Charlotte’s full of wildly popular Black-owned businesses, some that have been around for generations serving family recipes and others that sprouted up in recent years amid a larger entrepreneurial boom, Axios' Alexis Clinton and McKenzie Rankin write.

By the numbers: Charlotte has the seventh highest percentage of Black-owned businesses in the U.S., per a recent report from Charlotte-based LendingTree. Black-owned businesses make up 4.9% of all small businesses in our metro.

• 22.8% of our population is Black, so there’s definitely room to grow.

Here are just some of the 90+ Black-owned businesses in Charlotte on our updated list:

🥤 Hip Hop Smoothies, which has a food truck and three brick-and-mortar locations.

☕️ Archive, a coffee and retail shop on Beatties Ford Road.

🍴Ms. Didi's Caribbean Kitchen, a food truck serving up Haitian cuisine.

📚 Shelves Bookstore, a pop-up independent bookstore that brings books to coffee shops and other small businesses.

👔 Nyoni Couture, a luxury menswear retailer on North Graham Street.

Full guide: 90+ Black-owned businesses you can support right now

Security checkpoint renovations will likely lead to longer wait times at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Axios' Ashley Mahoney reports.

Why it matters: While security lines will be longer, particularly during summer months, checkpoint upgrades will ultimately help improve the airport experience, officials say.

What’s happening: The airport will close checkpoint B for renovations on March 17 for part of the fourth phase of its five-year $608 million Terminal Lobby Expansion project. The goal is to have that checkpoint’s renovations finished by late fall.

By the numbers: Wait times will increase from 10-20 minutes to 35-45 minutes during peak summer travel season.

• Passengers should arrive at least two hours early, Jack Christine, chief infrastructure officer for the airport, said during a media preview of the construction yesterday.
• Travelers can also use the airport’s app to check security wait times at each checkpoint.

Full story: Expect longer security wait times at Charlotte’s airport this summer

💼 Check out who’s hiring now.

1. Group Visit Sales Manager at Discovery Place.
2. Director of Development at Baby Bundles.
3. Client Service Associate at Stash Wealth.
4. Staff Accountant at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting Inc.
5. Social Media Coordinator at Sciton, Inc.
6. Assistant Vice President, Sales at E4E Relief.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Speaking of construction, the headache caused by Central Avenue's closure is sticking around for a few more weeks, Axios' Ashley Mahoney reports.

Why it matters: This street closure on Plaza Midwood’s main stretch is a nuisance, and has caused confusion on Central and surrounding streets.

State of play: Central Avenue, which closed to through traffic on Feb. 7 in the 1300 block near Hawthorne Lane because of an emergency pipe repair, will be closed until around mid-March, per Charlotte Water.

• The closed stretch includes several businesses like the Thirsty Beaver, Moo & Brew and the Warmack.

What happened: There was a water leak on the right side of Central, as you face East. The leak damaged the waste water line and storm drains, causing a waste water overflow.

Full story: Central Avenue’s nightmare traffic closure expected to end in March

This three-bedroom, two-bath townhome could be yours for $230,000, Axios' Alexis Clinton writes.

Details: The interior of this 1,244-square-foot end unit has been renovated, and features a fireplace, tile kitchen backsplash, stone countertops and stainless steel appliances.

More hot homes: 5 houses for sale in Charlotte ranging from $230K to $1.9M

Taylor Richards & Conger’s made-to-measure program allows you to work directly with a store specialist to personalize your perfect garments.

• Tuxedos, trousers, suits, sport coats, blazers, shirts, and belts are just some of the items TRC offers for made-to-measure.

Make an appointment.

• A mother says Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools failed to take swift action after her 5-year-old daughter reported being sexually assaulted on a school bus. (WBTV)
• A small group of protestors rallied at One Wells Fargo Center yesterday to oppose Atlanta’s “Cop City” project. (Twitter)
• Cleanup efforts are underway after an equipment failure caused 20 to 30 gallons of hydraulic oil to spill into the Little Sugar Creek. (WBTV)
• N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore, his security and Rep. David Willis were rammed by another vehicle several times on the interstate as they were traveling to Raleigh. Circumstances are under investigation. This is a developing story. (Axios)

📆 See what’s going on around the city.

• MALEVO at Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts on February 28: Don't miss this thrilling all-male group that specializes in Malambo—a traditional Argentine folk dance of great virility and dexterity—and takes it beyond its limits with a modern, avant-garde, and transgressive approach, while still staying true to the cultural foundations of this traditional gaucho artform. $24.50+.
• Open House at StudioWorks Gallery on March 3: StudioWorks is a part of the South End First Friday Gallery Crawl. Swing by to see chic original art at affordable prices. Come to shop or just for a fun creative-filled night. Light refreshments will be provided. Free Admission.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

I learned the hard way just how expensive wedding dresses are when I shopped for my own last year.

• But Mackins Bridal Boutique aims to offer affordable and size-inclusive wedding dresses for local brides, Axios' Alexis Clinton writes.

Driving the news: The new luxury bridal boutique next to Archive at 2023 Beatties Ford Road opens today.

Why it matters: Brides shouldn’t miss out on their dream wedding dresses due to high price tags — especially as average wedding costs become more expensive, boutique owners and sisters Tracie and Jennifer Mackins tell Axios.

What to expect: The shop will carry designer dresses in a range of styles for under $2,000. Custom dresses will be offered at a higher price point.

• Dresses are available in sizes 00 to 30 and can be shipped in four to six weeks.

Hours: The shop will be open daily from 11am to 6pm and by appointment only on Wednesdays.

Full story: New bridal boutique opens with affordable luxury wedding dresses in west Charlotte