

DAVIDSON COUNTY (NASHVILLE), TN

118 ADAs

FULTON COUNTY (ATLANTA), GA

110 ADAs

ERIE COUNTY (BUFFALO), NY

110 ADAs

100 ADAs

SALT LAKE COUNTY, UT

68 ADAs

90 ADAs

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NC

100 ADAs

8.3

84 ADAs

NUMBER OF ADAs PER 100,000 RESIDENTS

ASSOCIATION OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS

10.95

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY

FRESNO COUNTY, CA

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WI

NOTE: Prosecutorial responsibilities may vary.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

65

Republicans have dominated the legislature since 2010, holding vetoproof supermajorities in both houses from 2012 through 2018. Democrats broke the supermajorities that year, having won the governor’s office in 2016. But Republicans retain control of the General Assembly, and they’ve spent a decade passing legislation on ideological rather than practical grounds—and, from gerrymandering to an attempted takeover of Charlotte Douglas International Airport to the infamous 2016 “bathroom bill,” shown a pronounced hostility toward North Carolina cities in general and Charlotte in particular.

“The only way we’re going to have some differences there is with a different majority. The problem is that we have folks in positions of power in this state who only value tax cuts, rolling back regulations, and school vouchers,” Autry tells me. “When your prime objective is to shrink government down to the size where you can drown it in the bathtub, this is what you get. The idea is to continue to push the burden of funding these operations further and further down on the municipalities. The court system is a revenue source as far as some folks in the legislature are concerned.”

With enough money and people, Merriweather says, he’d be better equipped for initiatives that a handful of prosecutors’ offices across the country have enacted over the last 10 to 15 years—most notably in Milwaukee, where District Attorney John Chisholm has emerged as a leader in criminal justice reform.

Merriweather mentions Chisholm often. “He’s trying to make the systems that he works in a lot better,” Merriweather says, “and I feel like that’s my responsibility as well.”

Among Chisholm’s most influential reforms—part of a package that officials believe has contributed to a 33 percent decline in violent crime since 2015—has been a system of community-based prosecutors who set up in spaces like church fellowship halls and neighborhood recreation centers. The practice eases the burden on poor defendants, witnesses, and victims, for whom a trip to the courthouse can take more time and

66

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

aggravation than they can afford.

Merriweather believes it also would build trust among people inclined to fear the imposing, nine-story courthouse—a perception that prosecutors are part of the community, not just apparatchiks in suits who look for ways to put people in prison. That general thinking informs the traditional idea of community policing, that officers who walk beats and come to know the neighborhoods they patrol help deter crime. “It’s clear that community-based prosecution doesn’t mean you’re prosecuting the community,” says David LaBahn of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. “It’s the opposite: Can you get more cooperation from the people who live there?”

Authorities in Mecklenburg have already taken a few tentative steps toward reform. The DA’s office continues to allow adult, first-time, nonviolent offenders a chance to have their records expunged by completing a two-year deferred prosecution program, and Merriweather in 2018 dropped a requirement that defendants make restitution payments before they enter the program. (The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department runs a similar youth diversion program for juvenile offenders.) Defendants eligible for conditional discharge under the program are often those charged with low-level felonies, like property theft and simple cocaine possession; Merriweather says it’d save time and resources to route those cases through District Court, which handles misdemeanors, instead of Superior.

Merriweather believes money for more prosecutors and other resources would mean greater flexibility for his office, and those in North Carolina’s other cities, to respond to their specific needs and the unique character of urban criminal justice. “It’s really easy to write off the guy from Charlotte, and I know that,” he says.

“But I can look at what’s going on in some other jurisdictions and see that they’re suffering from some of the same issues that we are. They have some features that are a lot like what we’ve got—but they don’t have 1.1 million people, either.”

MERRIWEATHER TELLS ME THIS in February. When we talk next, in the first week of April, we’re in the early days of a new reality dominated by the threat of fatal disease and a virtual closure of society itself. No one knows how long it will last, or all of its ramifications. Trials will be delayed; public budgets are likely to shrink. Merriweather estimates that the shutdown has stalled a fifth of his cases, an amount that could grow. Just as troubling: Economic crises augur thicker criminal dockets.

Merriweather has seen the statistics on unemployment claims in the first weeks of the COVID-19 crisis, and he’s been around long enough to know what to expect when large numbers of people lose their jobs. Many will commit acts of violence born of their desperation, and their case files will end up on desks in his office.

Yet he retains hope that the new restrictions might force everyone in the judicial system to reconsider how they’ve been conducting business and, as in Judge Bell’s formulation, understand that the way things have always been isn’t necessarily the way they always have to be. How many steps in the long walk from initial appearance to plea or trial are truly necessary, and how many of them require all parties to be physically present in a courtroom on the fifth floor of the courthouse? Might certain hearings be more efficiently conducted by videoconference? Might prosecutors better serve justice by steering more defendants to drug or mental health treatment if addiction or mental illness underpins their crimes?

For that matter, how many defendants whose cases move through Merriweather’s office have to carry felony convictions for the rest of their lives? “As we begin to think about how we might restart this engine, it is forcing us to really think about what it is that we need,” he says. “If anything could ever force you to try to figure out a different, more efficient way of doing things, it’s this.”

GREG LACOUR is the senior editor for this magazine.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Finally, spring is here and summer is coming. Time to get away for a while!

The destinations on the following pages will provide the perfect escape.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SEA ISLAND: SO MANY REASONS TO VISIT THIS 5-STAR RETREAT

S

ince 1928, Sea Island has been known as an exceptional destination, appealing to those who appreciate gracious service and heartfelt hospitality. With four Forbes Five-Star experiences – The Cloister at Sea Island, The Lodge at Sea Island, The Spa at Sea Island, and the Georgian Room restaurant – Sea Island entices families, outdoor and activity enthusiasts, conference attendees, and those simply wanting to refresh and recharge. It is the only resort in the world to have received four Forbes Five-Star awards for 12 consecutive years and the only U.S. resort to host a G8 Summit of world leaders.

Recent enhancements at The Lodge (shown above) include an oceanfront pool, pool house, 18-hole putting course, new cottages with sleeping rooms, and a 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center. Sea Island features five miles of private beach, a Beach Club, tennis, offshore, inshore, and nearshore fishing, Shooting School,

beach horseback riding, and Camp Cloister for kids. Steeped in golf tradition, Sea Island is home to championship golf courses, including Seaside and Plantation, home of the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic, hosted by Sea Island’s own Davis Love III. Davis and his brother, Mark, of Love Golf Design, recently redesigned Plantation, which reopened in fall 2019. More touring pros live, train and/or play at Sea Island than anywhere else.

Accommodation options include The Cloister, with Mediterranean-style architecture; The Lodge, reminiscent of an English country manor; and Cottages, featuring all the privacy of a personal home. Located on St. Simons, The Inn at Sea Island offers comfortable, casual accommodations with access to many Sea Island amenities. Guests may also enjoy Broadfield, a Sea Island Sport Club and Lodge, with a variety for seasonal hunting, fishing, sporting, and organic culinary opportunities.

Learn more at seaisland.com and plan your visit today.

SEA ISLAND 100 Cloister Drive, Sea Island, GA 31561 Plan your trip at SeaIsland.com or call 866-526-7442

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

COME OUT TO PLAY IN OUR 8,000-ACRE BACKYARD

T

he roses are beginning to bloom. And Biltmore’s gates are open wide. Summer, in all of its lush, green-grass glory, is returning once more to Biltmore.

It’s time to come out to play. Biltmore’s 8,000acre backyard offers a world of adventure for guests of all ages. Hike through pristine forestlands. Float along the French Broad River. Get lost along miles of winding, wonderful garden paths. Or simply enjoy the sweeping Blue idge ountain views. rom y fishing to bike riding, and from star-gazing to horseback riding, Biltmore Estate offers a true wealth of warmweather activities.

One of our favorite Biltmore pastimes is a picnic with a view into the past century. icture it a delicious field to-blanket selection of the Estate’s freshest ingredients, cheeses, and chef-made pastries; a chilled bottle of one of Biltmore’s own Reserve wines; and perhaps best of all, the scenery rolling hills, wild owers, and the majestic façade of America’s Largest Home®.

To plan your Biltmore summer getaway, and to learn more about the special packages available – with stays at the four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate® or the convenient Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate® – visit Biltmore.com/stay.

BILTMORE® Plan your trip at biltmore.com/stay or call 800-411-3812

MONTAGE PALMETTO BLUFF

L

ocated between Hilton Head, SC and Savannah, G , under a hour drive from Charlotte you ll find Montage Palmetto Bluff. With 20,000 acres of pristine Lowcountry terrain, Palmetto Bluff encompasses walking trails, two vibrant villages, an array of shops and eight delectable restaurants. Upon arrival, most guests surrender their cars and leisurely make their way around the property on the main mode of transportation, bicycle.

This unparalleled coastal setting adorned with 100-yearold oak trees and 32 miles of waterfront has an abundance of space to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Miles of serene fresh waterways allow for aya ing, electric boats and fishing.

The surrounding tidal estuary of the May River provides ample room for boating, aya ing and fishing amongst the resident population of Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. On land there are no shortage of activities, Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf, tennis, croquet, pickleball, 13-station sporting clays course, archery, air ri e and a world class Spa ontage are just the beginning.

With this bounty of activity there are also a variety of accommodations to choose from, guest rooms to cottages to Village Homes allow for varying degrees of privacy and space. Wrapped in the warmth of southern hospitality, a getaway to Montage Palmetto Bluff will leave you with a lifetime of memories.

MONTAGE PALMETTO BLUFF Plan your trip at montagehotels.com/palmettobluff or call 855-264-8705

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WONDERS NEVER CEASE AT GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN

A

t more than a mile above sea level, Grandfather ountain a nonprofit nature preserve in Linville, N.C. — offers visitors a unique vantage point to the natural world.

With panoramic views of the Western North Carolina High Country, the park is home to the world-famous Mile High Swinging Bridge, environmental wildlife habitats (featuring rescued black bears, cougars, bald eagles, river otters and elk), access to 12 miles of hiking trails, a nature museum, 100-plus picnic sites, a

restaurant, eco-friendly fudge shop, daily nature programs and more, all adding up to mountains of family fun.

With handicapped accessibility, even right up to the swinging bridge, Grandfather Mountain allows guests to customize and personalize their experience — from a backcountry adventure to a leisurely drive.

Grandfather Mountain is open year-round, weather permitting, with the exception of Christmas and Thanksgiving. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com, or call 800-468-7325.

EXPERIENCE GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN Plan your trip at grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325

ROCK BARN COUNTRY CLUB & SPA

R

ock Barn Country Club & Spa is a resort-style community with public amenities and a private club, located in western North Carolina. The Jackson golf course, The Spa at Rock Barn, Sue’s Grill, and our event spaces for corporate meetings, private parties, and weddings are all available to the public.

Membership at the Club affords e clusive access to our fitness center, pool, tennis complex, restaurants, monthly social events, dining experiences, and group activities designed to keep our members engaged all year.

Lodging guests enjoy access to member amenities during their stay, making for a perfect weekend destination. While here, guests can play golf and tennis, swim at the aquatic center, book services at the Spa, and relax on the Spa Deck.

For over 50 years, Rock Barn has been a destination for our community, our residents, and our members to play, relax, dine, and live.

ROCK BARN COUNTRY CLUB & SPA Plan your trip at rockbarn.com call 828-459-1125 or email events@rockbarn.com

For more details, contact advertising@charlottemagazine.com

Advertise in our July

special advertising section

INSIDE:

GUIDE

RESTAURANTS

THE

WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO EAT

Pizzeria Omaggio’s Di Parma pizza, topped with cherry tomatoes, prosciutto, arugula, and shaved parmesan.

FO O D + D R I N K

PETER TAYLOR

Pizzeria Omaggio

A tribute to carry-out pizza

“OMAGGIO” IS THE ITALIAN WORD FOR HOMAGE, and there’s never been a better time to partake in the longtime ritual of ordering pizza.

Owner Daniel Siragusa uses classic Italian recipes and specializes in personal pizzas with thin, crispy crusts. Order a traditional parmigiana or calabrese pie off the menu or create your own with toppings like prosciutto, anchovies, and Italian sausage. When you can’t dine in at your neighborhood pizzeria, pick up your order curbside or have it delivered—it’s pretty delicious at home, too.

SEE HIGHLIGHTED LISTING ON PAGE 72; CURBSIDE DETAILS ON PAGE 75.

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

71

THE GUIDE

Restaurants YOUR GUIDE TO CHARLOTTE’S DINING SCENE KID CASHEW

Dilworth ❤ 300 EAST

$-$$

NEW AMERICAN The interior of this old house-turnedrestaurant is welcoming, as is the menu of familiar and surprising sandwiches, salads, and entrées. Save room for dessert by pastry chef Laney Jahkel-Parrish. 300 East Blvd. (704-332-6507) BR (Sun), L, D, BAR ✸☎

❤ BONTERRA

$$$$

NEW SOUTHERN Its setting may be a historic Southern church, but Bonterra serves up modern Southern flavors with top-notch service. Wine lovers will be impressed by the more than 200 wines by the glass. 1829 Cleveland Ave. (704-333-9463) D, BAR ✸☎

CAPISHE

$-$$

ITALIAN The pasta dishes and pizza prepared by Chef David Cavalier, previously of Kindred, are impressive for a fast-casual restaurant. Arrive early for lunch to beat the long lines. 500 E. Morehead St., Ste. 100. (980-8199494) L, D, BAR

❤ COPPER

$$$

INDIAN Ease into Indian cuisine with standard dishes like chicken tikka masala, or be more adventurous with the spicy seafood medley "anjeeri." 311 East Blvd. (704333-0063) L, D, V, BAR ✸☎

DOLCE OSTERIA

$$

ITALIAN This classic, cozy, family-run neighborhood trattoria serves a mix of fresh, regional Italian cuisine and a tidy, all-Italian wine list. 1710 Kenilworth Ave. (704-332-7525) L (weekdays), D, B/W ✸☎

FERN, FLAVORS FROM THE GARDEN

$$

VEGETARIAN Fern moved from Plaza Midwood to Dilworth in mid-2016. It still has ferns on the wall, and the menu is still full of flavorful vegetarian cuisine. 1419 East Blvd., Ste. A. (704-377-1825) L, BR, D, V, BAR ✸

FIAMMA RESTAURANT

$$-$$$

ITALIAN The open layout lends an air of conviviality to this slick eatery, which has house-made pastas, thincrust pizzas, note-perfect risotto, and daring meat entrées. 2418 Park Rd. (704-333-3062) L, D, BAR ✸☎

FRAN’S FILLING STATION

$$-$$$

PIZZA Two words: pistachio pizza. Seriously, try it. Then grab a spot on the patio beneath the bistro lights and enjoy a bottle of wine with friends. There's a second location in Providence Commons, too. 2230 Park Rd., (704-900-0929) L, D, BAR ✸

72

LEBOWSKI’S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL

$$

AMERICAN Dishes at this neighborhood favorite include burgers, brats, and the popular “Beef on Weck.”

1524 East Blvd. (704-370-1177) L, D, BAR ✸

THE MAYOBIRD

$

AMERICAN The daytime partner to The Summit Room focuses on specialty coffees, quiches, and pastries, and, of course, chicken salad sandwiches. 1531 East Blvd.

(980-237-2543) B, L, B/W ✸

THE SUMMIT ROOM

$$-$$$

NEW SOUTHERN Southern classics take on a new form—and global influence—at this easygoing spot.

1531 East Blvd. (980-237-2227) D, BAR ✸☎

ZEN FUSION

$$

FUSION Here, fusion means a sampling of dishes from the Far East and Spain. 1716 Kenilworth Ave. (704-3589688) L (weekdays), D, BAR ✸☎

Elizabeth/Cherry CAJUN QUEEN

$$$

CAJUN Nightly live jazz complements New Orleans creole favorites like shrimp étouffée and crawfish Diane in this century-old house. 1800 E. 7th St. (704-377-9017) BR, D, BAR ✸☎

❤ CARPE DIEM

$$$-$$$$

NEW AMERICAN A beautiful interior and a no-fuss vibe create a stress-free fine dining experience, with dishes ranging from buttermilk-fried chicken over spinach with black pepper shallot gravy to local seafood specials.

1535 Elizabeth Ave. (704-377-7976) D, BAR ☎

❤ CUSTOMSHOP

$$-$$$

NEW AMERICAN Owner and executive chef Trey Wilson uses top-notch, seasonal ingredients to create fresh

takes on American cuisine in a hip, rustic atmosphere.

1601 Elizabeth Ave. (704-333-3396) D, BAR ✸☎

EARL’S GROCERY

$

AMERICAN This upscale marketplace, with sandwiches, salads, and daily specials, is a welcome afternoon spot for a grab-and-go meal or a bite and people-watching.

1609 Elizabeth Ave. (704-333-2757) B, BR, L, D, V ✸

❤ THE FIG TREE RESTAURANT

$$$$

NEW AMERICAN The No. 2 restaurant on our 2018 Best Restaurants list, the Fig Tree specializes in fresh and flavorful cuisine with an emphasis on wine pairing in a 1913 bungalow. 1601 E. 7th St. (704-332-3322) D, BAR ✸☎

❤ PIZZERIA OMAGGIO

$$

PIZZA Among a sea of by-the-slice joints, owner Daniel Siragusa sticks by his Italian roots with personal pizzas.

Some think they can’t possibly eat the whole pie, but they do. And then they order dessert. 1055 Metropolitan Ave., Ste. 130. (704-370-0777) L, D, BAR ✸☎

❤ THE STANLEY

$$$

SUNFLOUR BAKING CO.

$-$$

NEW SOUTHERN Chef Paul Verica's menu reflects a respect of seasonal produce, with playful dishes such as "Asparagus—as many ways as we could think of," and a more robust cocktail program. 1961 E. 7th St. (980-2992741) D, BR (Sun), BAR ✸☎

BAKERY With locations in Dilworth, Harrisburg, and Ballantyne, Sunflour serves croissants, cinnamon buns, sandwiches, and soups. Regulars spend mornings here with a cup of coffee, letting them fade into afternoons.

2001 E. 7th St. (704-900-5268) B, L, D, V ✸

Huntersville/Lake Norman ALIÑO PIZZERIA

$$

PIZZA Enjoy your Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizza at a community table with paper towels on hand to catch the drips from crust dipped in herbs and olive oil. A second location is at Concord Mills. 500 S. Main St., Ste. 401, Mooresville. (704-663-0010) L, D, B/W ✸

$$-$$$

AMERICAN This small Dilworth restaurant has soups, salads, and delicious, oversized sandwiches made with fresh, thick bread filled with innovative combinations.

2410 Park Rd. (704-372-2009) L, D, BAR ✸

INIZIO PIZZA NAPOLETANA

$$

MEDITERRANEAN This bright and rustic restaurant from the owner of Georges Brasserie serves meat family-style from a wood-fired grill and a selection of small plates. 1608 East Blvd. (704-208-4148) L, D, BAR ✸

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

$ $$ $$$ $$$$

❤

Most entrées under $10 Most entrées $10-$17 Most entrées $18-$25 Most entrées $26 & up Best Restaurants

B BR L D V

Breakfast Weekend brunch Lunch Dinner Vegetarian friendly

B/W Beer and wine only BAR Full-service bar ✸ Patio seating available Reservations suggested

☎

REVIEW POLICIES—The restaurants on these pages are recommendations of the editors of Charlotte magazine.

They are not related to advertising in any way. Restaurant visits are anonymous, and all expenses are paid by the magazine. Reviews are written by members of the editorial staff. We regularly update these listings. New additions are denoted by “new listing” and revised reviews are indicated by “update.”

❤ DRESSLER’S

$$$

NEW AMERICAN Part steak house, part upscale American cuisine, dishes are delivered with consistency and a smile, both here and at the Metropolitan Avenue location. 8630-1A Lindholm Dr. (704-987-1779) D, BAR

✸☎

FLATIRON KITCHEN + TAPHOUSE

$$$

STEAK HOUSE High-quality steaks are a given here, but the seafood and vegetables are treated with the same respect. 215 S. Main St., Davidson. (704-237-3246) BR, L, D, BAR ✸☎

❤ HELLO, SAILOR

$$-$$$

NEW SOUTHERN Davidson's sweethearts, Joe and Katy Kindred, opened this lakefront spot. Expect Carolina classics like fried catfish and seafood platters, as well as tiki drinks. 20210 Henderson Rd., Cornelius. (704997-5365) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

❤ KINDRED

$$-$$$

NEW AMERICAN Chef Joe Kindred, a James Beard Award semifinalist, serves homemade pasta dishes and creative small plates in historic downtown Davidson. 131 N. Main St., Davidson. (980-231-5000) BR, L, D, BAR ✸☎

SABI ASIAN BISTRO

$$

ASIAN Find Asian-inspired dishes, from sushi to stir fry to sweet-and-sour chicken, in a sleek interior. 130 Harbor Place Dr., Davidson. (704-895-5707) L, D, BAR ✸

Matthews/Mint Hill KABAB-JE ROTISSERIE & GRILLE

$$

MIDDLE EASTERN With a second location in Stonecrest, this Mediterranean and Lebanese spot serves dishes like hummus shawarma and lamb kabobs.

2233 Matthews Township Pkwy., Ste. E. (704-8450707) L, D ✸

LOYALIST MARKET

$-$$

AMERICAN This charming eatery is a sandwich shop by day and a cheese shop by night. Choose from over 60 artisan cheeses and cured meats from the U.S. and

abroad, along with gourmet food products, wine, and local beer. 435 N. Trade St., Ste. 102. (704-814-9866) L, D, BAR ✸

NEW ZEALAND CAFÉ

$-$$

with stylish twists in a spot fit for couples, families, and everyone else. 601 S. Kings Dr. (704-343-0148) L, D, BAR ✸☎

PROVIDENCE ROAD SUNDRIES

$-$$

❤ STAGIONI

$$$

VOLO RISTORANTE

$$$

FUSION A wooden latticework ceiling and indoor trellis add charm to this neighborhood favorite, where sushi is fresh and affordable. 1717 Sardis Rd. N., Ste. 6A. (704708-9888) L, D, B/W ✸

AMERICAN Classic bar food and friendly service have made this a neighborhood hangout for generations.

1522 Providence Rd. (704-366-4467) L, D, BAR

SANTÉ

ITALIAN Meaning “seasons,” this concept from Bruce Moffett serves Italian standards. A must-visit for Chef Eric Ferguson's delicious, handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and slow-roasted meats. 715 Providence Rd. (704-372-8110) D, BAR ☎

$$$ - $$$$

FRENCH The food is far from colloquial here, and the exposed brickwork and antiqued tin roof lend credence to the French name. 165 N. Trade St., Matthews. (704845-1899) D, BAR

❤ YUME BISTRO

$$

JAPANESE The flavorful ramen and other Japanese classics here defy the restaurant’s plain interior. They also opened a new location in Wilmore last year. 1369 Chestnut Ln., Matthews. (704-821-0676) L, D

Myers Park/Cotswold DEEJAI THAI

ITALIAN Volo translates to "flight," which is the Italian answer to a tasting menu. Let the chef choose a meat, vegetable, or seafood flight for you, or order off the dinner menu and enjoy a plate of gnocchi, risotto, or tortellini paired with a glass of chianti. 1039 Providence Rd. (704-919-1020) D, BAR ☎

$$

THAI This family-owned eatery offers takeout, but with its modern dining room and bright patio, you’ll want to settle into a table. 613 Providence Rd. (704-333-7884) L, (weekdays), D, BAR ✸

FENWICK’S

$$

AMERICAN A Myers Park mainstay since the 1980s, Fenwick’s is a go-to for a comforting meal made with fresh ingredients, delivered with warm service. 511 Providence Rd. (704-333-2750) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

LEROY FOX

$$

SOUTHERN A casual eatery known for its fried chicken, Leroy Fox serves Southern classics and upscale pub grub, with an additional location in South End. 705 S. Sharon Amity Rd. (704-366-3232) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

MAMA RICOTTA’S

$$

ITALIAN Frank Scibelli’s (Midwood Smokehouse, Yafo, Paco’s) first restaurant does simple Italian dishes

NoDa/North Charlotte AMÉLIE’S FRENCH BAKERY

$

FRENCH Enjoy a flaky croissant on the outdoor patio or order from the café menu of soups and sandwiches any time of day—or night. Amélie's now has two additional locations in uptown and Park Road Shopping Center.

2424 N. Davidson St. (704-376-1781) B, L, D

BAO + BROTH

$-$$

ASIAN Follow the smell of ramen and steamed pork belly buns to this food stall, the fifth restaurant from chef Bruce Moffett, and have a seat among the other diners in Optimist Hall. 1115 N. Brevard St. (704-6252269) L, D

BENNY PENNELLO’S

$

PIZZA A full Benny P’s pie is 28 inches, almost double the standard—but if you divide it into eight slices, one is the ideal-sized meal for one person. 2909 N. Davidson St., Ste. 100. (980-949-8398) L, D, B/W

Best Bites Our favorite dish this month, chosen by Charlotte magazine staff

ALLISON BRADEN

FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH, $14 THE CRUNKLETON THE CRUNKLETON’S FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH ($14) is everything a chicken sandwich should be—except cheap. The chicken is tender, and the exterior is crisp without being too crunchy. Topped with pickles and hot chile honey, the meat is regionally sourced and comes with a pile of garlicky shoestring fries—and, when I ordered it, a roll of toilet paper. I ate the sandwich on my front stoop, but the taste reminded me of late fall afternoons, long light catching the bottles behind the bar, and hand-carved ice in my cocktail. When I gave my credit card information over the phone, I paid toward a promise that one day I’ll be able to settle back into the decadent barstools and watch my team lose another chance at the playoffs. I can easily forgive the price. —Allison Braden

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

73

THE GUIDE CABO FISH TACO

$-$$

CRÊPE CELLAR KITCHEN & PUB

$-$$

SEAFOOD This NoDa “Baja seagrill” serves up the title dish as well as quesadillas, burritos, and salads in a fun, surf-themed atmosphere. 3201 N. Davidson St. (704332-8868) L, D, BAR ✸

FRENCH The crêpes—both sweet and savory—are delicious, but the restaurant’s fare goes beyond its French roots with flavorful salads, entrées, and craft cocktails.

3116 N. Davidson St. (704-910-6543) BR, L, D, BAR

THE DUMPLING LADY

$-$$

ASIAN One of Charlotte’s most popular food trucks has a brick-and-mortar space in Optimist Hall. Order Zhang Qian’s authentic Sichuan dumplings, noodles, and dim sum, and brace for spice. 1115 N. Brevard St. (980-5956174) L, D, V

EL THRIFTY

$-$$

MEXICAN The Mexican cantina and gaming venue in Optimist Hall serves creative tacos and cocktails with a side of duckpin bowling. 1115 N. Brevard St. (980-9497837) L, D, BAR ✸

THE GOODYEAR HOUSE

$$-$$$

NEW AMERICAN Grab a table in the botanist room or the open patio on a warm night, and enjoy elevated comfort food like smoked cashew mac and cheese and guinea hen stew. 3032 N. Davidson St. (704-910-0132) L, D, BAR ✸

❤ HABERDISH

$$-$$$

AMERICAN Southern appetizers, fried chicken, and apothecary cocktails from Colleen Hughes draw a hip crowd to this mill town southern kitchen. 3106 N. Davidson St. (704-817-1084) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

HEIST BREWERY

$-$$

AMERICAN This is bar food to the extreme. Beer is incorporated into several dishes at this brewpub. The beer cheese is made with Heist’s own beer and served alongside pretzels made with leftover mash. 2909 N. Davidson St., Ste. 200. (704-375-8260) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

JACKBEAGLE’S

$

AMERICAN A mainstay for the locals, this place serves unconventional bar bites like mac-and-blue-cheese with bacon. 3213 N. Davidson St. (704-334-5140) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

$ Most entrées under $10 $$ Most entrées $10-$17 $$$ Most entrées $18-$25 $$$$ Most entrées $26 & up

❤ B BR L D V

74

Best Restaurants Breakfast Weekend brunch Lunch Dinner Vegetarian friendly

B/W Beer and wine only BAR Full-service bar ✸ Patio seating available Reservations suggested

☎

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

LEAH & LOUISE

$$

LANG VAN

$

LUPIE'S CAFE

$

SOUTHERN A James Beard-nominated chef and Soul Food Sessions co-founder Greg Collier serves the dishes he grew up on, like hot fried quail and dirty grits, in a space modeled after a Memphis-style juke joint. 301 Camp Rd., Ste. 101 (980-309-0690) D, BAR ✸ ☎

VIETNAMESE Regulars love this no-fuss spot for its authentic cuisine, with loads of flavor and fresh ingredients. 3019 Shamrock Dr. (704-531-9525) BR, L, D, V, B/W

PAPI QUESO

$-$$

AMERICAN The building, interior, and menu have barely changed since owner Lupie Duran opened in 1987.

It’s an ideal spot for cold days, specializing in handmade burgers, four kinds of chili, meatloaf, and "chicken n dumplins." 2718 Monroe Rd., (704-374-1232) L, D, B/W

ROOM AND BOARD

$-$$

BARBECUE With North Carolina pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, and dry or sauced ribs, there’s a ’cue for everyone—and traditional sides to pair. The restaurant has a number of Charlotte locations including Ballantyne and Park Road Shopping Center, but the Plaza Midwood spot is its flagship post. 1401 Central Ave. (704-295-4227) L, D, BAR ✸

AMERICAN Expect all the staples from the popular food truck, along with new grilled cheeses, mac and cheese, and melts from the brick-and-mortar location in Optimist Hall. 1115 N. Brevard St. (704-5791779) L, D, V

AMERICAN Inside a two-story Victorian home and former boarding house, have your choice of sandwiches, burgers, and wings, or come for Sunday brunch and get a "hangover pizza." 3228 N. Davidson St. (980-4303136) BR (Sun) L, D, BAR

Plaza Midwood/East Charlotte ACE NO. 3

$

AMERICAN The new counter-service burger joint from the team behind Sea Level and the Waterman offers a straightforward menu of burgers, fries, and shakes.

1001 Belmont Ave. (704-910-2200) L, D, ✸

CILANTRO NOODLE

$-$$

VIETNAMESE Even if you think cilantro tastes like soap, don't let the name of this fast casual restaurant fool you—the herb add-on is optional. Structured like Chipotle, build-your-own meals include a base starch (banh mi, vermicelli noodles, white rice, fried rice), one protein, and five toppings. 2001 Commonwealth Ave. (704-345-9490) L, D, V, B/W ✸

COALTRANE’S

$-$$

AMERICAN Rotisserie chicken with South Americaninspired sides makes for a healthy and fast lunch or dinner. 1518 Central Ave. (980-265-1290) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

COMMON MARKET

$

DELI A neighborhood hangout with additional locations in South End and Oakwold, this market and deli serves quick and delicious sandwiches, local craft beers, snacks, sweets, and more. 2007 Commonwealth Ave. (704-334-6209) B, L, D, B/W ✸

DIAMOND RESTAURANT

$-$$

DISH

$-$$

AMERICAN This 1950s-style diner features retro teal booths, a jukebox, and classic dishes like burgers, fried pork chops, and fried chicken. 1901 Commonwealth Ave. (704-375-8959) L, D, BAR ✸

SOUTHERN A neighborhood joint with an eclectic clientele, good, down-home Southern food, and a funky wait staff. 1220 Thomas Ave. (704-344-0343) B, L, D, BAR ✸

❤ INTERMEZZO PIZZERIA & CAFÉ

$-$$

FUSION Even the pickiest eater can find something to order here, with menu options ranging from burgers and pizzas to cabbage rolls and stuffed peppers. 1427 E. 10th St. (704-347-2626) L, D, V, BAR ✸

❤ MIDWOOD SMOKEHOUSE

$$

MOO & BREW

$$

❤ NC RED

$$

SAL'S PIZZA FACTORY

$$

❤ SOUL GASTROLOUNGE

$$

SNOOZE: AN A.M. EATERY

$$

THREE AMIGOS

$$

AMERICAN A playful list of burgers, craft beers, and friendly servers make this spot an easy choice for a casual dinner out. The patio is packed on nice nights. 1300 Central Ave. (980-585-4148) L, D, BAR ✸

SEAFOOD/SOUTHERN The fourth restaurant from Bruce Moffett serves a mix of Rhode Island shore food, like oysters and stuffed clams, and southern comforts, like fried chicken and mac and cheese. 1205 Thomas Ave. (704-321-4716) D, BAR ✸

PIZZA The New York slices at this east Charlotte joint have thick cheese and generous toppings—the classic style of pizza that fuels nostalgia and harkens back to a time when you didn’t know what calories or gluten were. 3723 Monroe Rd. (980-219-7108) L, D, BAR

NEW AMERICAN Expect to wait a while at this no-reservations spot, known for small plates like pork belly tacos with compressed watermelon, and a rotating list of craft cocktails. 1500-B Central Ave. (704-348-1848) D, BAR ✸

AMERICAN The Denver-based breakfast spot has a huge menu, but you're free to mix and match. Choose any two benedicts with the Benny Duo, or get the Pancake Flight with three different flavors. There's also a morning cocktail menu with mimosas, mojitos, and a dirty drunken chai. 1331-A Central Ave. (704-243-5070) B, BR, L, BAR ✸

MEXICAN Three Amigos remains a constant on Central Avenue, specializing in enchiladas and other Mexican staples like tinga de pollo and carne asada tacos. It's always fresh, too—they'll never save rice, beans, or meat for use the next day. 2917A Central Ave., 704-536-1851.

L, D, BAR ✸

THE WORKMAN’S FRIEND

$$-$$$

IRISH Enjoy Irish classics like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie in this rustic dining room, or grab a pint at the

Charlotte’s Top Spots Go Curbside Amid the coronavirus epidemic, many restaurants on our “50 Best” list started offering curbside options. As of late April, these spots were doing just that:

Uptown THE ASBURY

235 N. Tryon St. 704-342-1193 OPTIONS: Curbside pickup, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. To-go menu on its site (linked above).

Chef Mike Long’s inventive menu mixes countryside favorites like biscuits and deviled eggs with bold flavors and contemporary techniques.

STOKE

100 W. Trade St. 704-353-6005 OPTIONS: Curbside pickup, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. To-go menu on its site (linked above).

Hotel dining gets an upgrade with this wood-fired grill, family-style concept in Marriott City Center.

ANGELINE’S

303 S. Church St. 704-445-2540 OPTIONS: Curbside pickup, Sun-Thur, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Fri, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Currently, they’re offering 20% off on all of these orders.)

The Italian-inspired entreés at this uptown spot are all excellent, and the whipped ricotta with sourdough, lavender honey, and pistachio is the most imaginative appetizer on the menu.

South End/Dilworth BARDO

1508 S. Mint St. 980-585-2433 OPTIONS: Curbside pickup, Mon-Sat, 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (They’re also offering to-go cocktail kits for $8 that make two cocktails and include instructions.)

This foodie destination serves seasonal small plates and creative cocktails. The dining room looks into a big, open kitchen where diners can watch the chefs at work.

COPPER

311 East Blvd.

704-333-0063 OPTIONS: Take out and curbside pickup during regular hours. The restaurant also has free delivery with a minimum order of $40 within a 5-mile radius.

Ease into Indian cuisine with standard dishes like chicken tikka masala, or be more adventurous with the seafood medley “anjeeri” and dial up the spice.

300 EAST

300 East Blvd.

704-332-6507 OPTIONS: Curbside pickup, with regular menu options and new family-style options. Owners say hours vary based on demands, but typically, the business is open 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. right now.

The interior of this old house-turned-restaurant is welcoming, as is the menu of familiar and surprising sandwiches, salads, and entrées. Save room for dessert by pastry chef Laney Jahkel-Parrish.

BONTERRA

1829 Cleveland Ave. 704-333-9463 OPTIONS: Takeout, curbside pick-up, and delivery (within 3 miles) are available. Hours are 4 p.m-8 p.m. right now.

Its setting may be a historic Southern church, but Bonterra serves up modern Southern flavors with top-notch service. Wine lovers will be impressed by the more than 200 wines by the glass.

FUTO BUTA

222 E. Bland St. 704-376-8400 OPTIONS: Takeout and curbside pick-up daily until 9 p.m.

This ramen house promises authenticity, irreverence, and delightful, salty bowls of the hot noodle soup.

NoDa/North of Charlotte HABERDISH

3106 N. Davidson St. 704-817-1084 OPTIONS: Order online and pick up to-go orders on the patio or curbside 4-8 p.m.

Southern appetizers, fried chicken, and apothecary cocktails from Colleen Hughes draw a hip crowd to this mill town southern kitchen.

KINDRED

Plaza Midwood/Elizabeth MIDWOOD SMOKEHOUSE

1401 Central Ave. 704-295-4227 OPTIONS: Curbside pick-up for online orders. (Service temporarily discontinued at Cross Hill and Birkdale locations) With North Carolina pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, and dry or sauced ribs, there’s a ’cue for everyone—and traditional sides to pair. The restaurant has a number of Charlotte locations including Ballantyne and Park Road Shopping Center, but the Plaza Midwood spot is its flagship post.

SOUL GASTROLOUNGE

1500 Central Ave. 704-348-1848 OPTIONS: Takeout or curbside pickup 5-10 p.m. daily, or limited delivery to 28202, 28203, 28204 and 28205 zip codes.

Expect to wait a while at this no-reservations spot, known for small plates like pork belly tacos with compressed watermelon, and a rotating list of craft cocktails.

SWEET LEW’S BBQ

923 Belmont Ave. 980-224-7584 OPTIONS: Limited menu items available for curbside pick-up at Dish, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Demand for Lewis Donald's barbecue hasn't wavered since the "shack" opened last year. Donald co-owns Dish in Plaza Midwood, and he's currently selling his Sweet Lew's to-go items there.

PIZZERIA OMAGGIO

131 N. Main St. 980-231-5000 OPTIONS: Curbside pick-up or delivery. (The $5 delivery fee and any gratuity goes to the hourly team whose income has been eliminated.)

Every meal at the Davidson restaurant starts the same way: with cloud-like milk bread, an appetizer with such a following, Kindred made T-shirts. The subsequent dishes are just as beautiful, and they’ve earned chef and co-owner Joe Kindred a James Beard nod for the past four years.

1055 Metropolitan Ave., Ste. 130 704-370-0777 OPTIONS: Takeout and curbside pick-up until 9 p.m.

Among a sea of by-the-slice joints, owner Daniel Siragusa sticks by his Italian roots with personal pizzas.

Some think they can’t possibly eat the whole pie, but they do. And then they order dessert.

HELLO, SAILOR

6601 Morrison Blvd.

704-366-8688 OPTIONS: Orders can be placed online from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Guests can park in one of the designated Rooster’s To-Go parking spaces outside of the restaurant and pick up at the hostess stand.

Chef Jim Noble’s menu features gussied-up, Southern-tinged American and European peasant fare, like hand-tossed pizzas and roasted chicken. A second location is in uptown.

20210 Henderson Rd. 704-997-5365 OPTIONS: Hello, Sailor has closed and shifted to curbside pick-up and delivery services at Kindred restaurant.

Davidson’s sweethearts, Joe and Katy Kindred, opened this lakefront spot. Expect Carolina classics like fried catfish and seafood platters, as well as tiki drinks.

South Charlotte ROOSTER’S WOOD-FIRED KITCHEN

JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

75

THE GUIDE custom-built walnut bar. 1531 Central Ave. (980-2248234) BR, L (Fri-Sun), D, BAR ✸

YAMA IZAKAYA

$$

JAPANESE Enjoy true, labor-intensive ramen, complete with add-ons like corn and pork belly, as well as traditional Japanese small plates and a sushi menu. 1324 Central Ave. (704-910-6387) D, V, BAR ✸

ZADA JANE’S CORNER CAFE

$-$$

SOUTHERN This funky neighborhood restaurant with shuffleboard courts, a large patio, and colorful walls serves breakfast and brunch all day. 1601 Central Ave. (704-332-3663) B, BR, L, BAR ✸

salad, and the option of three sauces, tastes more expensive than its $25 fixed price. 2322 Dunavant St., Ste. 200. (980-335-0125) BR, D, BAR ✸

EIGHT + SAND KITCHEN

❤ FUTO BUTA

BARCELONA WINE BAR

$$$

NEW AMERICAN Nosh on Spanish and Mediterraneaninspired tapas or customize a charcuterie board with meats from different regions in Europe. Choose from more than 400 wines, and don't miss the olive oil cake.

101 W. Worthington Ave., Ste. 110. (704-741-0300) D, BAR ✸☎

❤ BARDO

$$$

BILL SPOON’S BARBECUE

$

BARBECUE Stop by for true eastern-style barbecue, mustard-based slaw, homemade banana pudding, and Mr. Spoon’s special sauce. 5524 South Blvd. (704-5258865) L (Mon-Sat)

BREWERS AT 4001 YANCEY

$$

AMERICAN In addition to craft beers, this LoSo brewery has Southern-inspired bar food like fries topped with jalapeño gravy and bacon crumbles. 4001-A Yancey Rd. (704-452-4001) BR (Sun), L, D, BAR ✸☎

THE DUNAVANT

$$$

STEAK HOUSE The signature steak and bottomless fries dinner, which includes bread, a choice of soup or

MAC’S SPEED SHOP

$$

$-$$

BARBECUE Solid barbecue and cold beer (150 choices) in a bike-themed space draw fun-loving crowds, with additional locations in Matthews and Lake Norman.

2511 South Blvd. (704-522-6227) L, D, BAR ✸

MIDNIGHT DINER

$

AMERICAN This 24-hour classic diner has everything you’d expect, including an all-day breakfast, onion rings, milkshakes, burgers, and hand-cut fries, along with Southern fare. 115 E. Carson Blvd. (980-207-3641) B, L, D, B/W ✸

MOCCO BISTRO

RAI LAY THAI CUISINE

$$

SEOUL FOOD MEAT CO.

$$

$$$$

VEGETARIAN This vegan gem is known for its raw version of lasagna, made with zucchini noodles, sundried tomato sauce, mushrooms, and a cashew-basil cheese.

Its juice bar is also a popular draw. 2000 South Blvd., Ste. 300. (704-333-0008) B, L, D, B/W, V ✸

STEAK HOUSE An old favorite, this steak house is just what you’d expect, serving up thick and juicy cuts in a dark interior. 4538 South Blvd. (704-523-9977) D, BAR

$

FUSION This hip spot fuses traditional American barbecue with Korean flavors all the way to the sides, which include ramen mac-and-cheese. 1400 S. Church St., Ste. A. (980-299-5143) L (weekends), D, BAR ✸

$$$

LUNA’S LIVING KITCHEN

PRICE’S CHICKEN COOP

SOUTHERN Expect to eat your meal standing up—or sitting in your car—but rest assured it's the best damn fried chicken in the country. 1614 Camden Rd. (704333-9866) L, D (until 6 p.m.), Cash only. No seating.

$$-$$$

ITALIAN Atherton Mill's rustic Italian restaurant serves wood-fired pizzas and hand-crafted pastas, proving certain dishes are classics for a reason. 2046 South Blvd.

(704-741-9004) L, D, BAR

LET'S MEAT KBBQ

$$-$$$

THAI Upscale Thai food in a sleek interior with attentive service makes this a fitting spot for South End. 1520 South Blvd., Ste. 130. (980-207-0991) L (Mon-Sat), D, BAR ☎

KOREAN BBQ Marinated meats at this all-you-caneat hangout come with Korean sides like steamed egg soufflé. 1400 S. Church St., Ste. B. (980-299-4389) L, D, (Mon-Fri) BAR

NEW AMERICAN This foodie destination serves seasonal small plates and creative cocktails. The dining room looks into a big, open kitchen where diners can watch the chefs at work. 1508 S. Mint St., Ste. B. (980585-2433) D, BAR ☎

❤ BEEF ’N BOTTLE

$$

JAPANESE This ramen house promises authenticity, irreverence, and delightful, salty bowls of the hot noodle soup. 222 E. Bland St. (704-376-8400) L, D, B/W ✸

INDACO

South End

$

AMERICAN Come here for breakfast, brunch, lunch, an afternoon snack, or an evening out. The made-fromscratch bakery has sandwiches, salads, and artisan breads, and the café serves drinks all day. 135 New Bern St. B, BR, L, B/W

O-KU

SUSHI This second location of the Charleston-based Indigo Road restaurant group’s Japanese spot has great service, a beautiful interior, and dishes full of flavor.

2000 South Blvd., Ste. 510. (704-594-1922) D, BAR ☎

$

GREEK Despite the sounds of South Boulevard, the Greek pastries and coffees here can transport you to the Aegean Sea in just one taste. 4004 South Blvd., Ste. E. (980-207-0508) B, L, D, B/W ✸

SOUTHBOUND

$-$$

BAJA The breezy vibes and bright flavors at this taco joint call for a Pacifico or a margarita. 2433 South Blvd.

(704-912-1889) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

SUPERICA

$$-$$$

THE WATERMAN FISH BAR

$$-$$$

❤ ZEPPELIN

$$-$$$

TEX-MEX Atlanta chef Ford Fry brings the newest location of his Tex-Mex concept, with tacos, fajitas, and enchiladas, to the Design Center. 101 W. Worthington Ave., Ste. 100 (980-321-9914) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

SEAFOOD This oyster bar has all the staples: lobster rolls, clam chowder, and oysters four ways. At sunset, head to the rooftop terrace for a cocktail and views of uptown. 2729 South Blvd., Ste. D. (704-275-5558) L, D, BAR ✸

NEW SOUTHERN A seasonal menu includes small plates like Korean-inspired calamari and barbecueroasted octopus. The cocktail program focuses on innovative interpretations of classic drinks. 235 W. Tremont Ave. (980-209-0008) BR (Sun), D (Tues-Sat), BAR ✸

South Charlotte (Arboretum, Ballantyne, Pineville, Fort Mill)

NIKKO

$$-$$$

$ Most entrées under $10 $$ Most entrées $10-$17 $$$ Most entrées $18-$25 $$$$ Most entrées $26 & up

JAPANESE Artistic sushi, a moody interior, and thumping sound system bring in dinner and late-night crowds, but quick service makes it a great lunch spot. 325 Arlington Ave., Ste. 108. (704-370-0100) L (weekdays), D, BAR ✸☎

AMERICAN This spot serves up hearty portions of diner staples, such as meatloaf and fresh-roasted turkey clubs, all made in-house. 16637 Lancaster Hwy. (704544-0313) B, L, D, BAR ✸

❤

NORTH ITALIA

$$-$$$

ITALIAN This eatery in StoneCrest at Piper Glen has Italian-American dishes like snapper picatta, penne alla Civetta, and scallops risotto. Save room for a lasagnasized slice of tiramisu for dessert. 7828-E Rea Rd. (980335-2758) BR (Sun), L, D, V, BAR ✸

B BR L D V

76

Best Restaurants Breakfast Weekend brunch Lunch Dinner Vegetarian friendly

B/W Beer and wine only BAR Full-service bar ✸ Patio seating available Reservations suggested

☎

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

ITALIAN Head to the ground floor of the RailYard for a dressed-up entree like squid ink mafaldine, or get the basic spaghetti and meatballs, which is good every time. 1414 S Tryon St., Ste. 140 (980-279-8900) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

BIG VIEW DINER

$$

CIVETTA ITALIAN KITCHEN + BAR

$$-$$$

THE BLUE TAJ

$$-$$$

INDIAN The sister restaurant of Copper has contempo-

rary decor and a sharply dressed wait staff delivering Indian dishes to each table. 14815 Ballantyne Village Way., Ste. 170. (704-369-5777) L, D, V, BAR ✸

THE FLIPSIDE CAFÉ

$$-$$

NEW SOUTHERN Chefs Jon and Amy Fortes’ first restaurant makes you feel right at home, but the food lets you know it ain’t your mama in the kitchen. 3150 Hwy. 21 N., Fort Mill. (803-802-1711) B, BR, L, D, B/W, ☎

FLIPSIDE RESTAURANT

$$-$$$

NEW SOUTHERN This sister restaurant of Flipside Café has a more formal and spacious dining room, which fits with its elevated menu. 129 Caldwell St., Rock Hill. (803324-3547) BR, L, D, V, BAR ☎

GALLERY RESTAURANT

$$$-$$$$

NEW AMERICAN Inside the Ballantyne hotel, you’ll find Southern-inspired, white-tablecloth dining with dishes sourced from local farmers. 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. (704-248-4100) B, BR, L, D, BAR

THE PORTER’S HOUSE

$$$-$$$$

STEAK HOUSE The newest member of the Rare Roots Hospitality Group (Dressler’s, Dogwood) is known for thick-cut steaks, modern sides, and craft cocktails. 7417 Waverly Walk Ave. (704-930-7878) D, BAR ✸☎

RED ROCKS CAFÉ

$$-$$$

AMERICAN Consistently good pasta,rock seafood, and steak make this restaurant a mainstay in the Strawberry Hill shopping center. Additional locations are in Indian Land and Birkdale Village. 4223 Providence Rd., Ste. 8 (704-364-0402) BR (Sun), L, D, V, BAR ✸

SPICE ASIAN KITCHEN

$$-$$$

ASIAN The dumplings and Pad Thai are consistently good, but the bibimap, bossam, and curry dishes are great for adventurous palates. During patio season, enjoy a cocktail or dessert at the rooftop terrace bar. 251 Textile Way, Fort Mill. (803-548-6868) L, D, V, BAR ✸

WALDHORN

$$

GERMAN Family-friendly Waldhorn offers authentic German dishes in a Bavarian setting. 12101 Lancaster Hwy., Pineville. (704-540-7047) BR (Sun), L, D, BAR ✸

SouthPark/Park Road ❤ BAR MARCEL

$$-$$$

FUSION The menu features shareable plates of beef carpaccio or truffle and herb frittes—but order a flatbread pizza for yourself. 3920 Sharon Road, Ste. 160.

(980-237-1919) L, D, BAR ✸☎

BAKU

$$-$$$

JAPANESE Black and red decor, delicious sushi, techno beats, and a large pair of geisha eyes staring out at the crowd make for a dramatic setting in this shared plates restaurant. 4515 Sharon Rd. (704-817-7173) D, BAR ☎

❤ BARRINGTON’S

$$$-$$$$

NEW AMERICAN Bruce Moffett’s first restaurant is one of the best in town, with a classic menu and stellar service. 7822 Fairview Rd. (704-364-5755) D (MonSat), BAR ☎

CAFÉ MONTE

$$-$$$

FRENCH Monte Smith has done a bang-up job re-creating a classic French restaurant, and diners react enthusiastically at brunch, lunch, and dinner. 6700 Fairview Rd. (704-552-1116) B, L, D, BAR ✸☎

CANTINA 1511

$$

❤ CORKBUZZ

$$-$$$

MEXICAN This easy, casual spot draws crowds for its fresh takes on Mexican cuisine and fine margarita list.

4271 Park Rd. (704-331-9222) L, D, V, BAR ✸☎

NEW AMERICAN This place focuses on food that pairs well with wine—all 200-plus by the bottle and nearly 40 by the glass. 4905 Ashley Park Ln., Ste. J. (704-6251328) BR, L (weekdays), D, BAR ✸☎

❤ DOGWOOD SOUTHERN TABLE + BAR

$$$

NEW SOUTHERN Ingredients are fresh and cocktails are innovative at this spot, a sister to Dressler’s. 4905 Ashley Park Ln., Ste. D. (704-910-4919) BR (Sun), L, D, BAR ☎

❤ DOT DOT DOT

$$$

NEW AMERICAN Stefan Huebner's creative cocktails may be the main attraction at this members-only speakeasy, but chef Daniel Wheeler's sweet potato gnocchi with bourbon glaze will convince you to stay for dinner. 4237 Park Rd., Ste. B. (704-817-3710) D, BAR

❤ FLOUR SHOP

$$$

ITALIAN Watch your pasta get prepared in the open kitchen. Chef Trey Wilson's shared plates are great for larger groups, but if you don't want to share, get the lamb Bolognese. 530 Brandywine Rd. (980-299-3754) D, BAR ☎

❤ GOOD FOOD ON MONTFORD

REID’S FINE FOODS

$$-$$$

NEW AMERICAN Stellar service and a reliable menu have earned this market and restaurant a loyal following. 4331 Barclay Downs Dr. (704-377-7686) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

ROASTING COMPANY

$

AMERICAN Since adding a full bar, Roasting Company fits in more comfortably with the Montford Drive scene, but still sets the standard for rotisserie chicken. 1521 Montford Dr. (704-521-8188) L, D, BAR ✸

ROCKSALT

$$$-$$$$

SEAFOOD Head to RockSalt for the spacious patio and fresh seafood—from the raw bar, with several varieties of oysters on the half shell, or the daily catch. 512 Brandywine Rd. (704-503-9945) BR, L (weekends), D, BAR ✸☎

❤ ROOSTER’S WOOD-FIRED KITCHEN

$$-$$$

$$

$-$$

ITALIAN An authentic northern Italian menu is paired with an extensive wine list, while courtyard dining adds to the experience on a nice night. 6401 Morrison Blvd., Ste. 6B. (704-367-1808) L (weekdays), D, BAR ✸☎

$$-$$$

AMERICAN Unlike its flagship location in Plaza Midwood, the SouthPark brewery serves more than typical bar snacks. Chef Gene Briggs cooks pork belly gyros, duck fat chicken wings, and a full Sunday brunch. 5610 Carnegie Blvd. (980-256-4167) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

OAK STEAKHOUSE

$$$$

AMERICAN This pub, named for the astronomer and mathematician, serves its entire menu until closing at 2 a.m. 4151 Park Rd., Ste. A. (704-525-7775) L (weekdays), D, BAR ✸

ASIAN Roger and Robert Kongham, the sons of Thai Taste’s owners, serve creamy curries, Thai classics, and sushi in a more formal dining room. 1600 E. Woodlawn Rd., Ste. 150. (980-256-4380) L, D, BAR

LEGION BREWING

❤ PEPPERVINE

FUSION Chef Bill Greene serves a rotation of artistic small plates with unexpected pairings like lamb belly with kimchi porridge, or smoked butternut squash with miso. 4620 Piedmont Row Dr., Ste. 170B. (980-2832333) D, V, BAR ✸☎

$$-$$$

AMERICAN Jazzed-up American cuisine makes Harper’s a place to take out-of-town guests with varying palates. 6518 Fairview Rd. (704-366-6688) BR (Sun), L, D, BAR ✸

HIBISCUS

$$

NEW SOUTHERN Chef Jim Noble’s menu features gussied-up, Southern-tinged American and European peasant fare, like hand-tossed pizzas and roasted chicken. A second location is in uptown. 6601 Morrison Blvd.

(704-366-8688) L, D, V, BAR ☎

NEW AMERICAN Bruce Moffett’s small-plates bistro unites a variety of influences and flavors onto one menu, and each dish is worth ordering. 1701 Montford Dr. (704-525-0881) D, BAR ☎

HARPER’S RESTAURANT

PACO’S TACOS & TEQUILA

MEXICAN Although you’ll find plenty of options on the menu, there are 10 varieties of tacos and more than 60 kinds of tequila. 6401 Morrison Blvd., Ste. 8A. (704-7168226) L, D, V, BAR ✸

$$$$

STEAK HOUSE Chef Tyler Honeycutt aces steakhouse classics like ribeye or filet, and be sure to save room for some lemon olive oil cake for dessert. 4477 Sharon Rd., Ste 125. (704-954-8900) D, BAR ☎

SIR EDMOND HALLEY’S

$$

TOSCANA

$$$

❤ UPSTREAM

$$$-$$$$

YAFO KITCHEN

$$

YAMA ASIAN FUSION

$$

SEAFOOD The 20-year-old SouthPark mainstay is known for upscale seafood, but executive chef Sam Diminich's sushi menu adds Pacific Rim flavors to the mix. 6902 Phillips Place Ct. (704-556-7730) BR (Sun), L, D, BAR ✸☎

MEDITERRANEAN With additional locations in Dilworth and Plaza Midwood, this fast-casual concept serves Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired fare in a wrap, salad, or grain bowl. 720 Governor Morrison St., Ste. 120. (704-365-7130) L, D, B/W ✸

FUSION This upscale Japanese restaurant has sushi, hibachi, and Asian-inspired entrées. A second location JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

77

opened in Waverly last year. 720 Governor Morrison St., Ste. 130. (70s4-295-0905) L (Mon-Sat), D,BAR ✸☎

University Area AMALFI PASTA ’N PIZZA

$$

$$$

NEW SOUTHERN This uptown spot with modern Southern food is best for cocktails and conversation at the bar. 204 N. Tryon St. (704-333-3747) BR, L, D, BAR ☎

❤ 5CHURCH

$-$$$

NEW AMERICAN Executive chef Whitney Thomas's innovative, seasonal menu includes yellowfin tuna sushi tots and mint crusted lamb loin. 127 N. Tryon St., Ste. 8.

(704-919-1322) BR, L, D, BAR ☎

❤ ALEXANDER MICHAEL’S

$$ -$$$

AMERICAN The blackened catfish is cooked just right, the Cajun pasta is piping hot, and chatter fills the no-reservations dining room. 401 W. 9th St. (704-332-6789) L, D, BAR

❤ ANGELINE'S

$$$

ITALIAN The Italian-inspired entreés at this uptown spot are all excellent, and the whipped ricotta with sourdough, lavender honey, and pistachio is the most imaginative appetizer on the menu. 303 S. Church St. (704-445-2540) B, BR, L, D, V, BAR ✸☎

$ Most entrées under $10 $$ Most entrées $10-$17 $$$ Most entrées $18-$25 $$$$ Most entrées $26 & up

L D V

78

❤ HALCYON, FLAVORS FROM THE EARTH $$$-$$$$

BASIL THAI

THE CELLAR AT DUCKWORTH’S

B/W Beer and wine only BAR Full-service bar ✸ Patio seating available Reservations suggested

☎

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

$$-$$$

NEW SOUTHERN With views from the Mint Museum Uptown, this restaurant's local menu is popular for lunch and pre-theater dinners. 500 S. Tryon St. (704-910-0865) BR, L, D, V, BAR ✸☎

$$-$$$

NEW SOUTHERN Enjoy locally and seasonally inspired dishes from North Carolina chef William Dissen in this bright, stylish space next to Romare Bearden Park. 225 S. Poplar St. (704-626-6116) BR,D,BAR ✸☎

NEW AMERICAN The focus is on small plates, craft beer served in its proper glassware at proper temperature, and craft cocktails. 330 N. Tryon St. (980-349-4078) D, BAR ☎

COCO + THE DIRECTOR

204 NORTH

Best Restaurants Breakfast Weekend brunch Lunch Dinner Vegetarian friendly

$$$

THAI Thai lovers can sate their cravings with tasty pad Thai, while the more daring can try dishes like crispy red curry duck, a rich, deep-fried half duck in a spicy red curry sauce. 210 N. Church St. (704-332-7212) L (weekdays), D, V, BAR ☎

Uptown

❤

❤ THE ASBURY

$$-$$$

MEXICAN Expect typical Mexican fare in a high-energy dining room, with an additional location in Ballantyne.

8927 J.M. Keynes Dr., in University Place shopping center. (704-503-1979) L, D, BAR

B BR

er Brittany Kellum's drinks. Then splurge on a slice of cheesecake. 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts, Ste. 100. (704-800-5680) L, D, BAR ✸☎

NEW SOUTHERN Chef Mike Long's inventive menu mixes countryside favorites like biscuits and deviled eggs with bold flavors and contemporary techniques.

235 N. Tryon St. (704-342-1193) B, BR, L, D, BAR ☎

AMERICAN The food here is primarily American bistrostyle, but the owner’s family tuna business makes apps like the tuna tartare standouts. 8708 J. W. Clay Blvd.

(704-549-0050) L (weekends), D, BAR ✸

ZAPATA’S CANTINA

$$$

$$

ITALIAN The only other places where Italian food is this real, this good, and this cheap are called trattorias, and you have to take a plane to get to them. 8542 University City Blvd. (704-547-8651) L, D, B/W ✸

FIREWATER

❤ ARIA TUSCAN GRILL

ITALIAN This restaurant serves up an extensive Italian menu in an elegant, modern space. 100 N. Tryon St. (704-376-8880) L (weekdays), D, BAR ☎

$

AMERICAN Marriott introduced this coffee and sandwich shop for locals and hotel guests alike to have a comfortable, casual dining option. 100 W. Trade St. (704353-6003) B, L, D, B/W

COWBELL BURGER & BAR

$$

AMERICAN This sister restaurant to Leroy Fox has a trendy, pop-culture vibe—and a roster of fancy burgers (including a foie gras-topped offering for $20). 201 N. Tryon St., Ste. 1010. (980-224-8674) L, D, BAR

DANDELION MARKET

$$-$$$

ESSEX BAR & BISTRO

$$-$$$

NEW AMERICAN On weekends, this Irish pub turns into one of uptown’s hottest nightlife spots. But during the day, come for a cozy meal with flickering candles and shared plates. 118 W. 5th St. (704-333-7989) BR, L, D, BAR

❤ HAYMAKER

$$$ - $$$$

THE KING’S KITCHEN

$$-$$$

❤ LA BELLE HELENE

$$$ - $$$$

SOUTHERN Chef Jim Noble's restaurant, which serves traditional Southern fare, donates profits to faith-based feeding centers and employs troubled youth and people who have just come out of rehab or prison.

129 W. Trade St. (704-375-1990) L (weekdays) D, B/W, ✸☎

FRENCH The Parisian menu offers rotisserie chicken and a mix of pour commencer and plats, plus decadent desserts and specialty cocktails. 300 S. Tryon St., Ste. 100. (704-9692550) BR (Sun), L, D, BAR ☎

LUCE

$$$

ITALIAN Luce is a beautiful, intimate, luxurious restaurant with simple but innovative northern Italian cuisine. 214 N. Tryon St., Ste. J, in Hearst Plaza. (704-344-9222) L (weekdays), D, BAR ✸☎

MALABAR SPANISH CUISINE

$$

GLOBAL Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences run through this menu. Order a few tapas and a bottle of wine, head out to the patio, and watch the activity at Trade and Tryon. 101 S. Tryon St., Ste. 14. (980-406-3857) L, D, BAR ✸☎

SPANISH This sister restaurant to Luce serves authentic regional cuisine from Spain for lunch and dinner. 214 N. Tryon St. (704344-8878) L (weekdays), D, BAR ✸☎

EVOKE

$$$-$$$$

NEW SOUTHERN Guests order from a daily prix fixe menu (ranging from five courses to nine courses), choose their wine and entrées, and the staff takes care of the rest. 511 N. Church St. (704-332-6159) D, BAR ☎

FAHRENHEIT

$$$-$$$$

STEAK HOUSE In this modern space off the lobby of Le Méridien, the beautifully seared steaks and seafood crudos are among the must-try menu items. 555 S. McDowell St. (980-237-5354) B, L, D, BAR ☎

NEW AMERICAN Located on the 21st floor of Skye Condos, chef Rocco Whalen’s restaurant is the place in Charlotte to eat a meal and see the city twinkle. 222 S. Caldwell St. (980-237-6718) BR, D, BAR ✸☎

❤ FORCHETTA

$$-$$$

ITALIAN Chef Luca Annunziata serves lasagna just like his mom made it and carbonara as it's served in Rome.

230 North College St. (704-602-2750) B, L, D, BAR ☎

❤ FIN & FINO

$$$

SEAFOOD Come for the raw bar, but stay for bartend-

❤ McNINCH HOUSE

$$$$

MERT’S HEART AND SOUL

$-$$

MIMOSA GRILL

$$$

SOUTHERN James Bazzelle’s pride and joy serves down-home Southern cooking, with a dash of Lowcountry, in a downtown-feeling place. 214 N. College St. (704-342-4222) BR, L, D,B/W ✸

NEW SOUTHERN This popular after-work spot has a seasonal menu, friendly service, tasty seafood dishes, and interesting grits 327 S. Tryon St. (704-343-0700) BR, L (weekdays), D, BAR ✸☎

Charlotte magazine (ISSN 1083-1444) is published monthly by Morris Communications at 214 W. Tremont Ave., Suite 302, Charlotte NC 28203-5161. Entire contents Copyright © 2020 by Morris Communications. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Periodicals postage paid in Charlotte, NC and additional offices. To subscribe, renew, or change address, go to www.charlottemagazine.com or write to: Charlotte magazine, 214 W. Tremont Ave., Suite 302, Charlotte NC 28203-5161. Subscription rate $19.95 for one year (twelve issues). For renewal or change of address, include the address label from your most recent issue. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Charlotte, P.O. Box 433237, Palm Coast, FL 32143-9616. Unsolicited photographs, illustrations, or articles are submitted at the risk of the photographer/artist/author. Charlotte magazine assumes no liability for the return of unsolicited materials and may use them at its discretion.

THE GUIDE

MURPHY’S KITCHEN & TAP

$$

IRISH Pies, tarts, meats, potatoes—everything you’d expect, you’ll find at this Irish pub with a large range of alcoholic beverage options. 445 W. Trade St. (704-3320557) BR, L, D, BAR ✸

QUEEN CITY Q

$

BARBECUE Here, the barbecue slow-cooks every day in wood-fired smokers and comes served with classic sides like peppery green bean casserole and slaw. 225 E. 6th St., Ste. A. (980-272-6341) L, D, BAR

❤ SEA LEVEL NC

$$-$$$

SEAFOOD Concrete beams and rustic brick give an industrial feel to this seafood restaurant, which serves up dishes that are accessible, inventive, and sustainably sourced. 129 E. 5th St. (704-412-2616) L, D, BAR ✸☎

SOHO BISTRO

custom plaques for Southern barbecue icons. 2216 Freedom Dr. (704-703-5252) L, D, BAR ✸☎

BOSSY BEULAH'S

$

AMERICAN Think of Bossy Beulah’s as the kid sister— or sidekick—to Noble Smoke. Order your fried chicken sammie bunless or add American cheese, and pair it with a sweet tea or Cheerwine. 2200 Freedom Dr. (980737-1400) L, D, ✸

PINKY’S WESTSIDE GRILL

$

AMERICAN Housed in an old auto shop, this funky spot

serves great burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and salads, as well as tasty sides like waffle fries. 1600 W. Morehead St. (704-332-0402) L, D, BAR ✸

TOUCAN LOUIE'S

CROSSWORD OF THE MONTH

By Andy Smith

$

CARIBBEAN With state-sourced meats smoked inhouse and strictly N.C. cheese, this new cafe's commitment to local ingredients is notable, but it's their food's Caribbean flair that elevates their grab-and-go sandwiches. 2753 Rozzelles Ferry Rd. (980-209-9791) B, L, D, B/W ✸

ANSWERS can be found online at charlottemagazine.com/ crossword.

$$

ASIAN Lightning-fast, friendly service complements hot, savory Chinese favorites such as Sha Cha Shrimp and Mongolian Chicken. 214 N. Tryon St., Ste. 110. (704333-5189) L, D, B/W

❤ STOKE

$$$

NEW AMERICAN Hotel dining gets an upgrade with this wood-fired grill, family-style concept in Marriott City Center. 100 W. Trade St. (704-353-6005) B, BR, L, D, BAR

SUKOSHI

$$

SUSHI Think high-quality sushi in a fast-casual setting.

Chef Michael Chanthavong brings favorites from his menu at O-Ku, like tuna wrap-it-up and salmon citrus rolls. 101 S. Tryon St., Ste. 120. (980-495-3800) L, D, V

THE YOLK

$-$$

AMERICAN Greg and Subrina Collier's breakfastfocused concept in 7th Street Public Market is open for breakfast and lunch, but shrimp and grits topped with Gouda cheese, jerk seasoning, and scallion pesto is delicious any time of day. 224 E. 7th St. (704-2304346) B, L

West/Northwest Charlotte COMMUNITY TABLE BISTRO

$

SOUTHERN At the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, a small, cafeteria-style restaurant sears, bakes, and fries comfort food on a daily rotation for an affordable price. 5301 Wilkinson Blvd. (980-636-1000) B, L (weekdays), V ✸

ESTIA'S KOUZINA

$$-$$$

❤ HEIRLOOM RESTAURANT

$$-$$$

GREEK This upscale Mediterranean restaurant offers healthy and delicious dishes like gyro pitas, lamb burgers, and hearty salads. 609 N. Main St., Belmont. (704825-7005) BR, L, D, V, BAR ✸☎

NEW AMERICAN Ingredients are sourced almost exclusively from North Carolina, and the tasting menu includes options like fried chicken and pork and beans.

8470 Bellhaven Rd. (704-595-7710) D, V, BAR ☎

❤ NOBLE SMOKE

$-$$

BARBECUE Feast on Carolina-style pork and Texas-style brisket, and grab a drink at the “Legends Counter” with JUNE 2020 // CHARLOTTE

79

YOU ARE HERE Each month, we’ll throw a dart at a map and write about where it lands.

LOCATION: 9641 McCoy Rd., Huntersville

cCoy 9641 M

Rd.

In Peace

IT’S SERENE AND VERDANT HERE, which seems appropriate, because nestled in this spot a few yards back from winding McCoy Road is the final resting place for dozens of people buried generations ago. The first thing that strikes you is what’s missing: headstones.

Only pine straw, leaves, and patches of periwinkle cover the ground.

The 25 to 50 men, women, and children buried at the McCoy Slave Cemetery worked in the fields and home of farmer Albert McCoy and his family from the slave days of the 1840s through the postEmancipation 1880s. The McCoy family

80

CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM // JUNE 2020

erected a stone marker here in 1928 to honor three of them: Jim, Lizzie, and Charles. The names of the rest remain a mystery.

Members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, a mile away, care for the site.

A chain-link fence that had fallen into disrepair surrounded the property until 2002, when an Eagle Scout, Kellen Osburn, cleaned it up and installed a Virginia rail fence.

Five years later, as more historyseekers started coming around, Michael Thompson, a Pfeiffer University history professor and St. Mark’s Episcopal

member, decided the cemetery needed a historical marker with information and context. Now people can park in a small gravel lot, walk the short distance to the cemetery, read Thompson’s words, and understand the sacredness of the ground where they stand.

“It is not lost on us what it means not only to the history of the church but to the history of our area and our country,” Thompson says. “Having something tangible to see and experience makes it a little more real than it otherwise would be.” —Cristina Bolling

SHAW NIELSEN; CRISTINA BOLLING

An afternoon in the sacred quiet of McCoy Slave Cemetery

2020 T H E B O Bs A N N U A L PA R T Y I S I N F U L L B L O O M !

NEW

DATE

!

T H U R S D AY, O C T O B E R 1 General Admission 7 - 9:30 p.m. | BOB Award Winners 6:30-9:30 p.m.

THE MINT MUSEUM UPTOWN

Sample fresh bites and festive cocktails from award-winning restaurants, enjoy live entertainment, and more, as we celebrate the B E S T OF THE B E S T of Charlotte in a beautiful garden paradise.

Floral and botanical-inspired attire encouraged.

T I C K E T S O N S A L E AT: CHARLOTTEMAGAZINE.COM/BOBSPARTY

ClosetsbyDesign

®

SP ON SORED BY:

Closets byDesign

®