Work is underway to complete phase two of the Re!magine Spectrum Center renovations. | Photo by CLTtoday
From rendering to reality. The second phase of the Re!magine Spectrum Center project is on track. The $245 million renovation project is slated to give sports fans and concertgoers an improved experience, just in time for the Spectrum Center‘s 20th anniversary, fall concert lineup, and the Hornets’ upcoming season.
“We are looking fabulous,” Donna Julian, Hornets Sports and Entertainment’s Chief Venues Officer, told CLTtoday. “We wanted this to elevate our guest experience for all of our fans who are coming in.”
Once complete, the Spectrum Center will boast two new districts and seven grab-and-go shops for a speedy game-day purchase.
Renderings via Hornets Sports & Entertainment, photos by CLTtoday
Upgrades
Belk Concourse: Within the main lobby, fans won’t miss a view of the new 225-ft LED board + new signage, brighter lighting, and flooring.
“Grab-and-go” markets: Seven new spots along the main concourse, offering hot and cold food items and drinks, including two Amazon stores.
Two new districts: The Lunazul North District and South District will boast 360-degree bars, offering views to the arena floor — this didn’t exist before.
Cocktails Con Calle: From Rio to Jalisco | 5:30 p.m. | Calle Sol - SouthPark | $35+ | Learn about Cachaça and Tequila while sipping two cocktails and enjoying light bites.
Queen City Mahjong Beginner Series | 4-6 p.m. | Dilworth Tasting Room - SouthPark | $55 | Learn the basics needed to sweep the table at your first Mahjong match.
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers vs. Salem Red Sox | 6:30 p.m. | Atrium Health Ballpark, Kannapolis | $15+ | Spend the evening at the ballpark as the Cannon Ballers swing for a home run.
American Tune: Simon, Croce & Taylor | 7-9 p.m. | Middle C Jazz Club | $33+ | Singer-songwriter Tom Glynn will play the timeless classics by Paul Simon, Jim Croce, and James Taylor.
Thursday, Aug. 28
Public Housing: Some Surprising History with Tom Hanchett | 6-8 p.m. | The Charlotte Museum of History | $5 | Historian Tom Hanchett will delve into the history of subsidized housing and his new book “Affordable Housing in Charlotte.”
Free Nature Photography Walk | 6-7:30 p.m. | Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont | Free | Join professional photographer Nelson Stegall to capture moments in nature and improve the look of your Instagram grid.
Matthews Alive Festival | Friday, Aug. 29-Monday, Sept. 1 | 4-10 p.m. | Historic Downtown Matthews | Free+ | It’s day one for the annual festival celebrating community.
Duke’s Mayo Classic | 7 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | $93 | It’s a home-grown showdown as App State and UNC Charlotte face off in Uptown.
Lower South End is getting thrifty. Thrift Pony, the popular thrift store at Camp North End, will open a shop in LoSo along South Tryon Street. The new building is two stories; the bottom floor will be for retail and the top floor is TBD. Check out the announcement. (WCNC)
Opening
Mark your calendar for Thursday, Sept. 4 — Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is opening its first scoop shop at The Commonwealth in Plaza Midwood. Starting at 11 a.m., they’ll serve $1 scoops + the first 100 guests will receive a free tote bag. Plus, the ice cream brand will debut a collab sundae with The Batchmaker.
Sports
Need Ascent gear for the team’s upcoming season? Carolina Ascent FC and CATS are unveiling a new team streetcar design + will give away free swag along the Gold Line today, starting at 12 p.m. until they stop at Johnson C.Smith at 12:40 p.m.
Legacy
The funeral mass for Howard “Humpy” Wheeler is today at 11 a.m. at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, along Providence Road. Today’s service is open to the public + will be livestreamed. The NASCAR legend and longtime president of Charlotte Motor Speedway put the venue on the map as one of the best in racing. (WCNC)
Biz
Pike Corp. will establish its headquarters in Uptown, following a lease of more than 50,000 sqft at Uptown’s Legacy Union 6Hundred. The provider of utility infrastructure solutions will move into the space in early 2026 + add around 200 workers. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Eat
Whataburger, Charlotte FC, and the Carolina Panthers are partnering up. As part of the multi-year deal, Whataburger will have a presence at Bank of America Stadium, with in-stadium activations + a food truck at the Panthers’ Sept. 21 game. The Texas burger chain will also be the presenting partner of the Panthers’ Girls Flag Football program. (WCNC)
Listen
From wide receiver battles to special teams standouts, who will stay on the team post-preseason cut? Go beyond the clipboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Travel
This could be your cue to plan a Labor Day getaway. The average cost of domestic round-trip flights is 6% lower this year than it was last Labor Day weekend, averaging $720. Next stop, get familiar with Charlotte Douglas International Airport before booking your trip. (AAA)
Feel Good
Dozens of students received free haircuts as part of a back-to-school event. Thirteen barbers traveled to Charlotte for the seventh annual event, and students said the new ‘do made them feel confident. (WCNC)
Biz
Need to fill your open role fast? Post your job listing on our hyper-local Job Board + get connected with top local talent. Did we mention it’s free?
The Word
Can you pronounce “Schley”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. That’s the hardest place to pronounce in all of North Carolina, according to a new study by Preply. Around Charlotte, our street names are typically easier to say, and have plenty of history behind them.
Home
How smart homeowners preserve their property (and their weekends): using Homebuddy for a one-time install of top-rated gutter guards that require zero maintenance. Compare local offers now.*
Category
Open
🍽️ NoDa’s got Soul
Your seat awaits you at Soul Gastrolounge. | Photo via Soul Gastrolounge
Soul Gastrolounge is officially open at The Pass in NoDa. The beloved Charlotte-based restaurant closed in 2022 in Plaza Midwood and, after a three-year hiatus, is back with its tapas-style menu and eclectic decor.
A few Charlotteans + local content creators sampled the menu before the official opening on Monday, Aug. 25 — and I asked them to share their favorite dishes. Here’s what to order when you make your reservations.
Pro tip: Half the restaurant will be saved for walk-ins.
Andrea Fox — known as @dailydreclt — recommends the chimichurri beef skewers. Don’t skip dessert: “The baklava ice cream was the most life-changing thing.”
Jessica Hodnett, a food lover and creator behind @thesweetseoul, discovered Soul soon after moving to Charlotte in 2016. “My two favorite menu items, hands down, are the Pork Belly Watermelon Tacos and the Dirty South Nachos (fried chicken skins with pimento cheese and okra).”
The perfect stadium accessory: this clear crossbody bag for all your gameday essentials. We love this option’s adjustable strap, smooth zipper, and chic hardware.
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.
Monday may have been one of my favorite days at CLTtoday. Touring the Spectrum Center’s ongoing renovations was so insightful. The new lighting and additional districts within the Belk Concourse really do open up the space and make the arena a lot brighter. Oh, and I got my own hard hat.
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