Here Are the 2023 BOB Awards: The Best of the Best in Charlotte

As you go down this list, you might get the creeping sensation that the city’s growing up, not just growing. Maybe it’s the various styles of food prepared by newcomers who aren’t just imitating, or that Charlotte now has an actual purveyor of “authentic Brazilian lymphatic drainage,” or that we can tell you about a gynecologist who can help you achieve more climactic climaxes. We publish a BOBs list every year, but this is the first that makes us wonder what happened to that straight-laced, innocent New South city we knew. Where did that nose ring come from, and those tattoos? Is this just a phase? (Probably not.)

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EAT: The Best of Food and Dining

Mexi-terranean Meal: Yafo Kitchen’s Kibbeh Lamb Pita Tacos
Executive Chef Shai Fargian treats Yafo’s signature pita bread like a soft taco and stuffs it with spiced ground lamb, pine nuts, Shai-lula hot sauce, tahini, and sumac onions. Pair it with the Turkish Street Corn for a crazy good culinary mashup. Multiple locations

New Restaurant: Restaurant Constance
The space inside The City Kitch has seating for 38, a chef’s table, and a projector that shows videos of featured farmers and suppliers. The menu changes based on what’s in season, but selections might include Tuna Crudo over soba noodles, Jalapeño Cornbread Waffles, or Short Ribs with sweet potato fondue, plus desserts from Sam Allen of Wentworth & Fenn. Chef Sam Diminich has developed an extensive nonalcoholic drink menu, too, a tribute to his journey through recovery and sobriety. 2200 Thrift Road

Dish That Should Not Be Delicious but Somehow Is:  Warm Quinoa Salad, Little Mama’s
It contains a. quinoa (duh); b. carrots; and c. kale. These ingredients should add up to a dish you’re sentenced to eat after you down too many cupcakes. And yet … damn. 4521 Sharon Road

Unfussiest Splurge: Brown Bag Seafood’s Lobster Roll with Truffle Parm Tots
When you see “lobster” and “truffle” in the name, it’s usually at a white-tablecloth establishment. Brown Bag Seafood’s version of the New England classic is a toasty, buttered roll loaded with chunks of warm lobster meat served on a metal tray with a heap of tater tots and garnished with shaved Parmesan. This $34 entrée tastes a lot more pretentious than it looks. Multiple locations

Gluten-Free Option: Fried Gulf Oysters at Bernardin’s
Let your dietary restriction be an invitation to indulge at one of uptown’s fine-dining mainstays. Bernardin’s Fried Gulf Oysters, served with Asian slaw and chipotle tartar sauce, are crispy portals to the coast. (Linger there longer with the Fried Calamari—also free of gluten.) Just make sure to save room for one of five decadent entreés suitable for the gluten-averse. Grilled Emu, anyone? 435 S. Tryon St., Ste. 100

Pizza Slingers: Geno and Gena DiPaolo
This father-daughter duo is usually hard at work preparing their signature “Grandma-style” pies for customers who line up at their stall inside The Market at 7th Street. But they’re never too busy to invite a pint-sized customer into the kitchen to let them toss some pizza dough in the air, peek inside the giant refrigerator, and grab (temporary) pizza tattoos to take home. 224 E. Seventh St.

Bread Swap: Los Chamos’ Patacón Sandwich
We’ve all seen lettuce wraps or bell pepper halves employed as unsatisfying bread substitutes, but Los Chamos gets it right with fried plantains. The Patacón has shredded skirt steak, coleslaw, and a swipe of guasacaca (Venezuela’s version of guacamole) stuffed between two thick, fried plantain slices. This sandwich is so hearty and flavor-packed, you won’t miss the bun. 7001 South Blvd., Ste. B

Boozy Brunch to Kick Off the Weekend a Day Early: Church & Union
You’ve landed a rare Friday off. Let the rest of the world wait in sidewalk throngs for mimosas and hollandaised delicacies on Sunday morning. You’re starting now. Applewood Bacon Omelet? Bring it. Alcohol? Keep it coming. Church & Union serves Friday brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; it does weekend brunch, too, but then you can’t watch the uptown workers scurry about at lunch and, stuffed and soaked to the gills, think: Suckers. 127 N. Tryon St., Ste. 8

Tot Usage: Tater Tachos, Big Al’s Pub & Grubberia
“A mound of tots,” the menu description begins. Certain dishes are best plated in mounds. Away with your politesse and ogle the pile atop those mini-barrels of processed potato: chili, cheddar, pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, pickled jalapeños, a dollop of sour cream on top, salsa on the side. “Good”? No. Will you devour them between swigs of Bud? Oh, yes. 9306 Albemarle Road

Fried Pickles: Classic Fried Pickles, The Diamond Restaurant + Greg’s Pickles, Pinky’s Westside Grill
OK, it’s a tie. Blame the War of the Roses that dissolved the O.G. Penguin in Plaza Midwood and produced two claimants to the throne. Both serve what you need: a basket of sliced, battered, and deep-fried pickles served McDonald’s Apple Pie-hot. Dip and eat. They’re fried pickles. Let’s not overthink this. The Diamond: 1901 Commonwealth Ave./Pinky’s: 1600 W. Morehead St.

Donut Pop-Up: Beyond Amazing Donuts (B.A.D.)
You can usually find Jasmine Macon and her Beyond Amazing Donut display on Saturday mornings at Hex Coffee or The Market at 7th Street. Don’t expect traditional varieties like jelly or Boston cream, though. She uses unexpected flavor combinations like Chocolate Honeycomb, Lemon Ginger, and Banana Bread Pudding. Good luck walking away with just one. @b.a.donuts.clt

Resolution Ruiner: Nonna Maria’s Cannoli
This Italian market and deli opened in late 2022 and gained momentum during that gloomy stretch of winter when you abandon New Year’s resolutions and a cheat meal seems like a great idea. Maybe you didn’t plan on ordering cannoli after you polished off that Hot Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich, but that smooth, velvety ricotta inside the crunchy, cinnamon-flavored shell is tough to resist. 2332 Matthews Township Parkway, Ste. B, Matthews

Cheesecake Lollipop Tree Topped with Cotton Candy: Red Salt by David Burke

Celebrity chef David Burke’s eccentric approach to presentation is on full display with his Cheesecake Lollipops, served in a silver tree-shaped display stand with a cloud of cotton candy on top. The pops come in flavors like chocolate, strawberry, and red velvet (nothing he does is vanilla), and the cotton candy makes this over-the-top dessert the culinary equivalent of a trip to the carnival. 555 S. McDowell St.

Carb Binge: Ever Andalo
You came for the best handmade pasta in the city, but don’t let that stop you from pregaming with a plate of Focaccia and an order of Housemade Ricotta with honey and pistachios to spread on the warm, fluffy bread. It’s a lot of carbs to ingest in one sitting, but too much of a good thing can be just wonderful. 3116 N. Davidson St.

Craft Beer Companion:  Fritters, Hot Box Next Level Kitchen
It’s a violation of physics and probably a sin to try to stuff a full meal into a ball of fried dough the size of a racquetball. But founder and Head Chef Michael Bowling gives it an admirable try. The Roanoke, Virginia, native operates a Hot Box food truck and a fixed station inside Southern Strain Brewing Company in Concord, an ingenious move. The fritters, four per order—Classic Risotto with Roasted Red Pepper Aioli, Okra & Corn with Spiced Honey Butter, or Falafel with Tzatziki—pair spectacularly with beer. 165 Brumley Ave. NE, Concord

Sushi Bake: Seoul Poke Bowl
We get it. Baked sushi sounds like an oxymoron. Just embrace this heavenly combination of sticky rice, furikake seasoning, salmon, crab, shrimp, masago, and scallions topped with wasabi sauce, eel sauce, and spicy mayo. It’s baked in a foil pan till it bubbles, then served with seaweed chips for optimal scooping. A personal size feeds one to two people; a party size feeds up to six. 3609 South Blvd., Ste. D

Raspberry-Pistachio Tres Leches: La Dolcekca Bakery Café
You can take our word for it, but it’s best to just try this dreamy Mexican sponge cake. 1607 Montford Drive, Ste. C

Mushroom Disguised as Meat: Sanctuary Bistro
This is the place to take a reluctant vegan diner. Chef Barry Horton veganizes meat-based dishes with the magic of mushrooms (no, not like that). His Crispy Oyster Mushrooms appetizer with lemons and sweet Dijon dipping sauce is a solid rival for calamari. The King Trumpet Scallops, Portobello Rockefeller, and Lions Mane Roast Slices will convince you there really is something to the mushroom craze. 6414 Rea Road, Ste. C2

Açaí Bowl: Berry Berry Bowl, Smooth Monkey
What’s in it: frozen açaí and banana as a base, then granola, sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and hemp seeds. If Mike’s behind the counter, possibly other flavors as part of the base, plus maybe pineapple or mandarin orange slices or kiwi or whatever else is back there. What’s not in it: ice or extra sugar. Secure spoon; dive in. 1801 Commonwealth Ave.

Gelato Experiment: Cold Hearted Gelato
Chef Elinn Hesse, a veteran of Bardo and Counter-, opened in August 2022 in a high-turnover shopping center (Midwood Corners at Central Avenue and The Plaza) and with a daring concept: gelato that aims for savory as much as sweet. (Sample flavor: Goat Cheese, Dark Chocolate, and Cherry.) We’re curious to see how well she does over a full summer. 1308 The Plaza, Ste. A

BOBlight: Experiential Dining at Counter-
“Experiential dining” might make you think of Medieval Times or Margaritaville, but that’s not what you’ll experience at Counter-. Owner Sam Hart designs multicourse dinners that “shock your system” by incorporating sound, touch, sight, smell, and taste into each bite. Wine pairings are part of the experience, and you might witness some open-fire cooking or learn about fermentation. But that’s all secondary. This is a carefully choreographed event where each course syncs up with the evening’s soundtrack. 2001 W. Morehead St., Ste. D

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PLAY: The Best of Beer, Wine, Cocktails, Nightlife, and Going Out

Date Night Spot: The Green Room
This small, quiet bar inside Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails makes cocktails palatable even for people who don’t like liquor: You’d never guess its tequila drinks contain tequila. This is the place for a classy, reservations-required date, and there’s no question about whether “let’s grab drinks” will turn into dinner—the only food it serves are very small bites. 1320 S. Church St., Ste. 400

Foundational Beer That Is, Thank Goodness, Not Another IPA: SAGA Nordic Lager, Traust Brewing Company
This brewery, which opened in summer 2021, uses Scandinavian Kveik yeast in fermentation because Nordic culture fascinates founder Eric Stevens. SAGA was its first product, a crisp lager with just enough bite for the coming summer. 128 S. Main St., Mount Holly

Grab ‘n Go Frosé: Crown Town Frosé
Emily Chandler and Kristin Saleeby have a knack for showing up at the exact moment you think, I could really go for a frosé right now. The slushy blend of frozen rosé and fruit juice comes in peach, strawberry, and cucumber watermelon, and tastes especially divine at a holiday pop-up, a Panthers tailgate, a trunk show, the Presidents Cup … really, anywhere you see their table set up. @crown_town_frose

Charcuterie Board Tutorial: The Board Experience
You can order a customized charcuterie board or gift box through her Instagram page. But if you want to add a new skill to your entertaining toolkit, let Eboni Lewis of The Board Experience show you. Register for a cocktail class at The Cocktailery, where owner Tamu Curtis does hands-on mixology demonstrations, and learn how to assemble a gorgeous charcuterie board with Lewis. She selects each ingredient to pair with the day’s cocktails and shows you how to make salami roses and dill garnishes that dazzle dinner party guests. @the_board_experience

New Brewery: Weathered Souls
Charlotte’s second Black-owned brewery, and the only one in operation, is a newcomer from San Antonio whose owners picked the Queen City for its second location. They opened in November. Why us? “A love for craft, and the city embraces beer,” says co-owner and Head Brewer Marcus Baskerville. “Breweries seem to be a part of the everyday community and Charlotte as a whole.” Fellow owner Mike Holt is a former resident, too. Welcome back and welcome, fellas. 255 Clanton Road

Puzzle With a Pint: Puzzle Challenge, Hi-Wire Brewing
Charlotte’s way station in the Asheville brewery’s expanding empire has devised a fun alternative to trivia night. On the last Monday of every month, teams compete to complete 500-piece jigsaw puzzles. Three selected beers are $3 per pint—enhances the challenge, see?—and the winner gets a Hi-Wire gift card. 340 W. Tremont Ave., Ste. 140

Mocktails: Kindred
It’s no secret that our staff enjoys alcohol, so when we praise a restaurant’s mocktails, you know they’re legit. Next time you’re at Kindred, try the C’est La Vie, with Ghia aperitif, orange, cranberry, and ginger beer, or the Heat Wave, with Ritual tequila alternative, pineapple gum, grapefruit, and Calabrian chiles. Your liver will thank you. 131 N. Main St., Davidson

Trivia Night: Farm Haus Butcher & Beer Garden
Trivia Tuesday kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at this popular beer garden and sausage spot off U.S. Highway 521, just across the state line. Highly competitive, no-nonsense types appreciate the app you use to submit answers. No matter how well you do, it’s worth the drive for Charlotteans to check out their handcrafted-sausage menu, which boasts up to a dozen options each week, including Carolina Hot Chicken, Irish Banger, Ginger Wasabi, and Linguica. 9762 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land, S.C.

Place to Wear Pink and Drink: Babe Cave
Round up your gal pals, order some fruity cocktails and a dessert tower, and enjoy this grown-up version of Barbie’s dream house. 2122 Freedom Drive, Ste. D

Lower-Key Brewery: Lower Left Brewing Company
It got a little lost in the LoSo shuffle when it opened in August 2019 in a former mechanic’s shop next to a church. But word is starting to spread as co-founder, operations director, and Head Brewer Alex Shoenthal racks up N.C. Brewers’ Cup awards like so many flight glasses. They include 2021 New Brewery and Brewery of the Year, and a silver medal in the New England/Hazy IPA category for a beer with a name for the ages: Juicy McJuiceface. 4528 Nations Crossing Road

Nightclub: Encore
You’ll know you’ve found Encore’s entrance when you spot the two 19-foot palm trees framing its doors at uptown’s Northside Station. The interior is decked out in zebra and marble accents, and it’s equipped with 1,000 square feet of LED video walls, two full-service bars, VIP booths with bottle service, a DJ booth, and a stage where music ranges from EDM to hip-hop to Latin. 314 N. College St.

DJ That Will Make You Feel 20 Again: DJ Red
Remember your inner party girl who could dance till dawn? You’ll find her at Merchant & Trade on Saturday nights, when DJ Red’s mashup of ’90s R&B washes the room in nostalgia. When he’s not spinning there, you can find him at Resident Culture, Lost & Found, or Broken Promises. @thedjred

Example of Where #CLTBeer Is Going: Lore Brewing Company
Midafternoon, Super Bowl Sunday. A kids’ soccer team noshes on flatbread pizzas and Mac & Cheese Skillets. Their parents sip from pints and flights, dip chunks of giant pretzels into mini-cups of mustard, and eye the USC-LSU women’s basketball game on the big screen behind the bar. Family-oriented, craft-brewed, snack-equipped, shopping-centered, and South Carolina’d: This is where we’re headed. In another 20 years, they’ll be calling this area LoLoLoLoSo. 1218 Rosemont Drive, Ste. 100, Indian Land, S.C.

Build-Your-Own Espresso Martini: Salted Melon Market & Eatery
Espresso martinis are anytime drinks, but Salted Melon lets you switch it up to suit your mood. Choose one of four base spirits, then pick a flavor (white mocha, sea salt caramel, French vanilla, or roasted hazelnut) and a topping. Feel free to try a couple of combinations—the light rail is right around the corner. 100 W. Worthington Ave., Ste. 107

Wine: The Auto Pour
Don’t let the strip-mall setting and nearby Panda Express fool you: The Auto Pour is among a bevy of businesses making Madison Park a destination. Step inside, open a tab or load any dollar amount on a card, then use the card to serve yourself. The cozy spot boasts 64 wines on tap, along with 18 taps for beer, cider, and seltzer. The Auto Pour’s website jokes, “We make pour decisions.” Coming here isn’t one of them. 5033 South Blvd., Ste. O

Owner-Operated Cocktail Bar: Humbug
Humbug, named for a 1950s satire magazine, sends up pretentious cocktail culture with an approachable ambiance and friendly owners Larry Suggs and Andy Schools behind the bar. The initial location, in the intimate Refuge hotel, made it feel like Plaza Midwood’s best-kept secret, but this spring, the bar will open in a larger space on The Plaza. It won’t stay a secret for long. @humbugclt

BOBlight: Salud Beer Shop/Cerveceria
Jason Glunt and his wife, Dairelyn, opened Salud Beer Shop in NoDa in 2012. In 2019—and 2020, and 2021—it earned the distinction of Best Beer Bar in USA Today’s annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Success achieved—and that’s just downstairs. At the crest of a steep, narrow, creaky staircase is an accomplishment so hard to categorize, we had to peel it off the main list: Salud Cerveceria, a coffee shop, brewery, eatery, Charlotte FC match-watching destination, community hub, and bar good enough for the James Beard Foundation to include it on its list of 20 national semifinalists for Outstanding Bar in January. To anyone who still thinks Charlotte is a city of nothing but Chili’s franchises in shopping centers: Go upstairs.  3306 N. Davidson St.

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EXPLORE: The Best of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment

New Uptown Attraction: Museum of Illusions
The moniker is deceptive: This is a far more participatory experience than the traditional museums that surround it uptown. Adults and kids will enjoy the mind-bending hijinks created by mirrors, lights, and depth-perception challenges. Bring your phone and some friends—several exhibits require you to get inside and snap a photo. If you or your kids experience motion sickness (or have taken a strong, experience-enhancing gummy), avoid the Vortex Tunnel. 601 S. Tryon St., Ste. 138

Place to Be Outdoorsy: Anne Springs Close Greenway
With lakes, hardwood forests, plenty of open space, and an on-site restaurant that serves craft beer, this greenway is more than twice the size of Central Park. Hike, mountain bike, horseback ride, kayak, paddleboard, and fish just over the border. 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill, S.C.

Insta-Therapy: Nedra Glover Tawwab
When your feed is a loop of celebrity gossip, workout tips, and photos of friends’ children, #nedranuggets bring much-needed moments of therapy into the social media ether. Charlotte therapist and New York Times bestselling author Nedra Glover Tawwab’s sanity-centered posts include responses to challenging situations and reels in which she speaks truth in her direct and soothing tone. @nedratawwab

Refurbished Basketball Courts: L.C. Coleman Neighborhood Park
Washington Heights was L.C. Coleman’s neighborhood, from the time his family moved there when he was 2 until he died, at 92, in 2015. Coleman was one of the city’s most tenacious and influential activists, one who pushed for better services and neighborhood improvements, including public parks. One of the parks was named after him. Last year, a new face—the Hornets’ LaMelo Ball, the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020-21—joined Puma to renovate Coleman Park’s two outdoor basketball courts in commemoration of Ball’s first sneaker release. Coleman’s family attended the dedication and echoed one of the late leader’s signature expressions: “Oh, my gracious.” 1501 McDonald St.

Swimming Hole: The Quarry at Carrigan Farms
What makes it a great swimming hole is that it’s far more than a swimming hole—and it’s a heck of a swimming hole. The Carrigan family has turned what was a stone quarry adjacent to their working farm into a site to reserve for weddings, company picnics, and other events. A waterfall cascades down a 70-foot granite cliff, and starting around Memorial Day, the natural pool beneath becomes an open-swim oasis with 25 feet of clear, cold water. 1213 Oakridge Farm Highway, Mooresville

Quaint Downtown: Matthews
You might not expect small-town charm in the city’s closest suburb. But Matthews has its own history, which extends back to its 19th-century farm supply days, and town leaders have preserved numerous homes and commercial spaces from more than a century ago along Trade Street and nearby. A growing number of restaurateurs, boutique owners, and other retailers have flocked here to find more character for less money than in most of Charlotte.

Place to Meditate: Clark’s Creek Greenway
If you’re in the right frame of mind, it hardly matters where you meditate. But you can’t deny the soothing effects of gently running water, and this, part of Mecklenburg County’s longest greenway, offers numerous points of access to the creek and its calming burble. 9801 Mallard Creek Road (Mallard Creek Elementary School)

Boutique Hotel: Refuge
Nimisha, Jay, and Anup Patel opened Refuge in fall 2021 as an experiment. The five-room hotel, located in the former Kickstand Bar and Grill on Central Avenue, has helped the Patels fine-tune the guest experience as they prepare to raze the current building to make way for a larger hotel on the site this year. Get in while you can—or wait to experience the experiment’s results. 1101 Central Ave., Ste. B

Yoga Studio: The Coterie Wellness Studio
The Coterie Wellness Studio opened in Wesley Heights in January, just a few years after owner Caitlyn Sheff moved to the neighborhood. The studio offers yoga classes in three categories: peace (yin), prana (vinyasa), and power (with weights). The first class is free, and subsequent classes are priced on a sliding scale, a policy intended to welcome all residents on the rapidly gentrifying west side. After class, zen out in the private meditation library—or in one of two private showers. 2135 Thrift Road, Ste. 102

Solo Exhibition: Marvin Espy
The Cincinnati native held corporate jobs for three decades before he decided to rent a studio in South End and pursue art full time in 2018. This year, Weathered Souls Brewing hosted his largest exhibition to date, CONTEXT!, with 14 oil-on-wood panels that examine our perceptions about people of color. Espy left a permanent stamp on the building, too; his mural on the Tryclan Drive side depicts a girl straightening a boy’s tie, or, as Espy says, “beautiful people being beautiful.” artbyespy.com

Staircase Mural: ParkTowne Village
If you’re hanging around the lower level of ParkTowne Village, you’re probably waiting on a table at Easy Like Sunday or a haircut at Sport Clips. But stroll a bit further, toward IndiGrille, and look to your right—you’ll see a blast of color stretching up the stairs that lead to Qdoba and Palm Beach Tan. Muralist Sharon Dowell turned this plain staircase in an ordinary strip mall into a place where you don’t mind killing time between errands.

Festival: BayHaven Food & Wine Festival
This five-day celebration of Black talent includes food truck rallies, tasting events, multicourse chef dinners, and more. Feast on fancy bites, comfort food, and vegan eats—and expect to leave stuffed. Founders Subrina and Greg Collier launched BayHaven in 2021 to support people of color in the culinary arts and create opportunities for newcomers. The festival is a great excuse to eat with abandon and an introduction to Charlotte’s growing Black restaurant scene. Stay tuned for the Colliers to announce 2023 festival dates. bayhavenfoodandwine.com

Mobile Art Studio: The Broken Crayon
Jamea Marlowe founded this mobile art studio, which hosts birthday parties and free kids’ workshops on Saturday mornings at Camp North End. Leave the iPads at home and let their little hands get dirty as they tie-dye backpacks, paint flowerpots, and create chalk murals. brokencrayonstudio.com

Historic Walk: Fourth Ward Walking Tour
Newcomers typically react to Fourth Ward with surprise: Wait, this looks more like Charleston than Charlotte. In the 1830s, what’s now uptown was divided into four wards; the northwesternmost included prominent merchants, doctors, the Victorians they lived in, the churches they attended, and the cemetery where they were laid to rest. The community organization Friends of Fourth Ward, founded in 1976, has devised a 48-stop, self-guided walking tour that covers it all. fourthwardclt.org

Gallery Crawl: Dilworth Artisan Station
Tour more than 30 artists’ studios on the second and third floors of this restored building on the Rail Trail the first Friday of every month. Galleries stay open until 9 p.m. to host receptions for new exhibitions, which often include live music, food, and beer or wine. The event is free to attend, and many vendors have candy, crayons, and boxes of sidewalk chalk for kids to take home. 118 E. Kingston Ave.

Place to Improve Pet Literacy: The Humane Society of Charlotte
The Humane Society of Charlotte’s new facility is home to Reading Buddies, an education program where kids and teens read to the shelter’s dogs and cats. Kids get reading practice; animals get socialization. It’s as if Hooked on Phonics came with a puppy. HSC also has a Barkin’ Book Club for adult readers. 1348 Parker Drive

Indoor Cliffs: Inner Peaks Climbing
In the past few years, indoor climbing gyms have become popular among folks in their 20s and 30s who yearn for a bracing blend of full-body workouts and companionship. Inner Peaks was ahead of the trend. The original location opened in South End in 1998, and the company added another in Matthews in early 2020. 2220 S. Tryon St.; 10715 Independence Pointe Parkway, Matthews

BOBlight: Ballantyne’s Backyard
Northwood Ravin purchased the bulk of Ballantyne’s 535 acres in 2017 and announced that the 100-acre golf course next to the Ballantyne Hotel would be first to go. Locals feared they would be surrounded by sterile office towers. Then COVID hit, and the golf course became an open play area for kids and stir-crazy adults, all of whom figured it was just a matter of time before someone fenced the area off and told them to leave. As pandemic restrictions lifted, the opposite happened. The golf course became Ballantyne’s Backyard and began to host events like Markets at 11 (an open-air market with live music and food trucks); beer, art, bourbon, and taco festivals; and holiday family events.

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LIVE: The Best of Health, Wellness, and Celebration

Party Planner: Lindsey Ferguson
Need a custom tablescape for your Thanksgiving spread? A mermaid-themed pool party with a giant inflatable water slide? Maybe you’re hosting a grand opening, red carpet gala, or fundraising event. No matter how specific or over the top, Lindsey will make it happen. @lfergusonevents

Ear Piercing: Rowan
Forget Claire’s and piercing contraptions that look frighteningly like revolvers. Book an appointment at Rowan in South End, and a licensed nurse will use a hand-pressurized device or hollow needle. Rowan uses only sterilized 14-karat gold, stainless steel, and titanium earrings, which help prevent infection. A single piercing is $35—a pair is $50—and includes personalized placement advice, aftercare recommendations, and access to a nurse hotline. 1800 Camden Road

Bobs for BOBs’ Sake: Kelsey Deuel
In 2021, the bob haircut was Googled an average of 222,580 times a month. (That’s a lot.) The blunt, face-framing cut became popular in the 1920s and has been trending on and off ever since. Though it looks simple enough, it’s not easy to do well. Kelsey Deuel, a stylist at Bohemian Stylehouse in Oakhurst, has a decade of practice if you’re feeling the urge to bob. 4416 Monroe Road, Ste. A 

Aesthetician: Charity Smith at The Skin Bar
A good indicator of a med spa’s capabilities is the staff’s faces—and this team has almost Kardashian-like injection perfection. Charity is bright-skinned and flawless, and after receiving her hourlong signature facial, you’ll look the same. 101 E. Matthews St., Matthews

Hair Removal Studio: Charlotte Sugaring
Sugaring is not the same as waxing. It uses one scoop of sugar paste (made of sugar, lemon juice, and water) for the whole process, but there are no strips or sticks dipped into communal wax. They pull in the direction of the hair, which makes it less irritating and painful than traditional waxing. If you’ve ever abandoned a table mid-bikini wax, Christina can get you through not just the full bikini, but right up the back, too. It’s a worthy—and slightly less painful—indignity. 547 W. Charles St., Matthews

ResultS-Oriented Massage: La Brasileira Massage
It feels good, but that’s not the point. Morgana Kemper offers authentic Brazilian lymphatic drainage, body sculpting, and buccal massage, which leaves you lighter and less bloated. These targeted techniques stimulate your digestive system, reduce inflammation, flush toxins, and can soften lines and wrinkles on your face. 6135 Park South Drive, Ste. 514

Video Game Truck: GameTruck Charlotte
This climate-controlled video game truck sets up outside your home (read: they take the mess with them). Kids 5 and up can choose from more than 100 games on systems like Xbox One, Xbox S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Wii U. Before your guests arrive, a GameCoach can remove any games you don’t want kids to play. They can also send out digital invitations, eliminating one more thing from your to-do list. gametruckparty.com

Personality Pics: Amanda Leigh Photography
We all get those stiff, obligatory school mug shots, but they rarely capture your kid just being … a kid. Amanda Leigh Baran takes fun, informal personality portraits that can be as goofy or serious as you want—the more faces they make, the better. Amanda comes to your house, sets up a white backdrop, and snaps away while she rattles off jokes to get those deep belly laughs. Sessions last 20 to 30 minutes, and she’ll send you five to 10 edited images less than two weeks later. amandaleighbeck.com

Sexpert: Dr. Alyse Kelly-Jones
This isn’t your typical trip to the gynecologist. Where else can you get a new vibrator after your Pap smear? After years in practice, the OB-GYN dropped the OB to focus exclusively on helping pre- and post-menopausal women have mind-blowing sex. If your interest and pleasure have dwindled (or never existed), arrange a rendezvous with this sex-positive doc. Tryon Women’s Center, 330 Billingsley Road, Ste. 100

Mobile Spray Tan: Glo by Emily
Nothing can boost your mojo quite like a little color on your skin. Emily Musgrave brings the faux sun to you with a pop-up tanning tent and customizable shades for your best glow. No fancy occasion or large group required. @globyemily

Car Detailer: Hackett’s Luxury Automotive
Jaxon Hackett of Belmont opened his car detailing business just last year, but he offers everything you could want to pamper your four-wheeled baby, from exterior wash to ceramic coating. hackettsla.com

Mobile Dog Grooming Truck That Looks Like a Giant Blue Mechanical Dog: HydroDog
Stiff competition in this category. HydroDog began in Australia—Google its absurdly catchy Aussie jingle—and now has about 30 franchises in the States, including three in the Charlotte area (Charlotte, Fort Mill, and Waxhaw). It’s a big, blue, truck-mounted grooming salon that looks like a dog. There’s really not much more we can tell you. hydrodog.com

Car Wash: Dilworth Car Wash
Charlotte has a homegrown chain, Autobell, founded in 1969, that’s swelled into a multistate empire with more than 80 locations in the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland—and props to them. But single-location Dilworth has earned its own loyal following since 2004. It’s a full-service car wash with detailing services and tiered, monthly unlimited-wash plans that’ll ensure that your vehicle, at least, has an A1 day. 2507 Park Road

Personal Trainer: Jenna Colkitt
Some of us view exercise as a necessary evil and would rather be hit by a bus than attend a boutique fitness class. Jenna Colkitt meets you where you are, literally and metaphorically. She designs flexible, customized workout plans with or without equipment, in your choice of a gym, park, or home. @jennacolkitt

Bougie Man Grooming: Shear Excellence
For middle-class men who like to pretend they’re George Clooney, Shear Excellence provides haircuts, color, shaves, massages, beard facials, hair treatments, waxes, and (ahem, manly) manicures that feel extravagant but cost between $11 and $88. Each service comes with a free beer or bourbon pour, and the interior has a Restoration Hardware vibe with dark accents and leather furniture. Multiple locations

Mobile Chiropractor: Dr. Darryll Williams
We don’t ordinarily condone climbing into the back of an unfamiliar cargo van—did The Silence of the Lambs teach us nothing?—but when said van belongs to Dr. Darryll Williams of Protect Your Neck, hop on in! Williams drives his chiropractic studio to patients’ requested addresses—home, office, kids’ soccer game, the Target parking lot—where he performs exams, adjustments, and other chiropractic care. protectyourneckmobilechiro.com

BOBlight: Retail on Wheels
The food truck craze hit a little more than a decade ago, which naturally led other small businessfolk to calculate the advantages: lower overhead than brick-and-mortar, you can go to the customers rather than wait for them to find you, plus people think it’s cool. These days, you can find all kinds of retail outlets in trucks—food, of course, but also coffee, flowers, clothing boutiques, chiropractors, veterinary services and pet grooming, video game arcades for parties, and more. There’ll always be a place for the fixed-location shop. But if customers can make use of an alternative, they won’t miss the hidden costs of driving and parking—and Charlotte traffic isn’t getting any better.

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SHOP: The Best of Style and Shopping

Home Decor: Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio
This gray 1960s ranch with the coral door houses vintage furniture, lighting, and art with Asian, Italian, and Moroccan influences. Book an appointment to shop in the Oakhurst store, where owner Ariene Bethea will hook you up with one-of-a-kind mirrors, coffee table books, pillows, and more. 2120 N. Sharon Amity Road

Retro-Inspired Kids’ Clothing: Coco Leto
Find rompers, trucker hats, swimwear, and backpacks in hard-to-find European brands like Scotch & Soda, Babe & Tess, and Lison Paris. The racks are color-coded with boys’ clothing on top and girls’ apparel on the bottom, with sizes ranging from newborn to age 16. They only carry one item of each size, though, so once that AC/DC T-shirt is sold out, it’s gone for good. 2902 Selwyn Ave., Ste. B

Bags for a Purpose: Bloc Bags
Carrie Tucker started making purses as a teenager in the late 1990s, when soft designs were less popular than they are now. In 2021, the mom and nurse practitioner launched Bloc Bags to sell her crossbody and cosmetic bags, which showcase playful motifs and colorful interchangeable straps. Plus, the pieces make a statement: For every bag sold, the company donates one to a youth in foster care. blocbags.com

Custom Jeweler: Lindsay Parker
At your first consultation, Lindsay Parker, owner of The Antiquarian, will talk you through style, materials, and budget. As a former archeologist, she’s especially adept at repurposing items—the diamonds from your grandmother’s wedding band, the buttons from your late father’s favorite jacket—into updated, wearable keepsakes. 2329 The Plaza, Ste. 101

Place to Find Overstock Target Goods: All New & Cheap
The liquidation warehouse, off I-85 and Brookshire Boulevard, sells overstock merchandise from Target—furniture, rugs, accessories, storage, toys, and more—for up to 80% off. 724 Montana Drive, Ste. A 

Boutique: Sloan
This SouthPark boutique far surpasses trendy, low-quality, influencer-driven shops, but it’s a notch below the intimidating $1,000-dress stores. Browse hard-to-find brands like Retrofete, Zadig & Voltaire, L’Agence, and Pistola. 4310 Sharon Road, Ste. T01A

Fashion for the Floor: Couture Knots
This isn’t where you go for an average rug. Owner Ali Nikrooz retails rugs from Nepal, Morocco, and Turkey that are knotted entirely by hand. Nikrooz does 95% of his business through interior designers but works with anyone who wants something spectacular beneath their feet. 2173 Hawkins St., Ste. G 

Gifts That Make You LOL: CLTCH
This Plaza Midwood boutique is the intentions-be-damned, local shopping equivalent of Target. Statement cuff? Jennifer Coolidge candle? Hip-hop trivia? Snarky graphic tee? The correct answer is yes, please, to all of the above. 1512 Central Ave.

Discounted Designer Clothing: Edit Sale
Twice a year, a group of socialites empty their closets to make room for their next luxury purchases. Shoppers flock to the Edit Sale’s pop-up location (announced the week of) and drop trou en masse in a makeshift changing area to score discounted high-fashion clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories from luxe brands like Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Dries Van Noten, La DoubleJ, Gucci, Hermès, Celine, Rosie Assoulin, and Erdem. editsale.com

Custom Hat Shop: Fitteds CLT
Want a Mets cap with the 1969 World Series logo? How ’bout a customized red Yankees cap? Like, an official, fitted New Era hat, none of this one-size-fits-all (expletive)? Drop by Fitteds, which opened at Camp North End in March, to get your vintage ballcap on—and browse its collection of authentic, vintage NBA jackets and shorts while you’re at it. (That 1996-97 Warriors warmup jacket would blow Steph’s mind.) 701 Keswick Ave., Ste. 104

Furniture Facelift: Re:New Home Charlotte
Holly D’Amico resurrects vintage wood furniture with new lacquering and hardware, and customers can choose from completed works or unfinished inventory. Keep up with her on Instagram, @renewhomeclt_inventory. Showroom by appointment only. 2029 N. Davidson St.

Rental Plants: Oakdale Greenhouses
Oakdale has nine greenhouses of lush indoor, outdoor, tropical, and aquatic plants; trees; succulents; bonsai; and more. You can buy them, of course, but you can also rent them. The nursery can help you select the ideal greenery for your wedding, corporate event, or other special occasion, and offers delivery, setup, and pickup. 5626 Statesville Road

Furniture Without Delay: South End Exchange
We bow gratefully to high-end furniture consignor South End Exchange in an era of supply chain disasters and production delays. Unlike antique shops and fine-furniture consignors, this South End shop has well-maintained, realistic staple furniture—sofas, chairs, dining room tables—for a variety of design tastes from brands like Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Bernhardt, and Kauffman and Co. 111 New Bern St.

Window Treatments: Front Door Fabrics & Interiors
The in-house design team can guide you through what can seem like an overwhelming number of fabric selections and arrange for installation. Ask for Missy for helpful, low-pressure assistance. 5341 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Ste. 350

BOBlight: Stash Pad Vintage
During COVID, seniors came to Stash Pad with troves of late-era fashions, hoping they’d find worthy homes. “They were worried their kids would just send it off to Goodwill,” says owner Corrie Throckmorton, a lifelong lover of vintage whose shop bursts with hand-selected, laundered, and repaired clothes and accessories—some dating back to the 1800s. While the bulk of her Charlotte customers are theme partygoers in search of authentic gear from decades past, the shop sells to costume designers and collectors all over the world.  2708 Monroe Road

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VOTERS’ CHOICE

Results from online polls from  January-February 2023

Food 

Chef
Sam Diminich

(Runner-Up)
Gregory Collier

Place for a Date Night
Merchant and Trade

(Runner-Up)
The Artisan’s Palate

Girls Night Out
Merchant and Trade

(Runner-Up)
Dilworth Tasting Room

Family-Friendly Restaurant
Mama Ricotta’s

(Runner-Up)
Metro Diner

Brunch
Cafe Monte

(Runner-Up)
Angeline’s

Bagel
Poppy’s Bagels

(Runner-Up)
Crust Punk Baking 

Bakery
The Batchmaker

(Runner-Up)
Suárez Bakery

Deli/Market
Rhino Market

(Runner-Up)
Common Market

Food Truck
Katsu Kart 

(Runner-Up)
Flavor Home

Smoothie/Juice Bar
Green Brothers Juice Co.

(Runner-Up)
Clean Juice

BBQ
Midwood Smokehouse

(Runner-Up)
Noble Smoke

Burgers
Ace No. 3

(Runner-Up)
Harriet’s Hamburgers

Chinese
Lam’s Kitchen

(Runner-Up)
Ma Ma Wok

French
Cafe Monte

(Runner-Up)
La Belle Helene

Fried Chicken
Haberdish

(Runner-Up)
Bossy Beulah’s

Greek
The Mad Greek

(Runner-Up)
Yafo Kitchen

Indian
Copper

(Runner-Up)
Curry Gate

Irish Pub
The Workman’s Friend

(Runner-Up)
Rí Rá

Italian
Mama Ricotta’s 

(Runner-Up)
Little Mama’s

Japanese
O-Ku

(Runner-Up)
Prime Fish

Latin
Calle Sol

(Runner-Up)
Sabor

Mexican
Three Amigos

(Runner-Up)
Paco’s Tacos & Tequila

Pizza
Inizio Pizza Napoletana

(Runner-Up)
Sal’s Pizza Factory

Sushi
New Zealand Cafe

(Runner-Up)
O-Ku

Seafood
Carolina Fish Market

(Runner-Up)
Sea Level NC

Southern
Haberdish

(Runner-Up)
Dogwood: A Southern Table

Spanish
Barcelona Wine Bar

(Runner-Up)
Bulla Gastrobar

Steakhouse
Steak 48

(Runner-Up)
Beef ’N Bottle

Small Plates
The Artisan’s Palate

(Runner-Up)
Barcelona Wine Bar

Thai
Thai Taste

(Runner-Up)
Deejai Thai

Vegetarian/Vegan
Oh My Soul

(Runner-Up)
Fern, Flavors from the Garden

Vietnamese
Lang Van

(Runner-Up)
Cilantro Noodle

New Restaurant (less than a year old)
Yunta

(Runner-Up)
Ever Andalo

 

Drinks

Local Brewery
Legion Brewing

(Runner-Up)
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Sports Bar
Duckworth’s 

(Runner-Up)
Ed’s Tavern

Local Distillery
GWR Distilling Company

(Runner-Up)
Muddy River Distillery

Rooftop Bar
Merchant and Trade

(Runner-Up)
Fahrenheit

Wine List
Steak 48

(Runner-Up)
Foxcroft Wine Co.

Craft Cocktails
Idlewild

(Runner-Up)
The Artisan’s Palate

Nightclub
Lost and Found

(Runner-Up)
Merchant and Trade

Bartender
Justin Hazelton

(Runner-Up)
Azure Cassidy

Happy Hour
Sea Level NC

(Runner-Up)
Merchant and Trade

Winery Within an Hour’s drive
Veronet Vineyards

(Runner-Up)
Raffaldini Vineyards

 

Sweets & Coffee

Coffee Shop
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee

(Runner-Up)
Enderly Coffee

Doughnut
Pepperbox Doughnuts

(Runner-Up)
Duck Donuts

Cookie
The Batchmaker

(Runner-Up)
Honeybear Bake Shop

Cupcake
Suárez Bakery

(Runner-Up)
Swirl

Custom Cake
Suárez Bakery

(Runner-Up)
Wentworth & Fenn

Dessert Menu
The Fig Tree Restaurant

(Runner-Up)
JF Chocolat

Ice Cream
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

(Runner-Up)
Two Scoops

Frozen Yogurt
TCBY

(Runner-Up)
Sweet Frog

Chocolate Shop
JF Chocolat

(Runner-Up)
The Secret Chocolatier

 

Beauty + Wellness

Physical Therapist
Weddington Physical Therapy

(Runner-Up)
Carolina Sports Clinic

Yoga Studio
Y2 Yoga

(Runner-Up)
Arrichion

Pilates/Barre Studio
Hilliard Studio Method

(Runner-Up)
The Bar Method

Cardio Workout Class
West Kept Secret

(Runner-Up)
Superak Solid

Boutique Gym
West Kept Secret

(Runner-Up)
Rumble Boxing

Barbershop
Caliber Men’s Grooming

(Runner-Up)
Shear Excellence

Women’s Hair Salon
The Carriage House

(Runner-Up)
Denise Antonacci Salon 

Manicure/Pedicure
Frenchies Modern Nail Care 

(Runner-Up)
Polished Nail Bar

Lashes & Brows
Craft Beauty

(Runner-Up)
Le Petit Spa 

Blowout
The Carriage House

(Runner-Up)
Drybar 

Hair Removal
Satin Med Spa

(Runner-Up)
Le Petit Spa 

Day Spa
Selenite Beauty

(Runner-Up)
The Spa at Ballantyne

Chiropractor
Evolve Health & Wellness

(Runner-Up)
Carolina Sports Clinic

Plastic Surgery Practice
Providence Plastic Surgery

(Runner-Up)
Charlotte Plastic Surgery

Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Jonathan Kulbersh (Carolina Facial Plastics)

(Runner-Up)
Dr. Jack Scheuer (Charlotte Plastic Surgery) 

Place to Get Your Makeup Done/Makeup Artist
Moss & Black Salon and Spa

(Runner-Up)
Enhanced by EB

Med Spa (botox, injections, etc.)
Providence Plastic Surgery

(Runner-Up)
Carolina Facial Plastics 

Acupuncturist
Modern Acupuncture at Blakeney

(Runner-Up)
Carolina Sports Clinic

Mental Health Therapist/Counseling
Bright View Counseling

(Runner-Up)
Matone Counseling & Testing

 

Shopping

Women’s Boutique
Vestique

(Runner-Up)
KK Bloom

Men’s Clothing Store
OMJ Clothing

(Runner-Up)
Tabor

Custom Suits
OMJ Clothing

(Runner-Up)
Paul Simon

Store for Charlotte Apparel
Glory Days Apparel

(Runner-Up)
704 Shop

Fine Jewelry
Ballantyne Jewelers

(Runner-Up)
Diamonds Direct 

Local Jewelry Designer
Ballantyne Jewelers

(Runner-Up)
Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry 

Local Gift Shop
Paper Skyscraper

(Runner-Up)
CLT Find 

Pet Supplies
Pet Wants

(Runner-Up)
Hollywood Feed

Craft Beer Bottle Shop
Salud Beer Shop

(Runner-Up)
Brawley’s Beverage

Wine Store
Foxcroft Wine Co.

(Runner-Up)
Winestore

Home Furnishings/ Decor
Slate Interiors

(Runner-Up)
House of Nomad

Charlotte Shopping Destination/Area
SouthPark

(Runner-Up)
Atherton Mill

Auto Dealer
Hendrick Automotive Group

(Runner-Up)
Rock Hill Ford

Bridal Boutique
Ladies of Lineage

(Runner-Up)
Hayden Olivia Bridal

Charlotte-Made Products
CLT Find

(Runner-Up)
Paper Skyscraper 

Independent Bookstore
Park Road Books

(Runner-Up)
That’s Novel Books

Place to Shop for CBD
Get Me Some Green Apotecary

(Runner-Up)
KANNA

Local Plant Nursery
Pike Nurseries

(Runner-Up)
Grow

 

Services

Residential Remodeling
GC Design Build

(Runner-Up)
Sundown General Contracting

Home Builder
GC Design Build

(Runner-Up)
Copper Builders

Interior Design
New South Home

(Runner-Up)
Stephanie Calderon Design

Home Organization
Simplicity Organizers

(Runner-Up)
The Precise Place

Landscaping
MetroGreenscape

(Runner-Up)
Innovative Landscape Design

Kitchen and Bathroom Resources
Bill Truitt Woodworks

(Runner-Up)
Crown Point Kitchens

Real Estate Agent
Misty Hurd (eXp Realty)

(Runner-Up)
Rachel Adams of Jay White Group

Plumbing Service
Roby Services

(Runner-Up)
Queen City Heating Air & Plumbing

Window Resources
Pella Windows & Doors of Charlotte

(Runner-Up)
Carter Lumber

Heating and Cooling
Morris-Jenkins

(Runner-Up)
Roby Services

Housekeeping/Cleaning Service
United Maintenance Corporation

(Runner-Up)
Merry Maids

Staycation Hotel
The Ballantyne 

(Runner-Up)
Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte

Financial Advisor/Wealth Management
Carter Financial Group

(Runner-Up)
Ryan Saunders/Plancentric Financial Group

Law Firm
Collins Family & Elder Law Group

(Runner-Up)
Miller Bowles Cushing PLLC

Assisted Living/Retirement Community
Sunrise Senior Living

(Runner-Up)
Southminster

Tax Preparation
Accounting & Tax Services of Charlotte

(Runner-Up)
Fisher, PA

Tattoo Parlor
The Grey Ash

(Runner-Up)
Divine Arts Tattoo Company

Auto Repair
Woodie’s Auto Service and Repair Centers

(Runner-Up)
ALMAR Auto Repair

Graphic Design/Web Design Firm
Yellow Duck Marketing

(Runner-Up)
Well-Run Media+Marketing

PR Firm
Yellow Duck Marketing

(Runner-Up)
Anna Stallmann Communications

Ad Agency
Haven Creative

(Runner-Up)
Effective Media Solutions

DJ
Carolina DJ Professionals

(Runner-Up)
Big Pop Productions

Caterer
TreeTop Catering & Events

(Runner-Up)
Delectables by Holly

Photographer
Amanda Anderson Photography

(Runner-Up)
Carolyn Ann Ryan Photography

Event Rentals
The White Bounce House

(Runner-Up)
Party Reflections

Party/Event Planner
SoHo Event Planning & Design

(Runner-Up)
J. Leigh Events

Videographer
Roosterfish Media

(Runner-Up)
The 5 and 2 Project

Wedding/Special Event Venue
Duke Mansion

(Runner-Up)
Separk Mansion

Florist
Blossom Shop

(Runner-Up)
Proper Flower

Dry Cleaner
2ULaundry

(Runner-Up)
American Dry Cleaners

Tailor/Alterations
Anna’s Alterations

(Runner-Up)
Myers Park Tailors

Travel Agency
CTM Vacations

(Runner-Up)
Jennifer Cron, Dream Vacations – Wanderlist Vacations

Public/Charter School
Charlotte Lab School

(Runner-Up)
Cotswold Elementary School

Private School
Providence Day School

(Runner-Up)
Charlotte Latin School

Summer Camp
Lanti Performing Arts

(Runner-Up)
Camp Mindy

After-School Care
Harris YMCA

(Runner-Up)
Lanti Performing Arts

Pet Boarding/Day Care
Central Bark Charlotte – Matthews

(Runner-Up)
Pet Palace – South Charlotte

Veterinarian
Dr. Higgins at Banfield Pet Hospital

(Runner-Up)
Dr. Greg Wood of Piper Glen Animal Hospital

Dog Trainer
The Green Dog

(Runner-Up)
Off Leash Dog Training

Moving Service
Gentle Giant Moving Company

(Runner-Up)
Make a Move

House Painter
Valentine Painting

(Runner-Up)
F2 Construction

Tutor Service
Ballantyne Reading Academy for the Very Young

(Runner-Up)
The Tutoring Link

College Planner
EWC Consulting

(Runner-Up)
Out in Front College Counseling

 

Media + Culture + Entertainment

Author
Tina Martin

(Runner-Up)
Bucleigh Newton Kernodle

Charlotte Influencer
Meghan Trainor (@BodybyTrainor)

(Runner-Up)
Laura Long (@smartsouthernstyle)

Charlotte Instagram Account
Meghan Trainor (@BodybyTrainor)

(Runner-Up)
Laura Long (@smartsouthernstyle)

Charlotte Twitter Account
Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9)

(Runner-Up)
Axios Charlotte (@axioscharlotte)

Company to Work for
Choate Construction

(Runner-Up)
VOCI Plastic Surgery

DIY Studio/Class/Workshop
Holt School of Fine Art

(Runner-Up)
AR Workshop

Family Attraction
Carowinds

(Runner-Up)
U.S. National Whitewater Center

Golf Course
Quail Hollow Club

(Runner-Up)
Charlotte Country Club

Charity Event/Fundraiser
Unlocked’s Golf + Giving Fundraiser at Topgolf

(Runner-Up)
HopeStrong Gala

Festival
BuildStrong Charlotte

(Runner-Up)
Festa Italiana Charlotte

Holiday Event
Charlotte Christmas Village/Light the Knights

(Runner-Up)
McAdenville Christmastown

Pop-Up Event
Girl Tribe Co.

(Runner-Up)
Curated by Canopy

Karaoke Spot
Jeff’s Bucket Shop

(Runner-Up)
Lucky Lou’s Tavern

Live Performance Venue
The Fillmore

(Runner-Up)
Neighborhood Theatre

Local Band/Musician
Occult Fracture

(Runner-Up)
Josh Daniel

Performing Arts Group
Lanti Performing Arts

(Runner-Up)
Theatre Charlotte

Local Artist
Bryant Portwood

(Runner-Up)
Amy Moffatt

Art Gallery
Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art

(Runner-Up)
Art House Charlotte

Museum
The Mint Museum

(Runner-Up)
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

Public Art
ArtPop Street Gallery

(Runner-Up)
The Firebird

Local Podcast
Champagne Problems

(Runner-Up)
Wake Up to Your Life

Radio Show
The Maney & LauRen Morning Show (Kiss 95.1)

(Runner-Up)
Bob & Sheri (K104.7)

Local Sports Show
Mac & Bone (WFNZ)

(Runner-Up)
Charlotte Sports Live (Queen City News)

Local TV News Team
WBTV

(Runner-Up)
WSOC

Reporter
Molly Grantham

(Runner-Up)
Joe Bruno

Weather Forecaster
Brad Panovich

(Runner-Up)
Larry Sprinkle

Athlete
LaMelo Ball

(Runner-Up)
Brian Burns

Sports Team
Charlotte FC

(Runner-Up)
Carolina Panthers

Sporting Event
Charlotte FC

(Runner-Up)
Carolina Panthers