The strip along Montford Drive has remained largely unchanged for over two decades. | Image via Google Maps
Looking to feel nostalgic? A stretch of road in Charlotte remains mostly immune to the passage of time.
Montford Drive, located off Park Road in South Charlotte, is home to a strip of businesses that have been going strong for 20+ years, including Angry Ales, Braswell’s, Jeff’s Bucket Shop, and The Roasting Co. — offering visitors dining options, spots for trivia and watch parties, and a vibrant nightlife.
Angry Ale’s remains a go-to destination for locals who crave an authentic neighborhood feel.
Photos via Social Ape Marketing
“I can remember coming here with my parents and even having my first drink on Montford,” said Doug Bell, owner of Roasting Co., which opened in 1991.
That sense of nostalgia is what keeps businesses like Angry Ale’s thriving. The sports bar, a staple of Montford Drive, celebrates 24 years of business this year. Owner Andy Henson spoke exclusively with CLTtoday, looking back on how dramatically Charlotte has changed. He credits Ale’s longevity to customers longing for familiarity.
“It does feel good that we’re still here and our customers feel we’re more relevant than ever,” said Henson.
Spring Plant Sale | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Wing Haven | Cost of purchase | Spend your Saturday morning perusing plants to add to your garden + proceeds benefit Wing Haven’s gardens.
2nd Annual Pancakes Over Parkinson’s | 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Vaulted Oak Brewing | $12+ | Savor stacks of mouthwatering pancakes from Snooze AM Eatery, plus take part in a raffle and silent auction benefiting The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
2025 VTGCLT Spring Market | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Camp North End | $3+ | Get coffee and shop 100+ of the region’s best vintage and handmade vendors.
Pawty for a PAWpose| 12 p.m.-5 p.m. |Monday Night Brewing Garden Co. | Cost of purchase | Bring your four-legged friends for a tail-wagging social bringing dog lovers together for drinks, music and hangouts + proceeds benefit Greater Charlotte SPCA.
Beginning Short Scriptwriting Class | 2-4 p.m. | The Light Factory Photo Arts Center | $36+ | Spark your creativity and learn how to craft a professional script for your dream movie.
Sunday, April 13
Party in the Park | 1-5 p.m. | The Mint Museum Randolph | Free | Spend a festive afternoon sampling food trucks, live music, and a cash bar.
Slow Wine| 4-9 p.m. |Skyline Terrace | $15+ | Jam to R&B and Reggae under the stars in an elegant rooftop party.
Ready for lunch and a show? Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles is now open in Matthews. Guests can order dumplings, ramen, and other familiar Chinese plates while watching chefs prepare fresh noodles in the open kitchen.
Opening
Here’s some sweet news. Seemingly Overzealous Ice Cream plans to open in Dilworth this May at the former Concrete Jungle location, next to the upcoming Leluia Hall. Guests can look forward to dairy-, egg-, and gluten-free ice cream.
Closing
FARMacy Community Farmstop in Rock Hill, SC is permanently closing. The founder credited ongoing business challenges for the pending closure of the local food hub. Customers have until Saturday, April 26 to purchase locally grown food from the Southside spot. (WCNC)
Concert
Get ready for Carolina talent to sweep the stage for the upcoming Lovin’ Life Music Fest. One of the stages will be dedicated to regional aspiring artists, including Gaston County’s Bailey Marie, Chandler Carpenter & The Reckless Souls, and North Carolinian Austin McNeill, who made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2023.
Try This
Want to watch The Masters in style? L’Ostrica is offering a Masters Sunday Lunch this Sunday celebrating the pro golf championship.Guests can pre-order Lolo lobster rolls or burgers or take part in a wine tasting from 12-2 p.m., trying five wines for $20.
Outdoors
Caldwell Station Tributary Greenway, a 1.3-mile greenway near Lake Norman, is now open. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy creating a 4-mile greenway loop for walking, running, and biking. The Greenway also connects to Huntersville’s Caldwell Station and Hyde Park businesses in Cornelius. (The Charlotte Observer)
Development
The Lofts at Osage Mill in Bessemer City is now finished after two-years of development. The 1890s textile mill has been transformed into 139 affordable apartments with rent starting at $1,125 for a one-bedroom unit. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Holiday
Chag sameach. Passover (or Pesach) begins at sundown this Saturday, April 12 and goes through Sunday, April 20. Temple Bethel is hosting a SPICE Passover Picnic on Wednesday, April 16 from 12 to 1 p.m., offering Passover-inspired menu. Tickets are now on sale.
Edu
The Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board plans to vote on the superintendent’s budget next Tuesday. Advocates are pushing for 10% pay increase for teachers. However, Dr. Crystal Hill’s budget only includes 8% more for teacher salaries. (WSOC)
Ranked
Optimist Hall is in the running for “Best Food Hall” in the US for USA Today’s 10 Best Annual Reader’s Choice voting series. Show Optimist Hall some love by voting once per day until polls close next Monday at 12 p.m. The winning food halls will be announced on Wednesday, April 23.
Pets
Attention French bulldog parents. The American Kennel Club warns Frenchies have become a lucrative target for dog thieves. With dognappings rising, Humane Society of Charlotte recommends pet owners microchip their four-legged friends and get GPS collars for their protection. (WCNC)
Festival
If you didn’t win our recently-closed Lovin’ Life Music Fest Giveaway, don’tpack away your glitter just yet. Ticket packages are still available to see 50+ artists live in Charlotte.*
Sports
Listen to the boom or bust draft prospects that could be good fits for the Panthers. Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
The Knothole Foundation provides free baseball and softball clinics to children in West Charlotte. | Photo via Knothole Foundation
A nonprofit in West Charlotte is making a significant impact in the community — not by creating major league athletes, but by raising “major league citizens.” The Knothole Foundation provides opportunities for children to play baseball and softball without the stress of cost + educational programming off the field.
“We provide educational opportunities and free baseball clinics,” explained Tommy Viola, the Executive Director of the Knothole Foundation to CLTtoday. “It’s become a very expensive sport. So we provide a lot of the equipment.”
In addition to providing equipment to children, the foundation offers unique opportunities, like taking the field with the Charlotte Knights or Queens University’s Softball team.
Six high schools in the West Charlotte area will play baseball against each other + take part in lunch-and-learn experiences Monday, April 14-Tuesday, April 16, which happens to be Jackie Robinson Day.
The nonprofit is also hosting a free youth baseball clinic for children 5-12 at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16.
A set of nice thank you cards. This budget-friendly 36-pack combines elegant minimalism with gold foil accents on high-quality paper. Keep it on hand for expressing gratitude at a moment’s notice.
I must admit, even writing my story on Montford Drive left me feeling nostalgic. I’ve shared many great conversations with friends at Angry Ale’s over burgers and football games playing in the background. Memories are made in cozy places like this, and I hope it never changes.
Answered
Answered
What are you excited to see at the revamped Symphony Park?
Symphony Park is gearing up for a $21 million upgrade project next summer and most voters (43%) were most excited for new retails options. The connection to the SouthPark Loop was another big factor for voters (31%), followed by interactive areas for children (18%).
The Buy
A men’s sun protective shirt. The lightweight, long sleeve design is great for fishing, camping, and hiking and blocks 98% of UVA/UVB rays.
