Concord Mills Overhauling Shopping Options w/ 4 New Stores and 4 More in The Works

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Concord Mills is set to expand its retail offerings with several new stores now open and more scheduled to open in the coming months.

These additions aim to enhance the shopping, dining, and entertainment experience at North Carolina’s largest retail destination.

Newly Opened Stores:

  • MINISO: This Chinese lifestyle retailer offers household goods, fashion items, cosmetics, toys, and snacks. Located in Suite 714 near SEA LIFE.
  • Pandora: Known for its jewelry collections including Timeless, Moments, Disney, and Marvel. Located in Suite 328A near J. Crew.
  • Lacoste Outlet: The only Lacoste outlet in the state, offering men’s clothing, footwear, and accessories. Located in Suite 332 near REEDS Jewelers.
  • Royal Reflections: A salon providing nail care and facials, offering a luxurious pampering experience. Located in Suite 363 near HANESBrands.

Coming Soon:

  • DTLR (Down Town Locker Room): Featuring streetwear and sportswear from brands like Nike, adidas, Jordan, and New Balance. Opening soon in Suite 615A near Old Navy Outlet.
  • Hi Level Fashion: Specializing in men’s clothing, shoes, and accessories with brands such as Casablanca and Yeezy. Opening soon in Suite 611 near Burlington.
  • Ice Box Jewelers: A premier destination for exquisite jewelry for all occasions. Opening soon in Suite 440 near Bass Pro Shops.
  • Pics & Prints: Offering a dynamic photography experience with integrated shooting, editing, and printing services. Opening soon in Suite 501 near Bass Pro Shops.

Gov. Roy Cooper Withdraws from Vice Presidential Consideration

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has withdrawn from consideration to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.

In a statement last night, Cooper confirmed he would no longer seek the vice-presidential spot.

“I strongly support Vice President Harris’ campaign for President. I know she’s going to win and I was honored to be considered for this role. This just wasn’t the right time for North Carolina and for me to potentially be on a national ticket,” said the Governor.

It remains unclear if the Harris campaign lost interest in Cooper or if he made the decision independently.

Cooper, who will leave the governor’s office at the end of the year, was among several Democrats vetted for the vice-presidential role. His name frequently surfaces as a potential Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2026, when Republican Sen. Thom Tillis is up for reelection.

What do you think about Roy Cooper’s decision?

Czinger Charlotte Tapped for Distribution of First 3D-Printed Hypercar

Czinger CharlotteCzinger Charlotte has just been selected to start distributing the first official 3D-printed ‘hypercar’ – the 21C.

The 21C represents a radical transformation in manufacturing. This vehicle showcases the future of human-AI design and sustainable systems. Equipped with an in-house designed twin-turbo V8, it features a strong hybrid configuration. The 21C reaches a top speed of 253 mph in its V Max iteration.

The lightweight construction uses carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium. This design keeps the vehicle’s weight at just 1,250 kg. Consequently, the 21C can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 1.9 seconds. It’s broken multiple track records, including Circuit of the Americas and Laguna Seca.

Czinger Charlotte plans to deliver the 21C and 21C V Max this summer, with only 80 cars to be produced. The 21C, the world’s first human-AI-designed and 3D-printed vehicle, represents a shift in automotive manufacturing. The 21C V Max is designed for combined acceleration and top speed.

Will Fort Mill Have Enough Water? Charlotte Water’s New Plan Sparks Concerns

Charlotte Water is seeking to modify its interbasin transfer (IBT) certificate to increase the maximum water transfer limit from 33 million gallons per day. This proposal comes as the city’s water demand is projected to exceed current limits by 2028-2030 due to population growth.

Currently, Charlotte Water, which serves most of Mecklenburg County, draws water from the Catawba River basin, specifically from Lake Norman and Mountain Island Lake. This water is then pumped into the Rocky River basin. The request for increased transfer has raised concerns among York County residents about future water availability, especially during droughts.

Charlotte Water will be holding a public hearing tonight (July 29th) at Dutchman Creek Middle School in Rock Hill from 6pm – 8pm about their potential water usage increases.

The outcomes of these hearings and public comments will influence the final decision on the IBT modification.

A New Public Sand Beach Is Being Built For Charlotte-Area Residents – Beatty’s Ford Beach

Construction has just started on a new public beach for the Charlotte area. Lake Norman’s third public beach, named Beatty’s Ford Beach, will be located 25 miles north of Charlotte at Beatty’s Ford Park, 8335 Shipley Lane, in Denver.

According to the Lincoln County Parks and Recreation department, the new development will feature a public swim beach area, an accessible fishing pier, a concession building with bathrooms, additional paved parking, and a looped drive for safe entry and exit. These new amenities aim to provide public swimming access to Lake Norman and support future programming by the Lincoln County Parks and Recreation department.

“We are very excited for this project as it will add another amenity for Lincoln County families and visitors,” said Parks and Recreation Director John Davis in a press release. “Lake Norman is the largest man-made lake in the state of North Carolina, and creating a safe and enjoyable access for the public to enjoy adds to the caliber of our community.”

Construction is expected to be completed this fall, with the swim beach set to open to the public in May 2025. Once finished, Beatty’s Ford Park will be the third public swimming access area on Lake Norman, following Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius and Lake Norman State Park in Troutman.

Lake Norman has a rich history as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The lake was created in the early 1960s by Duke Power Company for hydroelectric power, flood control, and recreation. Today, it is a beloved destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and other outdoor activities, attracting millions of visitors each year.

What do you think about the new beach?

Rock Hill Launching Mixed Reality Blood Donation Experience This Week

The Blood Connection (TBC) will launch a mixed-reality experience available to blood donors July 29 through August 9 at the TBC Rock Hill Donation Center (1157 Herrons Ferry Road, Rock Hill, SC 29730). TBC, in partnership with Abbott and Blood Centers of America, are proud to introduce the Microsoft Hololens 2 headsets to blood donors in Rock Hill during this select time period.

The Microsoft HoloLens 2 merges physical and digital worlds throughout blood donation. Donors that utilize these new, hands-free, headsets will be immersed in an interactive garden experience that allows them to plant seeds and cultivate a blooming garden while listening to soothing music and remaining aware of their real world surroundings.

The goal is to improve the donation experience, help attract new donors, and to cultivate the next generation of blood donors.

Charlotte Charter School Celebrating 10-Year Milestone w/ Community Block Party

A.C.E. Academy, a leading Charlotte charter school, is commemorating 10 years of academic and programmatic achievements with a “farewell to Summer” block party event. Founded in 2014 by entrepreneurs including Laila Minott, Shawn Smalls, and Shannon Martin, A.C.E. Academy is a public, tuition-free K-8 charter school. The school’s curriculum and summer camps focus on college preparation and entrepreneurship and is most well-known for its Young Moguls club which has allowed students to create small businesses that have earned more than $30,000 to date. Some of those young moguls will be hand vending and showcasing their creations during the event. The A.C.E Academy 10 Year Block Party will take place on Saturday, July 27 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and will be held at 7807 Caldwell Rd, Harrisburg, NC.

During the block party, A.C.E. will showcase a couple budding Kid-preneurs from their Young Moguls Entrepreneurship Program. The young moguls will have vendor tables with carefully curated products from hair accessories to canvas art and artificial nail kits. During the event attendees will experience a live performance from teenage celebrity singing group, “Wanmore”, spinoff of family group, Boyz II Men. Additionally, Cabarrus County Police Department and Cabarrus County Fire Department will be on hand to greet attendees.

WHEN:

Saturday, July 27th from 12 p.m.

WHERE:

7807 Caldwell Rd, Harrisburg, NC

About A.C.E. Academy

A.C.E. Academy Charter School is dedicated to preparing students for success by providing an alternative philosophy to traditional education. A.C.E. Academy builds practical, hands-on learning experiences into the K-8th curriculum by introducing entrepreneurial, collaborative, and financial concepts as early as kindergarten. Our model is making a difference in student education; our students leave A.C.E. not only prepared for high school, but as leaders! https://www.aceacademycharter.org/

Lake Norman Leaders Hoping New ‘Exit 27’ off I-77 Will Ease Traffic Congestion

A new Lake Norman exit could potentially ease the daily congestion on Interstate 77 just north of Charlotte.

The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) is evaluating funding for a proposed exit on Westmoreland Road in Cornelius, to be named Exit 27.

This area experiences significant traffic backups, and transit leaders are currently gathering public input on the project. The proposed Exit 27 aims to alleviate traffic from Catawba and Exit 28, enhancing overall flow.

The project envisions developing a high-quality, non-residential employment center, which is expected to substantially benefit the local community. Additionally, CRTPO is considering widening projects on highways such as N.C. 115 and U.S. 21.

Public comments on the new exit project are open until August 1.

Average North Carolinian Plans on Watching 30 Hours of Olympics Coverage

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As the world’s eyes turn to Paris for the Olympic Games, millions of Americans are gearing up for their own test of endurance – not on the track or in the pool, but on their couches. Every four years, this global spectacle transforms living rooms across the nation into personal stadiums, where the only medal on offer is for marathon viewing.

From the familiar thrill of track & field and the nail-biting vertical challenges of sport climbing to the debut of breakdancing (yes, you read that right), the Olympics promise a smorgasbord of athletic prowess. And just how much of this feast are North Carolinians planning to consume?

The website HostingAdvice decided to find out, surveying 3,000 sports fans about their Olympic viewing ambitions.

The results? We’re going for gold in the couch potato category. The average North Carolina sports enthusiast plans to dedicate more than 30 hours to Olympic coverage during the two-week event. That’s nearly a full workweek spent cheering, groaning, and possibly learning the rules of handball.

Some states are taking their Olympic devotion to new heights. Hawaii leads the pack, with residents estimating a jaw-dropping 98 hours of viewing time – four straight days of non-stop Olympic action. On the flip side, Montanans appear less consumed, planning a modest 8 hours of coverage – just enough time to watch the opening ceremony and maybe catch a few swimming finals.

For those wondering about their viewing stamina, the average respondent is prepared to plant themselves in front of their screens for up to three and a half hours at a stretch. That’s longer than most movies, but who needs Hollywood when you’ve got the drama of the balance beam?

Tradition still reigns supreme when it comes to how we’ll tune in. Two-thirds of viewers will opt for the classic TV experience, while a tech-savvy 22% will stream on their phones – a small but dedicated 1% plan to watch via game consoles.

The Olympic spirit is infecting our daily lives, too. More than a quarter of respondents admitted they’d be taking time off work to catch the games. Another 27% expect their sleep patterns to take a hit. After all, who needs a regular sleep schedule when there’s table tennis to watch at 3 am?

Social media takes the gold for staying updated, with 55% of fans turning to their feeds for the latest Olympic news. News websites claim silver at 27%, while official Olympic apps and sports apps battle it out for bronze.

So, as athletes from around the world prepare to push their bodies to the limit, North Carolinians are readying themselves for a different kind of endurance event. It may not require physical training, but it does demand dedication, stamina, and a willingness to explain the intricacies of modern pentathlon to confused family members at odd hours.

Flood Warning Issued For The Charlotte Region Today

A major flood threat has been issued for the Charlotte region today due to potential heavy rainfall in the afternoon and evening.

All Charlotte area residents should monitor weather radar and alerts throughout the day on Thursday due to the threat of flash flooding, excessive rain, and potential thunderstorms.

Heavy rain is expected to intensify closer to noon, with showers and thunderstorms likely, increasing the risk of localized flash flooding and potential power outages.

In case of a power outage, make sure to have the following emergency items stocked in your home;

The Charlotte region has already seen between two and five inches of rain over the past week, with an additional one to two inches forecast through the of this week.