One of Charlotte’s most historic signs is now up for sale on Craigslist for $10,000.
The landmark sign is a true Charlotte icon, having been prominently displayed at the entrance to the John Belk Freeway (277) from 1964 to 2009. In 2009, JFG was unable to renew their contract with the billboard company and the sign was moved to the AvidXchange Music Factory (formerly the NC Music Factory).
If you have the space for a 10,000 lb sign and an extra $10,000 laying around, this piece of Charlotte history can be yours;
This coming Wednesday (June 8th), Goodwill will be opening their first fashion-focused store in Charlotte called GW Boutique – it will offer trendy designer apparel, jewelry, shoes and accessories at slightly higher than regular Goodwill prices.
The new store will be located in a massive new complex called ‘The Goodwill Opportunity Campus’ at 5301 Wilkinson Blvd, on Charlotte’s west side.
Goodwill is describing the news store as a “social, engaging and chic” store aimed at young shoppers, offering brands like Kate Spade, Tory Burch and Coach.
Not everyone is crazy about the name;
Mom just called Goodwill the "GW Boutique" brb I'm jumping out of the car
Filming recently started at the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the new movie, ‘Logan Lucky’, staring Channing Tatum, Daniel Craig (James Bond), Adam Driver and Seth MacFarlane, now scheduled for a national theater release fall 2017.
The film’s director, Steven Soderbergh, is most well known for Ocean’s Eleven, Traffic, and Erin Brockovich (winning him two Oscar nominations and the accolade of Best Director).
“We are excited to work with Steven, Channing and all of Logan Lucky’s incredible cast and producers, it’s a big-hearted, fun story that showcases NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway as the world-class sports entertainment property and venue that they are, much like the Bellagio in Steven’s Ocean’s Eleven.” commented Zane Stoddard, NASCAR vice president of entertainment marketing and content development.
Pre-production filming started at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600, this past weekend, and at this point, it’s unclear when or where the filming will continue.
The reported cast features actors with a mix of talents in action, drama, and comedy, which reinforces the idea that this will be a NASCAR version of Ocean’s 11.
Thanks in part to tens of thousands of petition signatures, phone calls, emails, and letters to the NC Legislature, the NC House just passed HB954 – a new bill that would essentially cancel the i77 Toll Road contract.
House members just approved the bill this morning, with a bi-partisan vote of 81-27.
Although this comes as great news to most people living around Lake Norman, the revised House Bill 954 does come at a cost. A major revision introduced Wednesday freezes funding for a dozen other road projects around Lake Norman and north Charlotte, until the cost of canceling the contract is known. Projects that would be frozen include five widening projects on N.C. 73 through Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Lincoln counties; widening projects on U.S. 21 and NC 115 in north Mecklenburg; work on three interchanges in Huntersville; and improvements on Lakewood Road in north Charlotte and Hambright Road in Huntersville.
Bill co-sponsor Charles Jeter says some of those projects were to be funded with “bonus” money, which the DOT offered along with the state’s first public-private toll lane project.
Many think that this sacrifice will be worth it in the long run. One of HB954’s sponsors, Rep. Charles Jeter, from Mecklenburg, commented that tolls will cost drivers, primarily residents from Mecklenburg County, an estimated $10 billion throughout the entirety of the 50-year contract.
A few members of the NC Legislature and most of the DOT still stand behind the $650 million contract with I-77 Mobility Partners, a subsidiary of Spain-based Cintra, but it now seems likely that the tolls will eventually be stopped.
House Bill 954 now moves on to the NC Senate, and if it passes there it will have to be signed by Governor McCrory.
Come explore and experience the many galleries South End has to offer. Home to the largest number of galleries in Charlotte, you will find unique paintings, sculpture, jewelry, mosaics, and many galleries offer live music and refreshments!
Hosted by the Carolina Thread Trail, the family-friendly day features guided nature hikes, free kayak rentals for paddling on the Catawba, lawn games, live bluegrass music, and food and drinks available from Papi Queso truck and Riverman Brewing Company.
The Charlotte Knights will be taking on the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (from Allentown, PA) for 4 days this weekend in Uptown’s BB&T ball park. Tonight and Friday night the games will start at 7:05pm, Saturday night it will start at 6:05pm, and Sunday afternoon the 4th game will start at 2:05pm
The Unknown Brewing Company has partnered with Craft Growler Shop to bring live music, 7 food trucks, and Dirty Dancing on the big screen to SouthEnd this coming Friday night at their main tap room (1327 South Mint St).
Family and dog friendly with craft beer and wine for sale outside.
Mecklenburg County’s first beach at Lake Norman’s Ramsey Creek Park just opened this past weekend to record crowds. This weekend should be relatively calmer since it’s already been open for over a week and the weather won’t be quite as nice as last weekend.
Make sure to get their early and carpool (The beach fits up to 500 swimmers, but parking is only limited to 127 cars).
This weekend is the grand opening of the long overdue King of Pop’s retail ‘Pop Shop’ in South End and to celebrate, they’ll be handing out free pops all day Saturday (noon – 9 p.m.) and Sunday (noon – 7 p.m.).
Tomorrow (June 3rd) is National Donut Day, and to celebrate, all Charlotte area Krispy Kremes, Dunkin Donuts, Duck Donuts, and Suarez Bakery (4245 Park Rd) will be offering 1 free donut to each visitor, no purchase necessary – with the exception of Dunkin Donuts, you have to buy a drink to get their free donut.
Tin Roof at The EpiCentre, is hosting live music this Saturday night with no cover, but you have to get there before 10 p.m. if you want to get in free.
This coming Saturday (June 4th) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the future Berewick Town Center Site (9500 Steele Creek Rd) will be hosting a massive food truck festival. Besides the food trucks there will be a DJ, face painting, a strolling magician, a balloon twiter, bounce houses, trolley rides and a chance to win a free trip for 4 to Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.
This weekend is the grand opening of the long overdue King of Pop’s retail ‘Pop Shop’ in South End (2500 Dunavant St) – and it’s even right next to the Rail Trail (New Bern Station is a .6 mile walk.).
To celebrate this historic event, they’ll be handing out free pops all day Saturday (noon – 9 p.m.) and Sunday (noon – 7 p.m.).
The King of Pop’s new retail location will include some specialty flavors that aren’t available at their carts, including a new chocolate-dipped popsicle.
The Coca-Cola 600 is NASCAR’s longest race and one of the biggest events in the Charlotte region.
Local videographer Matt K. Clum was able to gain full access to the LiftMaster Pole Night during the Coca-Cola 600 race week at the Charlotte Motor Speedway by joining the film crew at MRO (Motor Racing Outreach).
Here is his behind-the-scenes vlog from the track;
Matt’s now posting daily vlogs of his adventures filming and enjoying life around the Charlotte region – check out more of his videos or subscribe to his YouTube Channel here.
Jaymes Meyer was found guilty in a Charlotte courtroom for obstruction of justice regarding his involvement in one of the largest ponzi schemes in American history (second only to Bernie Madoff’s $65 billion fraud).
In 2012 the SEC ruled that online marketer Paul Burks of Lexington, N.C. and his company Rex Venture Group convinced over a million customers around the world (including 1,500 from Charlotte) to invest through his website ZeekRewards.com – the company was eventually found guilt of stealing over $592 million from their customers.
Jaymes Meyer now admitted to wiring over $4 million from his Rex Venture’s trust account to another brokerage account under his control within an hour of learning about the massive SEC investigation.
Meyer’s then used the money to purchase homes in Napa and the Turks and Caicos, then made about $1.5 million in improvements, and withdrew about $195,000 in cash, according to court documents.
The U.S. National Whitewater Center, on Charlotte’s west side, is now one of the city’s most visited destinations for outdoor activities, concerts, and just hanging out with friends – and things are about to get even better.
Last year, the facility acquired 140 more acres of land, bringing their total to over 540 acres, and the facility has just announced 4 major new developments that are now under construction.
The first will be America’s first and only permanent “Deep Water Solo Climbing Facility“. In essence, this will include several huge rock climbing walls (25′, 35′ and 45′ tall), with a 16 foot deep pool at the bottom.
The pool at the bottom of the 4 walls will serve as a cushion for both descending and jumping climbers.
The second development coming to the Whitewater Center will be the Outfitter.
It will feature a new state-of-the-art 5,000 square foot equipment and resource facility offering extreme sports lessons, gear, and apparel.
The third development coming to the center will be a completely renovated and redesigned kitchen, including over 5,000 square feet of new dining options.
The fourth, and possibly most exciting new development will be “The Tower“.
A new 100+ foot tower on Hawk Island is being built right now, the “largest addition to the facility in our 10 year history,” according to Osterhus. It will be the home of two new zip line experiences
The tower will reaching over 100 feet in the air, standing high atop Hawk Island. It will be the largest addition to the facility in over 10 years.
The tower will be the starting point of the longest zip line at the USNWC, which will now span 1,650 ft (the current zip line is now 1,400 feet long).
Downtown Mooresville is now being flooded with actors, extras, and film production crews for the making of 20th Century Fox’s new series called “Shots Fired“.
The new show stars Richard Dreyfuss, Helen Hunt, and Stephen Moyer. It explores the aftermath of racially charged shootings in a small southern town, drawing inspiration from the recent police shootings and the Black Lives Matter movement.
They started filming this week on Broad Street and will continue through Saturday morning.
“Shots Fired” is transforming Mooresville Town Hall for filming later this evening. We are open for business today. pic.twitter.com/F7ds6Bm4aU
— Town of Mooresville (@MooresvilleNC) May 27, 2016
Fox officials sent out letters to Mooresville residents and business owners to be advised of the filming, and that they will be “working closely with the Mooresville Police Department to ensure a safe shooting environment.”
Roads will be closed along Broad Street, McLelland to Iredell Avenue, Center Avenue, and sections of Moore Avenue – residents will still be able to access their homes during filming.
This coming Wednesday (June 8th), Goodwill will be opening their first fashion-focused store in Charlotte called GW Boutique – it will offer trendy designer apparel, jewelry, shoes and accessories at slightly higher than regular Goodwill prices. 
Downtown Mooresville is now being flooded with actors, extras, and film production crews for the making of 20th Century Fox’s new series called “