The other day I stumbled upon a Reddit thread suggesting Charlotte needs a landmark or sign for visitors to take photos in front of. To that, I say: Have we forgotten about the FIrebird?! It makes for an iconic Halloween costume. Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
🍠 Uptown Farmers Market will host SNAP Triple Bucks Day on Saturday, Oct. 19, meaning SNAP benefits will stretch up to an extra $100 on all foods at the market. The market is at 300 S. Davidson St. from 8am – 12:30pm on Saturday. (Uptown Farmers Market)
⚾️ Gastonia Ghost Peppers will be the name of Gastonia Baseball Club starting in 2025, per a press release.
🏀 Shawn Parker has been named the Charlotte Hornets' new PA announcer. He succeeds beloved announcer Pat Doughty, known as "Big Pat," who died in July. (Hornets)
⚾️ Hurricane Milton's walloping of Tampa Bay left so much damage to Tropicana Field that some say the Tampa Bay Rays won't be able to open their season there next March. Could Charlotte temporarily house the team? (Tampa Bay Times)
🍩 Duck Donuts abruptly closed two franchise locations in Dilworth and Huntersville. (CBJ)
🥙 Ilios Crafted Greek plans to open two new locations: in Oakhurst Commons in east Charlotte and CrossRidge Center in Indian Land. (CBJ)
🍝 Yelpers named Little Mama's penne alla vodka (AKA "the inducer") the most popular dish in North Carolina. (Yelp)
🏈 The Carolina Panthers announced a multi-year partnership with Belk, which will make the Charlotte-based department store a title sponsor for several annual team events, like the Keep Pounding High School Classic and the holiday tree lighting at Bank of America Stadium, per a press release.
Belk is also a partner for the Concert for Carolina. Proceeds from the concert, including sponsorships, benefit Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
