Are you a local business owner? It’s time to brag on yourself. We want you to nominate your biz for Today’s Best. If you’re feeling extra generous, nominate your fellow movers and shakers. Nominations are due Friday, October 3, and voting begins Monday, October 20.
🏡 Tiny but mighty
ADUs can make for great rental properties. | Photo via City of Charlotte
The City of Charlotte is offering $80,000 in interest-free loans to help homeowners build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their property. The newly launched Queen City ADU program aims to expand affordable housing while letting homeowners earn income from their property.
What’s an ADU?
An accessory dwelling unit is a permanent building added to a single-family home or duplex. It can be attached, like a garage, or detached. Think: Tiny house or mother-in-law suites with a bedroom, bathroom, living area, and a complete kitchen.
What’s not an ADU?
Campers, RVs, outhouses, or buildings without a separate entrance, kitchen, and bathroom are not considered ADUs.
Program details
Only one ADU is allowed per lot and must be under the same ownership as the primary home.
For city financing, owners must rent their ADUs to people earning no more than 80% of the area median income.
Get ready to sample bites like fried green tomato caprese or the french toast bake.
Photos via Terrascope Public Relations
Opening
There’s a new eatery opening this month in the former Village Tavern space in SouthPark. Laurel Park will serve upscale small plates, pastas, and pastries, plus wine and cocktails + in 2026, they’ll introduce an outdoor bar with fireside seating. Keep an eye on this newsletter for an opening date.
Environment
A new study on the Queen City finds areas with a lot of impervious surfaces, like roofs, roadways and parking lots, can be 14 degrees hotter than areas with more green spaces. The study by the Smart Surfaces Coalition says planting trees and installing reflective roofs could drop temperatures. (WCNC)
Coming Soon
Potbelly Sandwich Shop will open its first South Carolina location at The Overlook at Gold Hill on Tuesday, Oct. 14. But wait, there’s more. Chik-fil-A is expected to open a shop at Catawba Ridge Market in Fort Mill — an exact opening date remains TBA. (The Charlotte Observer)
Announced
Charlotte will be painted red. Grammy Award-winning rapper and singer Doja Cat is bringing her world tour to the Spectrum Center on Nov. 18, 2026. Ticket presales kick off Tuesday, Oct. 7 and general tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. (WCNC)
Try This
Planning a holiday party? Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor is available for small-to-medium-sized event bookings, complete with drinks, small bites, and a cozy atmosphere. If you’re looking for a different vibe, maybe one of these venues tickles your fancy.
Cause
Earlier this year, Your Farms Your Table announced a partnership with HopeWay. Now, the groups will deliver 44 fresh meals per day, five days a week, to 24 people enrolled in HopeWay’s eating disorder programs.
Sports
Uptown will soon be buzzing as the Hornets prepare to take the court in a matter of weeks — and head coach Charles Lee is ready. Go beyond the court for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Eat
Order up. Midnight Diner is the most iconic diner in North Carolina, according to Reader’s Digest. We can’t say we’re surprised — the local staple has been dishing up delicious breakfast bites since 2010. If you’re hungry for more, check out our guide to the Queen City’s newest restaurants.
The Word
Zavacephale rinpoche. That’s the name researchers are giving to a dinosaur species recently discovered in Mongolia. Scientists hope to uncover more about the species’ behavior, history, and uniquely domed heads following the discovery. Speaking of domes — you can expand yours at one of Charlotte’s museums. (NBC)
Watch
Psst … you shouldn’t be paying for multiple streaming services. Save money and watch all your favorite blockbusters when you bundle Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. Plans start at $16.99.*
Finance
Tackling debt is crucial for many Americans in 2025. This trending card — “worth its weight in gold,” according to experts — offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers into 2027. (Read: Nearly two years of interest-free payments.)Learn more + apply.*
Category
Film
🍿 Get the popcorn ready
Enjoy retro arcade games before watching your favorite film under the stars at Camp North End. | Photo by Corine Olarte via Camp North End
Local theaters and hangouts are leaning into the chills this October with Halloween-themed movie nights. From family-friendly frights to cult-classics, here’s where you can catch Halloween classics on the big screen all month.
Crossroads Cinemas | Thursdays, weekly | 8 p.m. | Ford Green | Free | Starting Thursday, Oct. 2, channel your inner witch during “Halloweentown,” before enjoying other family classics like “Scooby Doo,” “Beetlejuice,” and “Hocus Pocus.”
sCarolina Classic Halloween Movie Series | Various days + times | The Carolina Theatre | $16+ | The month of the macabre begins Friday, Oct. 3 with the 1931 hit “Dracula” — other showings include “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Halloween.”
2025 Food & Film Series | Friday, Oct. 10 | 7 p.m. | Truist Field | $23+ | Set up a blanket in the outfield and enjoy themed food while “Ghostbusters” plays on the video board.
Photo frames for those wedding/vacation/grandkid photos you’ve been meaning to hang. Americanflat is having a sale on its stock of photo frames, exclusive for Prime members:
🖼️ Get a set of 10 frames for under $20 and build an instant gallery wall.
💌 Frame the person closest to your heart with 25% off a heart mat insert frame.
🎓 Finally hang your diplomas in your Zoom background with a diploma frame set for under $12.
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.
Over the weekend, my wife surprised me with a birthday dinner at Customshop and tickets to “Wicked” at Blumenthal Arts. I highly recommend ordering the burrata and barramundi, but leave room for dessert. The arroz con leche (rice pudding) is Chef Andres Kaifer’s mom’s recipe, and it tasted just like my grandmother’s. “Thank you” doesn’t cover my gratitude.
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