Don’t let shopping for the mother figure in your life feel like a daunting task. Check out our favorite small biz items to show your appreciation for the mom(s) in your life.
For the nature lover
Explore the outdoors in style with a wide array of sunnies from Rheos. Keep the mom in your life hydrated with an insulated tumbler from Pirani. Enjoy mornings on the front porch with outdoor furniture pieces from Palmetto Craft.
For the art collector
Check out these bird-inspired pieces from Joseph Bradley Studio. Looking for something scenic? Try shopping from Jeff Pittman’s collection. Bring the outdoors inside through Mary Benson’s Art; inspired by North Carolina’s lush landscapes.
For the style icon
Accessorizing can be practical with wristlets and keychains from Avryn Co. Cori Rose Handmade offers earrings of all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Carry Courage has everything from bags to pouches and keychains.
For the foodie
Empower their wellness routine with shrubs, tinctures and syrups from Mom-founded and run Sweet’s Elderberry. These syrups and sets from ROOT23 will level up the cocktail + mocktail game. Adams Apple Company offers spreads, jams, and relishes perfect for hosting a charcuterie party.
For the self care queen
Shop chic soap + shampoo bars from Parrotfish (they’re eco-friendly). Check out Roam & Ramble for hand soaps perfect for the kitchen sink. Gift a spa night with products from She Biology like the Heal Brown Sugar Scrub.
Volunthursday - River Cleanup | Thursday, April 25 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Iswa Nature Preserve, 9909 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte | Free | Spend the morning outside preserving North Carolina’s natural waterways.
Lunch & Learn with Jim Sonefeld | Thursday, April 25 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Hyatt Centric SouthPark Charlotte, 3100 Apex Dr., Charlotte | $35 | Hear Jim “Soni” Sonefeld from “Hootie & the Blowfish” share the story behind his new memoir of overcoming adversity in pursuit of dreams.
Needtobreathe & Judah and The Lion | Thursday, April 25 | 7 p.m. | PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd., Charlotte | $24-$69 | Grab a “Brother” to enjoy this night of rock and folk music.
Friday, April 26
South Charlotte Partners Breakfast Club | Friday, April 26 | 7:30-9 a.m. | The Amp Ballantyne, 11115 Upper Ave., Charlotte | $28.52 | Join an esteemed group of city industry leaders to discuss if Charlotte can become a music city.
BOOM Festival | Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28 | 12-10 p.m. | Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd., Charlotte | Free | Enjoy art displays converging in a walkable space to create an immersive atmosphere.
Brightfire Music and Arts Festival | Friday, April 26-Saturday, April 27 | 4 p.m.-11 p.m. | Greenlife Family Farm, 281 Odell School Rd., Concord | $10-$240 | A two-day festival of music, art, and delicious food trucks for all ages.
Saturday, April 27
Donkey Meet & Greet | Saturday, April 27 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Lake Haigler Entrance, 2573 Lake Haigler Dr., Fort Mill | $0-$14 | Meet + learn about the donkeys that live in the pasture at Anne Springs Close Greenway.
41st Annual Showcase of Wood Carvings | Saturday, April 27 | 12-5 p.m. | Worrell Building, CPCC Campus, 1228 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte | Free | Marvel at the craft of woodworking vendors in the largest showcase in the Southeast.
Charlotte Grilled Cheese Festival | Saturday, April 27 | 1-4 p.m. | SouthEnd Station, 1435 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | $20 | Savor melty, cheesy goodness while enjoying drinks, street vendors, and live music.
Kenny Chesney Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour | Saturday, April 27 | 5 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St., Charlotte | $55-$295 | Get ready to party “When the Sun Goes Down” with country music icon, Kenny Chesney.
The former Baymont Inn along the Sugar Creek Corridor near I-85 has been renovated to provide affordable housing. The nonprofit group Heal Charlotte was given a $2 million grant from the city to fund the project. The rooms will be leased to more than 100 families for a year. (WBTV)
Edu
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ superintendent is requesting $660 million from the county to increase teacher pay. Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill says the increase is necessary to keep CMS salaries competitive with other districts in the region. If approved, teacher salaries would go up 4.5%. (WCNC)
Coming Soon
Popular burger chain Whataburger is eyeing another location in Charlotte. Whataburger submitted an application for a “conceptual meeting” to build a restaurant at 5018 Sunset Rd. The Texas-based chain is already building a location on Albemarle Rd. near Rocky River Church Rd. (The Charlotte Observer)
Drink
Glasses up. Flight, a new wine-forward restaurant, will open in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood this summer. The European-inspired location will replace the former Stanley Drug Store building. Guests may choose from 150 bottles and 30-50 by-the-glass options + fresh made bread, charcuterie boards, and desserts. (The Charlotte Observer)
Pets
Looking for a furry friend? Concord Mills is teaming up with the Humane Society of Concord and Great Cabarrus County for a special pet adoption event on Saturday, April 27 + Sunday, April 28 from 12-3 p.m. Visitors will meet a variety of animals seeking forever homes, including dogs, cats, and more.
Job
Charlotte Douglas International Airport will host an Airport Job Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 27, at Bojangles Coliseum. Hundreds of full and part-time positions from entry to managerial level are available. Visitors should come dressed in business attire with several copies of their resume.
Trending
The FBI issued a warning about a North Carolina toll scam.Scammers are sending text messages telling North Carolinians they have unpaid toll fees. An alert by federal investigators said there have been more than 2,000 complaints about this scam since early March. (WCNC)
State
Fast and furious. The North Carolina Highway Patrol is adding more than two dozen 2024 Ford Mustangs to its fleet. The new patrol cars will primarily be used on interstates. The cars will debut on NC roads in the coming months. (WCNC)
Sports
Can the Hurricanes go 3-0 against the Islanders? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Hurricaneswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Mizu Sous-chef Tyler Maney lays skewers over hot charcoal in tradition with Robata grilling. | Photo by CLTtoday
Food is a necessity, but it can also be an artistry. Located atop the Hyatt Centric Hotel in the heart of SouthPark, Mizu is the only restaurant in Charlotte where guests can enjoy traditional Japanese Robata cooking.
Considered the oldest form of Japanese cooking, Robata was originated centuries ago by fishermen who prepared seafood by laying skewers over a wood grill. The fishermen eventually used charcoal where the high heat locks in the juice— providing food with incredible flavor and texture.
Led by Executive Chef Luis Vargas-Diaz, guests can savor meat, seafood, and seasonal vegetables while witnessing the sparks and bustle of live-fire cooking.
Mizu provides an elaborate selection of Maki sushi rolls + a list of delicious cocktails. There are also plenty of options for vegetarian guests.
Whether it’s date night, a work event, or celebrating a family night out, Mizu offers a vibrant yet intimate atmosphere. The decor and lighting fixtures pay homage to the Japanese influence that has cultivated into a savory menu + an experience found nowhere else in the Queen City.
I’m having fun researching local spots in Charlotte to watch the upcoming Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4. Check in next week for what I found. If you have suggestions, let me know.
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