The Katie Blessing Center will transform a standing building along Central Avenue in East Charlotte. | Photo via Google Maps, rendering via Katie Blessing Center
A first-of-its-kind behavioral health facility is under construction in East Charlotte. The Katie Blessing Center is intended to help children and families from across the state experiencing mental health challenges.
“It’s been referred to as a unicorn by so many because it doesn’t currently exist in North Carolina,” said Dr. Michael Estramonte, founder and CEO of the Katie Blessing Foundation and StarMed Healthcare, during a recent groundbreaking ceremony.
The reception area will be designed to be a calm entry point for children and families.
Rendering via Katie Blessing Center
Envisioning change
The behavioral health facility will open in phases at its facility on Central Avenue beginning in spring 2026. The first phase includes 48 acute inpatient beds and a six-chair behavioral health urgent care, in partnership with Novant Health.
Phase two, coming in 2027, will add 24 additional inpatient beds and the outpatient clinic.
Food for thought: North Carolina ranks last in the country for children’s access to mental health care. The Katie Blessing Center is aiming to change that.
Mix and Mingle Kayak Tour | 6:30-8 p.m. | Lake Haigler Entrance, Fort Mill, SC | $34+ | Paddle the lake with fellow adventurers before sipping drinks with live music at the Canteen.
Abbey Road Live! Beatles Tribute | 8 p.m. | The Visulite Theatre | $20+ | Experience one of the world’s premier cover bands of the Fab Four.
Saturday, April 26
Strawberry Sprint & Stroll 5K & Fun Run | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | 201 Main Street, Fort Mill, SC | $25+ | Run through Fort Mill’s historic downtown area + celebrate with food trucks, music, and meet the Strawberry Queens before the town’s annual Strawberry Festival next week.
10th Anniversary Party | 12 p.m. | Douglas Vineyards, Kannapolis | Bring your lawn chairs for a celebration with new wine releases, live music, and food trucks.
Dilworth Spring Festival + Cornhole Tournament | 12-8 p.m. | 1531 East Blvd. | Free | Shop from 25+ vendors and enjoy live music to celebrate spring or pay to compete in the cornhole tournament.
Charlotte Wine and Food Week’s Grand Tasting | 7-9:30 p.m. | The Union at Station West | $150+ | Savor more than 100 wines and mouthwatering bites from Charlotte’s culinary geniuses with proceeds benefiting four nonprofits.
Our bundles secure your business more advertising space for less. | Graphic by 6AM City
The newest addition to our self-service ad portal — our advertising marketplace with no long-term contracts — is bundles. We’ve put some of our most popular products into two different offerings — each with a savings of 20%. Here’s the rundown:
Branded Content Bundle: Three placements in our newsletter, including a 75-word article and two text ads in the News Notes section.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is now open at Rea Farms. The restaurant at 9904 Sandy Rock Pl. transports guests to a New England lobster shack while serving lobster and shrimp rolls, bisque, clam chowder, and salads. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Coming Soon
Juice Box, known for all-natural juices and smoothies, is opening a storefront next week at 2020 Beatties Ford Rd. The brand can already be found at Bytes Cafe and Market Cafe at 620. The new shop will offer juices, smoothies, salads, and oxygen therapy starting Monday, May 6. (The Charlotte Observer)
Development
Luxury homes are nearly complete in NoDa. Charlotte-based Grandfather Homes is constructing a nine single-family community called The Heirloom at Mattie Rose. The homes along Charles Avenue will feature rooftop terraces, small cocktail pools, and four bedrooms + cost around $1.8-1.9 million. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Civic
The Town of Davidson’s board of commissioners unanimously approved a location for the town’s Red Line station. The station will be at the intersection of Griffith and Jackson streets + include a new fire station, a parking garage, and mixed-use development. A date for construction is TBA. (WCNC)
Edu
$1.95 billion. That’s how much Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools approved for the 2025–26 school year budget. The increase is less than 1% from last year and is the first without ESSER funds. See the breakdown. (WCNC)
Sports
The Panthers won’t be hosting fans at training camp this season or in 2026 due to construction at the practice facility. Fans will still be welcomed at Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 2. Tickets are not yet available. (WCNC)
Listen
Speaking of the Panthers... What direction will they go next week on NFL Draft night? Go beyond the clipboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Travel
Want to shop name-brand steals, find unique treasures at local boutiques, and savor fresh-picked, juicy blueberries + strawberries in an agricultural haven, all in one place? Head to Johnston County for a weekend trip, just a three-hour drive from Charlotte.*
Unlimited. As in, the limit does not exist when it comes to how many job listings you can post on the CLTtoday Job Board. Get started today + watch the applications roll in. Psst — upgrade your job posting and it will be featured right here in the newsletter.
Read
Looking for an informative, faith-based newsletter? The Pour Over delivers current events with a Christian perspective, perfect for staying informed. Subscribe to the newsletter to join the community.*
Number
$5,000. That’s how much your dog’s ACL surgery could cost if you don’t have pet insurance. With this plan, 90% of that could be reimbursed.*
Mac’s Speed Shop in South End has been welcoming diners for 20 years. | Photo by CLTtoday
Did you know the original Mac’s Speed Shop opened in South End in 2005? What used to be an automotive shop is now serving up mouthwatering barbecue and good vibes at nine locations across the Charlotte area — soon to be 11.
Cookin’ up Mac’s
“We had a couple partners that loved going out riding motorcycles, heading out to a biker bar in Murrell’s Inlet and needed something a little bit closer to home,” Tony Salerno, president of Mac’s Hospitality Group, told CLTtoday. “There wasn’t a lot going on in South End, so they were able to get this old automotive shop.”
Picture this: No apartment buildings along South Boulevard near Remount Road.
While the automotive theme may remain, the restaurant’s nine locations provide a destination for barbecue lovers, patios for live music, and ample space for families and friends to gather.
Celebrating 20 years
To celebrate the milestone, Mac’s is hosting several events throughout the year.
A smart bird feeder that auto-captures and identifies 10,000+ bird species. It features an HD camera with a wide angle lens and full color night vision, Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to receive real-time messages when a bird is detected, and a sturdy, waterproof fabrication for long-term use.
City Editor Jack and I recently visited Mac’s Speed Shop to learn about their history in the Queen City and see their massive competition-winning mobile smokers, “Easy Rider” and “Hogzilla.” Keep an eye on our Instagram for a full recap.
Answered
Answered
What are you most excited to try when Market on Morehead opens?
Market on Morehead promises a pet-friendly patio, cocktails, food, and sweeping views of South End and Uptown. | Rendering by @loopstudio3d
By the end of the year, Charlotte will have a new community hub called the Market on Morehead and 39% of voters can’t wait to try the mouthwatering food, 22% are excited to bring their pets to the patio and sip craft cocktails + 16% are pumped for games on the big screen.
