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City Guide
💍 Perfect spot for the perfect day
Can you picture hosting an intimate gathering at Steak 48? | Photo by CLTtoday
Did you know? Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days for marriage proposals. According to Walters Wedding Estates, more than 190 proposals are likely to happen in February in North Carolina. Now that the romantic day has passed, it’s time to start planning for that engagement party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and everything in between.
Editor Maria, here. I recently got a tour of Steak 48’s rentable spaces. Not only is the SouthPark restaurant consistently ranked as one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants, it’s also a destination for private parties and rentals.
The rentable spaces vary in capacity from 12 to 70 people. Each room is intimate and can offer views of the kitchen, the wine vault, or the dining area. Other key features include private dining areas, kitchen views, food and drink packages, and on-site + valet parking.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is hosting community engagement sessions to give families a closer look at the district’s budget and planning process for the next school year. The meetings will help CMS decide which priorities to carry over into the 2026-2027 school year. (WCNC)
Legacy
NASCAR fans honored Dale Earnhardt Sr. with a candelight vigil this week at his Mooresville race shop. The racing legend died 25 years ago, during the 2001 Daytona 500. (Queen City News)
Development
Homebuilder Toll Brothers Inc. will construct homes in a Union County community where prices start at over $1 million. The developer will offer five floor plans at The Bluffs at Wesley Chapel. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Coming Soon
Mattie’s Diner will soon reopen as Grey’s Diner in Plaza Midwood. The new concept by James Beard-nominated chef Sam Diminish is anticipated to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with farm-to-table ingredients. The diner is expected to open in the spring — an exact date is TBA. (Axios Charlotte)
Try This
Paco’s Tacos in Fort Mill, SC launched a happy hour menu. The deals are available Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. We’re excited to try the taquitos and a margarita.
Trivia
How well do you know the Queen City? Vaulted Oak is hosting a special trivia night at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, dedicated entirely to Charlotte’s culture. Think: iconic landmarks, sports history, and hometown legends.
Play
Are you looking for our Games page? You can find it here. Thanks to all of our readers who let us know you’re enjoying this page — our team is continuing to work on even more ways to play in future.
Plan Ahead
Hosting an event? Spread the word to our thousands of engaged subscribers. Our business promo portal makes it easy to find options that fit your budget, from standout email headers to scroll-stopping banner ads. First-time customers get 15% with code NEW15 at checkout.
Filed your taxes yet? E-file makes online tax filing simple, and cheaper — it’s typically about half the cost of other online tax programs, so you can file without the sticker shock. Use code GET25NOW for 25% off your federal software at checkout.*
Editor’s Pick
How many medals will team USA win by the end of the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Photo via Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026
Shocking upsets, personal confessions, and cheating accusations. Any guesses what we’re talking about? This year’s 2026 Winter Olympics has been full of controversy, and the theatrics aren’t over yet.
The Closing Ceremony takes place this Sunday, Feb. 22, and WCNC will be covering the spectacle. After that, if you’re going to miss the drama, here are a few on-stage productions we’ve got our eye on:
A taste of Broadway is coming to the Queen City as “MJ: The Musical” takes over the Belk Theater starting Tuesday, Feb. 24, through Sunday, March 1.
The Charlotte Cirque and Dance Center is bringing a new take on “The Wizard of Oz” to the Knight Theater on June 20.
Broadway stars Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp will perform career highlights and iconic moments from “RENT” during their show on Friday, June 26 at the Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius.
The Buy
A set of shower steamers with 11 unique scents like jasmine, chamomile, lavender, and mint. The variety lets you tailor the experience to your mood: a relaxing spa night, a midday pick-me-up, or an energizing morning reset. Bonus: They make great gifts.
Want to try something new this weekend? Midwood Smokehouse is launching the Texas tray, a tray of brisket, ribs, sausages, toast, and sides. The tray is only available at its Central Avenue location in Plaza Midwood this month, before it’s introduced across all their restaurants in May. Bonus: Through Feb. 22, a portion of sales will be donated to the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association.
Why sample one side and one protein when you can have it all?
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