Mailbag: Top 35 feedback letters on Ed’s, CIAA, seafood, dogs, bloggers and more

In response to: Where are all the Charlotte fish fries?

“You have to check out Captain Steve’s Seafood in Fort Mill, SC. It’s near Carowinds and in my opinion is the best seafood restaurant around! It’s always packed!” – D

In response to: I took a date to Charlotte’s new steakhouse, The Porter’s House. Here’s how we spent $202.38.

“Waverley is not that far of a drive from a large portion of Charlotte whose life exists outside of South End and East Boulevard (gasp!). Little dramatic.” – A

In response to: Oh boy, looks like Dilworth favorite Ed’s Tavern changing name to Bourbon N Burgers

“This is some serious commitment to a terrible April Fools joke.” – S

“The new Ed’s name is not what is terrible, it’s the super generic strip mall sign that they have up. Spend more money to get a decent looking sign. It looks absolutely awful.” – F

“Why not just name it ‘Food and Alcohol’?” – C

“Told you, they just could resist the ‘____ ‘N _____’ cliché” – N

“The new name reminds me of an episode of Bar Rescue.” – A

“Maybe this will be like that time the Hornets became the Bobcats and then turned back into the Hornets again bc the name Bobcats sucked and everybody wanted to be the Hornets again… #BringBackTheEds” – C

“Changing Ed’s is criminal. This is a spot that has been a neighborhood staple and a place where you can go for a good time without feeling like you are being seen or heard.” – B

“God I hate the new name of Ed’s. It’s obvious who they are trying to appeal to. It sounds like a restaurant in the adult section of Disney World. Or better yet, Carowinds. Or even better, any new Charlotte suburb! ZERO creativity in historically the most creative neighborhood in Charlotte. Atta boy.” – W

“Was this some sort of community outreach thing where the owners found the deutschiest frat guy at UNCC and gave him a marketing internship?” – R

“Ted needs to go work for the new Bourbon N Burgers (old Ed’s tavern). His restaurant write ups are as bad and corny as the new Bourbon N Burgers sign. Seriously.” – Y

“Maybe Bourbon N Burgers could host the next Crabtoberfest?” – A

“If you devoted even just half of the reporting resources you devote to things like the Ed’s Tavern renaming, it would be amazing what Axios Charlotte could become. Listen, I love Axios Charlotte — and I’m not even in your target age demographic (I’m 47, but I go to places like Ed’s/Bourbon ‘n Burgers too). I just so often think about the untapped potential you have as a media outlet covering this broad, vibrant community where so much actual news happens every day. Take the Republicans’ new proposed healthcare bill to replace Obamacare. What would that mean to local citizens?” – B

In response to: 15 Charlotte bloggers you should be following

“I just wanted to commend Marsha (the Finance Bar blogger) for contributing useful and practical information for people. Unlike all the other bloggers who just blog to show off themselves (their photography, their “lifestyle,” their fashion, their bodies, their beauty, etc.) — she’s actually DOING something! Fiscal responsibility is cooler & sexier than anything posted on those other superficial sites.” – P

Int response to: Marriott’s massive renovation adds lobby restaurant that appeals to locals and travelers alike

“The pressed mix drinks were the most creative and interesting and neither of you bothered to try them. Katie should be limited to her own series: Best Restaurants in Charlotte for Vegans or Best Sides in Charlotte. I’d mention that the carolina gold grits were the best side on the Stoke menu, but oh sorry, it has a poached egg in it. Next week you’ll send her out to review the Improper Pig!” – C

In response to: Charlotte’s hottest seafood operation is a pop-up at an Indian restaurant on Albemarle Road

“I see that you guys ventured out of your usual comfort zone & explored beyond the hip and savvy by trying out Seafood Connection. Good Job!! Now if your really want to impress your readers, you would do a side by side comparison of rival seafood platter pop Mr. 3’s Crabpot. Mr. 3’s is banging.” – P

In response to: Why immigration policy has become a flashpoint in Charlotte

“Charlotte is a major hub for human trafficking meaning that many of the so called ‘illegal’ individuals are in Charlotte due to forced cohersion and the belief that they are coming to Charlotte under legitimate means. Unfortunately once here, whether it be working ‘under the table’ in severe labor intensive conditions with long hours no pay or as sex slaves, many of the documents that they have that prove their legal status has been taken away or not able to be renewed due to the power over the one who is in charge. Their undocumented legal status becomes a control mechanism. Some of these individuals are able to escape, some are not but when ICE comes in and does a raid, guess who ends up going to jail?” – D

“How is this issue not black and white to everyone? If a person enters your house without your permission, you call the cops to get them out. If someone enters the country illegally, call in ICE. It’s the same thing!” – T

In response to: Why the white outrage over CIAA gunfire?

“Seriously, Andrew? I’m inclined to believe you would feel differently if you lived in First Ward and a bullet flew through your window. Does someone have to get seriously injured or killed for this to be taken seriously? I live in First Ward (thankfully not close to where the shots were fired this year, but close to where they were fired last year), and saw play-by-play comments on our First Ward Facebook group by terrified people trying to figure out what was going on outside their door. Not to mention the pictures people posted of bullets through their doorjambs, windows and furniture. Can you honestly believe there were no residual effects of ONE HUNDRED gunshots in a residential area of Uptown, simply because no one was injured?” – M

“I think it’s completely acceptable to notice a trend using multiple data points and address that trend. CIAA has had a violent occurrence 4 years in a row. That needs addressing. Whether it be by virtue of increased security or cancellation of the event. It’s not white outrage or black outrage. It’s simply outrage. I recently moved here from Houston Texas (4th largest city in the nation) and I still can’t fathom this kind of shoot out happening downtown.” – B

“What you guys fail to realize as you sit perched on your politically correct high horse is that the gun violence is just the most visible item on a long list of grievances that includes aggressive behavior towards Charlotte natives living uptown, destruction of property, vandalism, and a marijuana cloud that descends on uptown at night” – I

“It’s ok for over a hundred gunshots to be allowed (again no one was hurt) just because it was at a historically black event?! This is the kind of thinking that is causing so many crimes in the black community. Liberal thinking is killing America.” – F

“Why does the CIAA even still exist? Colleges and Universities are integrated. I think it’s pretty safe to say that African American athletes are extremely well represented in the NCAA. This is a divisive organization, and the CIAA tournament is a perennial reminder of divisive times.” – L

“Thanks for telling it like it is. I saw a guy in Morrocroft Harris Teeter wearing a gun in a holster. He was white. If he had been black I guarantee people would have been running for the exits. On a another note, still not sure why any one needs a gun in HT or why HT allows it.” – K

“A piece that confounds in its inability to find any inkling of objectivity. The title itself is somewhat ridiculous. Please quote me the stats on how many white vs black people want the tourney to leave. Inferring these things is in and of itself race profiling.” – R

“If people were violently beaten EVERY Rascal Flatts concert, I’d say we should ban pop-country crossover shows too! I think you’re making this about ‘white outrage’ and not about gun control as a inflammatory tactic. Gun violence is bad. Stirring up racial tension as click bait is too.” – J

“Thank you Andrew for calling the kettle black. It’s refreshing to see someone of the Caucasian persuasion make everyone see both sides of an argument such as this. I can understand the city not wanting to let CIAA go because this is a big money maker for the city. Also a point you missed was, most white people flee uptown anyway during CIAA so their bubbles don’t ever have to be affected.” – K

“Is a person’s level of white outrage driven by how angry they are or how white they are? Like if I’m really mad but pretty tan am I more white outraged than someone who’ only kinda miffed but REALLY pale? Weighted average?” – L

“Thank you for your commentary on this issue. It seems like in a city like Charlotte (I’m new here) it would definitely meet opposition to express this viewpoint you have – and did it anyway. Much appreciation.” – C

“Your biggest mistake so far has been your choice to write articles about recent race issues in our very own city. Of course it’s a difficult time and a sensitive matter to speak on, and of course this is an issue that deserves attention and change. However, this is a website about what Charlotte has to offer, not the New York Times or any other established, national news business who does have reason to discuss all issues good and otherwise.” – S

“It’s a shame that any article that hints at a conversation regarding race immediately causes an uproar among the white-heterosexual-upper-middle class population that is the majority that reads Axios Charlotte. How are we going to combat the issues regarding race, socio-economic status, gender identification without people dismissing the articles as ‘race baiting’, not even caring to look beyond the title to see what it’s about or being disturb aback by the idea of that privilege becomes at stake if one is yo undercover the issues… 2 more years in Charlotte left! I can’t wait to get out.” – T

In response to: Should Charlotte require people to bring their dogs inside during cold weather?

” Maybe next we will not let children outside in the same conditions. It reminds me when years ago someone in first ward called animal control accusing use of starving our Labrador. However he was a Weimaraner mix, and our other dog who was a lab mix was normal sized. I always wished whoever it was would have spoken to us.” – N

“I love dogs, but being forced to bring them inside by (someone, the government, the weatherman) is ridiculous. If they live outside all the time, they are used to weather fluctuations. If you leave your dog(s) outside without any protection, you are a douche. But with space to roam, a doghouse (perhaps with a door), wood chips when it gets cold, plenty of water for both hot and cold days, the vast majority of dogs are fine for all but the most extreme days in our area.” – L

In response to: Can Charlotte fix the deathtrap that is Parkwood and The Plaza?

“I live in Country Club Heights and drive that stretch almost daily, it’s definitely a big problem. However, I’m much more inclined to agree with the city staff. Driving around bikes makes me nervous and I’d love to have bike lanes, but the pedestrian traffic is a huge issue in this area. The biggest problem seems to be jaywalking. At least once a week I see someone crossing the street somewhere other than a crosswalk, and a lot of times pedestrians start crossing, stop in the middle of the lane to wait for cars to pass, then keep going. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve had to slam on my brakes or swerve into the next lane to keep from hitting a pedestrian. The idea of a road diet is definitely more visually appealing, but I’m assuming the city staff’s recommendation is cheaper, and I’d rather see the city save money and focus on making crosswalks better to avoid jaywalking.” – E

In response to: 10 of the most unexpected ways to get involved in the community

“Please thank Kylie for her essay today about how to engage with the community! My (Baby Boomer) generation was presented with service opportunities via church ….but as ‘Nones’ the Millennials don’t have that easy path. I’m absolutely convinced that people who include service to others in their life are happier and healthier….if you can nudge your readers in that direction, you will do them a huge favor. One volunteer opportunity you missed is Heart (math) tutoring, happening in many low-income public schools. I do this, along with many younger people, and think it’s well-organized and rewarding.” – G

In response to: Facebook is right, Cotswold isn’t cool enough to be worth part of the Common Market name

“Cotswold has a farmers market, little free libraries, great neighborhood streets to walk and bike on. It still has an art supply store — Binders (local to boot) — Oakhurst lost its — cheap Joe’s. It has great local places to eat — Pizza Peel, Improper Pig, Shun Lee, Koishoi, Mezzanote, Block and Grinder. Plus it has the best bagels in town at Poppy’s. My boyfriend loves walking out my door to go to Smashburger. While it will be great to have a Common Market close by, we don’t need to be included in the name to be cool. We are secure enough in our identity. It would be nice if the city had made recent rezoning decisions (Publix) with a goal of making the neighborhood more bike and pedestrian friendly. Unfortunately commuter traffic is favored over the needs of the immediate neighborhood. My mother has lived here since 1991. I like it so much I bought a condo in 2006.” – R