Charlotte is getting a non-alcoholic bar, with pop-ups planned for the summer

State of play: Heartbutter is a Black-owned, woman-owned non-alcoholic bar for anyone "who wants a meaningful night out without losing their edge," she tells Axios.

• Though Heartbutter doesn't have a brick-and-mortar yet, Thomas is hosting a series of summer pop-ups while she searches for a space.
• She hopes the events will serve as real-time feedback on what Charlotte actually wants in a permanent space — the hours, the vibe, and of course, what's on the menu. Guests vote on their favorite drinks at each pop-up to help shape it.

Zoom in: Thomas is a marketer-turned-entrepreneur who moved to Charlotte last April. She is five years sober and on a mission "to live intentionally."

The intrigue: She crowdfunded Heartbutter's launch and is using community investment to fund the pop-ups.

• She's working with Charlotte mixologist Donnell Owens to craft their signature cocktails using non-alcoholic spirits like Lyre and Ritual.
• These won't just be "juice without alcohol," she jokes.

Fun fact: The name for Heartbutter comes from Ezekiel 36:26 — a verse about replacing a heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Thomas paired it with butter for that same softness, she says.

• To her, Heartbutter is that warm feeling in your chest when you're truly connecting with someone.

The big picture: Charlotte's alcohol-free landscape is growing. Most bars now offer mocktail menus or alternative beverages, like THC seltzers.

• Plus, daytime coffee parties, wellness raves and fitness festivals have become part of the city's social fabric.
• But dedicated nighttime spaces that are completely dry remain a largely untapped scene.

If you go: Heartbutter's first pop-up is June 25, 6–8pm at CHNO Coffee in Lower South End. Early bird tickets are $35 (through May 14).

• A July pop-up at Lottie's in Uptown is also in the works.