South Charlotte LIVING
Exploring Uptown
THE CLUB AT LONGVIEW
Adventures for Now and for the Holidays!
Many of our issues include at least one article featuring travel, adventures and new places to explore, but we’ve filled this entire issue with articles on these topics just for you. This may be helpful as you’re thinking of how you’ll spend your downtime during the holidays ahead. We begin with exploring what’s right here at home. In Uptown Charlotte we rediscover and celebrate a significant art contribution’s 50th Birthday! II Grande Disco has been in place for 50 years on the Square at Trade and Tryon and has been easily overlooked by those of us who have lived here for a while. Those who are new to the city may not even know about it yet, so we are delighted to share it with everyone on our Cover and feature details about it in an article inside. We encourage our readers to get out and explore more of all the great things right here in Charlotte. There are so many things to see and learn about right here in our own backyard, and soon the uptown landscape will be further elevated with the sights and sounds of the holidays.
We know sometimes you just want to get away, so we share our experience for relaxation and fun while visiting a lovely U.S. island destination offshore that is easily accessible. St. Thomas in the U.S. VIrgin Islands is a very special place to visit. Plan now for your resort travels during the winter.
southcharlottelivingmag.com
Melinda Burris Publisher
Melinda Burris, Edie Marshall Editors
Melissa Latin Social Media Director
Effie Russell, Melinda Burris, Marsela Green, Colleen Eaton Writers
Victor Overtop Media, Murphy Photography, Strawberry Festival, Giovanna Italian Restaurant, Skyvision, Westin Resort and Spa at Frenchmen’s Reef, Effie Russell Photographers
Picante Creative Design & Production
Rachel Moore
Ad Designer
Barbara McKay Advisor
There is value in leaving your home for vacation but when you return back home, you appreciate being at home even more. Sometimes you just wish you could stay home and feel like you’re on vacation all the time. Outstanding luxury home realtors, Marsela Green and Colleen Eaton are experienced with helping buyers find the right home for staycations. We showcase a home in Waxhaw that they listed and have scheduled for closing in a sale to excited buyers just in time for the holidays.
As we close, we introduce you to a new restaurant that has great authentic Italian food. Giovanna Italian Restaurant is located in Lower Southend (LoSo), a new area further south of Southend. If you’ve been to Zinicola in Ballantyne, then you know how great the food and service is and you’ll find the same great experience at its new sister restaurant, Giovanna. Think of visiting them both during the holidays. Be adventurous and enjoy every moment wherever you are, South Charlotte! Publisher South Charlotte Living
Melinda
Melinda Burris
Giovanna is the new sister restaurant of Ballantyne’s Zinicola Italian Restaurant, with the same ownership and the same reputation for soulful, pure ingredients and exceptional service. Conveniently located near Uptown in Lower South End, Giovanna has all the amenities of fine dining with extensive Italian wines and a well-stocked bar. As a bright light in Lo So, it is approachable for any occasion and has a warm, friendly, at-home atmosphere.entic Italian cuisine & wine selection today!
Our First Ever South Charlotte Living Magazine’s Favorites Celebration
We were so excited to host our First Ever South Charlotte Favorites Celebration at Fiore Restaurant in Ballantyne. We invited and recognized businesses and professionals who were voted ‘Favorites’ in various categories by our print readers, digital viewers and social media followers. Award winners selected included those in healthcare, real estate, home designs and services, personal care, dining and more for their contributions in our diverse, thriving Charlotte communities with positivity and vitality and for simply providing the ‘Best’ to our citizens. Thanks to all our readers, viewers and followers who participated in the voting, and we look forward to celebrating our Favorite winners again in 2025. southcharlottelivingmag.com
Memories From the 2024 South Carolina Strawberry Festival
Activities celebrating ‘Strawberries’ are held each year in Fort Mill, SC. Festivities this year began with two nights of Strawberry Pageants to crown Queens in different age groups. This year, our very own Melissa Latin, South Charlotte Living’s Social Media Director, served as one of four judges to select the winners.
The week-long celebration included a golf tournament, a street festival with music, food and other activities.
UPTOWN CHARLOTTE Exploring
Written by: Effie Russell | Photography by: Victor Overtop Media, Amelie’s, Le Meridien Hotel
The II Grande Disco turns 50!
We live, work and play in South Charlotte but we love visiting Uptown. Usually, our visits are purpose driven. We go Uptown to conduct business, go to sporting events, attend plays, concerts and other events, but rarely do we go there to just take in all the sights that visitors see when they come into town.
Recently when friends came to Charlotte from Chicago to attend a wedding at the Le Meridien Hotel Uptown, my husband and I met up with them and had an opportunity to see Charlotte through the lenses of tourist visitors. It was great to hear that Sherry and Mike were pleasantly impressed with our airport even with all the construction in progress. They were also pleased with the ease of travel from the airport to Uptown. We complain about the traffic here, but we forget that it is much, much worse in other cities. They described to us how the traffic in Charlotte in no way compares to the traffic they experience in metro Chicago. This was another great reminder of how fortunate we are to live here, at least for now before even more people move here and bring more traffic.
We had planned to just meet our friends at the hotel and make our usual visit to a SouthPark restaurant for lunch, but this time we let them plan the itinerary. They wanted to see Uptown, so we followed their lead. Particularly, they wanted to check out a sculpture here that has a duplicate in the Windy City. They’ve visited the University of Chicago version of II Grande Disco and read that there was a sister sculpture similar to it in Charlotte. Since Uptown Charlotte is walkable and the weather was good that day, we agreed to head to the southeast corner of Charlotte’s Uptown Square at Tryon and Trade to see our II Grande Disco that has a twin in Chicago. Knowing that we would need to eat soon, I suggested that we eat at one of our favorites, Amelie’s on College Street. I thought it would be fun to give our visitors a French experience in Charlotte.
It had been a while since I had seen the II Grande Disco, so I had to get reacquainted with it. It’s one of the things in Uptown that you just don’t think about after you’ve seen it so many times. I had forgotten that it was placed on the Square in 1974 until Mike told us. It has held down the corner at the Square for 50 years! Although I was not living here then, I do remember hearing about its arrival when I visited family in Charlotte around that time.
On our way to the Square, we further researched the sculpture on our phones and discovered more about II Grande Disco (also known as The Grand Disc) and we were impressed. The art piece was created specifically for the Queen City’s corner by Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro. It was installed on October 2, 1974. It was the first piece of public art to be placed in Uptown Charlotte, thanks to Bank of America (formerly NCNB and NationsBank) and its CEO in the 70’s, Hugh McColl. I am proud to have become acquainted with him in the 90s and he is a friend of the magazine. We’re proud of his artistic contributions to the city and we’re thrilled that the II Grande Disco has remained a symbol of Charlotte’s flourishing arts scene ever since. II Grande Disco is one of several similar public art installations by the artist throughout the world, with the others located in Milan, Italy; Purchase, New York; and Darmstadt, Germany in addition to the one in Chicago, Illinois.
Upon our arrival on the Square, we approached the large, bronze 15-foot-wide wheel with dark edges and designs that are etched on both sides. The disc has an eclectic and futuristic look, as though it might have been just dropped off on the Square from outer space by aliens. The disc appears to be telling a story and as we read more, we learned that it was designed to show how our city would grow from the center out in all directions, and it has. In the 1970s Charlotte was recognized for its huge potential for growth and prosperity, and it has lived up to the expectations and predictions. The growth in Charlotte has been phenomenal. The disc signifies Charlotte’s transformative and dynamic energy.
While on the Square, we read more about the II Grand Disco and discovered that at one time it rotated and could be moved slightly with a whirl of wind or a nudge. The idea that the wind propelled it is hard to believe because it’s so heavy. Its weight is estimated to be over a ton. Understandably, and for everyone’s safety, it is now securely bolted down. With all the changes and renovations Uptown, it’s great to see that the disc has survived and has remained in place for 50 years!
We realized while on the Square that all four corners of the intersection actually tell stories about Charlotte’s past, present and future. There are also four statues on each corner of the Square that continue the stories representing the four pillars of Charlotte. The grand statues on each corner weigh about 5,000 pounds each, so they are hard to miss when you are in the intersection. They were placed on the corners in 1995 and created by well-known, award winning sculptor and architect, Raymond Kaskey. The figurative pieces have enormous symbolism and represent the ‘Future’ with a mother and baby, ‘Commerce’ with a miner with a pan of gold which has been found here, ‘Transportation’ with workers who have helped create the crossroads to many places passing through here and ‘Industry’ with a textile worker representing the largest work force in the state at one time.
After our walk and appreciation for the experience on the Square, we were reminded of our appetites for food and drinks, so we walked over to Amelie’s on S. College Street for what I knew would be a good time. As we began to leave the Square and progress on our
way to Amelie’s on this special day of memories and friendship, it dawned on all of us that we needed to spend more time together and explore more sights in Uptown Charlotte. We committed to plan for more walking tours in the future as I pointed in various directions to share that I knew of many more sculptures, statues and works of art that we should see. During our conversations I made a mental list of all the sights to see Uptown. I became overwhelmed with the realization that there are so many stories to tell in articles about Uptown Charlotte and I’d like to share with this magazine’s readers.
Amelie’s did not disappoint. In addition to the French atmosphere, we enjoyed a long lunch with sandwiches made of good breads and croissants, salads, fruit, chocolate pastries, coffee and tea.
Right around the corner from Amelie’s, we made a quick stop into the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Art and Culture to give our guests a quick look at one of our quality museums and a taste of exceptional art in Charlotte. We were fortunate to see a collection of works by 12 contemporary Black women from around the world and
curated by American Dexter Wimberly based in Japan. Sherry and Mike were in awe and will definitely add the museum to their list of places to visit again when they come back to Charlotte.
We peeled away the rest of the afternoon with a slow walk back to the Le Meridien. Upon arrival at the hotel,
we headed to the 18th floor to enjoy the magnificent view of the city from the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant. The Le Meridien is a member of the Marriott family of hotels and is a great place for accommodations in Uptown.
We felt renewed and refreshed having cancelled our usual Friday activities to
enjoy an adventure right in our own backyard with friends. We felt like we had been on vacation just like Sherry and Mike. It was exciting to realize that we had only scratched the surface for exploring artistry in Uptown. We can’t wait to come back soon to experience even more on another tour. Needless to say, we enjoyed the ride home as the sun began to set on our wonderful day. It was a day we’ll cherish for a long time.
Live Music, Fri & Sat Nights
Brunch, Sat & Sun
Delectable Menu
Craft Cocktails
Open Late
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HEAD TO ST. THOMAS for a
Tropical Adventure
Written by: Effie Russell and Edie Marshall
Photography by: Effie Russell, Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef, St. Thomas, U. S. V. I.
Experience the adventure of rich culture, storied history, pristine sunny beaches with turquoise waters, diversity of the natural elements, fun shopping, wonderful foods and see smiling, friendly faces on a get-away to one of the three islands in the U. S. Virgin Islands. Even though the team has been to all three islands in the past, we were invited by U. S. Virgin Islands’ Department of Tourism to take a deeper look at St. Thomas on this visit. We’ll share St. John and St. Croix in future issues. The Tourism Department was anxious for us to share beautiful St. Thomas with our readers, digital viewers and social media followers to cultivate new relationships for travel during the holiday resort travel season.
With at least one non-stop flight from Charlotte every day to Cyril E. King International Airport (ironically in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas) it’s easy to make the trip. The number of daily non-stop flights from Charlotte changes depending on the season. The ease of travel to St. Thomas makes it one of the best adventures in the Caribbean to enjoy. Even though it’s considered a domestic trip because the U. S. Virgin Islands are USA territories, it very much feels like a foreign trip. It is especially enjoyable to choose this destination for an easy off the mainland travel experience since you won’t even need a passport for entry.
Adventure
Accommodations Are Abundant
Our favorite choice for this trip was the Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef with its own private beach below the hotel. It sits high above the sparkling water against a stunning backdrop of tropical blue sky and water. The resort has outdoor dining and a bar with beautiful views. The impeccably wonderful service found at Westin Hotels worldwide exists here too. This sprawling property shares space with a companion Marriott Resort, also at Frenchman’s Reef, which gives an added dimension of pleasure. The two properties even share their own electric power source in case there are power outages on the island.
Consider residing at the Ritz-Carlton and elevate to a higher-level stay of luxury with all the amenities you expect from their hotels and more. There are also smaller, more intimate boutique hotels all over the hills surrounding the water with fantastic views, offering more privacy with extremely good food.
Experience the Island Cuisine and Culture
In St. Thomas, you can sample the best that Caribbean chefs have to offer. Island favorites are fish and all types of seafood, rice, vegetables, fruits, pates and breads. You will find locals eager to recommend the best places to eat and the list is endless. Enjoy the mouthwatering cuisine that ranges from European to Caribbean and Mexican dishes. St. Thomas has a laidback atmosphere, but you can choose sophisticated dining in restaurants or casual dining in pubs or on patios. Whatever you choose, it can be magical.
St. Thomas natives also know how to party! They’re excited about sharing details regarding the spectacular night life. The mecca in Charlotte Amalie is always jumping with many bars and fun parties. Seasonal festivals are held all over the island, too.
Many enjoy the duty-free shops in and around Charlotte Amalie where you can find souvenirs, jewelry, alcohol and unique items made by natives. You may also enjoy people watching as the sail boats and cruise ships unload their guests for a visit on the island. Hundreds of thousands of visitors each year look forward to stopping on St. Thomas to buy goods and to check out all that the island has to offer.
Enjoy the History and the Natural Beauty of the Island
St. Thomas is home to Fort Christian, built in 1680. It is the second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. Adventure lovers will want to check out Coral World Ocean Park to see sharks and swim with sea lions. The kids may love this! The island is also known for pictureperfect beaches and scuba diving. Magens Bay is a must see. There are lots of things to do besides swimming and sunbathing
on the beach. You can hike the nature trails, enjoy kayaking, paddle boating or rent a sailboat.
Love on the Island
Celebrate your love in one of the most unique and beautiful places in the world. Renew your vows on a private beach or get married at one of the hotels or in one of the historic houses of worship scattered across the island. There are lots of places for couples to explore together.
There are secluded beaches for sunning and swimming, or you can snorkel with sea turtles and exotic marine life. If being pampered is more your style, then you’ll love visiting one of the exquisite resorts for special treatment.
St. Thomas is Open for Doing Business
Imagine hosting a team building meeting in a spectacular setting of turquoise waters and being surrounded by lush tropical landscapes. Just bringing your team together can often be one of the most important parts of building a business. Outside of the conference room, there are so many ways to enjoy the island as a group, like sunset sails, evening kayaking, food tours, spending time on a beautiful
beach, water activities and group shopping to create lasting bonds. Group taxis are available all over the island, so there is no need for renting cars. Explore the island together and experience how tropical adventures can cement business bonds, create lasting memories and inspire unexpected discoveries.
> If you decide to visit, we hope you enjoy it. Please let us know about your good times in St. Thomas or about your visits to other incredible island destinations at info@southcharlotte livingmag.com.
MONIQUE MAY, MD, MHA
Board-certified family physician and Founder of Physician in the Kitchen®. Dr. Monique’s passion is to help people discover, cook and eat delicious plant-based foods. Her mission is to fix America’s health, one plate at a time.
• Take her 1:1 cooking and how to plant-base your pantry classes!
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• Book her for your next speaking engagement!
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Every Day Can Be a
Vacation in This Home
Written by: Marsela Green, Colleen Eaton and Effie Russell
Traveling the world is great but sometimes you just want to be grounded and enjoy a staycation in your own beautiful home. However, it has to be the right home with all the premium amenities that you’ve become accustomed to. Take a look at the resort like retreat home featured here. It is already under contract, but friend of the magazine, realtor Marsela Green with Berkshire-Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty, can help you find another one comparable to it. Marsela, along with Colleen Eaton of Berkshire-Hathaway, worked together to list this home for the sellers.
Photography by: Skyvision
One of the great things about the South Charlotte area are the home options available for living the lifestyle you desire. You can choose a home in a more metropolitan area, like neighborhoods near Uptown or live in a more serene environment that can be found across the Union County line. With the growth in the area there are many conveniences so you may not even miss much if you choose not to live in
the city. In any event, Marsela is ready to help you make the best decision for you. Our featured home was listed at $1.575 million which confirms that Marsela has the skills and talents to assist you with your next million-dollar home purchase or list your current home for sale.
Our example home shown here is great for enjoying comfort and the pleasure of being on vacation at home every day. This exquisite home with European inspired architecture offers opulence and sophistication with custom trim work and quality finishes at every turn. It has tremendous curb appeal with a courtyard driveway, a porte cochere with motor court and fabulous gas lanterns to lead the way to the entry. The exterior is full brick with stone and hard stucco.
The more than one-acre property includes 4,203 square feet of heated space and a 3-car garage. As you open the elegant arched French doors to enter, you’ll step into refined luxury and contemporary updates in this iconic custom estate in Waxhaw. The interior features an open floor plan with high ceilings. For entertaining there is a family room with an appealing fireplace and a dining area for serving your guests. The recently renovated and updated kitchen has custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, high-end appliances, beautiful hardwood floors, intricate neutral paint and is flanked by a breakfast area. The main level thoughtfully features the primary bedroom with architectural ceilings, a spa-like bath for pampering and a
custom closet. A bedroom for guests on the first floor is ensuite with a luxury bath. Conveniently located on the main floor, you’ll also find the laundry room with custom cabinetry and an executive office with a coffered ceiling and custom pocket doors.
As you adventure outside, the backyard entertainment area includes an in-ground saltwater pool, a welcoming cabana with fireplace for relaxation complimented by serene, lush, manicured grounds maintained by an in-ground irrigation system.
Upstairs includes two additional bedrooms with ensuites, a flex room, a bonus room which has a veranda overlooking the home’s dramatic outdoor setting. This property example epitomizes luxury and craftsmanship in every detail.
> For help with finding available homes like the one shown here, reach out to Marsela Green, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty, 3420 Toringdon Way, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28277, marsela.green@bhhscarolinas.com, 704.773.3577.
It takes one Walk to fight T1D
Join the movement to transform life with type 1 diabetes (T1D) Breakthrough T1D Walk is the largest global event for the T1D community, driving research, advocacy, and support to improve lives while funding cures research Celebrate your loved ones, help change lives, contribute to a cure, and find your community at the Greater Charlotte Breakthrough T1D Walk.
Join us November 2, 2024 at the U.S. National White Water Center. Register your Walk team or donate here!
Lower
South End
Has a New Bright Light
That
Warms the Heart!
Giovanna, the New Italian Restaurant for Sophisticated Dining Near Uptown
Written by: Melinda Burris and Effie Russell
Photography by: Giovanna Italian Restaurant
You’ll feel like family when you bring your guests to Giovanna to celebrate or just to experience great Italian food in a quality setting. The new, exquisite, sophisticated Italian restaurant is the latest addition to LoSo Village. This is the second creation from owner, Richard Cranmer. It is the sister restaurant of Cranmer’s Zinicola Italian Restaurant located in Ballantyne. Under Cranmer’s ownership, the new restaurant has the same reputation for soulful, pure ingredients and exceptional service. So, if you’ve been to Zinicola and you visit Giovanna, then you know you’ve found a perfect home for dining when your adventures take you near Southend. They are both spots to visit during the holidays.
Giovanna in LoSo is conveniently located near Uptown and to some neighborhoods in South Charlotte. The sleek restaurant has all the amenities of fine dining, yet it is approachable for any occasion with a warm, friendly, at-home atmosphere. Everything about it just makes you feel warm and fuzzy.
Rich’s life experiences, beginning with cooking lessons from his mother and grandmother in Italy, have helped to develop his talents for fantastic Italian creations at both restaurants. His interpretation of Italian cuisine comes from his love and passion for Italy, its food and his family.
The pastas, sauces and desserts are made in house by hand just like his ‘nonna Giovanna’ did. His grandmother’s namesake restaurant has the food you’d expect to find in Italy if you visited there yourself. Like Rich’s Zinicola restaurant, you can even feel the Italian vibes while watching the chefs lovingly cook the food and work in the kitchen. The food and the atmosphere at both locations feed the soul!
Rich spent years in culinary training in high-end kitchens and honed his skills, but the essence of his food remains the same. It is an expression of Love.
Each day, Richard and his chefs create unique daily specials from seasonal market fresh items. Giovanna serves dinner daily on site with to-go and delivery services as options also. The menu provides a premium selection of pastas, seafood dishes and desserts along with an extensive wine list and cocktail menu to please any palette.
If you’d like to dine in private, Giovanna also has a private dining room for seating around 20 guests during dinner meetings, dinner parties and even while game watching or for enjoying private conversations with friends or family while dining.
> Make a reservation today to enjoy a taste of Italy at Giovanna, 3531 Dewitt Lane, Charlotte, NC 28217, 704.910.3855, giovannaitalian.com.
Montibello
Pellyn Wood
Blantyre
Ballantyne Country Club
Highgrove
Piper Glen
Oldenburg
Firethorne Country Club
Eastover
Cotswold
$2,800,000
$2,100,000 $1,575,000 $1,500,000
$1,300,000
$1,850,000 $2,795,000
