Consider going for a relaxing walk on one of Ballantyne’s green spaces. | Photo via Northwood Office
Looking for new scenery for your daily run? Check out Ballantyne to explore over 20 miles of walking paths and bike lanes in the evolving South Charlotte suburb.
Ballantyne is part of the vast regional network of The Carolina Thread Trail, connecting to the Lower McAlpine Creek Greenway extension. Outdoor enthusiasts, from runners and bikers to casual walkers, all have access to miles of green space and waterways, giving the city life a more natural touch.
Bring your bike and cruise along The Carolina Thread Trail.
Photo via Northwood Office
City Editor Jack, here. We’re having a blast seeing Ballantyne’s continual growth, from new spots opening at The Bowl to the upcoming debut of Oro Ballantyne. But not to worry, outdoor lovers, the color green will always have a presence here.
Looking to stay FIT this summer? Consider visiting The FIT Trail in the wooded area off Ballantyne Corporate Place, behind Ballantyne Three. The trail provides 20 structured exercise stations along a 0.75-mile wooded loop, designed for all fitness levels.
Wonderful Wednesdays | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Museum of York County, Rock Hill, SC | $5+ | Bring the kids to learn the history of horses in the Carolinas.
Don Julio Tequila Dinner | 6-9 p.m. | Dos Caminos | $120 | Savor a five-course dinner paired with Don Julio Tequila.
Wine Down Wednesday on the Lake | 7-9 p.m. | 187 Boat Launch Rd., Belmont | $23 | Bring your camera for a sunset cruise while sipping hand-selected wines.
Thursday, June 5
Downtown Gastonia Caffeine and Conversation | 9:30-11 a.m. | First United Methodist Fellowship Hall, Gastonia | Free | Sip a cup of joe while chatting with local business leaders and neighbors over Gastonia’s future.
Greenwood Golf Weekly Shootout | 4:30-7 p.m. | Dr. Charles L. Sifford Golf Course | $40 | Grab your clubs to connect and compete with fellow golf lovers.
Lake Norman Chamber - Business After Hours | 5:30-7 p.m. | The Holbrook at Town Center, Huntersville | Free, with RSVP | Spend a casual networking evening touring the luxurious amenities of The Holbrook with light refreshments.
WFAE’s EQUALibrium Awards Gala | 5:30-9 p.m. | The Revelry | $250+ | Honor Charlotte-area residents advancing equity and transformative change.
Friday, June 6
Paint & Sip: Vincent Van Gogh | 6 p.m. | Cain Center for the Arts, Cornelius | $100 | Create your own “Starry Night” masterpiece with paint supplies — bar drinks included.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert | Friday, June 6-Saturday, June 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Belk Theater | $38+ | Join Harry’s second year at Hogwarts in this screening of the popular film paired with a live orchestra.
85 miles of picture-perfect beaches and 11 waterfront communities? Count us in. | Photos via Crystal Coast NC
With 85 miles of shoreline and 11 walkable waterfront towns, North Carolina’s Crystal Coast blends natural beauty with laid-back charm to create “paradise on Earth” (they call it the Southern Outer Banks® for a reason).
This summer, trade city crowds for:
Wide beaches at Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle, perfect for shelling or sunset strolls
Wildlife encounters, from ferry-accessible Shackleford Banks (home to wild horses) to the sea turtles of Cape Lookout
Hands-on history at Fort Macon and the North Carolina Maritime Museum
Relaxed stays everywhere from cozy downtown B&Bs to waterfront resort suites
Here’s some sweet news. Locally-owned Two Scoops Creamery is hiring for its upcoming location in Matthews at the Ames Street Marketplace. An opening date is still TBA. Get ready to sample tasty ice cream flavors and don’t forget locations in South End, Plaza Midwood, and Concord are now open.
Ranked
Six businesses headquartered in Charlotte made this year’s Fortune 500 list. Bank of America came in at No. 17. Other Queen City-based companies among the biggest in the US by revenue include Honeywell, Nucor, Duke Energy, Truist, and Sonic Automotive. Ka-ching.
Film
Ready to “Climb Ev’ry Mountain?” “The Sound of Music” returns to The Carolina Theatre for its 60th anniversary. Watch a 2 p.m. matinee or a sing-along version at 7 p.m. of the Academy Award-winning musical on Saturday, June 28. Tickets are $10, and go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.
Drink
Ready for more “dirty soda?” Swig is coming to the Sharonwood Shopping Center in Rock Hill, SC. The site at the corner of Celanese and India Hook roads is in development, with construction set to start this summer. See why the soda shop’s Indian Land location recently went viral. (Rock Hill Herald)
Trending
Does the NASCAR Hall of Fame need a $25 million upgrade? That’s the question Charlotte City Council may soon decide. The purposed funding would go towards a new education center and gear shop. The council is slated to revisit the project later this summer. (WSOC)
Civic
Cornelius City Council voted this week against rezoning 36 acres of farmland into office buildings along Bailey Road near Highway 115. The developer, Greenberg Gibbons Properties, issued a statement, saying it plans to pursue the development in another Lake Norman-area community. (WSOC)
Real Estate
The oldest commercial building in Cabarrus County is on the market. For $700,000, home shoppers can have the historic former Lentz Hotel, believed to have been constructed pre-Civil War. Located 30 miles from Charlotte, the 3,900-sqft home has four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, plus hardwood floors. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Plan Ahead
You may notice more law enforcement today along major SC interstates and highways. South Carolina law enforcement is conducting their annual, full-scale hurricane evacuation exercise today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. No traffic lanes will be reversed during this exercise. The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially began Sunday, June 1. (WCNC)
Watch
Check out this video shared by WCNC’s Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich of what appears to be a tornado along Percival Road in Rock Hill, SC. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF0 tornado touched down in York County last Friday, causing little damage. (WCNC)
Sports
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young is facing crucial contract decisions. Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Looking for a summer escape that’s close to home? Enter: Jackson County, NC. From towering mountains and cascading waterfalls to free outdoor concerts and unforgettable local flavors, this easy road trip is packed with peak moments. Plan your getaway.*
Pets
Sundays For Dogs began when a veterinarian couldn’t find food she trusted for her own dog — so she made one. Try real, clean dog food for 50% off.*
Seasonal
Summer’s more fun when you can actually hear it. Whether it’s ocean waves or outdoor movies, get back in the moment with this crowd-favorite hearing aid that packs dual processing tech for the ultimate clarity. Bonus: The 45-day trial means no risk if you’re not into it.*
Correction
We got a little too excited and that’s our bad. In Tuesday’s newsletter, we wrote the Charlotte Checkers are a win away from winning the Calder Cup. The team needed to beat Laval last night to win the AHL Eastern Conference Series last night, before returning to the Calder Cup Finals. Did they do it?
Category
📸 Keep calm and capture on
City Editor Jack, here. Here’s a look at some of my personal film photos. | Photos by CLTtoday
What’s old is new again. Many of us love taking pictures on our smartphones to capture life’s special moments. But have you considered preserving those memories through a different lens?
Despite living in a digital age, camera stores across the Charlotte area still provide opportunities for anyone interested in the “old school” art of film photography.
Whether you’re a professional shutterbug or new to the game, here’s just a snap of where to get your film photos clicking:
Biggs Camera
Found near Carolina Medical Center, photographers can order and send out 35, 120, and 220mm film.
Cardinal Camera
Stop by the store in The Arboretum for film stock options and keep your eyes peeled for cameras like Kodak, Fujifilm, and Leica.
The Photo Outfitters
Photo enthusiasts and newbies alike will feel right at home at the Oakhurst location, which also offers photography classes and dark room rentals.
A really good electric bikini trimmer. Its stainless steel ceramic blades provide a smooth shave free of nicks, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Bonus: It’s waterproof + boasts up to five hours of battery life.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
What would you like to see in the Innovation District?
The new medical innovation district at The Pearl is now open, with Charlotte’s first four-year medical school set to welcome its first class of students this July. With all the excitement, 40% of voters hope to see unique, local dining options brought to the district, while 26% want more housing, and 20% want more parking and green space.
The Wrap
The Wrap
Today’s edition by: Jack VanderToll
I’m often in a comfort zone when I’ve got a camera in my hand. It gives me the opportunity to preserve a memory, but also keeps my creative spirit busy while trying to find a story. Exploring film photography is certainly a learning process, but you can come away with some great mementos you’ll always have.
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