The 2013 Novant Health July 4th Spectacular will once again celebrate Independence Day with Charlotte’s largest fireworks display and alcohol-free family fun in Center City.

Gates open at 5:30pm with activities taking place at Memorial Stadium from 6-9pm and a 9:30pm fireworks show. Seating is available on both the lawn and in half of the stadium, with a maximum capacity of 15,000 people. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and claim a spot on the field grass for the spectacular fireworks show. Once the stadium reaches maximum capacity, attendees will be asked to watch the fireworks at Independence Park, located adjacent to Memorial Stadium.

Please leave coolers and pre-packaged food at home as there will be plenty of food and beverages available on-site for purchase. Come early as seating is limited.

Beginning at 6 p.m., activities will include kids’ inflatables, relay races, face painting and obstacle courses. Lacrosse team The Charlotte Hounds will be on-site to interact with kids along with mascot “Blue.” For each child to participate, there will be a liability waiver that a parent or guardian must sign. They will be given a wristband which gives kids unlimited access to all children’s activities.

The Swingin’ Richards will provide the evening’s entertainment on the main stage with a wide variety of music ranging from rock to R&B and everything in between.

The fireworks are being staged from the Central Piedmont Community College campus. Some streets around the campus will close at 8:00pm to accommodate the fallout zone, so expect traffic delays in that area. Streets will reopen immediately following the show.

Novant Health July 4th Spectacular fireworks show will be approximately 20 minutes long. The show begins at 9:30pm (weather and fire department clearance permitting). The show will be synched to a music track that will be heard exclusively at 104.7 FM and played live at all viewing venues. The show can be viewed from a variety of locations around the city.

Parking around Memorial Stadium and Central Piedmont Community College, but on-street parking will be restricted to keep traffic lanes open as fireworks viewers drive in and out of the city. Parking in nearby residential neighborhoods is also restricted. Towing will be enforced in areas where parking is restricted.

Click for all the best citywide viewing spots!

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Amid the buzz of generators and engines, it’s not hard to hear the sound of hungry people placing orders or chowing down.

This is Food Truck Friday in Charlotte’s South End, located in an empty grass lot, adjacent to Common Market.  This is one of two popular rallies in the Queen City, where an average of 10 trucks dish up everything from ice cream to grilled cheese.

With more than 2,500 customers on any given Friday, and lines of up to 90 minutes long, it’s not surprising that success has parlayed into storefronts for some.

“We wouldn’t have opened the café if it weren’t for the success of the food truck,” said David Stuck, one of the partners behind the popular truck, ‘Tin Kitchen.’

Stuck just moved into a brick and mortar restaurant in uptown.  After a year of success with the truck, it acted as a springboard for his ultimate goal of creating a concept like a café.

The truck just made economical sense.

“Well, I didn’t have half a million dollars when I started, and a food truck was a lot more feasible.  You go where the customers are,” Stuck said.

It wasn’t an easy road though.

With Charlotte being slow to catch on to the food truck movement compared to cities like Seattle, Portland, New York and San Francisco, there were times when Stuck wanted to give up.

“There were no lines at the beginning.  We’d be luck to get 15 or 20 people.  We would sit there in the cold and just when we were about to give up, it blew up.  We’ll do 250, 300 people a night, as opposed to 12 a year ago,” said stuck.

Tin Kitchen isn’t alone in expanding their business.  Other trucks, like Turkey And, along with Autoburger plan on adding a second truck to their fleet to keep up with demand.  The Southern Cake Queen is looking for a commercial baking space, and Cupcake Delirium just purchased a truck for special events.

“Charlotte tends to be the last on the list of cool things that are happening.  Once it happens, we really embrace it,” said Robery Krumbine, of Charlotte Center City Partners.

Krumbine has seen the mobile eatery movement take off and believes the success of Tin Kitchen and other trucks moving into storefronts, or adding additional vehicles, is an indication of Charlotte business as a whole.

“It’s going to be a catalyst for new things and new and exciting ideas.  You’re going to see it grow in our urban neighborhoods, and that’s where we’re going to keep growing,” he said.

by DION LIM / NBC Charlotte
Bio | Email | Follow: @dionlimwcnc

This week, more than 400 stakeholders from around the region met Uptown for RealityCheck2050. They were tasked with predicting where future job and housing growth will be in 2050. We checked in with Chris Hemans, our director of economic development, who attended the event.

What was the most exciting thing you experienced at RealityCheck2050?
I haven’t played with LEGOs in a while, but we were given a box of red and yellow blocks and askeT to place them on a map. We used yarn to introduce future transportation lines, linear open space, and new roads.

Why was this event so important?
The main reason is because as a region we’re looking at how we are going to grow. It’s important that we do this collaboratively – looking at every area in the 14 county region and how we can all benefit from working together. It was interesting to project the future that we all want to see as our area grows. It’s all about planned growth – making sure we are intentional about how and where we grow. Not only with residential, but also with employment.

So where do you think we will be in 2050?
With regional population growth expected to double by 2050, my team agreed Uptown and communities within an hour of the airport will realize significant job and residential growth.

For a recap of the day’s activities, click here

The Charlotte Business Journal this week wrote an article outlining the benefits of the more than $6.4 billion in development has been invested in Charlotte’s uptown and South End neighborhoods since 2000. Michael Smith, president and chief executive of Center City Partners, gave Charlotte City Council members a rundown of how the Queen City’s urban core has grown in the last 13 years. “Great urban places are built in layers,” Smith told council members at a dinner workshop Monday night.

Click here to read more from the Charlotte Business Journal

Oak Room

200 E. Bland Street in South End OakRoomCLT.com Open since last month, this club is housed just next to All American Pub, right on the light rail line. The feel of the space is very warm (probably due to the oak that surrounds you when as soon as you step inside), with several VIP sections that can accommodate small or large groups. Click here to read more about this South End hot spot .        

Bubble Charlotte

210 East Trade Street in the EpiCentre
BubbleCharlotte.com
Another option for those looking for something a little high-end is Bubble Charlotte, which has just opened in the EpiCentre. It is a champagne bar that also features wine and mixed drinks along with a small food menu.Click here for a review of Bubble in Creative Loafing.        

Jack’s New Yorker Deli

Opening soon!
N. Tryon St. and 8th St. Uptown (formerly Therapy space) JacksNYD.com
“New York sandwiches with a Southern charm” are soon to burst onto the Uptown scene. This is the restaurant’s first location outside of Atlanta, and it will boast a ton of New York-style sandwich options. We expect big interest in this lunch-friendly eatery! ]]> http://www.charlottecentercity.org/spotlight-charlotte-new-restaurants-in-uptown-and-south-end/feed/ 0 http://www.charlottecentercity.org/center-city-office-space-in-3d/ http://www.charlottecentercity.org/center-city-office-space-in-3d/#comments Thu, 30 May 2013 14:47:17 +0000 mrumph http://www.charlottecentercity.org/?p=6871 Read more...]]>

Want to experience some of Center City Charlotte’s available office space in 3D? Last week, Will Boye of the Charlotte Business Journal posted a slideshow about the largest blocks of available office space in uptown Charlotte (read his post here).

Canadian technology firm Cube Cities then put together a 3-D visualization of the space in each of the buildings listed. Cube Cities is a Canadian technology company that provides 3D listings services to the commercial real estate industry (read its post here).

Can you see yourself (or your company) in one of these available spaces? Charlotte Center City Partners’ mission is all about the vibrancy of the urban core through economic, cultural and residential development. A primary focus of our organization is business recruitment. If you’re interested in learning more about Center City office space, click here to check out our business page .

Charlotte Magazine has chosen its annual “Best of the Best” award winners from around our city. The list features categories from art to dining to shopping, and focuses on the best that Charlotte has to offer in each category. This year, tons of Uptown restaurants, businesses, shops and venues were included as BOB winners – they are listed below. If you are looking for a solid list to help you map out your visit this summer, this is a good place to start! To see the full list of winners, click here or check out the May issue of Charlotte Magazine.

Category: Art + Culture

Performing Arts Company
Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte

Public Art

FIREBIRD, Betchler Museum of Modern Art

Museum to Get You Out of Your Comfort Zone

Levine Museum of the New South
200 E. Seventh St., 704-333-1887
Levine Museum of the New South forces its audience to face the past. The exhibits are engaging and occasionally controversial but always thought-provoking.

Museum for Great Music, Interesting Films, and a Tasty Meal

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
420 S. Tryon St., 704-353-9200
With the artwork, the music, the film series, and a fantastic café, it’s easy to turn an afternoon into an evening at the Bechtler.

Museum to Have Your Mind Blown

Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon St., 704-372-6261
Nanoscience? Rainforest habitat? Lie on a bed of nails? Whether you’re eight or 80, you’ll find something here that will leave you awestruck.

Museum Reboot

Mint Museum
500 S. Tryon St., 704-337-2000
A decade or so ago, the Mint Museum of Art seemed on the verge of irrelevance. But with the 2010 opening of the striking Levine Center for the Arts location, which incorporated the former Mint Museum of Craft + Design uptown, the Mint has reinvented itself, with engaging programs, innovative exhibitions (the current F.O.O.D., for one), and a stronger representation of its collection.

Category: Dining

Restaurant, Overall

5Church

Outdoor Dining

Vivace Charlotte

Chef

Jamie Lynch, 5Church

Southern/Soul

Mert’s Heart and Soul

Latte Art

Not Just Coffee
224 E. Seventh St., inside Seventh Street Public Market, 704-817-3868
If you’re looking for an average cup o’ joe, this is not the place for you. But if you’re seeking a delicious cup of pour-over coffee or an espresso drink—made by hipsters sporting skinny ties and beards completely unironically—Not Just Coffee is your spot. Order yours “for here,” and your barista will customize it for you with latte art that’s almost too pretty to drink. Almost.

Romantic Al Fresco Dining

Halcyon
500 S. Tryon St., 704-910-0865
With the restaurant’s quirky cocktail list, creative dishes, and intimate feel, Halcyon is a solid candidate for a romantic evening. Add in great views of Tryon Street and The Green beyond, and it’s officially the city’s best destination for an outdoor meal with your sweetheart.

View of the Action

e2 Emeril’s Eatery
135 Levine Avenue of the Arts, Ste. 100, 704-414-4787
If you enjoy watching a professional kitchen at work, you’ll find some of the best views in the city at the chef’s food bar at e2 uptown. The lengthy bar wraps around the restaurant’s open display kitchen, where you can watch as the chefs prep everything from wood-oven-roasted oysters to fried chicken.

Second Location

Rooster’s Uptown
150 N. College St., 704-370-7667
The second Rooster’s location in uptown includes many of the things that made the first location in SouthPark an instant classic: an open display kitchen, a cozy, dark interior, and an à la carte, family-style menu. But it’s also a great restaurant on its own merit. Executive Chef Joe Kindred’s daily specials menu is worth a trek uptown, as is the cozy, downstairs bar with its own chalkboard menu.

Place to Train for Competitive Eating

Whisky River
210 E. Trade St., Ste. A-208, 704-749-1097
When EpiCentre’s Whisky River added a full menu last fall, it officially became one of the least-healthful places to eat in the city. Looking for large portions? You can’t go wrong here. Almost everything is served up big, and even the baked potato (a 1-pounder) can be loaded down with pulled pork or chicken, beef brisket, or fried turkey. And if you’re looking for an amateur competition, order the 6 Wide Challenge—a six-patty burger served with a pound of fries. Finishing it gets you a free meal and your name added to the Wall of Fame.

New Restaurant

5Church
127 N. Tryon St., 704-919-1322
The already notorious restaurant from MAP Management turns one year old this month. It may be famous as much for its impressive ceiling art (the entire text of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War) as it is for drawing local and visiting celebs, but its innovative, well-executed new American menu from Executive Chef Jamie Lynch is what keeps people coming back. If you go: dress smart and arrive hungry—the snacks and small plates are just as tantalizing as the mains.

Category: Nightlife

Dance Club

Suite
210 E. Trade St., A300 704-971-7878

Place to Spot a Celeb

5Church
127 N. Tryon St., Ste. 8 704-919-1322

Place to Celebrate a Birthday

Crave Dessert Bar
500 W. 5th ST., #120 704-335-0588

Mixologist

Miki Nikolic, e2 Emeril’s Eeatery
135 Levine Avenue of the Arts 704-414-4787

Live Music Venue

The Fillmore Charlotte
1000 NC Music Facotry Blvd. 704-916-8970

Category: Shopping + Home

Men’s store

Silverfly

Clothing for a Night on the Town, Men

Revolution
210 E. Trade St., 704-971-1990
Before heading out for your next guy’s night, ditch the khakis and polo shirts and stop by Revolution at the EpiCentre for something more fashion-forward. This signature store is packed with designer denim from Joe’s Jeans, Ben Sherman button-ups, and stylish sport coats to complete your nighttime look. Want to stand out from the crowd? Design your own duds at the custom T-shirt shop.

Category: Body & Soul

Indulgent Massage

The Ritz-Carlton Spa “Sampler”, 201 E. Trade St., 704-547-2244
The city offers many options when it comes to skimping on a massage, but sometimes you want to go for the all-out pamper session. The Ritz-Carlton Spa’s “Sampler” includes 100 minutes of a blend of a hot stone massage, reflexology, deep-tissue massage, and a Swedish massage with light to medium pressure along with your choice of five organic aromatherapy oils. At $255, this pampering session is worth saving up for.

Category: Diversions

New Nightclub

Label
900 NC Music Factory Blvd., 704-910-0526
The most expensive nightclub to ever open in Charlotte (millions of dollars were reportedly invested to transform this former factory space into a mega club), Label has a party-don’t-stop layout—VIP sections are on the dance floor and the stage, there’s a level perched above a bar, and catwalks, where dancers stroll, are assembled between couches. The large video screen rivals what you’ll find at NBA arenas, and it’s perfect for providing great shots of the stars that have performed or DJed here: T-Pain, Jermaine Dupri, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, T.I., and more.

Music Venue With Staying Power

The Double Door Inn
1218 Charlottetowne Ave., 704-376-1446
The Double Door has one of the most interesting histories of any music venue in the city. The small stage has hosted performances by Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn and just about every other great blues guitarist since it first opened in 1973. And while it still draws major acts, the Double Door serves as the epicenter for Charlotte’s blues and jazz communities. Local musicians regularly drop in to join the house band or a touring act, making every performance feel spontaneous and electric.

Bar Patio

The Saloon at NC Music Factory
900 NC Music Factory Blvd., 704-716-2327
Last summer The Saloon opened a second, huge patio that is akin to something you’ll find at a shoreside bar on the beach. The wooden deck has a tin roof, and stringed lights make every night feel like a block party. There’s plenty of seating at the outdoor bar and enclosed booths, great touches of greenery with trees and grass, and live bands and DJs play outside often.

Place to Meet Singles

Gold’s Gym EpiCentre
210 E. Trade St., Ste. E-380, 704-688-9959
The gym is a great place to meet singles. Well, just imagine if that gym were surrounded by bars and nightclubs. That’s what you have since Gold’s Gym opened at the EpiCentre last summer. Of course this 35,000-square-foot health club has all of the top-notch fitness equipment and instructors you want. But it also has posh lounges that will give nightclubs a run for their money, and a smoothie bar that deserves to be a hangout spot all its own.

Multi-Genre Music Venue

The Fillmore Charlotte
1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., 704-916-8970
Not only is The Fillmore one of the most beautiful concert venues in the city, with its wood floors, high ceilings, elegant chandeliers, and multiple bars, it also hosts a great diversity of musicians. Over the past year, Charlotteans have come here to see country rock legends such as Willie Nelson and Foo Fighters, chart-topping rappers like 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar, and bands with cult-like followings such as Widespread Panic and Dropkick Murphys.

Hotel Bar

The Ritz-Carlton
201 E. Trade St., 704-547-2244
The bars at this uptown hotel are the places to see and be seen. Inside the well-appointed Lobby Lounge you’ll find locals and visitors enjoying specialty cocktails, particularly on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, when live jazz bands play. And on the 15th floor, guests flock to Urban Sip for a bit of serenity, where a selection of 90 wines by the glass, 35 scotches, and tasty small plates are served, all while you enjoy great views of the city. Live jazz was also recently added to the weekend lineup.

Bars to Watch the Game Uptown

Wild Wing Café
210 E. Trade St., Ste. D-262, 704-716-9464
More than 30 TVs, 33 flavors of wings, and 20 beers on tap—those are beautiful figures to a sports fan.
Category: Family & Kids

Story Time

ImaginOn
300 E. Seventh St., 704-416-4600
Every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., dozens of kids up to the age of 7 or so gather at the feet of one of ImaginOn’s animated storytellers for 45 minutes of stories, singalongs, dancing … and bubbles! Afterward, they will find plenty of activities to keep them busy till lunchtime—climbing on a wooden truck, trying the interactive games, or, you know, reading. Bonus: the LYNX blue line stops right outside. A train ride is the perfect way to start or end your ImaginOn experience.

Bobcats owner Michael Jordan recently sent the following letter to fans of the franchise:

Today marks a monumental occasion for our franchise and for the city of Charlotte, as we have officially submitted our application to the NBA Board of Governors to change our name to the Charlotte Hornets beginning with the 2014-15 season. The response we received during the process of researching this decision was overwhelming and made it clear to us that you wanted the Hornets name back in Charlotte.

The Charlotte Hornets name has been a mainstay throughout the region for many years, and we are excited to announce our intention to re-establish this historic brand. We believe that its return will galvanize our fan base by unifying our loyal Bobcats fans with those who have strong memories of our city’s NBA predecessor.

I remember playing against the Hornets when the Charlotte Coliseum was one of the most exciting atmospheres in the league. There was a genuine love for the team and a level of appreciation that few other places could claim. When I purchased this franchise three years ago, one of my goals was to bring that passion for NBA basketball back to the city of Charlotte. Today’s announcement is the first step in a process that we hope will see our team take the floor as the Hornets in 2014-15 and then ultimately lead to that same widespread enthusiasm and pride in our franchise as we continue to grow our fan base.

We anticipate that the NBA’s Board of Governors will vote on our application at its next meeting on July 18. Their approval would launch a year-long process that would include the selection of the team’s colors, the designing of the team’s logo, uniforms and playing court, and a number of alterations at Time Warner Cable Arena.

The next 18 months will be very exciting for our organization, and we thank you for embarking on this journey with us and for Backing the Buzz.

The full story is posted on the Charlotte Observer – click here to read.

The concept for the restaurant is courtesy of Johnson and Wales-trained entrepreneur Adam Spears, formerly sous chef at Heist Brewery, who has stepped out on his own to launch a new restaurant just inside the Market. Aptly named Local Loaf, the menu will reflect artisan breads, fresh ingredients and creative dishes that Spears claims will “take the ordinary breakfast and lunch break to a new level of culinary flavors that Uptown Charlotte has never seen.”

About the Chef: Fresh-minded entrepreneur Adam Spears’ vision has always been to provide signature loaves, sandwiches, and soups to the city that would enhance the flavors of food and create the ultimate eating experience. After much preparation, countless bags of flour, and numerous hours of kneading dough, Adam is happy to bring his Local Loaf to life at the 7^th Street Public Market.

Local Loaf will officially open Saturday, May 25. Come by and sample the best freshly-baked bread Charlotte has to offer!