We want to know how you met the love of your life. | Photo by Alyssa Frost Photography
Every romantic relationship comes with a story and this Valentine’s Day, we’re sharing yours.
We asked for your meet-cute stories from around the Queen City, and you delivered. Now, before we consider selling these ideas for a movie deal on Hallmark, grab the chocolates and learn some of the stories of Charlotteans falling in love:
Your memories
“I feel our second date at a Charlotte Hornets game really sealed the deal. There’s something electric about the energy at a sporting arena, and being able to share that while still engaging in good conversation, snacks, and drinks can really bring two people together.” - Julia A.
“We met while dancing the night away. He asked to take me home and since I was with friends I said no. If I come with friends, I leave with friends. We met for lunch the following week. We have been together for almost 23 years.” - Anonymous
Valentine’s Day Dinner | 5 p.m. | Gallery Restaurant at The Ballantyne Hotel | $125 per person | Savor an elegant experience during this four-course prix-fixe Valentine’s Day dinner.
All Kinds of Love: A WNC Relief Event | 5-10 p.m. | Divine Barrel Brewing | Cost of purchase | Show your love for local artists, musicians, and creators raising funds for Roar WNC relief efforts after Helene.
Science on the Rocks: UnValentines | 6-10 p.m. | Discovery Place Science | $22+ | Bring your date or yourself and sip themed cocktails while enjoying science shows and meeting live animals.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Dog Days of Winter | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | US National Whitewater Center | Free | Celebrate your four-legged friend in this day-long party with a 5K trail race, adoption events, ice rink access, and doggy vendors.
Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Checkers | 4 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium | $29+ | Return to the ice to see the Checkers begin their quest for the Calder Cup.
9th Anniversary Party| 11:30 a.m. | Seoul Food Meat Co., South End | Cost of purchase | Dress in your western attire before enjoying a wing-eating contest, dance party, and riding a mechanical bull.
Skills for Disagreeing Better In Person | 2-3:45 p.m. | AOC Marketing Research | Free, but required registration | Join this workshop to learn to communicate with people of different opinions and points of view.
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Welcome, Mr. 305. Pitbull and Third Eye Blind are joining the Lovin’ Life Music Fest 2025 lineup, along with Gwen Stefani, Ludacris, and Dave Matthews Band. Tickets are on sale for Charlotte’s biggest music festival happening May 2-4 at First Ward Park in Uptown.
Opening
The Pub At Uptown is opening next month at 500 West Trade St., Ste 104. The site formerly know as The Pub At Gateway promises an upgraded menu, premium cocktails, and an expanded bourbon list. Guests can enjoy an outdoor patio, free parking, and be in walking distance to Bank of America Stadium.
Development
Charlotte Mecklenburg’s new Main Library in Uptown topped out construction at the corner of 6th and North Tryon streets, marking the completion of the building’s structural frame. The new building will feature a cafe, theater, and outdoor terrace + is scheduled to open in spring 2026.
Outdoors
McColl Park is scheduled to open on June 18 in Uptown, according to Charlotte Center City Partners. The date coincides with former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl’s 90th birthday. The urban park will feature an artist’s display of suspended logs dubbed “The Nest” + a slip-resistant water pad, gardens, decorative paving, and furnishings.
Coming Soon
Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill is flying to Concourse D at Charlotte Douglas International Airport this summer. The rock ‘n’ roll-themed restaurant is a collaboration between Van Halen lead singer Sammy Hagar and HMSHost, offering beach bar-inspired dishes like tacos, sandwiches, and burgers. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Plan Ahead
A planned outage is happening tomorrow, Feb. 15,affecting state agencies, including the DMV. Self-service kiosks at four Charlotte-area Harris Teeters will be offline, along with other services. The outage is being handled by the state Department of Information Technology and will last until around 7 p.m. (WCNC)
Edu
UNC Charlotte earned the esteemed Research 1 – or R1 – status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It’s the highest recognition a doctoral university can receive. UNC Charlotte is the third-largest public research university in North Carolina, and the only public university in the state to rank among the nation’s most innovative schools.
Sports
Charlotte is hoping to bring back the CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments for the 2027-2029 cycle, submitting a bid in partnership with the Charlotte Sports Foundation and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. The CIAA was previously hosted in Charlotte from 2006 to 2020 before moving to Baltimore in 2022. (WCNC)
Fun Fact
Why do so many trees fall in Charlotte when it rains? WCNC Weather Impact meteorologist Chris Mulcahy explained how heavy rainfall saturates the ground causing shallow tree roots, like oak trees, to loosen and fall. More trees are likely to fall with more widespread rain expected this weekend. (WCNC)
Ranked
Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Star Awards recently recognized The Ivey’s Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte, and The Ballantyne + its Gallery Restaurant for their luxury experiences. These Queen City gems are among more than 2,100 properties in 90 countries recognized for world class service. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Environment
Here’s the buzz. Rock Hill-based beekeeping company Bee & Comb offers a unique program allowing clients to host honeybee hives on their properties while learning sustainable beekeeping. The program promotes honeybee conservation, plus honey harvesting and hive management. (The Herald)
Listen
Will the Panthers make Jaycee Horn one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Health
Feel like your vision benefits are leaving you in the dark? Brighten things up with VSP® Individual Vision Plans, starting as low as $13 a month.*
Category
Travel
✈️ Surging skies
Charlotte Douglas serves as a key travel hub for American Airlines. | Photo via @cltairport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is turning sky high profits for the city of Charlotte and beyond. The airport contributed $40 billion to North and South Carolina’s economies in 2023, according to a new study published by the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University.
“CLT remains a critical economic force for the Carolinas, with the American Airlines hub playing a pivotal role generating jobs, boosting incomes and contributing to vital tax revenues,” said CLT CEO Haley Gentry.
CLT’s trajectory in terms of scale and volume only continues to soar with the airport serving 58.8 million passengers in 2024, shattering the record of 53.4 million set in 2023.
A recent report released by the North Carolina Department of Transportation noted CLT’s economic output across North Carolina stood at $36.6 billion, generating some impressive numbers including:
It’s Valentine’s Day and Friday… a combo that won’t happen again for another six years. Why not treat yourself for the occasion? We’ve got five picks we think you’ll love.
Another spot I recommend checking out if you’re looking for your own Charlotte love story is the US National Whitewater Center. There are so many outdoor activities and it can easily become a romantic atmosphere, especially during River Jam at sunset in the summer.
