Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden recently recognized one of its most  dedicated, impassioned supporters by renaming a popular Garden destination in his honor. On Thursday,  May 12, The William H. Williamson III Orchid Conservatory was dedicated among its namesake, his  family, community members and Garden leaders.

“This honor leaves me speechless,” said William H. Williamson III, also known as “Bill Will” across the  Charlotte area. “I began donating time and energy to the Garden decades ago because this place brought  me joy. My travels around the globe brought me to many spectacular botanical gardens overflowing with  colors and visitors, and I strongly believed that Belmont deserved the same. As our Garden came to  fruition, it was a chance for me to contribute what I could to these beautiful, flourishing acres and the  breathtaking experience they offer worldwide guests. I’m proud of the progress the Garden has made,  including this stunning Orchid Conservatory.”

Williamson has served the Garden in a variety of volunteer capacities since its inception. His  commitments include co-chairing the campaign to construct the Orchid Conservatory as well as chairing  the Board of Visitors and membership among the Board of Directors. Williamson is a Charlotte native, a  U.S. Army veteran, an avid golfer, a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather, and retired  from a long, successful career in business economics.

Simply called The Orchid Conservatory since its opening in 2008, the striking 8,000-square-foot, five story, glass-paned preserve – now named in Williamson’s honor – is dedicated to a robust display of  orchids and tropical plants. Breathtaking features include a waterfall, cocoa tree, showy blooming orchids  and seasonal exhibitions. Williamson played an integral role in bringing this stunning Garden asset to life,  giving way to this springtime dedication to him.

Said D. Harding Stowe, chairman of the Garden’s Board of Directors, “Bill has poured love into his every  endeavor with the Garden. He’s been an admirable example of dedication and support since this  blooming attraction was only a dream. There’s no better person, better Garden enthusiast and advocate, for this recognition and we look forward to the William H. Williamson III Orchid Conservatory continuing to  blossom in his honor for generations to come.”

Thursday’s dedication event included remarks from Stowe, Williamson and other Garden leadership, an invitation lunch, signage unveiling and tours of the renamed conservatory and the renewed Perennial  Garden. Interim Executive Director Art Gallagher also presented Williamson with a commemorative  shovel from the first groundbreaking ceremony hosted in August 2005.

Added Williamson about the dedication honor, “Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden holds a big piece of my  heart and I’m so privileged to forever be a piece of its beauty now.”

Charlotte’s SouthPark Mall just announced plans to add five new stores into its portfolio of more than 150 retailers – all slated to open by this coming August.  

The new stores will include; Uno de 50, Hive & Colony, Tag Heuer, Blue Nile, and Levi’s. 

Uno de 50, located in the Fountain Court next to Tumi, is a handcrafted jewelry brand featuring unique, handmade pieces authentic to the brand’s Spanish roots, while bespoke suit supplier Hive & Colony, open in Center Court next to Swarovski, uses 3D body scanning technology to create custom suits, shirts, coats and more. For both brands, these newest locations are one of just a handful of showrooms in the United States.

Three more stores are set to open later this summer. Luxury Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer will open a 700-square-foot storefront in the Fountain Court near Francesca’s in June, followed by the July opening of Blue Nile, the world’s leading diamond jeweler online for engagement and wedding rings. The Blue Nile showroom will span more than 1,850 square feet and will provide jewelry repair and cleaning in addition to jeweler concierge services. Iconic American denim brand Levi’s will round out the new openings in August just in time for back-to-school shopping. The 2,600-square-foot-store will open next to Kendra Scott near Fountain Court. 

“The addition of these stores is an exciting next step in solidifying SouthPark as a luxury retail destination,” said Van Cleave. “These brands each add value to our customers’ experience while maintaining our commitment of showcasing the finest in fashion, jewelry, technology and more.”

For more information on SouthPark Mall visit www.southpark.com. 

The Charlotte Douglas Airport just announced yet another round of expansive growth.

In the midst of its $2.5 billion makeover (to build an airport ‘fit for the Queen’), the airport just announced another major upgrade – a $231 million, 191,848-square-foot, 10 gate expansion of Concourse A.

When completed in 2024, the massively expanded concourse will feature a number of high-tech features, including auto-tinting window glass, adjustable speed terrazzo flooring in the center walkways, and 2 new massive live-art pieces, according to a press release from the airport.

The new concourse expansion will be paid for by a North Carolina Airport Improvement Program state grant, Passenger Facility Charge bonds, as well as non-Passenger Facility Charge bonds.

Charlotte Douglas has contracted with C Design and Perkins+Will for the design and JE Dunn and McFarland for the build out.

Charlotte-based Nucor Corporation has just announced plans to buy garage door maker C.H.I. Overhead Doors from private equity firm KKR for a cool $3.0 billion ($2.4 billion more than what KKR paid for the company back in July of 2015).

The roughly 800 employees at the company are fractional shareholders, so when the deal closes, a total of $360 million will be paid out to workers (receiving between $20,000 and $800,000 per person, depending on their position in the company).

This is wild: “CHI’s hourly employees, including those who build and deliver its doors, will make between $20,000 and $800,000 apiece before taxes when the deal closes.”https://t.co/mZHvW4odRe

— Natalie Kitroeff (@Nataliekitro) May 16, 2022

According to a press release, the transaction is expected to close in June or shortly thereafter, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing condition.

“Acquiring C.H.I. is another step in our long-term strategy to expand into areas that are a natural extension of our business and leverage our efficient manufacturing model,” said Nucor CEO Leon Topalian. “Acquiring C.H.I. allows Nucor to further enhance its already diverse range of businesses that provide end market solutions to the construction and infrastructure markets. As with the acquisitions Nucor made in the past year in insulated metal panels and racking, C.H.I. increases the overall long-run value of the organization with businesses that have strong free cash flow characteristics, robust growth prospects and fit with Nucor’s capabilities.”

The C.H.I. Overhead Doors company manufactures and sells overhead door products for residential and commercial applications, including rolling steel and rubber doors for commercial and industrial customers. They have 2 manufacturing plants in Arthur, Illinois, and Terre Haute, Indiana, and regional warehouses located in California, Colorado, New Hampshire and New Jersey.