July SouthPark 2025 by SouthParkMag

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summer starts at home.

FROM THE EDITOR

It’s that time of year, when I’m supposed to be writing about lazy days by the pool, blender drinks, memories of childhood vacations. But this summer — my favorite season! — is off to a bumpy start.

Two family members have been dealing with illness. I’m battling a miserable summer cold. And I’ve just been summoned for eight weeks of jury duty. A trifecta of distractions from what’s supposed to be the most carefree season.

Perhaps I’ve always loved summer because July is my birthday month! As a kid, it was rough because so many friends were away at summer camp or on vacation. My birthday parties were small and simple, but no less celebratory.

For many years, I had a neighbor who was close in age. Whenever anyone asked how she felt about being another year older, she’d laugh and quip, “Beats the alternative!”

I’d laugh along, but truthfully, I’ve never been able to fully embrace the positive aspects of getting older. Sure, I feel wiser, and more comfortable in my own skin. But I also can’t stand it when my body doesn’t look the same and won’t do all the things it used to do — or at least not at the same pace.

In early May, as soon as the long-awaited Leluia Hall opened, I tried to make a dinner reservation for my birthday. No dice — the popular new restaurant was already booked. So, this year, my birthday might look a little more like my childhood ones — backyard cookouts at home, a swim at the neighborhood pool, watching movies till midnight. I’m OK with that.

And no matter how much weight is bearing down on me, I’ll try to think of my always effervescent former neighbor (Hi Joy!) and her positive attitude toward another trip around the sun.

Oh, and I will eat cake! SP

CATHY MARTIN

Discover Specialty Shops SouthPark, a beautiful outdoor shopping and dining destination with a curated blend of more than a dozen exclusive boutiques; national, regional, and local brands; luxury services; and first-class restaurants.

Enjoy shopping at our selection of fashion boutiques and home décor retailers, then relax and unwind with al fresco dining at any of our acclaimed restaurants. Treat yourself to a memorable shopping experience at Specialty Shops SouthPark.

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6401 Carnegie Boulevard Charlotte NC

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BLVD.

16 | art

Artist Tori Bilas celebrates her clients’ love stories and passion for pets.

20 | interiors

Wendy Fennell transforms a dated primary bath into a mid-mod masterpiece.

22 | music

Sam on Someday showcases local musicians from a variety of genres.

28 | cuisine

For 20 years, The Fig Tree has been a cherished neighborhood haunt and beloved backdrop for celebrating life’s special moments.

38 | food + drink

Let’s do brunch: 5 places to dine in Charlotte this summer

42 | around town

What’s new and coming soon in the Queen City

46 | happenings

July calendar of events

DEPARTMENTS

53 | bookshelf

July’s new releases

55 | simple life

May there be more questions and answers on the road ahead

59 | well + wise

Why logging off to tune in is the mental reset we didn’t know we needed.

91 | swirl

Parties, fundraisers and events around Charlotte

96 | gallery

25 years of Grandiflora by Thomas Sayre

FEATURES

61 | Dream homes by Cathy Martin

From family compounds to fractional shares, interest in luxury second homes in the Carolinas remains strong.

68 | All in the details by Andrea Nordstrom Caughey photographs by Dustin and Susie Peck Small moments punctuate classic expanses in this Lansdowne remodel.

76 | The perfect vintage by Ross Howell Jr. | photographs by Richard Israel Family-owned Linville Falls Winery fulfills a lifelong dream.

TRAVEL

84 | Raising the bar by Kayleigh Ruller

At places like Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., the hotel bar is the new place to be.

86 | Embraceable Edenton by Page Leggett

North Carolina’s first capital wraps you up in history and hospitality.

ABOUT THE COVER:

Aerial view of Kiawah Island by Patrick O’Brien, courtesy Kiawah Island Real Estate.

July

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICHARD ISRAEL

1230 West Morehead St., Suite 308 Charlotte, NC 28208

704-523-6987

southparkmagazine.com

Ben Kinney Publisher publisher@southparkmagazine.com

Cathy Martin Editor cathy@southparkmagazine.com

Sharon Smith Assistant Editor sharon@southparkmagazine.com

Andie Rose Creative Director

Alyssa Kennedy Art Director alyssamagazines@gmail.com

Whitley Adkins Style Editor

Contributing Editors

David Mildenberg, Michael J. Solender

Contributing Writers

Michelle Boudin, Andrea Nordstrom Caughey, Daniel Coston, Jim Dodson, Asha Ellison, Ross Howell Jr., Juliet Lam Kuehnle, Page Leggett, Kayleigh Ruller

Contributing Photographers

Daniel Coston, Justin Driscoll, Richard Israel, Amy Kolodziej, Dustin and Susie Peck

Contributing Illustrator Gerry O’Neill

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Jane Rodewald Sales Manager 704-621-9198

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

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Owners

Jack Andrews, Frank Daniels III, David Woronoff in memoriam Frank Daniels Jr.

David Woronoff President david@thepilot.com

Imagine yourself with the smile of your dreams radiating with joy, confidence, and success. A smile you wake-up to and celebrate every day. Ready to achieve your dream smile?

Dr. Broome and the team at Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry are here to discuss next steps. We can’t wait to help design a smile just for you!

See more beautiful #CCCDsmiles on our social media!

An Exceptional Experience in the Heart of SouthPark

Sharon Square features an array of fine places to wine, dine, and socialize, all in a beautiful and walkable outdoor setting. Enjoy great moments dining with family and friends at any of our sit-down restaurants that offer award-winning dishes and extensive wine and cocktail menus.

blvd.

people, places, things

MEET ME AT THE MARKET

Salted Melon Market & Eatery opened its third location at Phillips Place, in the former Bonterra space. The charming, fast-casual cafe seats 78 inside, with two patios providing outdoor seating for 40. Catering is also available. Salted Melon is known for its all-day menu of healthy salads, wraps and bowls plus an extensive lineup of smoothies, teas, coffee and espresso drinks. Other locations are in Eastover and South End. Salted Melon Phillips Place is open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. SP

JOY ON PAPER

Artist Tori Bilas celebrates her clients’ love stories and passion for pets. by Michelle Boudin | photographs by Amy Kolo

As soon as Tori Bilas could hold a pencil, she was drawing. Tori says her dad, ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas, still jokes about it.

“You know how you make artwork and bring it home from school?” Tori says. “My mom would get so excited and show my dad, and he would laugh because it probably wasn’t that good. But my mom would say, ‘But it is, she’s only 4!’”

Her mom knows exactly what she’s talking about. Wendy Bilas is an acclaimed local artist whose oil paintings hang in shops and collectors’ homes across the country.

“[Tori] would bring things home, and they were more elaborate than what a typical preschooler would do,” Wendy recalls. “She loved to color. She knew her colors before she could talk.”

Tori, now 30, remembers when her drawings became more than just elaborate doodles. When she was in middle school at Charlotte Latin, one of her teachers created the “Tori Bilas Rule.” Tori had just discovered she could literally copy a photograph down to the tiniest detail.

“I would go to the white board, and while I was waiting for instructions in math class I would start drawing horses. So my teacher, Mr. Wolfe, made up the rule: no drawing while waiting. I remember it very vividly.”

Around the same time, The Charlotte Observer published a drawing of hers, prompting a couple of people to ask her to draw their horses.

“After that, someone offered to pay me, and I think I charged $25. Since then, I’ve never had a lull in commissions.”

She started painting with oils after taking art classes at Duke University and modeling her mom’s work. Her paintings almost always revolved around animals. Tori’s love for horses started early on. She began drawing them even before she picked up riding when she was 6.

“I think they’re so beautiful and more complex than a dog. The details of their faces — to be able to capture all of those details is very rewarding. The connection between a horse and a human is unlike any other. It’s a one-on-one relationship that can’t be replicated in any way. Whether you’re competing or not, you both need to show up 100%, every time.”

After finishing an art degree at Duke, she earned an MBA at Wake Forest University and quickly made a name for herself in the equestrian events-and-marketing world. Art took a back seat for a time, though her work

was shown at Alexander Scott Home and Anne Neilson Fine Art.

Last year, she decided to focus full time on painting and design, putting both of her degrees to work and officially launching Tori Bilas Studios. She primarily focuses on pet portraits but has expanded her offerings to include custom notecards and stationery, whimsical gift tags, elegant wedding invitations, and save-the-date and thank-you cards.

“I really want to grow it into something big. It’s a matter of … seeing what people want the most and what I enjoy doing the most to see what the next big chapter will be.”

Tori describes her work as bespoke.

“Everything I do is very custom and something you can only get from me. … It is all made to order.” No matter what she does, the Dilworth-based artist says she’s helping tell meaningful stories.

“If you think about it, wedding stationery is really telling a couple’s love story. You’re setting the tone for a day that celebrates their love story, and animals and pets are equally a part of someone’s life,” says Tori, the owner of a rescue beagle named Emmy. “I’m putting life’s greatest joys on paper. Think of all the things people love and value in their life — this business caters to those things.”

She’s already reaping the rewards.

“One of my favorite parts of what I do is the emotional connection people have with their pets, and it’s the client reaction that is so special. One family recently had a golden retriever that passed away. They put the portrait I did in their entryway and said it was like he was always there waiting for them when they got home. That really warms my heart.” SP

GOING BOLD

Wendy Fennell transforms a dated primary bath into a mid-mod masterpiece. photographs by Easterday Creative

Interior designer Wendy Fennell was up against the clock when renovating the primary bathroom for a busy family of four.

“We were on a tight schedule as they had a new baby on the way that was coinciding with the bathroom being completed,” says Fennell, owner of Bohemian Bungalow Design.

The Matthews homeowners were seeking a clean, modern vibe in the outdated space. Fennell answered with custom cherry reeded cabinets, terrazzo flooring and a textured backsplash featuring tile by Jonathan Adler.

“Black-and-white tile combos in baths always look great with everything,” says Fennell, who completed the design — just in time — with a pair of oval mirrors, pops of brass and gemstone cabinet pulls from Modern Matter. SP — Cathy Martin

SOURCES

CONTRACTOR: Hansen’s Renovations

CABINETS: Baxter Cabinets

TILE: Surface Studio

COUNTERTOPS: Art of Stone

CABINET HARDWARE: Modern Matter

LIGHTING: Visual Comfort

Fennell doubled down on the black-and-white theme in the shower, with a vertical wall tile, black hardware and floor tile, and a frameless glass door.

Need a Top Doctor? Start

Once again this year, our medical peers have honored the Tryon team among Charlotte magazine’s Top Doctors. Our patients value the personalized care that leads to stronger relationships and better health. Want to experience the Tryon difference yourself? We’re always welcoming new patients, so book an appointment today: tryonmed.com

STRIKING A CHORD

Five years in, Sam on Someday showcases musicians from a variety of genres across Charlotte.

story and photo by Daniel Coston

Sam Tayloe takes a moment to reflect on Sam on Someday, his music series that recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.

“It’s a thing of beauty,” says Tayloe. “We’re just looking to hang out and keep adding to our community circle. Luckily for us, that has fruited new projects, new folks playing together. It’s been real fun to be a part of.”

Tayloe has led the folk-rock band Time Sawyer since 2010, and like many other musicians watched his touring plans evaporate when the Covid pandemic hit in March 2020. With time on his hands, he started livestreaming music from home on Sunday evenings.

The series, which soon took the title of Sam on Sunday, grew quickly from Tayloe’s one-man-band setup as other musicians began sharing videos.

“As we got into that limbo period [in 2021] — a mix of you could get out in small groups but no large gatherings — the Neighborhood Theatre graciously let us have the show every other week … with the full Time Sawyer band.”

During off weeks, Tayloe continued streaming from home, with the help of local sponsors. He admits he had no idea how long the series would last.

“I wanted to make it the best show we could while we were cooped up, and once we got back out in it, the natural next step was to have these shows go live. And people asked for it.”

The series, now known as Sam on Someday, has since traveled to stages beyond Charlotte but has kept a firm base in the Queen City.

“We’ve really gotten in the groove switching off between

Petra’s and the Evening Muse, so I think there is a comfort there for us,” Tayloe says. “But we’ll do it anywhere!”

For each show, Tayloe puts together a cross section of regional artists to feature and play in the house band.

“It’s a pretty free-flowing thing,” he says.

When asked what his favorite shows in the series have been, Tayloe gives an honest, yet diplomatic answer: “I have at least one moment, if not multiple each show, of sheer gratitude that I get to watch these folks do their thing, and do it so well.”

SOS is a reflection of the remarkable pool of musical talent that exists in the Charlotte area, Tayloe says.

“We have an amazing scene that we’re looking to continue to build up. The talent we’ve been able to have on stage for these shows from our community makes me feel proud to be a part of the pie. I think it’s a cobbler, actually,” he jokes.

When asked about the future for SOS, Tayloe smiles.

“Whatever it ends up wanting to be. I’m just sitting in it while it rolls on.” SP

SOMEDAY SOON: The next Sam on Someday concert is July 15 at Petra’s Bar, 1919 Commonwealth Ave. For more information, visit petrasbar.com

RIGHT AT HOME

For 20 years, The Fig Tree — located in the historic Lucas House in Elizabeth — has been a cherished neighborhood haunt and beloved backdrop for celebrating life’s special moments.

by Cathy Martin | photographs by Justin Driscoll

The late afternoon sun casts a soft glow across the porch of The Fig Tree restaurant in Elizabeth, as young couples out for date night and other small groups slowly trickle in. There’s a gentle breeze, and the bells from a nearby church chime on the hour as my server delivers a glass of crisp Sancerre — a refreshing remedy for an unseasonably warm spring weekend.

The 7th-Street corridor in this historic neighborhood has seen much change over the last two decades, with an influx of mid-rise apartments and glossy new restaurants. Here at The Fig Tree, housed in a quaint 1915 bungalow, things remain much the same.

The restaurant is peaceful but not staid, elegant but not stuffy. Servers are professional and understated, with a deep knowledge of the menu and wine list. Service isn’t rushed — menu pacing is deliberate and leisurely.

The Fig Tree won’t turn up often on your TikTok or Instagram feeds — the restaurant doesn’t recruit influencers to drum up

business. Instead, business comes from word of mouth, and a longstanding reputation as a destination for date nights and special occasions.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

In March, The Fig Tree celebrated its 20th anniversary, a milestone for any small business, but particularly in the food biz, where fickle diners are often drawn to the shiny and new. Owners Greg and Sara Zanitsch attribute that longevity to their shared dedication.

“We’re both here,” says Sara, who is the general manager. “I think that a lot of times the success of a restaurant is that the owners still work there and still care.” The couple opened The Fig Tree in 2005, after Greg’s parents, while visiting Charlotte, learned that the former Cibi restaurant was for sale. Greg and Sara had been searching for a spot in Sara’s native Cincinnati — Greg had

Bruleed lemon posset with blueberry compote, blueberry sorbet and lemon curd chantilly

BECKY MCGRATH TEAM

LEIGH C. CORSO

LUCY BUTLER GROUP

CHRISTIE HANSEN

CAY CRAIG

THE HUNEYCUTT TEAM

CHIP JETTON

HEATHER MONTGOMERY

KALIE KOIVISTO

LINDA HENLEY SARA ROCHE TEAM

LINDSAY REDFERN

CINDI HASTINGS TEAM

TREY SULLIVAN

LISA WARREN

HEATHER WOLKING

TUCK TEAM

LISA RUPP

MARY BETH SNYDER

attended the University of Cincinnati before going to culinary school in Vermont and returned after stints in Maui and Napa Valley.

It was just what they had been looking for. They bought the restaurant and an adjacent home, where they lived for 10 years (they now rent the property as an Airbnb).

Owning the house has been key to their success, according to Greg.

“We’ve talked to a lot of people who are in the business who, rightfully so, complain that ‘my lease just went up,’ or ‘my lease just doubled.’ And we’re fortunate that we don’t have that problem.”

Building a loyal staff has been crucial, Sara says, along with the combination of a cozy indoor setting and outdoor seating when the weather is nice.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

The Fig Tree was just finding its footing when the restaurant faced its first major challenge — the Great Recession, which coincided with the birth of the couple’s first child in April 2008. They got through it with hard work.

“There were nights where [Greg] was cooking and washing dishes, and I was bartending and hosting,” Sara recalls.

Especially in those days, being known as a special-occasion

restaurant was a blessing. “In ’08 and ’09, when nobody was eating out except for having a birthday or anniversary (in which you feel obligated), it was great,” Greg says.

In 2020, when restaurants were forced to close early in the pandemic, “We sat around for two days, and I said, ‘We can’t do this,’” Greg recalls. They started making to-go meal kits. “And we realized that people were making spaghetti and meatballs at home, but they wanted things like duck confit or crab cakes or osso bucco or lamb shanks — stuff that was a little more elevated.” They turned the downstairs into a de facto wine shop, and bought and sold about 500 cases during the shutdown.

FOCUS ON WINE

Inspired by his years working in Napa, from day one Greg wanted to ensure the menu was wine-friendly. Wine dinners at Charlotte restaurants are commonplace these days, but The Fig Tree set the standard. Since its first year, the restaurant has hosted a monthly wine dinner with a featured winemaker and a prix-fixe, usually sixcourse menu.

“Our menu is country-European. It’s classically prepared, highquality ingredients that pair well with wine,” Greg says. The menu

Pan-roasted Scottish salmon

The Fig Tree’s 20th anniversary cabernet sauvignon

doesn’t change drastically but varies based on what fresh seafood is available or what crops are in season. While Greg pays attention to food trends, he acknowledges many neighborhood regulars expect and relish the consistency. He experimented with changing up the menu more often, but loyal customers kept requesting their favorite dishes.

“I’ve taken some things off, and eventually had to just put them back on, because we were tired of making them as a special,” Greg says. One such dish is the escargots — Burgundy snails served with cremini mushrooms, Gorgonzola and crostini.

On this evening, the lobster cakes appetizer with fried avocado, corn salsa and poblano cream sauce was a standout, along with sautéed sea scallops, lightly seasoned and served with a beet, fennel and golden raisin couscous and a blood orange reduction. Other dishes might include pan-roasted Scottish salmon, sea bass, lamb chops and house-made fettuccine.

Prices are steep but in line with the market, and entrees come with a mixed-green salad — lettuces are sourced from Adrina Farms, a hydroponic grower at the Innovation Barn — and house-made focaccia bread.

Charlotte MADE

Our September special advertising section is distinctly Charlotte — featuring everything from tasty treats and gourmet snacks to luxurious lotions, beautiful handmade pottery and elegant attire, all from local vendors and fine artisans. Whether you need a unique, personal gift for a friend or corporate gifts for customers, you’ll find it here.

We’ll also include some of the best places to shop for everything from fall wardrobe staples to chic home goods.

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JULY, 25, 2025

Contact Jane Rodewald 704-621-9198 or Cindy Poovey 704-497-2220 today.

Visit us online at southparkmagazine.com/advertise.

Lobster cakes with fried avocado, corn salsa and poblano cream sauce

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TAKING IT DAY BY DAY

“[Prior to the pandemic], I think people thought this was fun and glamorous,” Sara says. “And it’s really hard work.” For the Zanitsches, that dedication seems to have paid off. And they do it all while juggling the demands of a busy household.

As parents of three children, they start every week coordinating work and kids’ schedules. That’s where having a loyal staff is key, allowing for Sara and Greg to make carpool runs and attend school events while not having to worry about who’s minding the restaurant.

Last year, the couple opened a franchise location of Topsail Steamer, a takeout meal-prep service that sells ready-to-cook seafood meals in reusable steam pots. In the meantime, they commemorated The Fig Tree’s 20th anniversary with a special dinner in March. To keep the celebration going, they’ve teamed with Napa’s Hill Family Estate for a special bottling — 54 cases of a 2023 cabernet sauvignon, which they’ll serve until it runs out.

“We work together, and we’re still friends,” Sara says. “That’s kind of important — I think that’s a huge thing. We’re both invested in it.” SP

Owners Sara and Greg Zanitsch

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LET’S DO BRUNCH

5 places to dine in Charlotte this summer by

Asha Ellison

Grits. Eggs. Bacon. Wait a week, then repeat? I think not.

Brunch doesn’t have to be boring, and it doesn’t have to happen only once a week, either. With so many mid-morning and midday meal options in Charlotte, you owe it to yourself to nosh more. Not sure where to start? As a longtime breakfast-food aficionado and self-proclaimed “Brunch Queen,” I’ve put together a guide to take the guesswork out of finding bold and unique brunch combinations in the Queen City. So, let’s do brunch!

EL PURO CUBAN RESTAURANT | Madison Park

Take a trip to pre-revolutionary Cuba with brunch at El Puro. With a covered patio, bar and dining room replicating life in 1950s Havana, the popular family-owned restaurant serves fashion, glamour and classic dishes with a twist. The classic 1955 Ford Crown Victoria plus live entertainment provide a perfect photo op for those who wish to savor the moment.

What to order: Tres leches pancakes, anyone? This vegetarian-friendly brunch specialty is a fan favorite with dulce de leche, condensed milk and candied walnuts. If you’re not a fan of sweet entrees (and

it is sweet), add a breakfast bowl with a sunny side-up egg, rice, black beans, maduros (fried plantains), plus your choice of protein to balance your meal. Pairs well with a mimosa or cafecito martini (vodka, Cuban espresso, coffee liqueur, crema and salted caramel).

Brunch is served: Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

LITTLE MAMA’S ITALIAN | SouthPark

Pasta and Parms for breakfast would almost sound like a fairy tale if Little Mama’s didn’t exist. In Italian culture, everything is centered on family so this is ideal for a shared culinary experience. Bring your family, friends or neighbors to indulge in the fresh mozzarella bar while soaking up rays in the sunroom or basking in the ambience of a vintage Italian American restaurant.

What to order: Three words: Giant cinnamon roll. The ooey-gooey brunch pastry is served warm with cream cheese frosting on top. Pair it with the Eggs in Purgatorio for good measure: Organic chickpeas and zucchini are braised in a Calabrian chili-spiked tomato stew, then topped with Romano and two poached eggs.

Brunch is served: Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the SouthPark location only.

Tres leches pancakes at El Puro Cuban Restaurant

Giant cinnamon roll at Little Mama’s Italian

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ROOTS CAFE | South End

For the health-conscious eater, Roots Cafe serves hearty, wholesome dishes that will fuel and fill you up. Whether you dine on the small patio or score a table inside, you can expect fresh, locally sourced ingredients that will satisfy your hunger and nourish your spirit.

What to order: The breakfast burrito is a crowd-pleaser with sweet potato hash, a fried egg, green chile pinto beans, cheese and garlic-chili aioli. Add a protein to the delicious wrap if you want to beef it up, but the beans are plenty. You also can’t go wrong with the crispy tostada: shredded chicken in adobo sauce, pinto beans, tomatoes, an egg over easy and sour cream. Wash it down with a delectable chai latte and save room for a slice of the Roman breakfast cake. The sponge cake is made with citrus and preserved local berries and topped with a citrus oleo — so it’s basically fruit, right?

Brunch is served: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and SaturdaySunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

SEA GRILL | Uptown

For a luxury brunch experience, add Sea Grill to the top of your list. The high-end coastal vibes are simply unmatched at this Queen City Quarter gem that serves brunch daily. Voted an OpenTable Diners’ Choice in 2024, Sea Grill offers the best of the deep blue sea with stellar cocktails to boot.

What to order: Sea Grill offers one of the top shrimp-and-grits dishes in town, complete with shrimp, blue crab meat, grits, bell pepper, celery and onion in a creamy sauce. Or opt for the lobster roll: a heap of lemony lobster meat served in a buttered roll with french fries. Pairs well with the Sea Grill Signature Mimosa, which is similar to a French 75.

Brunch is served: Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and FridaySunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

THE CRUNKLETON | Elizabeth

A North Carolina staple, The Crunkleton is known for excellence in customer service, expertly crafted cocktails and open-hearth, live-fire cooking. The same culinary prowess that dazzles on weekdays shines just as bright for brunch. Grab a seat at the bar, in the dining room or on the all-season patio — a memorable brunch experience is a bite and sip away.

What to order: The Brunch Tomahawk: The 42-ounce certified Angus bone-in ribeye is served with biscuits and gravy, fingerling potatoes, and four sunny side-up eggs for $180. Start with a fruit bowl for the table and end the meal with the Crunkleton’s famous beignets drenched in Pure Intentions nitro-brew icing. Pairs well with a bourbon bramble (bourbon, orange blossom, marasca cherry paste and lemon) or espresso martini.

Brunch is served: Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. SP

Avocado toast at Roots Cafe

Lobster roll at Sea Grill

Brunch Tomahawk at The Crunkleton

eat

+ drink

Fontana di Vino opened at Sharon Square, in the space previously home to The Fox & Falcon and Dogwood Southern Table. The Italian-inspired menu features homemade pastas, a tableside “polenta pour,” prime steaks and a mozzarella bar.

 Emmy Lou’s, a wine bar from Customshop owners Andres Kaifer and Alex Bridges, will open in the former Mere’s spot in Dilworth.

 The Cowfish unveiled a half-million-dollar renovation, with a new entrance, neutral gray décor, seating and more.  The People’s Market is now open in Myers Park at 2820 Selwyn Ave.

shop

Fink’s Jewelers at SouthPark Mall is now a certified pre-owned Rolex watch dealer. The Rolex Certified Pre-Owned program launched in 2022 to ensure watches are authentic and unaltered.

GUIDE TO BALLANTYNE

The 2025 Guide to Ballantyne will serve as a valuable resource for both visitors and residents in south Charlotte, highlighting the unique aspects and vibrant businesses that make Ballantyne a fantastic place to visit, work, live and enjoy.

Space reservation deadline: July 15

Fink’s Jewelers

FONTANA DI VINO AND FINK’S JEWELERS

Fontana di Vino

24 YEARS OF KICKING CANCER’S BOOTY

by Michelle Boudin

It is a milestone year for one of Charlotte’s most beloved traditions. This summer marks the 24th year for 24 Hours of Booty, the annual bike ride around Myers Park’s famed cycling loop that raises money to help people fighting cancer. This year’s event is July 25-26, with Myers Park Traditional School and Queens University of Charlotte again serving as “Bootyville” — a base where participants camp, eat and recharge when not on the course.

SINCE THE FIRST RIDE:

raised to help people fighting cancer participants

annual spectators volunteers slices of pizza consumed

estimated snacks consumed estimated gallons of water, energy drinks and coffee consumed

approximate calories burned per hour by participants riding the Booty Loop

pedal revolutions participants completed on their bikes over the last 23 years

the most miles completed by an individual at one event. Shout-out to Jim Gleason!

Most raised by an individual — Katie Bleau — in one year

Most raised by a team — LIBSTRONG/Drew’s Crew — in one year

walkers who have taken strides to help change the course of cancer since 2016 (The event is open to both cyclists and walkers.)

WHERE THE MONEY GOES:

of every dollar is spent on mission-related expenses

massages and acupuncture services for patients at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute

in-person and virtual therapy interactions

patients seen in Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital survivorship clinic in 2024, where patients received healthy snacks from the 24 Foundation

Learn more or register for the event at 24foundation.org. SP

July HAPPENINGS

Collection, Reframed: We Are Here, Beyond Vision

July 2-Sept. 22 This summer exhibition at The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art pairs contemporary video and sound installations with some of the museum’s permanent holdings that explore the human figure and adaptations and shifting perspectives around body differences and possibilities.

SkyShow Charlotte

July 3 Cheer on the Knights at Truist Field as they take on the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Celebrate Independence Day early with fireworks after the game. Buy soon — tickets often sell out.

Live at The Amp featuring Same As It Ever Was

July 11 Sing along as this tribute band plays your favorite Talking Heads hits from the ’80s. Tickets are $15.

Counting Crows: The Complete Sweets! Tour

July 15 The American rock band brings their soulful hits from the last 30 years to PNC Music Pavilion with The Gaslight Anthem.

Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week

July 18-27 Restaurants across the city offer special prix-fixe menu deals. Try a new place or an old favorite during the summer edition of this culinary tradition.

Goo Goo Dolls with Dashboard Confessional

July 25 The Summer Anthem Tour comes to Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre.

Summer Nights race series

July 26 Enjoy golden hour in the garden by participating in this 5K or 1-miler race through Daniel Stowe Conservancy in Belmont. Hang around afterward to enjoy food trucks, beverages and live music. Registration costs vary by sign-up option.

Outlaw Music Festival

July 26 Now in its 10th year, Willie Nelson’s tour with friends has reached legendary status. This time, Bob Dylan, Turnpike Troubadours, Charles Wesley Godwin and Willow Avalon join Nelson at PNC Music Pavilion.

Rod Stewart: One Last Time

July 29 The 80-year-old British singersongwriter brings his catalog of iconic hits to PNC Music Pavilion.

MARKET FRESH

Scan the QR code to view our list of local farmers markets.

Life of Pi

July 29-Aug. 3 This epic tale of perseverance and hope tells the story of a teenage boy named Pi who survives on a life boat with four companions — a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a tiger. Tickets start around $40, Belk Theater.

An evening with Vince Gill

July 31 He’s a songwriter and guitarist with one of the smoothest tenor voices around. Gill has racked up 18 CMA Awards, 22 Grammy Awards and 8 ACM Awards over a career spanning decades. Here’s your chance to see him at Ovens Auditorium. Tickets start around $78.

Scan the QR code on your mobile device to stay updated on events at southparkmagazine.com.

Truist Field fireworks

MOUNTAIN JAM

Beech Mountain’s summer music series expands with culinary treats, free sunset concerts and more.

by Cathy Martin

When the summer heat sets in, an escape to cooler climes is in order. At an elevation of 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain fits the bill, with average highs in the low 70s in July and August.

This summer, the low-key destination best known for skiing and snowboarding in winter offers travelers a new reason to visit: Blackberry Jam is a celebration of music, culinary treats and outdoor adventure throughout July and August.

The events coincide with blackberry-picking season — the berries grow wild here and are available at Beech Mountain’s summer farmers market, held on the first Friday of the month from 2-6 p.m.

Though the mile-high town sustained little damage from Hurricane Helene, the local economy still took a hit last fall

as many would-be tourists avoided western North Carolina altogether. Community leaders wanted to build on a popular existing summer concert series — and let people know that Beech is open for business.

“We saw how much visitors were connecting with our summer concerts, and we knew we had an opportunity to create something even more memorable,” says Armando Garcia, tourism and marketing director for the town of Beech Mountain. “Blackberry Jam takes everything people love about Beech in the summer — great music, cool temperatures, outdoor adventure — and further showcases our local culture and businesses with specialized offerings.”

Expect themed drinks and desserts at local bars and restaurants, like lemon cupcakes with blackberry buttercream at Fred’s Mercantile, blackberry BBQ sauce at Holy Smokes and blackberry craft cocktails at Whistle Pig Pub.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Lake Street Dive headline the two-day Party on the Mountain July 18-19; singer-songwriter Charley Crockett’s show on August 9 is already sold out.

There’s also free live music on Fridays at Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria, at the 5506’ Skybar on Saturdays and at Fred’s Gazebo and Top of the Beech Inn on Sundays.

“This celebration is a great way to showcase that the mountain is open and thriving all summer long,” Garcia says.

Learn more about Blackberry Jam at beechmtn.com. SP

Lake Street Dive

Dr. Shane Markey

JULY BOOKS

Notable new releases compiled by

Sally Brewster

Sharing in the Groove by Mike Ayers

Ayers shares the untold history behind the unlikely rise of Phish, Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, Blues Traveler and others that helped define the 1990s jam-band scene, paving the way for modern-day cultural institutions such as the Bonnaroo Music Festival and keeping the Grateful Dead ethos alive. It was also a scene with its own values and its own unique interactions with fame, record labels, MTV, drugs and success. Ayers, a veteran music journalist, has been to more than 130 Phish shows, 20 Grateful Dead shows and countless others by the bands profiled in this book.

Mina’s Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa

In spring 1972, 12-year-old Tomoko leaves Tokyo and boards a train alone for Ashiya, a coastal town in Japan, to stay with her aunt’s family. Tomoko’s aunt is an enigma and an outlier in her working-class family, and her magnificent home — and handsome, foreign husband, the president of a soft-drink company — are symbols of that status. At the center of this beguiling family is Tomoko’s cousin Mina, a precocious girl of 13 who draws Tomoko into an intoxicating world of secret crushes and elaborate storytelling. Behind the family’s sophistication are complications that Tomoko struggles to understand — her uncle’s mysterious absences, her German grandmother’s experience of WWII and her aunt’s misery. Mina’s Matchbox is an evocative snapshot of a moment frozen in time — and a striking depiction of a family on the edge of collapse.

Pariah by Dan Fesperman

Hal Knight is a famous, if deeply polarizing, figure in Hollywood and on Capitol Hill. After a disastrous #MeToo encounter, Knight resigns from his seat, quits social media and disappears to a Caribbean island. Upon his arrival, he is approached by a group of mysterious strangers, whom he discovers are CIA agents hoping to penetrate Bolrovia — a hostile, eastern European country. They want his help. Bolrovia’s oligarch, Nikolai Horvatz, is a fan of Knight’s movies, and the agents anticipate Knight will receive an

invitation for an official visit imminently. Though Knight is skeptical about the mission, he agrees to the job. Arriving in Bolrovia as Horvatz’s guest of honor, Knight is faced with his ultimate acting challenge. What begins as an assignment to keep his eyes and ears open quickly turns into a life-ordeath mission.

An Inside Job by Daniel Silva

Gabriel Allon has been awarded a commission to restore one of the most important paintings in Venice. But when he discovers the body of a mysterious woman floating in the waters of the Venetian Lagoon, he finds himself in a desperate race to recover a lost masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci. The painting has been gathering dust in a storeroom at the Vatican Museums for more than a century. Because no one knows it is there, no one notices when it disappears one night during a suspicious power outage. No one but the ruthless mobsters and moneymen behind the theft — and the mysterious woman whom Gabriel found in a watery grave. The action moves from the galleries and auction houses of London to an enclave of unimaginable wealth on the French Riviera — and, finally, to a shocking climax in St. Peter’s Square, where the life of a pope hangs in the balance.

Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie

On the opening night of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, theater critic Alex Lyons doesn’t deliberate over the rating for Hayley Sinclair’s show, nor does he hesitate when the opportunity presents itself to have a one-night stand with the struggling actress. Unaware that she’s gone home with the critic who’s just written a career-ending review of her, Hayley wakes up at his apartment to see his scathing one-star critique in print on the kitchen table. She revamps her show into a viral sensation critiquing Alex Lyons himself — entitled son of a famous actress, serial philanderer and, by all accounts, a terrible man. As his reputation goes up in flames, he insists on telling his unvarnished version of events. After all, there are always two sides to every story. SP

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

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WELL DONE, BEN FRANKLIN BRAVO

And may there be more questions and answers on the road ahead by

Jim Dodson

My wife, Wendy, and I are a true marriage of opposites. She’s your classic girl of summer, born on a balmy mid-July day, a gal who loves nothing more than a day at the beach, a cool glass of wine and long summer twilights.

I’m a son of winter, born on Groundhog Day in a snowy nor’easter, who digs cold nights, a roaring fire and a knuckle of good bourbon.

With age, however, I’ve come to appreciate our statistically hottest month in ways that remind me of my happy childhood. Growing up in the deep South during an era before widespread air conditioning, I have fine memories of enjoying the slow and steamy days of midsummer.

Like most American homes in the late ’50s and early ’60s, the houses where we lived during my dad’s newspaper odyssey across the deep South were cooled only by window fans and evening breezes. The first time I encountered air conditioning was in a small town on the edge of South Carolina’s lowcountry, where only my father’s newspaper office and the Piggly Wiggly supermarket were air-conditioned.

Trips to the grocery store or his office were nice, but I had my own ways to beat the heat. I’d pedal my first bike around the neighborhood or crawl beneath our large wooden porch, where I’d conduct the Punic wars with my toy Roman soldiers in the cool, dark dirt.

On hot summer afternoons, I’d sit in a wobbly wicker

chair on the screened porch, reading my first chapter books beneath a slow-turning ceiling fan, keeping a hopeful eye out for a passing thunderstorm — probably the reason I dig ferocious afternoon thunderstorms to this day.

July also brings the Fourth of July, our national Independence Day, for which I unexpectedly gained a new appreciation during my long journey down the Great Wagon Road over the past six years. The Colonial backcountry highway brought my Scottish, German and English ancestors (and perhaps yours) to the Southern frontier in the mid-18th century.

My fondest memory of celebrating the Fourth was sitting on a grassy fairway at the Florence Country Club, watching my first fireworks display. My mother brought along cupcakes decorated with red, white and blue icing.

That same week, Mr. Simmons, a cranky old fellow on our street, told my best friend, Debbie, and me that “only Yankees celebrate the Fourth of July because they won the War Between the States.”

My dad, a serious history buff, told me this was complete hogwash and began taking my older brother and me to walk the Revolutionary War battlefields of South Carolina at Camden, Kings Mountain and Cowpens, drawing us into the story of America’s fight for independence from Great Britain. When we moved to Greensboro in 1960,

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one of our first stops was the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, where the pivotal battle of the Revolutionary War was fought.

My favorite Fourth of July celebration took place at Greensboro’s Bur-Mil Club in the mid-1960s. It was a lovely affair that featured races in the swimming pool and a par-3, nine-hole golf tournament for kids, followed by a huge picnic at dusk before a fireworks display.

That summer, I joined the club’s swim team and even briefly set a city record for 10-and-under backstroke, developing a daily routine that made beating midsummer heat a breeze. Every morning after swim practice, I played at least 27 holes under the blazing sun (bleaching my fair hair snow-white by summer’s end), grabbed a hot dog and Coke in the snack bar for lunch, then headed back to the pool to cool off before my dad picked me up on his way home from work.

Looking back, it was hard to beat that summertime routine. ***

Fast forward several decades, I was thinking about these pleasant faraway summers on the first day of my journey down the Great Wagon Road, beginning in Philadelphia. The city was still draped in the tricolors of Independence Day amid a record-breaking heat wave. After a morning stroll around the historic district, I walked into the shady courtyard of the historic Christ Church, hoping to find some relief, but found, instead, Benjamin Franklin sitting on a bench.

I couldn’t believe my good luck. Rick Bravo was a dead ringer for Philly’s most famous citizen and said to be the most beloved of Philly’s Ben Franklin actor-interpreters.

He invited me to share the bench with him while he waited for his wife, Eleanor, to pick him up for a doctor’s appointment.

Over the next hour, Ben Franklin Bravo (as I nicknamed him) regaled me with intimate insights about my favorite Founding Father, including how “America’s Original Man” shaped its democratic character and even had a hand in designing the nation’s first flag, sewn by Betsy Ross.

I thanked him for his stories and wondered if I might ask one final question.

He gave me a wry smile and a wink.

“God willing, not your last question nor my last answer,” he replied with perfect

Franklin timing, casually mentioning that he was scheduled to undergo heart surgery within days.

I asked him what it was like channeling Benjamin Franklin.

Rick Bravo glanced off into the shadowed courtyard, where a mom and three small kids were cooling off with ice cream cones and chattering like magpies. My eyes followed his.

He grew visibly emotional.

“Let me tell you, it’s simply … wonderful. Next to my wife and children, being Ben Franklin is the most meaningful thing in my life.” He told me how he met Eleanor many decades ago in the first of their many musical performances together, a major production of Oliver.

“Like America itself, we’ve weathered the ups and downs of life with lots of grace from the Almighty and a good sense of humor. As Ben Franklin himself observed, both are essential qualities for guiding a marriage or shaping a new country.”

Looking back, my hour with the man who was Ben Franklin proved the most memorable conversation of more than 100 interviews I conducted along the Great Wagon Road.

He even suggested that I drop by Betsy Ross’ shop over on Arch Street to buy a replica of the young nation’s first flag as a symbol of the birth of America.

Over the next five years, I carried this beautiful flag, with its red-and-white stripes and circle of 13 stars — the only purchase I made during my entire 800-mile journey — down the road of my ancestors.

To celebrate publication of my Wagon Road adventure this month, my Betsy Ross flag will proudly hang in front of my house for the first time, a gesture of gratitude to the dozens of inspiring fellow Americans I met on my long journey of awakening.

It will also hang in memory of my dear friend, Ben Franklin Bravo, my first interview on the Great Wagon Road, who died in January 2022.

I understand that Eleanor sang “Where is Love?” to him from their first musical together as he passed away. SP

Jim Dodson is a writer in Greensboro. His 17th book, The Road That Made America: A Modern Pilgrim Travels the Great Wagon Road, is available wherever books are sold.

S A N T A N A L E A T H E R C A R E

If you were to complete an honest “digital mapping” of your day, noting each and every time you picked up or turned to a device, you might be surprised by how much of your time is devoted to scrolling. This also includes our professional work. According to the Harvard Business Review, the average professional checks email 74 times a day and switches tasks on their computer 566 times per day! We live in a world where our devices go with us to the bathroom, into bed and on vacation. While technology has helped us stay connected, it’s also keeping us chronically overstimulated, emotionally drained and mentally scattered.

We live in a hustle culture that celebrates productivity and wearing busyness as a badge of honor, further driving unwanted and excessive tech use. We have to learn to set intentional habits and reclaim agency in a world designed to hijack our attention.

It’s not just lack of willpower, but neuroscience that also impacts our habits. Every ping, scroll and swipe activates our brain’s dopamine reward system. That tiny hit of pleasure we get when someone likes a post or when we open a new notification or email is by behavioral design. Over time, the constant stimulation can leave our nervous systems stuck in a sympathetic state (fight or flight) that struggles to settle because our brains aren’t meant to be “on” all the time.

According to the American Psychological Association, digital distractions contribute to decreased focus, higher rates of anxiety and burnout, poorer sleep quality, and increased loneliness. The very thing that’s supposed to keep us connected is often what leaves us feeling most disconnected from ourselves and others.

But actually, our devices aren’t the villain. They’re tools and they can be used with intention or mindlessly out of habit. This is where we have to have digital boundaries as a form of self-care. We can learn to bring more intentionality to the moments we turn to tech so that we can make different choices.

DIGITAL DETOX

In our hyperconnected world, why logging off to tune in is the mental reset we didn’t know we needed.

by Juliet Lam Kuehnle

We often turn to our devices for one of three reasons: distraction from discomfort, connection or reassurance, or a sense of control. Being aware of the why behind your use helps you make more intentional choices. When you reach for your device, ask yourself: Am I tired, bored, lonely or anxious? What else might soothe that part of me right now?

You can start with a micro-boundary. This is one small, simple shift that adds friction to a mindless habit. Move your social media apps off the home screen. Set a daily screen time limit and actually honor it. Mute or unfollow accounts that leave you feeling insecure or emotionally activated. Curating your digital environment is mental-health hygiene.

You can also reclaim your mental space by creating tech-free transitions. Our brains need cues to shift from work mode to rest mode and to stop the endless scrolling. Try leaving your phone in another room for the first and last 30 minutes of your day, not allowing screens during mealtimes, or ending your day with a low-stimulation ritual (i.e. stretching, journaling or reading a real book).

You are allowed to log off. You don’t have to be available 24/7. Set the out-of-office message. Let the text wait. Put your phone away at dinner. These are acts of self-respect and protection of your mental well-being. You get to choose how — and how often — you interact with technology, not the other way around. Start small with one habit, one limit or one intentional pause. The more present you are in real life, the more resilient and grounded your nervous system becomes. We want technology to serve us, not control us. SP

Juliet Kuehnle is the owner and a therapist at Sun Counseling and Wellness and author of Who You Callin’ Crazy?! The Journey From Stigma to Therapy.

From family compounds to fractional shares, interest in luxury second homes in the Carolinas is strong.

by Cathy Martin

Buried among the political headlines of the day, a recent Axios article declared, “No one’s buying vacation homes.”

Clearly, the author didn’t consider the Carolinas.

The clickbait headline was based on a May 2025 Redfin report citing a six-year low in U.S. loan originations for second homes in 2024. The report notes high prices and stubborn mortgage rates as contributing factors, along with a return-to-office trend curbing remote work from vacation locales.

But the article didn’t expose the full story. A closer look at the

numbers shows that in the Charlotte metro area, year-over-year second-home mortgage originations jumped 13.4%. Gen Xers and high earners — those with a median household income of $280K — are still buying vacation homes, albeit at lower rates than before. And second-home buying actually increased among baby boomers.

If you’ve got the cash for your dream mountain or beach home, read on to learn about some of the latest offerings. If you’re not sure you’re ready, we’ll also explore how to dip your toes in without a seven-figure commitment.

A vacation home built by Andrew Roby with architect Pursley Dixon

BEACH OR MOUNTAINS?

For Charlotteans, few vacation destinations are more popular than Kiawah, a barrier island just south of Charleston, South Carolina. The Charlotte metro area is the top market for realestate closings at Kiawah, followed closely by Washington, D.C., and New York, according to Dan Whalen, president of Kiawah Island Real Estate. Thanks to Kiawah’s popularity as a secondhome destination, its ranks of full-time residents is growing.

“So many of them start out as a second home, and then it turns into a primary residence,” says Whalen.

Whalen’s firm focuses exclusively on Kiawah Island, where sales topped a record $1 billion in 2024. The firm and the private Kiawah Island Club are owned by South Street Partners, whose other properties include Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina, and The Cliffs communities in the western Carolinas.

At Kiawah, the median price for a single-family home last year was close to $3 million, but smaller, older condos start in the mid$400s, according to Whalen.

Kiawah, which debuted in 1976, is almost fully developed. The newest project, Ocean Pines, boasts a sleek, modern aesthetic nestled among the trees and close proximity to the oceanfront Cape Club. The new beach club — part of Kiawah Island Club — opened in April with an infinity pool, fitness center and a Latininspired bar and grill.

The Cape Club is a new beachfront amenity at Kiawah, boasting an infinity pool with cabanas and a sun deck, a fitness center, and a Latin-inspired café.

Demand has been strong: Ten of the first 30 luxury condominiums, which start at $2.4 million, sold within two weeks. When completed, Ocean Pines will comprise 69 residences, some with views of the Kiawah River and just a block from the ocean. Ocean Pines residents also are guaranteed the ability to join Kiawah Island Club, known for its esteemed River Course and Cassique golf course.

In Jackson County, about 40 miles from Asheville, Balsam Mountain Preserve attracts second-home buyers with an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, equestrian center, 42 miles of trails and seasonal amenities like a summer artist in residence.

The 4,400-acre site was developed in the early 2000s by Chaffin/Light, the team behind an early expansion of Snowmass Village in Aspen, Colorado, and the Spring Island community near Bluffton. David Southworth bought the development in 2023.

“The biggest strength of our community is that low-density concept, and the fact that most people don’t see their neighbors,” says Sean McLaughlin, director of sales. “You might live on 2 acres, but it might feel like 50 acres.” A conservation easement only allows for 354 homes at Balsam, where about 150 homes are complete or under construction. After a spike in home values during the pandemic and another jump over the last three years, homes in the community sell for about $3 million, on average.

“What [owner-developer David Southworth] brought was

Top photo and bottom left: The Summit House and Mine Tavern, dining venues at Balsam Mountain Preserve near Sylva. Bottom right: An owl at Balsam. The community has a nature center that develops programming and cares for injured animals.

The bunk-room trend remains strong, as clients want fun spaces for their kids and grandkids to pile in, says House of Nomad’s Kelley Lentini. This colorful bunk room was designed for a client at Lake Tillery. For beach or lake homes, other popular design features include solar shades to help with temperature control when the home isn’t occupied, and durable fabrics that stand up to water, Lentini says. “When designing for our clients’ second homes, we always keep in mind that they are there to relax and unwind — not chase people around with towels to sit on and coasters.”

PHOTOGRAPHS CLOCKWISE (L-R): BY LAURA SUMRAK, COURTESY HOUSE OF NOMAD, COURTESY

BALSAM MOUNTAIN PRESERVE, MICHAEL BLEVINS PHOTOGRAPHY, MICHAEL ALAN KASKEL

stability,” McLaughlin says, giving lot owners the confidence to build — and spend more on — their homes.

FROM PUTTING GREENS TO PORCHES WITH VIEWS

Andrew Roby’s Boone office is flourishing with second-home projects, according to Sara Stryhas, director of marketing. The 75-year-old Charlotte homebuilder opened the Boone location in 2012 specifically to build vacation homes for their Charlotte clients. An Asheville office followed in 2022.

“Asheville and Boone have very distinct styles,” Stryhas says. While Asheville homeowners generally seek more modern, open architecture, Roby’s Boone clients still lean toward a rustic, ski-lodge aesthetic.

Many of Roby’s western N.C. clients request spacious areas for entertaining, along with amenities like putting greens, saunas, theaters and wraparound porches to take in the mountain views.

At Balsam, one homeowner, Ken Bowden, even built an observatory for stargazing on the roof of his home. In April, Bill Nye the Science Guy paid a visit to Bowden’s Dogstar Observatory.

“We are getting lots of requests for steam and sauna features in the bathrooms, or at the very least a tub with a view,” says interior designer Kelley Lentini, co-founder of House of Nomad. The Charlotte-based design firm works with clients across the Carolinas. “For our Kiawah projects and for our lake projects, we positioned the tubs exactly where we wanted from a view standpoint and then built the bathroom around that, keeping the view as the focal point.”

Bunk rooms for kids remain popular, Lentini says, along with vibrant and funky wallpaper.

“A vacation home is a perfect place, in our opinion, to take risks and really make a statement when you can. It is not something you will see every day, so going bold in a powder room or dining room whether in a paint or wallpaper choice is always a good idea in our book.”

Expansive porches and picture windows for enjoying views are popular vacation-home features, along with saunas and spa-like bathrooms. Homebuilder Andrew Roby also sees requests for large gathering spaces. Clockwise from top left: A vacation home at Balsam Mountain Preserve; a contemporary second home by Andrew Roby with Kersting Architecture; a spa-like bathroom by Andrew Roby with architect Schrader Design and interior designer Starr Miller.

BACK TO NATURE

Getting back to nature is a common theme among vacationhome buyers looking for a place to escape the bustle of the city.

Balsam’s McLaughlin estimates the outdoors aspect is an even bigger draw than the community’s celebrated golf course and tennis facilities. Balsam has a nature center and employs naturalists to conduct research on the mountain, develop programs for members and host classes for local schools.

“We look after animals that have been hurt in the wild,” McLaughlin adds. “We always have ambassador animals on property.”

At Kiawah and other South Street properties, “Designing with Nature” is a mantra.

“From the inception of Kiawah in the ’70s, that has always been at the forefront of design,” Whalen says.“We make sure that we are paying close attention to the lot itself. What trees are on the homesite? Where does the natural grade take you, so that you’re disturbing as little [of the island habitat] as possible?” That more deliberate process can be painstakingly slow, but visitors and property owners appreciate the emphasis on preserving the island’s natural beauty.

JUST A SMALL PIECE, PLEASE

For potential first-time second-home buyers, dropping seven figures in an unfamiliar community can seem daunting. Fractional ownership is a way to “dip your toes in the water,” McLaughlin says.

Clients purchase deeded real-estate interests that can be resold at any time. Fractional ownership differs from the maligned timeshare

The Cliffs at Mountain Park, located just over two hours from Charlotte in Marietta, South Carolina, will debut a new sports pavilion this summer, with tennis, pickleball and padel courts, plus a pool and 1-acre dog park.

model in that the number of people sharing the home is smaller, and owners retain equity, thus benefiting as the property appreciates.

“Most homeowners come in for two weeks in the summer, a few weeks in fall to watch the leaves change,” McLaughlin says. “Fractional allows you to do that but you’re only paying for the amount that you’re actually using it.” Balsam offers two options for fractional ownership — smaller Boarding House cabins that are rustic-on-the-outside with modern amenities inside, and larger fourbedroom cottages at Doubletop Village.

Many of those fractional owners eventually “size up” into owning their own homes, McLaughlin says. “It gives people a stepping stone that says, let’s start with this and see how we like it.”

In 2018, Timbers Resorts opened a fractional-ownership development at Kiawah. The 21 condominiums — sold in 1/9 or 1/6 shares, depending on the unit — sold out by late 2021.

“That is a very interesting way for people to initially buy on Kiawah and start getting acclimated to the island and its amenities and its lifestyles,” Whalen says, noting that he’s seen several Timbers residents transition into whole ownership.

Pacaso, co-founded by former Zillow executives Austin Allison and Spencer Rascoff, buys homes in resort communities through the traditional real-estate market then resells them in fractional shares. The San Francisco-based company owns a half-dozen homes on Kiawah Island. In early June, one-eighth shares of Pacaso’s Kiawah properties ranged from $927,000 for a sprawling 5,000-square-foot home a block from the beach to $412,000 for a five-bedroom home located farther inland.

WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU BUY

What should be top of mind when searching for a second home?

“Proximity — how easily and how quickly can you get to that second-home destination,” offers Whalen. “Nobody wants to have a second home that’s just a pain in the neck to get to and you spend all day trying to get there.”

When considering communities, Whalen also suggests studying property values and how they’ve fared through the years.

“You want to make sure you’re buying in an area that you know will continue to thrive for years to come. … What’s going to generate interest and traffic to that second-home community 10, 15, 20 years from now?” At Kiawah, for example, The Sanctuary Hotel brings a steady stream of well-heeled guests who may eventually become property owners.

Finally, Whalen says, think about how you are going to use the home. Will it be an occasional escape that you rent out most of the year, or are you looking for a multigenerational family retreat?

“We talk about people’s grandchildren’s grandchildren will be coming to this place, because [Kiawah is] that type of property.”

It’s also important to find the culture that’s right for you, Balsam’s McLaughlin says.

“Balsam is a really unique place — you either absolutely love it or it’s just not a fit for you,” he says, citing the rugged mountain roads, dog-friendliness and overall unstuffy atmosphere.

“Our culture is such a laidback culture. Nobody here is sizing each other up in terms of how much money they’ve made. We’ve got billionaires up on this mountain, and we’ve got people who are scratching and clawing to make it work.” SP

This page: Ocean Pines is a new luxury-villa offering at Kiawah that’s close to the beachfront Cape Club. The 69 units will be nestled among the trees with an interior lagoon.

all in the DETAILS

Small moments punctuate classic expanses in this Lansdowne remodel by Susan Hill. by Andrea Nordstrom Caughey photographs by Dustin and Susie Peck

“The layout and storage were designed with intention, focused on functionality and flow,” homeowner Gabriella Zemach says. “[The kitchen’s] size allows all our family and friends to join us without crowding; even our dog can eat with us at his custom feeding station in the island.”

Designer

As a former commercial designer, Susan Hill is adamant about always putting function first. The CEO and principal of Susan Hill Design Group insists that good design is not just about aesthetics, but also “curating the way you live, feel and create memories.”

When she tackled Gabriella and Daniel Zemach’s circa-1966 Lansdowne remodel, focusing on their daily routines came first. Extra space was a priority, with 2,000 square feet added through a new second story and a lower-level expansion.

Style came next.

“The couple was drawn to a warm, sophisticated, classic vibe, but also color-infused in bold and subtle ways,” says Hill. “We immediately embraced

Susan Hill helped fine-tune the swoon-worthy emerald-cloaked mudroom, with its ample open and closed cabinetry.

blush pink for the kitchen cabinets — a jumping off point for the rest of the home.”

As in any couple’s home, Hill sought a balance of masculine and feminine through a mix of materials, textures and colors.

“Many of these colors are inspired by nature, a nod to the home’s lush yard. We also opened the back of the home to flood the spaces with natural light,” the designer says. “Certain rooms, like the lavender dining room with the wine wall, royal blue powder room and moody green mudroom, called out for rich colors without impacting common areas. These small moments create great personality.”

Fortunately, the homeowners were open to adding dashes of color.

“Our starter home was all-grey everything, so we wanted to incorporate our personalities more into this home and tried

to do that through color,” says Gabriella. “I wanted my office to feel like a cozy library, but since it’s a smaller space I also wanted to keep it light and airy, so the sage green really gives me the best of both worlds.”

The dining room presented a different kind of challenge.

“Our dining room doesn’t have any windows, so we leaned into the lower light with a moody, darker purple wall color, extending the paint to the ceiling,” Gabriella says. “The floral chandelier and the lighter wood in the wine wall balance out the moodiness, and it’s fun and fitting that the paint color was named after grapes — Pinot Gris!”

Each spouse also guided the renovation of several hardworking spaces, including the mudroom and the butler’s pantry. Here, Susan insists cabinetry decisions and their storage possibilities were paramount.

“Storage is the first thing I look at, and, if well-planned,

can make up for not having a lot of closet space,” notes Susan, who worked with Seth Wofford of SW Residential Design & Construction on the project.

“Our goal was for everything to have its own place, and we definitely accomplished that with the amount of storage,” says Gabriella. “My husband loves to cook, but having clean kitchen counters was important to me; I didn’t want to look around at the end of the day and see clutter. We were able to clear countertops with the walk-in pantry for bigger appliances and lots of drawers and cabinets for all his kitchen tools and toys.”

The same was true in the mudroom.

“I wanted shoes, beach towels, jackets and all the odds and ends that you need to grab by the back door to be easily tucked away. Finding areas to incorporate storage in each part of the house was a priority — what’s been more challenging is filling the empty spaces,” Gabriella says. Gabriella also helped drive the laundry room’s design, requesting a pet bath to streamline chores.

The couple even mindfully planned for the future.

“We designed the house in anticipation of growing our family,” Gabriella says. “We did the best we could to predict how our children will live and play in each area of the house, from soundproofing the walls of the future nursery to leaving plenty of homework space at the kitchen island. And as they get older, the upstairs bonus room should provide a perfect place to hang out — and (hopefully) keep their mess out of sight.” SP

The perfect vintage

Family-owned Linville Falls Winery fulfills a lifelong dream.

by Ross Howell Jr. | photographs by Richard Israel

Jack Wiseman, the 93-year-old founder of Linville Falls Winery, eases back in a patio chair.

“My grandmother Ida showed me how to make wine,” he says. “It was just part of our heritage.”

He reflects for a moment, then smiles at his granddaughter, Jessica Boone, who runs the winery.

“Remember that Christmas we rode up on the hill to talk?” he asks. “How old were you?”

Behind us rises a steep ridge with rows of vines, its southeastern exposure capturing every ray the sun offers. The patio overlooks a gentle slope and pond. Beyond the pond is a hillside dotted with Fraser fir trees.

“Were you 13?” Jack persists.

“I think I was in high school,” Jessica responds. “Maybe … 15.”

It was “a rare conversation between generations,” Jack recalls. He and Jessica drove a golf cart to the ridge above the slope where the vineyard grows now. At the time, the slope was covered with Christmas trees.

When they reach the crest, Jack stops the cart, and the two of them watch as workmen down in the valley carry trees from the barn to waiting cars. He tells Jessica how he’s going to plant grapes and have a winery with a real winemaker and a real tasting room. He can see it all in his mind, and he tells her the family is going to run it. He knows Jessica will understand because ever since she was little, she’s been so smart.

But she wasn’t listening.

“And she usually does,” Jack says.

The two of them look at each other and laugh.

“Maybe I was thinking about a calculus test,” Jessica says.

“Or a boy,” Jack says. He smiles and nods.

“But here it’s turned out, just exactly the way I had hoped,” he says.

NEW AND OLD TRADITIONS

You’d think on a chilly March day, the winery would be empty. But a couple is sitting on deck chairs down by the pond and a group chats at another table. A few people stand at the bar in the tasting room, sampling flights.

Jessica tells me the real action is behind the scenes.

“We usually have two rieslings on the menu,” she says. “We do a dry and a sweet, but we’re sold out of both of those.”

The winery grows not only German varietals, but also a selection of hybrids. One is seyval blanc, a grape developed in France more than 100 years ago.

Jack Wiseman, founder of Linville Falls Winery

“Seyval blanc performs really well here,” Jessica says. “It’s the sweetest white wine we have, but we’re sold out of it, too.”

On my visit, a lot of the energy at the winery is focused on getting last year’s estate harvest into bottles by May, when business really picks up.

“We’re still processing,” Jessica continues. “Sometimes the wine decides it doesn’t want to be ready quite as fast as you’d like.”

Some of the red wines at Linville Falls Winery are made from grapes sourced from the West Coast. But Jessica is pushing hard to get more grapes from nearby wineries.

“Everybody brings in a California red or an Oregon pinot noir for their customers,” she says. “But I feel like it’s my duty to showcase North Carolina wines.”

And Jessica is very hopeful about an experiment she’s trying.

“Pinot noir is my red of choice,” she says. “I’ve got a little test vineyard of it growing. It’s a sensitive grape, very temperamental.”

Jessica planted her first pinot noir vines two springs ago. Last year, they produced a few clusters of grapes.

“The sugars measured in a way that was positive,” Jessica says. “We have an interesting microclimate here — cool nights, but direct sunlight all day.” The conditions are ideal for pinot noir, but it will take three to five years for Jessica to assess the viability of her experiment.

“People tell me it can’t be done, but you don’t know till you try,” she adds.

You’ll also notice several fruit wines on the Linville Falls list when you visit.

“They’re my grandpa’s thing,” Jessica says, nodding in Jack’s direction. “He grew up around the old-time moonshiners.”

And those old-timers used all manner of fruits to make wines and brandies.

“Every Christmas, Grandpa has these Mason jars with fruit all around the house and gets us to taste them,” she adds.

Ever since Jack opened the winery in 2012, blueberry wine was on the list. Now, there’s also blackberry wine and a strawberry dessert wine.

A favorite among the fruit wines is “Jack’s Cherry Bounce,” his take on a recipe dating back to George Washington, who’s said to have carried a canteen full of his wife Martha’s recipe when he crossed the Allegheny Mountains in 1784. The drink’s reputation was burnished in the 1800s by Rutherford County moonshiner Amos Owens, aka “The Cherry Bounce King.”

Jack’s version is plenty bouncy, all right — sporting an alcohol content of 18%.

A WINDING JOURNEY

Since Jack’s Tuscan-style winery fits so naturally into the landscape, you might think this all just happened. But his journey has taken the twisty turns of a mountain road.

He was raised by grandparents outside Crossnore, not far from the winery. During the Korean War, Jack served as a U.S. Army medic, from 1952-53. After his discharge, he had a six-year stay in northern California, where he worked in a U.S. Navy shipyard as a sheet-metal machinist — and got his first experience selling Christmas trees for a friend who trucked them down from Oregon.

Oh, and Jack ran a little moonshine in stills he’d built using government stainless steel.

“You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” Jessica quips.

He even built a still for a French brandy-maker who was testing Napa Valley wines. In fact, he got to know several winery owners and winemakers.

“The wine world just fit my narrative,” Jack says. “They’d share ideas, treat you like family.”

Eventually, Jack moved back to North Carolina to look after his aging grandparents and court and marry the love of his life, a girl from Crossnore who’d moved to Charlotte.

When he was laid off from his sheet-metal job in Charlotte, a friend got him interested in the janitorial-services business.

“That’s where I got my first taste of mop and broom,” Jack says.

He grew the business over time until it had more than 300 employees. All the while, Jack was running the roads between Charlotte and Avery County, buying as much farmland in the mountains as he could and planting Fraser fir seedlings by the thousands, even though his own family told him it would never work.

At its peak, his Christmas tree business was selling 300,000 trees a year. Then the recession hit. Cutting back operations and financing from his own pocket, Jack kept his business going when many others could not.

And then he focused on what he enjoys most.

“I’ve always loved grapes and wine,” Jack says. “They just kind of stuck in my head.” SP

Linda Wiseman, Lindsay Wiseman, Jack Wiseman, Jessica Wiseman Boone and Jacob Wiseman

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RAISING THE BAR

At places like Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., the hotel bar is the new place to be.

by Kayleigh Ruller

When I travel, I want to see it all. I want to collect every crumb of culture and squeeze restaurants into my itinerary like a tightly-packed suitcase. I do this jam-packing dance in an effort to realize the core essence of a destination: What makes this city tick?

But on a recent trip to Washington, D.C., I managed to get to the beating heart of the district without the booked-and-busy schedule. I found it from the plush seat of a hotel bar.

Hotel bars, reflective of their home cities, are experiencing a revival by bringing together locals and tourists alike. No longer a second-thought pit stop or a lodging convenience, the hotel bar is becoming a destination in and of itself.

“We’re seeing a renaissance of what the hotel bar is,” says Chrissy Sheffey, manager of The Doyle Bar in D.C. It was at the Doyle, tucked into the first floor of The Dupont Circle Hotel, where, sipping a crisp vesper, I discovered that the hotel bar is, most definitely, hot.

CREATING SOMETHING DISTINCT

“[Hotel bars] have their own identity, and they’re also telling stories nowadays,” Sheffey says. The Doyle’s classic cocktail menu is a delicious, sippable ode to the hotel’s Irish heritage as part of The Doyle Collection. Seven of the group’s eight locations are in Great Britain; Dupont Circle is its sole American property.

The Doyle’s menu is accompanied by a slate of seasonal drinks,

most recently a lineup of spritzy spring cocktails with a floral motif. Each menu offers more than drinks — it reads like a woven narrative.

Thanks to a steady flow of out-of-town guests and locals, hotel bars have a unique ability to stretch their creative muscles and invent something that feels distinct, says Tom Murphy, general manager of Dupont Circle’s restaurant The Pembroke.

“They have their own entrances, their own names, their own social-media platforms, their own whole identity,” he says. A hotel bar, not in the shadow of a hotel, but a destination in itself, is a trend both Murphy and Sheffey have seen blossom in recent years.

This creative push partly stems from necessity. The 2010s saw a craft-cocktail boom, and hotel bars had to evolve quickly to compete. They zeroed in on immersive themes, luxury design, attentive service, and hospitality-driven details like clever printed menus and crisp uniforms, Murphy notes.

While this “destination hotel bar” gains traction in the United States, Murphy says it’s the standard in Europe. Originally from Ireland, he points to the American Bar at The Savoy in London, Bar Hemingway at the Ritz in Paris, and The Sidecar at The Westbury in Dublin as prime examples — and some of the most renowned bars in the world.

“They’ve really redefined classic. They embrace the classic way of doing things and do them in a new, modern, sexy way that people just can’t get over,” he says.

Doyle Bar at The Dupont Circle Hotel

In fact, some of the best mixologists in the world, like Oisín Kelly, World Cocktail Competition winner and bar manager at The Sidecar, have gained notoriety from their tenured stints at high-end hotels. It’s really no wonder: These bars are training grounds for excellence. Bartenders in major cities meet a breadth of global guests daily, which keeps their skills razor-sharp. What happens when a New Yorker, a Brit and an Angeleno walk into a hotel bar? The bartender better know how to make three different cocktails on the fly. That range and readiness often translates into a premium product: a drink — and an experience — guests return for.

A SENSE OF PLACE THROUGH PEOPLE

Part of the magic of a hotel bar is that it’s a third-place magnet for locals and visitors alike. It attracts an eclectic cross section of people: commuters winding down, out-of-towners leaning in, and power players passing through — all within walls designed to reflect the heart of the city.

Perched at the Doyle, I extracted a deep history of Embassy Row, thanks to the bartender stirring my drink with precision. Around 4 p.m., suits swarmed into this artful, mid-century space, offering a glimpse of the work-hard-play-hard hustle here. I ordered East Coast oysters from the menu, as I sat next to a regular who pointed me toward the International Spy Museum nearby and shared the neighborhood’s storied LGBTQ history.

“You never know who you’re rubbing shoulders with,” Murphy says. At the Pembroke, he has seen everything from first dates to foreign-service officers. Sheffey once saw the mayor of Houston, a cast member of Abbott Elementary and a CNN host, all in one night.

As I soaked in the natural rhythms of this bar and its people, I spied D.C. beneath its buttoned-up, political layer. I glimpsed what was beneath the city — go-getters, wit, curiosity, art. I’m keen to

believe that most hotel bars have this capacity to reveal the inner workings of a city’s culture.

A SAFE PLACE

Conversation flowed easily at the Doyle. Maybe it was the vesper, or maybe it was the sense of security I felt.

Murphy notes that hotel bars can be a safer alternative for solo female travelers, as opposed to wandering around an unfamiliar city looking for standalone bars. Hotel managers are present, actively monitoring the property.

The corporate, built-in oversight infrastructure of a hotel isn’t just a benefit for the solo traveler; it keeps employees happy, too. The stability and benefits lead to staff loyalty and longevity, which directly translate to a positive guest experience, Sheffey says.

HOTEL BARS CLOSE TO HOME

The hotel bar revival isn’t exclusive to D.C., of course. In Charleston, there’s the sleek, midcentury Living Room bar at The Dewberry. Hotel Bardo in Savannah continues to rack up accolades in Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Forbes, in large part due to its dining and drinking establishments.

Here in Charlotte, Dogwood Southern Table & Bar reopened this year at The Westin, with a sleek, 360-degree bar. The cocktail menu reflects the long history of Mecklenburg County, with sections like “Slow Sippin’ on a Screen Porch” and “Late Night Bonfire” that evoke a strong sense of place. The entire menu-magazine is called the Dogwood Resolves (a nod to the Mecklenburg Resolves of 1775), and the beverage list is paired with vintage photos and local history.

The hotel bar can be a mirror to its city, a refuge for travelers and locals. Whether close to home or far away, it can reveal as much about the destination as an overbooked agenda, simply from the hush of an evening drink and a conversation. SP

Dupont Circle’s restaurant The Pembroke

EMBRACEABLE EDENTON

North Carolina’s first capital wraps you up in history and hospitality.

by Page Leggett

The saying that everyone knows everyone in a small town may be trite, but it’s true.

One weekend in Edenton — North Carolina’s first capital and one of the loveliest, friendliest cities you’ll ever visit — proves the point. Clayton, the guide on my trolley tour, pointed out St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which dates back to 1736 and is the second-oldest church in the state. He encouraged his tourgoers to come back to see inside.

“Don’t come at 1 o’clock, though,” he said. “There’s a funeral then.”

Shortly after, my Airbnb host, Sambo Dixon, also suggested I tour the church, where his family has been members since the 1700s. He shared the same warning Clayton had.

That’s the beauty of a small town: News travels fast, and folks look out for each other.

RESTORE, REPURPOSE OR RELOCATE

A travel writer once dubbed Edenton, 4.5 hours from Charlotte, “the prettiest small town in the South.” It just might be.

Settled in 1712 as a British colony, the enclave (population: about 5,000) on the banks of the Albemarle Sound has taken care

to preserve its history — something Charlotte, which looks like it was settled in the 1970s, could learn from.

“We don’t tear anything down,” Clayton said. “We restore it, repurpose it or move it.”

The evidence is everywhere: at the Cupola House, built in 1758 for an agent of King George II who collected — trigger warning! — tariffs from incoming ships; at the 1886 Roanoke River lighthouse; at the state’s oldest wooden house, built in 1718.

George Washington never slept here, but in 1819, President James Monroe dined at the Chowan County Courthouse. Built in 1767, it’s the state’s oldest government building.

NO STRANGERS HERE

While you can’t help but notice the town’s well-preserved history, just as prominent is its hospitality. Locals joke that the town is so friendly, it has two welcome centers.

One, the Historic Edenton Visitor Center (108 N. Broad St.), seems ancient, having been built in 1892 — until you learn that the other (Penelope Barker House at 101 W. Water St.) was built a century earlier.

1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse

The Broad Street welcome center offers a 13-minute film about Edenton’s history, exhibits and tours, including one of the lighthouse — the last remaining screw-pile lighthouse in the state.

The other is perhaps the best place to start your Edenton adventure. The Penelope Barker House is a three-story, waterfront Georgian home with a gift shop, exhibits and a friendly volunteer selling tickets ($12.50 for adults) for the trolley tour.

AN EARLY RESISTANCE MOVEMENT

Barker brought together local women to draft and sign a petition to King George II denouncing the Tea Act of 1773.

The story goes that on Oct. 25, 1774 — 10 months after a more famous “Tea Party” in Boston — she gathered 51 local women to support a boycott of British tea and cloth. They shunned English tea and instead drank a concoction made from local herbs. The “Edenton Tea Party” may have been America’s first political demonstration led by women. The downright genteel protest gave Edenton an enduring symbol you’ll see around town on murals and at the town green, where a 250-pound bronze teapot sits atop a Revolutionary War cannon.

SLEEP WITH HISTORY

Appropriately, I stayed in an Airbnb that’s been part of Edenton since the year Black men were granted the right to vote. The Library at Beverly Hall is as rich in history as any of Edenton’s public buildings.

Built in 1870, the year the 15th Amendment was ratified, it served as the freestanding library for one of Edenton’s finest homes. Sambo Dixon, the owner, lives with his wife, Gray, on the property in the grand house he grew up in. His law office is part of the compound, too. The two-bedroom library is filled with antiques and original art — both vintage and modern — and has a full kitchen, formal dining and living rooms, sun porch, and views of Edenton’s oldest formal garden.

If you prefer a B&B to an Airbnb, consider the elegant Inner Banks Inn or the Granville Queen Inn, built in the early 1900s and renovated in 2022. Both are a short walk to attractions, including the Cupola House, which Vonna O’Neill, its president, calls “our town’s crown jewel.”

EARLY ADOPTERS

Built in 1758, the Jacobean-style Cupola House looks out onto Edenton Bay, one of the colonies’ busiest ports. Its original owner, Francis Corbin, could watch cargo ships sail into the harbor and await the tariffs owed by every ship.

Dr. Samuel Dickinson bought the property in 1777, and it stayed in the family for more than 140 years. By the early 1900s, however, the home’s then-owner fell on hard times and sold off parts of it. The Brooklyn Museum acquired the woodwork in 1918.

As a result, citizens came together to protect their architectural treasure. They formed the Cupola House Association, launching the historic-preservation movement in North Carolina.

“Charleston, widely known for its love of historic preservation, didn’t get on the bandwagon until two years later,” O’Neill says.

The town asked the museum to return the woodwork in 1964. Sixty years later — just last year — the museum gifted it back.

Top: The bar at Surf, Wind and Fire. Below: Waterman’s Grill

EATIN’TON

No one will mistake Edenton for Vegas. According to the website Edenton This Week, the town’s nightlife can mean “a stroll along the waterfront after a wonderful dinner” or watching the stars from a park bench.

One place to enjoy that dinner is Waterman’s Grill. Like so much else, it’s on Broad Street, downtown’s main drag. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, but you can call ahead, and they’ll try to accommodate to help you avoid the lines that stretch outside.

At 309 Bistro, which is open for lunch and dinner, fried local flounder and chicken with redeye gravy are standouts.

Around the corner, and serving lunch, brunch and dinner, is The Herringbone on The Waterfront. Originally built in the 1800s to house Edenton Ice Company, it’s been beautifully restored as a rustic, but fine-dining, establishment. Tidewater shrimp and grits (tasso ham, roasted red peppers, heirloom cherry tomatoes and smoked tomato gravy) is a star at lunch. Pan-seared scallops; coffee-rubbed teres major and steak frites are delicious dinner choices.

You could catch a film at Taylor Theater, a former opera house that’s been given new life as a movie theater. Or relax at Graybeards, a cozy cigar and whiskey bar with exposed brick and copper accents that opened last October in a former saloon.

GONE FISHIN’

Life in Edenton revolves around water, so kayaking, canoeing, fishing and paddleboarding are readily available. There are birding and paddle trails for amateur ornithologists, as well as a fish hatchery that’s home to bald eagles, shorebirds and more.

If your idea of recreation is shopping, Broad Street offers more than you’d expect in a small town. Behind a show-stopping storefront, A Still Life sells gorgeous homewares, jewelry and a small but high-end selection of women’s clothes. North No. 4 has great gift items, and Downtown Diva stocks on-trend clothing.

You could get happily lost inside Byrum True Value Hardware and Gifts, which carries fine china and crystal along with garden hoses and screwdrivers.

Stock up on outdoor gear at Surf, Wind and Fire. Not in the market for a tent or camp stove? It’s still worth stopping in to hang at the Surfing Pig Sip + Shop, an in-store bar serving coffee and craft beer.

A trip to Edenton is a trip back in time. But for some, it’s a glimpse into the future. People have been known to up and move to Edenton after a weekend visit. When Vonna O’Neill and her late husband did, they were welcomed like old friends.

You get a similar welcome at the Cupola House, she says.

“There’s a quietness to it. You feel embraced by history.”

Edenton embraces a lot — from the past to newcomers to tourists passing through. I told O’Neill how taken I’d been with the town’s friendliness. She left me with a quote from Peggy Anne Vaughan, wife of Edenton’s former mayor, Roland Vaughan (who held that post for more than two decades): “If you embrace Edenton, Edenton will embrace you.” SP

Top: The Granville Queen Inn’s dining porch. Below: The historic Cupola House and Heritage Gardens

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Book Talk featuring Kristy Woodson Harvey

presented by SouthPark Magazine

Mint Museum Randolph

May 5

Author Kristy Woodson Harvey shared stories about her career, life and new book, Beach House Rules, in a lively chat with friend and fellow bestselling author Joy Callaway.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Ashley Ellis and Kristi Speckman

Kristy Woodson Harvey and Lanie Wood

Kim Ewert, Susan Chesson and Elizabeth Bivens

Jane Rodewald, Cathy Martin and Mercy Clark

Angie Campbell, Heather Lankford and Amanda Witherow

Kristy Woodson Harvey, Joy Callaway and David Woronoff

Stacy Magan, Leslie Hooton, Meagan Church and Kathie Bennett

Meredith Carpenter, Julie Smigel and Alexandra Kaval

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Charlotte

Memory Gala

benefiting Alzheimer’s Association

Western Carolina Chapter

Westin Charlotte

May 3

This evening brought out patrons hoping to #EndAlz and raised $700,000 for Alzheimer’s research. Pat McKee and Julie Russo, owners of McKee Homes, were honored for their commitment to the Alzheimer’s Association.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Charlotte Wine + Food Week presented by Truist

The Collectors Gala & Live Auction

Quail Hollow Club

April 25

This high-end wine-and-food tasting was followed by a family-style meal and spirited live auction to benefit four local children’s charities: A Child’s Place, Augustine Literacy Project, Digi-Bridge and Wayfinders.

photographs by PopRock Photography

Katherine Lambert and Kristen Miranda

Pat McKee and Julie Russo

Laura Anne and Land Hite

Meredith and Jamie Boll

Brent and Sarah Mullis Troy and Della Stafford

Jessica Hindman, Jessica Murphy and Vince Hindman

Margo Whitley and Julie McNaughton

Chef Shaun King and Garren “Jon G” Kirkman

Larry and Sharon Sullivan, Jamie and Joel Mayersohn

Craig Danforth, Cindy Poovey and Emily Floyd

Henry A. Harkey Memorial Golf Tournament

benefiting Scouting America, Mecklenburg County Council Cedarwood Country Club May 19

Golfers took to the links on a perfect spring day to raise money for programs that serve thousands of local young people.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Tea Time in the Garden

benefiting Wing Haven

May 4

Mothers, daughters and friends filled the grounds for this annual high tea featuring scones and sandwiches. The children also enjoyed a scavenger hunt and exploring the garden.

photographs by Daniel Coston

Allison McShane and daughter

Kim Polonsky and daughter

Jason Alexander, Ben Kinney, Rick Cummings and Reid Hayes

Lang MacBain, Averill Harkey and George MacBain

Kelly Frenzel and Tom Hoops

Noah Carlson, Will Hutchins and Hugo Aliva

Matthew Favreau and Scott Wilson

GRANDIFLORA’S

GRAND ANNIVERSARY

Cotswold’s “onion rings” have defined a prominent intersection — and gotten people talking — for 25 years. by Sharon

Smith | photograph

Justin Driscoll

The intersection of Wendover and Randolph roads would not be the same without these two rust-colored rings. The monumental sculptures have become part of the landscape, just like the trees that hug the sidewalk along this corridor into uptown.

But in 2000, Thomas Sayre’s Grandiflora stood out as a bold piece of art in a city where public art installations were few and far between. The “onion rings,” as they were informally and infamously called, is now a term of endearment — a way locals express affection for Sayre’s work.

In a Facebook group devoted to all things Charlotte, someone recently asked whether the “onion rings” were gone. The reaction was swift. People quickly confirmed the continued presence of their beloved Grandiflora. It’s one of Sayre’s first sculptures using a technique he calls “earthcasting.” It involves digging large molds with

heavy equipment and hand tools, which are later filled with reinforced concrete mixed with iron oxide. Once cured, the pieces are made to stand with engineered footings.

“Out of Mother Earth comes human-made forms which stand up against father sky,” Sayre says.

Sayre, who lives in Raleigh, has a similar installation, Gyre, at the North Carolina Museum of Art. He’s also known for the series of earthen-hued discs, Furrow, along either side of the light-rail tracks in South End.

Sayre says inspiration for Grandiflora came during his first site visit when he noticed dozens of mature magnolia trees had been cleared to make way for higher-density housing. He says the work “directly refers to those once noble trees” and reflects the shape of magnolia blossom seeds.

At once, a nod to Charlotte’s past and future as an evolving Southern city. SP