From devoted fans to casual viewers, hype surrounding the latest season of “Love Is Blind” — Netflix’s hit dating series — has taken Charlotte by storm. The show followed Charlotte singles on their journey to find love, “sight unseen.”
By now, you likely know what happened on screen — but what about behind the scenes? CLTtoday set out to learn what Charlotte businesses and venues experienced after agreeing to host the wildly popular show.
Nicole Steiger (top left) owner of Savvy Bride Boutique, Melissa Carnegie (top center) founder of Kicks and Fros, Eric Alessi (top right) general manager of The Goodyear House, Kevin DeVanney (bottom left) owner of Margaux’s Wine, Pizza, Market, and Gregory Walter (bottom right) owner of The Royal Tot, each had their Charlotte businesses featured in Netflix’s “Love Is Blind.”
Photos by CLTtoday / Brandon Grate Photography
“I’m a big fan of the show, [I] watched it from the beginning from season one. [I] loved the whole experiment thing and the drama it brings,” said Melissa Carnegie, CEO and founder of Kicks and Fros, which you may remember from AD + Clay’s sneaker painting date.
Charlotte’s scale and entertainment scene was highlighted over the course of the show. Landmarks like Carowinds, Truist Field, Lake Norman mansions, as well as hole-in-the-wall restaurants all served as backdrops for the social experiment.
For Paula Moore, the owner of The Tuxedo Shoppe, it all began with a generic email from an unfamiliar production company. “They were looking for small businesses in the Charlotte area, which I loved.” Moore eventually found herself surrounded by cameras while the groomsmen were suited up for their weddings.
Where to watch: Episode 11
Production’s initial approach of Gregory Walter, owner of The Royal Tot, was very clandestine, but eventually the rooftop tiki bar owner was able to host Jimmy and Chelsea for an ice sculpture date with a scenic sunset over Uptown. “The atmosphere here is great!” said Walter.
Where to watch: Episode 11
Kevin Devanney, owner of Margaux’s Wine, Pizza & Market in Pineville, accommodated the crew while keeping his restaurant open to his regular guests. You can spot it while Laura and Jessica have that conversation. “Filming one of these things is 10 minutes on television but it takes four hours to shoot. People waited around to see as much as they could.”
Where to watch: Episode 8
Filming for the series stretched beyond the Charlotte metro. Cedar Creek Ranch in Waxhaw hosted the climactic wedding scenes in the season finale. “We do have the ability to recreate a ‘Love Is Blind’ experience. If someone wants the full shebang, they can come on out and take a look around,” said Karen VanBuskirk, co-owner of the ranch.
Where to watch: Episode 12
The sixth season of “Love Is Blind” is now the most streamed season in franchise history, bringing millions of new eyes to the Queen City. The local reaction to the show caught several business owners off guard when fans sought to recreate the dating experiences they saw on the show.
“Our DMs and emails have been in shambles...” Melissa Carnegie laughed. “Everybody wants a date night. How can they get a date night like ‘Love Is Blind?’”
Carowinds saw similar enthusiasm from visitors seeking to ride front and center on the roller coaster Fury 325, featured in episode 11. “It’s been overwhelmingly positive. We thought they portrayed Carowinds beautifully,” said Courtney Weber, Director of Communications for Carowinds.
“It’s really just a remarkable feet being able to have it be shown on the national stage. It’s a dream come true,” said Eric Alessi, general manager of The Goodyear House, whose NoDa restaurant hosted an all-important “meet the family” moment.
Where to watch: Episode 9
The new exposure has led business owners like Paula Moore to enjoy a spike in customers after watching the show. “We just did a wedding down in Rock Hill. Of course when you do something like this, you use it.”
Attention has also grown for Boathouse Cove, the Lake Norman mansion that hosted a dramatic pool party complete with the jet ski ride heard around the world. “We did book one bachelorette party and we have gained a few more followers! We love that we were able to be a part of the filming on a local level and hope we gain some local staycations from fellow Charlotteans!” said Morgan Allen, Regional Area Manager for AvantStay.
Where to watch: Episode 10
“Love Is Blind” may be a show centered around people in search of love, but Nicole Steiger, founder and owner of Savvy Bride Boutique, referenced how the Queen City may come away with the most love from this experience after all. “Netflix did a really good job of promoting the city itself. Not just us, but everywhere they visited has seen really great traffic from that.”
