Plus, Moulin Rouge takes the stage.
 
03.18.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Weather

58º | 10% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:29 a.m. | Sunset 7:34 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report
 

Important Message
Thank you to our launch partner Novant Health for helping make CLTtoday possible. Reach out to learn more about our available partnerships here.
 

❤️ Charlotte businesses feel the “Love”

Charlotte businesses share experiences filming “Love Is Blind”
A woman is standing in front of a tuxedo business with a poster showing a wedding couple in the background.
The “Love Is Blind” production moved Paula Moore’s tuxedo business to an Uptown location to accommodate the scale of the crew. | Photo by CLTtoday
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.

A collage of Charlotte business owners smiling from their respective businesses.

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

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

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

A wedding venue on a sunny day featuring rows of white chairs, flowers and a wedding facade.

Despite the rise in venue interest following “Love Is Blind,” Cedar Creek Ranch in Waxhaw has not increased event prices.

|

Photo by Cedar Creek Ranch

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?’”

“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.”
Where else did they go?
Asked

How’re you feeling after watching “Love is Blind?”
__________________________________________________________

A. Best season yet!
B. I wanted more drama
C. I loved it was filmed in Charlotte
D. I haven’t watched the show.
Show us some love
HomeTrust Bank
 
Events
Monday, March 18
  • Monday Vibes! Industry Night | Monday, March 18 | 5 p.m. | 2413 Central Ave., Charlotte | Free | Kick off your week with good vibes and cocktails while networking in a casual lounge space.
  • “Giselle” | Monday, March 18 | 7 p.m. | Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $25 | Prepare to be enchanted by classical ballet performed by the National Opera and Ballet of Ukraine.
  • The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session | Monday, March 18 | 7 p.m. | Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte | Free | Enjoy local musicians performing the work of Bill Hanna, known as the “Godfather of Jazz.”
Tuesday, March 19
  • “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” | Tuesday, March 19 | 2-8 p.m. | Belk Theatre, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $35 | Pop the champagne and enjoy the Tony Award-winning production of the beloved cinematic musical brought to the stage.
  • Jimmy Carr | Tuesday, March 19 | 7 p.m. | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | $35 | Prepare to laugh along with stand-up comedian Jimmy Carr on his worldwide tour.
  • Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance: 25th Anniversary Tour” | Tuesday, March 19-Wednesday, March 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte | $30-$84.50 | Feel the music from a performance celebrating centuries of Irish/Celtic music
Wednesday, March 20
  • Walk the Block with CMPD | Wednesday, March 20, Wednesday, March 27 | 12-1 p.m. | Design Center of the Carolinas, 101 W. Worthington Ave., Charlotte | Free | Meet with South End’s Community Coordination Officer to discuss what’s happening around town.
  • Not your typical South American Tasting @DTR Dilworth | Wednesday, March 20 | 6:30 p.m. | Dilworth Tasting Room, 300 E. Tremont Ave., Charlotte | $75 | Sample South America’s finest wines.
  • Sycamore Run Club | Wednesday, March 20 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Sycamore Brewing & Taproom, 2151 Hawkins St., Charlotte | Free | Run up to six miles through South End before enjoying a hard-earned drink.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
TEGNA
 
News Notes
Development
  • A 24-story office tower is set to debut in South End by the end of the month. 110 East is 370,000 sqft and sits next to the East/West Station and directly on the Lynx Blue Line. Tenant announcements are expected to come soon. (WSOC)
Eat
  • Kitty + Kocktails — a southern comfort restaurant with European flavor — is set to open this May in Queen City Quarter, formerly known as the EpiCentre in Uptown. The 3,500-sqft space will have a family-friendly tone with an elevated atmosphere perfect for date nights and anniversaries. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Travel
  • Pack your suitcase. Flights between Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Tulum, Mexico begin Thursday, March 28. Tickets for flights to the coastal town are now available to purchase. (The Charlotte Observer)
Coming Soon
  • Looking for a one-stop shop? New DMV kiosks are making their debut inside Harris Teeter stores in Charlotte. You’ll be able to pick up your groceries and renew your license in one stop. Drivers will be able to order duplicate licenses + permits and register to vote. (WCNC)
Festival
  • The Beach Boys, Parmalee, and Happy Landing will be hitting the stage for Lovin’ Life Music Fest. The first-of-its-kind festival is set for May 3-5 in Uptown’s First Ward at 300 N. Brevard St. (The Charlotte Observer)
Announced
  • Four of the best women’s college basketball teams in the country are returning to the Queen City this fall for the Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF). South Carolina, NC State, Iowa and Virginia Tech will play in the Ally Tipoff at the Spectrum Center in November. (WBTV)
Award
  • Need a place to get away? Blowing Rock was recognized by Southern Living magazine as “The Best Small Town” in North Carolina. The mountain community was celebrated for its outdoor culture, 30+ restaurants, and nearly 100 shops and boutiques. (WBTV)
Sports
  • The Carolina Panthers traded for wide receiver Diontae Johnson as free agency moves continue. Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
 
Sports

🏀 March Madness is coming to Charlotte

March Madness is coming to Charlotte
An aerial image of a basketball court with players and fans in the stands.
The first round of the NCAA Tournament tips off Thursday, March 21. The second round begins Saturday, March 23. | Photo by @CLTtoday
Are you ready for the madness to begin? Also, how many brackets have you finished already?

Selection Sunday is now in the books. The Spectrum Center in Charlotte is about to become one of the stages for the 2024 Men’s NCAA Tournament. First round matchups begin this Thursday, March 21.

Whose dancing in the Queen City?

Midwest Regional
(7) Texas vs. (10) Virginia/Colorado St.
(2) Tennessee vs. (15) Saint Peter’s

West Regional
(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Howard/Wagner
(8) Mississippi St. vs. (9) Michigan St.

Expect to see plenty of Tar Heel blue at the Spectrum Center this Thursday — UNC Chapel Hill is just a 2-hour drive from Charlotte.

Ticket packages for First & Second Rounds are now available.

Every men’s March Madness game will be shown either on CBS, TBS, TNT, or TruTV in addition to their digital platforms, including Paramount+.

TBS will air the Final Four and national title game happening Monday, April 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The Buy
A new scent from Corridor Candle Co. Collection to treat yourself. It’s the first day of spring and what better way to celebrate the season than a new candle?
Share CLTtoday
 
ReferralGIF1-CLT (1).gif

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_29}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_29}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
6AM City In-house
 
The Wrap
 
CLT_Jack VanderToll

Today’s edition by:
Jack
From the editor
Hello, Charlotte! Thanks for reading. I’ve called Charlotte home the last five years and it just keeps getting better. You may see me around Not Just Coffee or with my camera on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway.
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY