Many of Charlotte’s small businesses started as participating vendors in the Queen City’s market season. | Photo via @southendclt
For Small Business Week, we asked local owners and employees what makes Charlotte’s small business scene special.
Bonus: Don’t forget to take advantage of Small Business Week deals happening across the city now through Saturday, May 10.
Emily Anderson, The Brass Bird
“Charlotte has a vibrant, growing small business scene with a very supportive community.”
Elaina Cassabon, Gritbox Fitness
“There’s so much talent in Charlotte and it’s so great to see that in the small business scene. It’s a big city but the small businesses make up such a great and welcoming community.”
Every coffee cup will have a special message written on one side. What will yours say?
Photo by CLTtoday
Victor Cennamo, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
“The character and charm of the South End part of Charlotte is unique in its walkability, mix of diverse businesses, and the combination of converted industrial space and modern new construction.”
Nicole LeMieux, Farm and Fleece Alpaca Ranch
“Small business owners are so supportive of one another! It’s an incredible community that we love and are very honored to be part of.”
District One Spring Market | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | One South | Cost of purchase | Shop local vendors and savor seasonal treats in this springtime market.
SouthPark After 5 | 5-9 p.m. | Symphony Park | Free | This weekly party in SouthPark brings live music and food trucks to the park.
Charlotte Gem Preservation Awards | 6-8:30 p.m. | The Charlotte Museum of History | $150 | Celebrate the projects that exemplify the best of historic preservation across the greater Charlotte region.
Friday, May 9
Taste of Pickleball | 3-4 p.m. | Rally Pickleball | $5 | Dip your toes into pickleball in this non-intimidating atmosphere designed for brand-new players.
Charcuterie Class W/ Simply Extraordinary | 7-9 p.m. | 16516 Silversword Dr., Charlotte | $41+ | Unleash your inner foodie by designing an Insta-worthy charcuterie board.
Diamond Dixie | 9 p.m. | Goldie’s | Cost of purchase | The sisters and country duo are set to rock the stage.
Saturday, May 10
Carolina Clay Matters Spring 2025 Pottery Festival | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Ford Building | Cost of purchase | Check out the works of 100 local ceramic artists — you may find a piece you’ll want to bring home.
Pop N Pour: Outdoor Wine Festival | 12-4 p.m. | 1518 Montford Dr., Charlotte | $28+ | Sip from a selection of wines, mimosas, and other cocktails + sample craft beer and shop from local vendors.
Book Signing with Brandy Sims | 12-3 p.m. | That’s Novel Books | Cost of purchase | Meet the local author and purchase a signed copy of her nonfiction book, “Soul Snatchers.”
Eggroll Co., the popular egg roll eatery at Camp North End, is moving into a bigger space. The food stall, specializing in hand-rolled egg rolls, will operate at its stall until the new location near MacFly Fresh Printing Co. this summer.
Development
The new Discovery Place museum will be co-located with a new elementary school and town park in Matthews. The museum on East McDowell Street will be designed to blend education and outdoor activities. The town is hosting information sessions tonight at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at town hall. (WCNC)
Try This
Fifth Street Live returns tonight to Uptown featuring live music, food, drinks, and an opportunity for networking at Truist Center Plaza. The weekly event is free to attend.
Real Estate
Former Panthers punter Johnny Hekker is selling his 4,000-sqft home in the Providence Plantation neighborhood. The white-brick ranch home has five bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms + was built in 1983 and remodeled in 2020. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Drink
You know what sounds good on a warm afternoon? Milkshakes. Ace No. 3 wants you to cool down with half-priced shakes from 2 to 4 p.m. every weekday afternoon. You’re welcome.
Charlottean
Will it be Homer or Hugo? Homer, the Charlotte Knights’ mascot, and Hugo, representing the Hornets, are competing to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. Voting opens this Sunday, May 11.
Sports
The Canes are heating up in the fight for the Stanley Cup. Can they win game two of the playoffs? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Hurricaneswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Stat
$8,000+. That’s how much you could spend if your dog breaks a bone in a car crash, fall, or collision — from wound treatment and x-rays to emergency surgery and aftercare. Luckily,this pet insurance plan could reimburse you up to 90% of that cost.*
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Feature your biz in our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide
Put your business in front of thousands of daily readers. | Graphic by 6AM City
This month, we launched our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide to showcase gifts that say I appreciate you to parents, grandparents, neighbors, mentors, and life-long friends.
While we’ve already filled all our slots ahead of Mother’s Day, we’ve opened up a few more for Father’s Day.
Whether your business offers a neat product, one-of-a-kind gift, or unique service that could be enjoyed by a father figure — we want to feature it. Secure your spot by Friday, May 23.
It’s easy to support small businesses across the globe when you shop unique + one-of-a-kind products on Etsy. One of our favorite things to browse is Etsy’s selection of custom artwork. These are five of our favorites:
Starting tonight, nearly 6,000 undergrad, graduate, and doctoral students will be graduating from UNC Charlotte. I just wanted to send a big congrats to those celebrating this wonderful milestone and wish them the best in their futures!
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