You’ll find Tipsy Pickle at Charlotte’s Camp North End. | Photo by CLTtoday
The wait’s finally over, Charlotteans.Tipsy Pickle is open for business at Camp North End to welcome pickballers and fun lovers alike.
City Editor Jack, here. I checked out Charlotte’s latest entertainment hub for myself and I was hit with the unmistakable pop of pickleball play the moment I stepped inside the 35,000-sqft space, featuring six courts available for players of all skill levels.
“The reception from Charlotte and the greater area has been amazing,” said Tipsy Pickle’s co-owner Tanner Brooks, who spoke to me about how the idea came to life.
CLTtoday spoke with Tipsy Pickle co-owners Mike Salzarulo (left) and Tanner Brooks (right).
Photo by CLTtoday
Tipsy Pickle’s concept was developed to meet the growing demand for pickleball courts in Charlotte, with a focus on creating a social gathering space around the sport.
“The core of what we wanted to do was find something that brought people together,” said Brooks.
Ready to get “Tipsy”? Tipsy Pickle is open everyday of the week with indoor and outdoor courts now open for play. Reservations are highly recommended with prices ranging between $20-40.
Run Jen Run 5K & Festival| 7-10 a.m. | Symphony Park | $40+ | Support the local breast cancer community running (or walking) through the city.
Bridal Pop-Up Sale | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Goodwill Opportunity Campus | Cost of purchase | Shop and find the dress you’ll wear while walking down the aisle.
The BBQ Brunch| 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Sweet Lew’s BBQ | $53+ | See the pitmaster at work in this countdown to the 2025 Carolina BBQ Festival.
The 5th Annual CLT Donut Festival| 1-5 p.m. |Norfolk Hall @ Suffolk Punch Brewing | $28+ | Your sweet tooth will love you + proceeds benefit testicular cancer research.
Get an inside look at the Sea Turtle Care Center, get up-close to stingrays, and dive into more marine life fun. | Photos provided by the South Carolina Aquarium
Spring break isn’t just for kids. Embrace your inner child at the South Carolina Aquarium, where you can explore the wonders of marine life while enjoying the beauty of Charleston.
From exhilarating dive shows and scavenger hunts to interactive talks and hands-on animal encounters, there’s something for everyone to see and do.
Whether you’re enjoying family time on the kids’ days off, taking a break from school, or unplugging from work, the Aquarium is a magical spring break destination.
Mediterranean-inspiredMazi restaurant opens in South End on Thursday, March 13 on the ground floor of Factory South. Dinner reservations are now available for small plates and fine spirits, with lunch and brunch options beginning in the coming weeks.
Open
We’ve got the scoop. Locally-owned Two Scoops Creamery is now open in Concord at 66 Union St. S., serving tasty and award-winning ice cream flavors.
Coming Soon
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille is opening a new location at Baxter Village in Fort Mill, SC. Owner Matt Wohlfarth emphasized the new spot will have “same menu, same cups, same everything” — including burgers, tacos, and pizza. Dilworth is slated to open this August. (The Charlotte Observer)
Shop
Mayo is SO in this season. Charlotte-based Girl Tribe Co. has unveiled its Duke’s Mayonnaise collection online and at their brick-and-mortar store along Camden Drive. A percentage of proceeds will benefit The Giving Kitchen, providing emergency assistance for food service workers.
Ranked
Multiple Charlotte-area communities are ranked in the top ten cities in North Carolina for small businesses. A report by B2B Reviews recognized Concord, Gastonia, Statesville, and Monroe respectively. The poll is based on affordability, business-friendly environment, and high quality of life.
Weather
An EF-1 tornado with 90-mph winds touched down in Union County on Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The storm caused damage around Friendly Baptist Church and Ridge Road. No injuries were reported. (WCNC)
Charlottean
ESPN college basketball commentator and Charlotte resident Jay Bilas is gearing up to broadcast the upcoming ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center. Check out the former Duke Basketball star’s conversation on his 30-year broadcasting career. (The Charlotte Observer)
Watch
Speaking of Tipsy Pickle... NFL quarterbacks Drake Maye and Sam Howell teamed up for a charity pickleball tournament at Tipsy Pickle this week. Check out who came out on top. (WCNC)
Sports
Hear why Panthers should pursue DK Metcalf now. Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Biz
Calling all business owners. For a limited time, we’re offering 15% off your first advertising purchase on our self-service ad portal. No long-term contract required — simply use the code NEW15 at checkout to redeem the discount.
Show
Mark your calendar for Thursday, March 20 — the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine is bringing “Swan Lake” to life at the Knight Theatre. From Odile’s dazzling 32 fouettés to the graceful Little Swans, this visual masterpiece will captivate audiences with 200+ stunning costumes and hand-painted sets. Snag tix.*
Outdoors
Psst, gardeners — start this year’s garden off right with this seed starter tray, with built-in handles to transplant seedlings straight into the ground come planting time.*
Category
Traffic
🛣️ Fasten your seatbelts
A proposed project involves upgrading 11 miles of I-77 from Uptown to the South Carolina state line. | Photo via WCNC
We asked our readers to weigh in on the upcoming reconstruction project of I-77 South involving expansion and adding toll lanes, and over 100 folks shared their thoughts.
72% of readers thought the expansion was needed. Fair enough — The average commuter spends 40 hours per year stuck in traffic.
15% thought it was unnecessary and too expensive. Also fair — the project’s price tag is estimated at $3.7 billion.
13% of readers remained undecided.
Many of our readers noted that this was much needed, while others felt the risks outweighed the rewards. Here are some of their thoughts:
The pros
“Expedite it! 2030 is too late.”
“Traffic is terrible. All the roads that can be built are important to help reduce commute time.”
The cons
“Everyday lanes should be prioritized over express lanes. It’s absolutely pointless to add express lanes that 90% of people won’t use.”
“I believe $3 billion dollars could be better spent on public transportation closer to the city.”
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A huge thank you to Tipsy Pickle for giving CLTtoday a first-class tour for our story. I’m excited to get my friends out on the court. My one pickleball tip: If the game gets heated, stay out of the kitchen.
