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Axios Charlotte gets you smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in your backyard.

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James Beard-nominated chef revives Mattie's Diner

Sam Diminich will reopen it as Grey's Diner, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Food and Drink

Mattie&#x27;s Diner on The Plaza, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closed last summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/08/04/matties-diner-closing-the-plaza" data-vars-content-id="130cf239-0fe2-4989-94ef-e65b6c9bcfb2" data-vars-headline="James Beard-nominated chef revives Mattie&#x27;s Diner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/08/04/matties-diner-closing-the-plaza" target="_self">closed last summer</a>, will reopen this spring as Grey&#x27;s Diner. Why it matters: In buying Mattie&#x27;s, James Beard–nominated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chef Sam Diminich" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/02/22/chef-sam-diminich-is-opening-a-restaurant-a-mile-from-where-he-used-to-be-homeless-285932" data-vars-content-id="130cf239-0fe2-4989-94ef-e65b6c9bcfb2" data-vars-headline="James Beard-nominated chef revives Mattie&#x27;s Diner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/02/22/chef-sam-diminich-is-opening-a-restaurant-a-mile-from-where-he-used-to-be-homeless-285932" target="_self">chef Sam Diminich</a> and the team behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Your Farms Your Table Group" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/01/07/restaurant-constance-your-farm-your-table-hopeway-mental-health-facility-meals" data-vars-content-id="130cf239-0fe2-4989-94ef-e65b6c9bcfb2" data-vars-headline="James Beard-nominated chef revives Mattie&#x27;s Diner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/01/07/restaurant-constance-your-farm-your-table-hopeway-mental-health-facility-meals" target="_self">Your Farms Your Table Group</a> want to provide Michelin-level hospitality in a space where families, neighbors and regulars can grab a booth without a reservation.<ul><li>The approach aims to challenge the perception that farm-to-table dining is exclusive.</li></ul>

Weekender: 30 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including live music and a street market

Events happening Feb. 20-22 include Jurassic Quest, a bridal show, Hornets game, food truck rodeo and indoor skating.

Things to Do

This weekend is filled with family-friendly activities from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jurassic Quest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/14/interactive-jurassic-quest-event-comes-to-concord-this-february" data-vars-content-id="7354553f-52b9-4f01-b302-71c83bcd96cc" data-vars-headline="Weekender: 30 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including live music and a street market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/14/interactive-jurassic-quest-event-comes-to-concord-this-february" target="_self">Jurassic Quest</a> to a South End street market.

Ballantyne 2026 event guide: Festivals, concerts and markets

Ballantyne's event calendar is filling up for 2026, with returning festivals, outdoor concerts and even more to experience at The Bowl.

Neighborhoods

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ballantyne&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2021/03/10/guide-to-ballantyne-including-bowl" data-vars-content-id="dbc446dd-d3c0-4760-b827-793745e0f292" data-vars-headline="Ballantyne 2026 event guide: Festivals, concerts and markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2021/03/10/guide-to-ballantyne-including-bowl" target="_self">Ballantyne&#x27;s</a> event calendar is filling up for 2026, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="returning festivals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/31/ballantyne-event-guide-2025" data-vars-content-id="dbc446dd-d3c0-4760-b827-793745e0f292" data-vars-headline="Ballantyne 2026 event guide: Festivals, concerts and markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/31/ballantyne-event-guide-2025" target="_self">returning festivals</a>, outdoor concerts and even more to experience at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bowl" data-vars-click-url="https://thebowlnc.com/?utm_source=2060digital&amp;utm_medium=localseo&amp;utm_campaign=gbp" data-vars-content-id="dbc446dd-d3c0-4760-b827-793745e0f292" data-vars-headline="Ballantyne 2026 event guide: Festivals, concerts and markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thebowlnc.com/?utm_source=2060digital&amp;utm_medium=localseo&amp;utm_campaign=gbp" target="_blank">The Bowl</a>.Why it matters: As the area keeps growing, its mix of live music, buzzy dining spots and green space is turning this once-corporate corner of south Charlotte into one of the city&#x27;s go-to hangouts.

The evolution of Bank of America Stadium

From site selection in 1989 to what the stadium will look like in 2030, here's a timeline of Bank of America Stadium.

Sports

By 2030, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bank of America Stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/06/03/nfl-stadium-renovations-panthers-bank-of-america-tepper" data-vars-content-id="e78b5e93-6f6a-4540-af79-e5ade529995b" data-vars-headline="The evolution of Bank of America Stadium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/06/03/nfl-stadium-renovations-panthers-bank-of-america-tepper" target="_self">Bank of America Stadium</a> will have a fresh look. Why it matters: An $800 million renovation will transform the 30-year-old venue, which is among the oldest in the NFL. Tepper Sports &amp; Entertainment&#x27;s deal with the city also keeps its teams — the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC — here through 2045.

New PBS Kids show promotes literacy — with Charlotte ties

UNC Charlotte professor Kelly Cartwright is helping shape a new PBS Kids TV series called "Phoebe & Jay."

News

UNC Charlotte professor Kelly Cartwright is helping shape a new PBS Kids television series called &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Phoebe &amp; Jay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/blogs/news/phoebe-jay-premieres-february-2-2026-on-pbs-kids/" data-vars-content-id="de1cd7c2-c293-4298-b629-f2eafdbbb6ec" data-vars-headline="New PBS Kids show promotes literacy — with Charlotte ties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/blogs/news/phoebe-jay-premieres-february-2-2026-on-pbs-kids/" target="_blank">Phoebe &amp; Jay</a>.&quot; Why it matters: The new series is intended to help kids develop literacy skills. Reading is key a key building block in a child&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="early education" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bu.edu/articles/2025/why-do-so-many-kids-struggle-with-reading/" data-vars-content-id="de1cd7c2-c293-4298-b629-f2eafdbbb6ec" data-vars-headline="New PBS Kids show promotes literacy — with Charlotte ties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bu.edu/articles/2025/why-do-so-many-kids-struggle-with-reading/" target="_blank">early education</a>. Locally, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has shown recent early literacy improvements, but it&#x27;s still shy of its goals, WCNC <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-literacy-gains-absenteeism-concerns/275-763143f4-f60b-4cf1-84c0-b0517962a5eb#:~:text=Kindergarten:%2077%25%20of%20students%20met,strategies%20to%20address%20attendance%20issues." data-vars-content-id="de1cd7c2-c293-4298-b629-f2eafdbbb6ec" data-vars-headline="New PBS Kids show promotes literacy — with Charlotte ties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/cms-literacy-gains-absenteeism-concerns/275-763143f4-f60b-4cf1-84c0-b0517962a5eb#:~:text=Kindergarten:%2077%25%20of%20students%20met,strategies%20to%20address%20attendance%20issues." target="_blank">reported</a>. <ul><li>PBS hopes programing like &quot;Phoebe &amp; Jay&quot; can help bridge that gap. </li></ul>

Charlotte educators laud North Carolina's cell phone ban

The policy, which prohibits students from using their phones during instruction hours, aims to improve educational outcomes.

North Carolina educators say students are no longer buried in their phones and are more likely to be social in class, following the recent passage of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cell phone ban" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/06/25/cell-phone-use-ban-north-carolina-public-schools-passes-legislature" data-vars-content-id="b9d3634c-8d4e-4f97-8c44-fe09bda6cf33" data-vars-headline="Charlotte educators laud North Carolina&#x27;s cell phone ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/06/25/cell-phone-use-ban-north-carolina-public-schools-passes-legislature" target="_self">cell phone ban</a> in schools.Why it matters: The policy, which prohibits students from using their phones during instruction hours, aims to improve educational outcomes by minimizing distractions. But opponents have voiced a range of concerns, including the need for student communication during an emergency.

Elon to open a full-time law school at Queens in Charlotte

Queens University of Charlotte will be home to Elon University's new full-time law school, Elon officials announced Tuesday.

Queens University of Charlotte will be home to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Elon University&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/09/19/elon-university-school-of-law-charlotte-regional-center-south-end-339802" data-vars-content-id="0a15fb59-0293-42d7-9957-e2d94869ec73" data-vars-headline="Elon to open a full-time law school at Queens in Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/09/19/elon-university-school-of-law-charlotte-regional-center-south-end-339802" target="_self">Elon University&#x27;s</a> new full-time law school, Elon officials announced Tuesday.Why it matters: This is a first significant step in the Queens-Elon <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="merger" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/16/queens-university-elon-university-merge-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="0a15fb59-0293-42d7-9957-e2d94869ec73" data-vars-headline="Elon to open a full-time law school at Queens in Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/16/queens-university-elon-university-merge-charlotte" target="_self">merger</a>, with Queens providing the property and Elon providing the instruction for Charlotte&#x27;s first full-time law school since 2017.

North Carolina Education Lottery is sending less and less money to education

North Carolina's education lottery pays winners more and schools less

The North Carolina <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Education Lottery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/11/06/north-carolina-education-lottery-school-bonds-referendum-election-construction-cms-mecklenburg-343254" data-vars-content-id="ea35ac0a-c231-4998-bcc3-6bc1fd242918" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Education Lottery is sending less and less money to education" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/11/06/north-carolina-education-lottery-school-bonds-referendum-election-construction-cms-mecklenburg-343254" target="_self">Education Lottery</a> is giving a smaller and smaller share each year to education. The reason? Players&#x27; wins are claiming more of the revenue originally meant for schools.Why it matters: Not without controversy, the education lottery was created in 2005 to provide schools a funding boost, especially in rural counties. But despite record sales, the lottery is transferring less to education each year, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state audit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.auditor.nc.gov/documents/reports/cpaaudits/cpa-2025-4670/open" data-vars-content-id="ea35ac0a-c231-4998-bcc3-6bc1fd242918" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Education Lottery is sending less and less money to education" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.auditor.nc.gov/documents/reports/cpaaudits/cpa-2025-4670/open" target="_blank">state audit</a> reveals.

How one of Charlotte's top schools is reframing achievement pressure

Country Day is leading impactful shifts in how kids view success and self-worth.

Partners

One of Charlotte&#x27;s top-performing schools is leading the conversation by rethinking what healthy success should look like for students.Why it&#x27;s important: Kids in high-achieving schools are now among the most at-risk group for anxiety, depression and substance abuse — challenges which can follow them into adulthood.

16 of the biggest private schools in the Charlotte area

Mecklenburg County accounts for 105 of North Carolina's 930 private schools.

Charlotte&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="private school" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/20/private-school-vouchers-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="2af7c16f-de79-49ff-abca-86ff61e39064" data-vars-headline="16 of the biggest private schools in the Charlotte area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/20/private-school-vouchers-north-carolina" target="_self">private school</a> scene is expanding. We&#x27;ve rounded up the biggest private schools in the region, along with their tuitions, enrollment and other data.Why it matters: The number of students enrolled in private schools continues to rise across the state, jumping to 135,738 for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2024-25" data-vars-click-url="https://www.doa.nc.gov/media/18150/open" data-vars-content-id="2af7c16f-de79-49ff-abca-86ff61e39064" data-vars-headline="16 of the biggest private schools in the Charlotte area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.doa.nc.gov/media/18150/open" target="_blank">2024-25</a> school year, up from 131,230 for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2023-24" data-vars-click-url="https://www.doa.nc.gov/media/17191/open" data-vars-content-id="2af7c16f-de79-49ff-abca-86ff61e39064" data-vars-headline="16 of the biggest private schools in the Charlotte area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.doa.nc.gov/media/17191/open" target="_blank">2023-24</a>, per state data.

Innovation in action: Four local founders share their paths to success

Charlotte is rapidly emerging as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship — and UNC Charlotte is helping lead the charge.

Charlotte is rapidly emerging as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship — and UNC Charlotte is helping lead the charge.Get up to date: The university recently surpassed 32,000 students, broke into the top 75 public universities in the nation and earned prestigious R1 research status.

See inside: Charlotte's new surgical institute trains thousands of health care workers with robots

Surgery institute opens in Charlotte, aims to train thousands with robots

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new institute" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/07/11/wake-forest-university-school-medicine-pearl-atrium-medical" data-vars-content-id="db78c419-bc01-4325-be02-8cc75ec64d66" data-vars-headline="See inside: Charlotte&#x27;s new surgical institute trains thousands of health care workers with robots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/07/11/wake-forest-university-school-medicine-pearl-atrium-medical" target="_self">new institute</a> in Charlotte will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="train" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/07/11/wake-forest-university-school-medicine-pearl-student" data-vars-content-id="db78c419-bc01-4325-be02-8cc75ec64d66" data-vars-headline="See inside: Charlotte&#x27;s new surgical institute trains thousands of health care workers with robots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/07/11/wake-forest-university-school-medicine-pearl-student" target="_self">train</a> thousands of health care workers every year in minimally invasive and robotic surgery — including on equipment so cutting-edge, it&#x27;s still awaiting FDA clearance to begin training.Why it matters: IRCAD&#x27;s North American headquarters, now operating in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="midtown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/14/developments-midtown-construction-apartments-towers" data-vars-content-id="db78c419-bc01-4325-be02-8cc75ec64d66" data-vars-headline="See inside: Charlotte&#x27;s new surgical institute trains thousands of health care workers with robots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/14/developments-midtown-construction-apartments-towers" target="_self">midtown</a>, is described as the &quot;super magnet&quot; of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Pearl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/01/02/developments-construction-delivering-2025-anticipated-2024-eastland-plaza-midwood-south-end-uptown" data-vars-content-id="db78c419-bc01-4325-be02-8cc75ec64d66" data-vars-headline="See inside: Charlotte&#x27;s new surgical institute trains thousands of health care workers with robots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/01/02/developments-construction-delivering-2025-anticipated-2024-eastland-plaza-midwood-south-end-uptown" target="_self">The Pearl</a>, home to an innovation district and Charlotte&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/08/28/pearl-wake-forest-university-school-of-medicine-atrium-health" data-vars-content-id="db78c419-bc01-4325-be02-8cc75ec64d66" data-vars-headline="See inside: Charlotte&#x27;s new surgical institute trains thousands of health care workers with robots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/08/28/pearl-wake-forest-university-school-of-medicine-atrium-health" target="_self">first</a> four-year medical school.

See renderings: Honeywell to invest $10M in UNC Charlotte with innovation hub

The $10M donation brings scholarships, faculty positions and a high-tech campus hub to Charlotte.

Honeywell, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlotte-based industrial giant," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/02/06/honeywell-split-uptown-headquarters-fortune-500" data-vars-content-id="045aab74-02ce-4b51-8306-a0dc8de25395" data-vars-headline="See renderings: Honeywell to invest $10M in UNC Charlotte with innovation hub" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/02/06/honeywell-split-uptown-headquarters-fortune-500" target="_self">Charlotte-based industrial giant,</a> will invest $10 million in UNC Charlotte for engineering and computing, the company announced Monday. Why it matters: Honeywell&#x27;s commitment will transform one of the campus&#x27; older buildings into the Honeywell Innovation Hub, provide scholarships to students and fund four new faculty positions.<ul><li>The innovation hub will include labs with state-of-the-art technology and spaces for STEM collaboration and research.</li></ul>

Queens and Elon will merge

Elon will operate Queens when the deal closes, which is expected to happen next summer.

Education

Queens University of Charlotte and Elon University announced on Tuesday their intent to merge. Elon will operate Queens when the deal closes, which is expected to happen next summer.Why it matters: The merger will increase opportunities for students and strengthen the two private universities amid growing challenges in higher education, Queens acting president Jesse Cureton told Axios.<ul><li>Local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/12/04/a-president-s-departure-and-other-speed-reads" data-vars-content-id="09e1754f-6cba-4b6b-8a29-1b9285df3307" data-vars-headline="Queens and Elon will merge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/12/04/a-president-s-departure-and-other-speed-reads" target="_self">leaders</a> and university officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="are lauding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/09/16/elon-university-queens-university-of-charlotte-announce-merger-plans-to-expand-access-opportunity-and-educational-impact-in-charlotte/" data-vars-content-id="09e1754f-6cba-4b6b-8a29-1b9285df3307" data-vars-headline="Queens and Elon will merge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/09/16/elon-university-queens-university-of-charlotte-announce-merger-plans-to-expand-access-opportunity-and-educational-impact-in-charlotte/" target="_blank">are lauding</a> the move as &quot;a bold investment in Charlotte&#x27;s future,&quot; one that cements Elon&#x27;s expanding commitment to the city. </li></ul>

Education 📚

New PBS Kids show promotes literacy — with Charlotte ties

North Carolina astronaut will see Earth like no human has before

Charlotte educators laud North Carolina's cell phone ban

Elon to open a full-time law school at Queens in Charlotte

North Carolina Education Lottery is sending less and less money to education