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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.

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.

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.

16 of the biggest private schools in the Charlotte area

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

News

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.

10 kid-friendly restaurants in Charlotte that parents also love

Going out to eat with kids is fun but often requires some planning.

Parenting

We&#x27;ve compiled a list of 10 must-try kid-friendly restaurants around Charlotte that are delicious but also cool for parents and guardians.Why it matters: Dining out with kids is fun but often requires some planning. Does the restaurant have ample outdoor space for running around? Do the bathrooms have changing tables? Is there a kids&#x27; menu?

Indoor training facility for baseball, softball and lacrosse now open in Charlotte

Players' Athletic Club, a new indoor sports training facility, is now open just off Wendover Road.

Players Athletic Club (PAC), a new indoor sports training facility, is now open just off Wendover Road.Why it matters: Charlotte parents drive their kids all over Mecklenburg County and beyond for games and practices. Now many families have an option closer to home. Plus an indoor space means kids can get in reps <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regardless of the weather" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/07/07/indoor-things-to-do-in-charlotte-nc" data-vars-content-id="1b23da6d-78c5-4d8f-8c35-92c9e73fccc0" data-vars-headline="Indoor training facility for baseball, softball and lacrosse now open 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/2023/07/07/indoor-things-to-do-in-charlotte-nc" target="_self">regardless of the weather</a>.

How much Charlotte parents are spending on back-to-school shopping

Charlotte parents are spending more on back-to-school shopping than other Americans.

Many Charlotte parents will drop more than $700 to prepare their kids for the new school year, according to consulting giant Deloitte&#x27;s recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/retail-distribution/back-to-school-survey.html" data-vars-content-id="5f025e83-25ee-42c5-a9a7-e5db73d78d16" data-vars-headline="How much Charlotte parents are spending on back-to-school shopping" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/retail-distribution/back-to-school-survey.html" target="_blank">survey</a>.Why it matters: Families are feeling the blow of rising prices on everyday purchases, especially during this back-to-school season.

North Carolina child cares closing for a day of advocacy to address crisis

Child care facilities across North Carolina will close for a day (May 13), joining centers nationwide in pressing lawmakers about the need for more funding.

A growing number of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="child care facilities across North Carolina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/31/many-north-carolina-child-care-centers-could-close" data-vars-content-id="63dba08d-170c-4050-a133-d36efa62e1d8" data-vars-headline="North Carolina child cares closing for a day of advocacy to address crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/31/many-north-carolina-child-care-centers-could-close" target="_self">child care facilities across North Carolina</a> will close for a day (May 13), joining centers nationwide in pressing lawmakers about the need for more funding for the early childhood education industry.Why it matters: Those participating in the annual National Day Without Child Care are demanding living wages for providers, affordable care for families, an expanded child tax credit, and a child care system &quot;built on racial and gender equality,&quot; according to a statement from organizers.

How to talk to teens about fentanyl

From weed to cocaine, fentanyl is in everything. Here's how to talk about it with teens

Health

Traces of fentanyl, a deadly substance, are being found in almost every illegal drug seized nowadays, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say.<ul><li>That includes marijuana, as well as in fake Xanax or Percocets.</li><li>Just two milligrams of fentanyl — small enough to fit on a pencil tip — can be lethal.</li></ul>

Child care centers in Charlotte are “in crisis”

Editor’s note: We’ve updated this story to include survey results from the North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral Council.

10 dos and don’ts during the baby formula shortage

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Charlotte is feeling the effects of the baby formula shortage.</h2>

Charlotte is in the midst of its own baby boom

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">As fertility rates have declined across the state and nationwide in recent years, Charlotte is experiencing an isolated baby boom of its own.</h2>

“Tell them you are proud of them” and other advice to parents from a college counselor

Parenting

16 of the biggest private schools in the Charlotte area

10 kid-friendly restaurants in Charlotte that parents also love

Indoor training facility for baseball, softball and lacrosse now open in Charlotte

How much Charlotte parents are spending on back-to-school shopping

Insufficient child care costs North Carolina billions, report finds