Plus, great distilleries in Charlotte.
 
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83º | 50% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:28 a.m. | Sunset 8:31 p.m.
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🛍️ A place for everyone
A brick building with a large teal and silver "Zabs Place" sign with a packed window of items.
ZABS Place, a thrift boutique, is a nonprofit that employs and empowers people with special skills to thrive in society. | Photo by CLTtoday
For 10 years, ZABS Place has welcomed shoppers into its downtown Matthews boutique. But it’s who the store employs that makes a difference.

The store opened in 2014 as an offshoot of its sister organization, Friendship Circle. The international organization pairs children with special needs with neurotypical teens for friendship. Bentzion and Rochel Groner, co-founders of ZABS Place, opened the Charlotte branch of Friendship Circle.

“We found teens that we had paired up were getting older,” said Rachel. “After two years, sometimes four, they were going off to college and we needed to re-pair their special friend with a new teen friend.”

Editor’s note: “Special friend,” in this case, is being used to refer to a person who lives with special needs.

A store interior with clothing, household items, and more surrounding each wall.

ZABS Place sells a variety of items including clothing, shoes, furniture, household items, books, and more.

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Photo by CLTtoday

“We believe everybody is unique and has purpose,” said Rachel. “Just because one person isn’t seeing somebody’s purpose and potential doesn’t mean somebody else won’t.”

It’s that belief that led to the creation of ZABS Place. The nonprofit and boutique provides new purpose to store items and its employees, or Talents in Training.

“As soon as I started working and as a couple of weeks passed, I felt like I was a new person and it felt really good,” said Hannah Rosenboom, a proud Talent in Training.

A store shell with various handmade items and packages lining a wall next to a window.

The Zabspreneur program allows the community to create a sellable product and sell it in store as a “Special Micro-business.”

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Photo by CLTtoday

How does it work? ZABS offers employment training for teens that have graduated high school. The teens are empowered to utilize their talents for the professional world.

“We change the environment and make it more possible for people to focus on what people can do instead of focusing on what they can’t,” added Rachel.

Editor’s note: This City Editor recommends checking out the boutique (100 N. Trade St., Matthews), furniture store, and support the local artists featured on the “ZABSpreneurs” wall.
 
 
Events
 
Friday, July 26
  • “Roller Disco” | Friday, July 26 | 6-11 p.m. | The Music Yard at SouthBound, 2433 South Blvd., Charlotte | $13 | Rent a pair of roller skates and glide to live music at this nostalgic event.
  • 24 Hours of Booty | Friday, July 26 | 7 p.m.-12 a.m. | Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte | $75 | Ride, walk, or volunteer during this annual fundraiser benefiting cancer research.
  • The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra | Friday, July 26 | 7-8:15 p.m. | Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte | Free | Attend a concert of professional musicians specializing in 17th and 18th century music on period instruments.
Saturday, July 27
  • Beer Festival: Craft Brewers for a Cause | Saturday, July 27 | 4-7 p.m. | Suffolk Punch Brewing South End, 2911 Griffith St., Charlotte | $40 | Support the officers hurt in the deadly April 29th shooting with craft brews, great bites, and community spirit.
  • Ernie’s Smokehouse Pig Roast Luau | Saturday, July 27 | 4-7 p.m. | Carolina Beer Temple, 195 N. Trade St., Matthews | $21.95 | Savor the heat of a Hawaiian whole roasted pig, roasted chicken, and fixins at this public cookout.
  • New Kids On The Block with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff | Saturday, July 27 | 7 p.m. | PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd., Charlotte | $29.95+ | You’ll be jamming “Step by Step” when these 90s heartthrobs take the stage.
Sunday, July 28
  • Party in the Park | Sunday, July 28 | 1-5 p.m. | The Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Enjoy a festive time with art projects, food trucks, live music, and a cash bar on the front terrace of the museum.
  • Savona Sundays | Sunday, July 28 | 4-7 p.m. | Savona Mill, 500 South Turner Ave., Charlotte | Free | Get ready for an action-packed afternoon with pickleball, live music + food and drinks.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
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Sports
 

3 reasons to catch a Charlotte Knights game this summer

An image showing fireworks, Bark in the Ballpark, and a little girl running the bases at a Charlotte Knights game.
Get ready to have a ball with the Charlotte Knights. | Photo provided by Charlotte Knights
Looking for a fun-filled activity this summer? Catch a Charlotte Knights game and enjoy:
  • Family fun for all: Dazzling fireworks, classic American comfort food, live music, and giveaways (think: T-shirts, hats, bobbleheads, and jerseys)
  • Unique events: Bring your furry friends to Bark in the Ballpark, meet former MLB players, and enjoy special themed nights
  • Breathtaking views of the Charlotte skyline
Pro tip: Pre-purchase parking in the Mint Street Garage, just steps away from Truist Field.
 
News Notes
 
Weather
  • Skies will be mostly cloudy today, July 26 with a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Be on the lookout for a few showers and storms today and through the weekend. (WCNC)
Civic
  • Mecklenburg County will mail 2024 bills for real property, individual personal property, and business personal property taxes by Wednesday, July 31. Bills are due Sunday, Sept. 1.
Development
  • Sycamore Brewing plans to open a second taproom. The brewery’s president announced he expects to sign a lease in the next six months with a target opening in 2025. Details on an exact location remain TBA. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Stat
  • Charlotte moved from No. 50 to No. 38 in economic mobility — the ability of children from low-income families to climb the economic ladder and thrive. The results come from a Harvard University-based research survey.
Ranked
  • Rock Hill has been ranked one of the “50 best places in the US for families in 2024,” according to Fortune magazine. Located 27 miles south of Charlotte, the city was recognized for being a growing city that maintains its suburban feel. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Travel
  • Budget air carrier JetBlue will be leaving Charlotte Douglas International Airport by October 26. Meanwhile, Avelo Airlines is adding six new nonstop routes flying out of Concord-Padgett Regional Airport starting this fall to cities including Philadelphia, PA and Lakeland, FL. (WCNC)
Drink Up
  • How refreshing. Drink Up Week runs through today — our annual celebration of Charlotte’s drink culture. Local businesses are offering buzzy deals like $4 for select pints at NoDa Brewing Company, so treat yourself and toast to our town’s vibrant bevvy scene.
Olympics
Sports
  • The Carolina Panthers begin Training Camp and try out two veteran edge rushers. Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Health
    Finance
    • 2024’s “it card” is here. Not only does it offer a $200 bonus, but also unlimited 1.5% cash back and 0% intro APR until 2025. (Annual fee? We don’t know her.) *
     
     
    Drink
     

    🥃 Distillery dreams
    A shot of whiskey is poured into a glass cup with ice.
    Oaklore Distilling Co. was named No. 1 Distillery by The Charlotte Observer’s Charlotte’s Best in 2023. | Photo via Oaklore Distilling Co.
    A distillery makes hard alcohol like whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum. The journey from grain to the glass is meticulous, therefore this City Editor recommends going where the craft becomes an experience. In honor of Drink Up Week, here are just a few fresh options to enjoy a glass of liquor in the Queen City, by the Queen City’s own.

    Seven Jars Distillery | 6148-B Brookshire Blvd., Charlotte
    Savor 14 tastings of different wines, beers, and spirits with guided one-hour tours.

    Great Wagon Road Distilling Company | 610 Anderson St., Charlotte
    NoDa’s first neighborhood distillery founded by a native Irishman, this place is the real deal for a glass of Irish whiskey.

    Muddy River Distillery | 250 N. Main St., Mt. Holly
    This location in Belmont is ranked as one of the top 10 craft rum distilleries in the US.

    Oaklore Distilling Co. | 11136 Monroe Rd., Matthews
    The award-winning Charlotte-based producer of bourbon and rye whiskey recently expanded its facility to meet a growing demand.
     
    Asked
     

    What’s your favorite place to grab a drink?
    A. A vibrant restaurant
    B. A cozy speakeasy
    C. An elegant winery
    D. A rustic distillery
     
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    The Wrap
     
    CLT_Jack VanderToll

    Today’s edition by:
    Jack

    From the editor

    City Editor Jack smiles in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

    I’m excited to catch the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics. I visited Paris earlier this summer and fell in love with the city. Naturally, I had to get a shot of the Eiffel Tower with the Olympic rings.
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