With the cutting of a blue ribbon, The River District has welcomed its first home buyer to the neighborhood. | Photo by CLTtoday
Charlotte’s sweeping new 1,400-acre community, The River District, has reached a major milestone: welcoming its very first resident. Nearly a decade in the making, this master-planned development — tucked between the Catawba River and Charlotte Douglas International Airport — is officially transforming West Charlotte.
Editor Maria, here. I visited the development nearly one year ago for the West Boulevard connector opening. It blows my mind how fast this neighborhood is coming together.
What started as a proposed development in 2016 is taking shape as a massive neighborhood transformation.
“This community offers a lot of outdoors type of activities, which I really enjoy,” Brian Olms, the development’s first homeowner, told CLTtoday. “I’m a big avid runner. And it’s just exciting to see how many different neighborhoods will be here and how many activities and events are expected to be here.”
The project was first proposed in 2016. The vision? A walkable, mixed-use community with neighborhoods, shops, trails, and plenty of green space.
Paddle and Pasta | 5:45-7:15 p.m. | Lake Haigler Entrance, Fort Mill, SC | $48+ | Enjoy sunset on the water before savoring a pasta dinner from the Canteen.
LOLGBTQ+ Comedy Variety Show | 8 p.m. | Carolina Theatre | $22+ | Expect an evening of stand-up comedy, hosted by local drag queen Devida, and a lineup of stars.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Dog Days of Summer | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont | Free | Bring your four-legged friend to celebrate the grand reopening of the Daniel Stowe Conservancy Dog Park.
Women’s Equality Day Celebration | 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Canteen at Camp North End | Free | Celebrate the day with spoken word, live entertainment, and community.
Front Paige Media Book Fair | 12-5 p.m. | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, LoSo | Free+ | Imagine your days at the Scholastic Book Fair — now relive them as an adult at the brewery.
Charlotte FC vs. Real Salt Lake | 7:30 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | $15+ | Fill the Fortress as the Crown aims to defend home turf.
Sunday, Aug. 17
Chug’s Diner Takeover at Customshop | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Customshop | Free+ | Get your fill of Cuban-American fare as Michael Beltran of Ariete Hospitality takes over the kitchen in Elizabeth.
SouthEast Crab Feast | 2-4:30 p.m. | Lenny Boy Brewing Company | $21+ | Tickets are going fast for this all-you-can-eat crab celebration.
The Beyonce Sunset Tour | 6-9 p.m. | WaveSandy Water Rentals, Belmont | $50 | Cruise the river on a pontoon, surrounded by music by Queen Bey, drinks, and an outfit contest.
The Serum, powered by clinically proven Mitopure. | Photo by Timeline
As we age, skin loses the firmness and elasticity that gives it a youthful appearance. A key reason? Skin cells lose energy, hindering essential functions like collagen production.
Mother’s Comfort Food & Cocktails is now open at Park Road Shopping Center. The California-based chain — known as Mama’s on the West Coast — serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a whopping 130-item menu. Peep the bathroom art... it was done by local artist Meredith Riggins. (Axios Charlotte)
Active
Registration is open for Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s adult flag football league. The county is looking for teams and free agents ready to bring the heat during Thursday games at Eastway Regional Recreation Center. Registration starts at $60.
Biz
First Horizon Corp. will anchor the top three floors at 110 East in South End. The 24-story office tower boasts 13 office floors, a 900-space parking deck, an 11th-floor sky lounge, a fitness center, and conference space. The Iberian Pig is also set to open there next year. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Travel
Avelo Airlines launched three new flights from Concord-Padgett Regional Airport. Book your flight to Puerto Rico, West Palm Beach, FL, or Albany, NY starting in October. (WCNC)
Announced
Good Postage is expanding its footprint at Camp North End. The stationery shop will double its space when it moves next to Hex Coffee Kitchen, adding 10 indoor bar seats and outdoor tables. A grand opening is planned for Saturday, Aug. 30.
Shop
The Chicas Market CLT, Charlotte’s first Latina-focused vendor market, is taking over TAOH Outdoor Gallery this Saturday, Aug. 16 from 5 to 10 p.m. Shop from 45 vendors, dance to live music, and participate in other activities.
Plan Ahead
Charlotte Premium Outlets is hosting its “Back 2 School Bash” on Saturday, Aug. 23. From 1 to 4 p.m., get ready to play games, craft, win prizes, and shop for first-day fashion.
The Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks department has been placing QR code placards at historic sites, making it easier to discover local history. More than 35 codes have been placed at 14 landmarks, including Savona Mill, the Massey-Clark House, and Bojangles Coliseum. (WCNC)
Sports
The Hornets released their regular-season schedule for the 2025-2026 season. How will we perform on the court? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Featured Deal
Put your business’s message here in as little as two days when you score 15% off your first ad buy on our self-service ad portal. Redeem your discount with code NEW15 at checkout.
Category
Sports
⚽️ Second season ahead
Carolina Ascent’s Jill Aguilera is ready to hit the field for a goal. | Photo by CLTtoday
It feels likejust yesterday that the Carolina Ascent FC ran onto the scene. Now, the Queen City’s first professional women’s soccer team is preparing to begin its second season atop the Gainbridge Super League — and they’re already reaching new heights.
Editor’s note: This year, the USL Super League rebranded as the Gainbridge Super League.
Setting the bar
In the club’s inaugural year, they:
Finished first in the league and earned the Players’ Shield, the league’s top honor
Vicky Bruce scored the USL Super League’s first goal
17-year-old B. Hylton became the club’s youngest scorer
Stella Spitzer became the youngest professional player in US women’s soccer history at 14 years old
Season details
The team’s sophomore season kicks off Saturday, Aug. 30, on the road against Fort Lauderdale United + the first home match is Saturday, Sept. 6, against Tampa Bay Sun FC. Tickets start at $18 and on sale now.
Our favorite back-to-school find for college students: an upholstered storage ottoman. Dorm rooms don’t offer much space, so smart storage solutions are a must. This ottoman delivers with a roomy interior and soft teddy velvet fabric — combining function with style.
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.
Seeing the homes under construction at The River District is truly something else. I’m excited to see it take shape and, if I get the chance, I’ll kayak the Catawba River from the neighborhood in no time.
‡The Serum disclaimer: Based on an 8-week randomized controlled clinical trial of 36 healthy women aged 40 to 65 years.
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