We don't talk about Bruno — at least, that's what owner Tim Chun says about the new speakeasy bearing that name he recently opened inside his restaurant, Seoul Food Meat Co. in Optimist Park, Axios' McKenzie Rankin writes.

Why it matters: Seoul Food has a well-earned reputation as a kid-friendly space, with a playground, gaming area and karaoke rooms. But Bruno, Chun jokes, is "the parent daycare — somewhere parents can run away from the kids."

Context: Chun and his wife, Lisa Kamura, also own the flagship Seoul Food in South End, along with the cocktail bar and soju distillery LaBARatory inside Optimist Park's Urban District Market.

What to expect: Bruno is dimly lit and completely hidden from sight if you're in the main restaurant. Menu-wise, expect a bourbon-centric bar (from Japanese to Tennessee whiskeys), plus all the classic cocktails, wine, beer and a handful of mocktails.

Find out how to get in

ICYM our important alert yesterday: Wegmans Food Markets will debut its first Charlotte location in Ballantyne in 2026, Axios' Katie Peralta Soloff writes.

Why it matters: Charlotte shoppers have waited years for the New York-based grocery store to expand here. Wegmans is one of the nation's most popular grocers.

Flashback: In 2019, about 3,000 people lined up on a Sunday morning before Wegmans opened the doors of its first North Carolina location in Raleigh.

What to expect: It will be massive — approximately 110,000 square feet — roughly the size of two standard Harris Teeters.

• It'll have all the trappings of a typical Wegmans store, including expansive produce, meat, seafood and cheese sections, as well as a market cafe with indoor and outdoor seating.

What's next: The first Charlotte Wegmans will open in the third quarter of 2026 on North Community House Road on the east side of Ballantyne.

My thought bubble: People who won't go the extra few minutes to get to existing grocery stores will flock to Ballantyne for Wegmans.

Meanwhile on Instagram: "Not to be dramatic but this is the best day of my life." —Shannon S.

Keep reading

Bojangles is expanding to Los Angeles, opening 30 locations there over the next six years, Katie reports.

Why it matters: Bojangles is a Charlotte brand with a feverish following in the Carolinas. Its growth outside its core markets will determine how well the brand can succeed in new parts of the country.

What's next: The first Los Angeles location will open in 2025.

Michael's thought bubble: Biscuits. Bo-Berry biscuits. Cajun filet biscuits. Seasoned fries. Tailgate chicken. And the sweetest tea you ever had.

Meanwhile on Instagram: "Now I can visit LA and get some actually good southern food." - Nigel

Read more about Bojangles' expansion

Trope Bookshop is a bus-turned-bookshop, but since space on the bus is limited, it focuses on a specific genre — romance.

Why it matters: Romance book stores are having a moment, as Axios' Torey Van Oot wrote. Print sales of romance novels were up 52% year over year as of last summer, per Circana, a consumer research firm.

The vibe: The Green Girl, as the bus is affectionately known, has what owner Katie Mitchell describes as an old-school English-style pub feel. Selling romance novels was her intention from the start.

What's next: Trope Bookshop recently partnered with The Giddy Goat in Plaza Midwood. You'll see the Green Girl there the last Sunday of every month and one weekday a month starting today from 9am-1pm.

The big picture: Mitchell hopes to turn Trope Bookshop into a physical storefront eventually.

Keep reading for book club details and this week's schedule

💼 Check out who's hiring around the city.

1. Front Desk Client Concierge (Part-time) at Companion Health.
2. Digital Content Specialist for Accessibility at Central Piedmont Community College.
3. Public Information Specialist at Charlotte Water (City of Charlotte).

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

🛠 Tipsy Pickle will open this fall at Camp North End. Construction on the project begins this month. (Axios)

⏱ Audemars Piguet chose Raleigh over Charlotte for its new U.S. operation, where the luxury Switzerland-based watchmaker plans to invest $22 million and add 105 jobs, records show.

• Charlotte's bid included nearly $325,000 in city and county incentives to locate in the Commonwealth development in Plaza Midwood. (Triangle Business Journal 🔒)

🚔 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department presented its first-quarter crime stats Monday, showing that homicides are up this year. (WBTV)

Pisco Gastrolounge is a traditional Peruvian restaurant by day and a cultural nightclub by night, Axios' Alexis Clinton writes.

Catch up quick: The restaurant quietly opened in the former Roxbury space at 116 W. 5th St. earlier this year and recently added a club area.

The vibe: The nearly 3,500-square-foot space includes a dining area on the first floor, patio seating and a club area, called PISCOTECA, on the lower floor.

• Expect a mix of music genres including EDM, Latin house and Afro house to offer an international feel similar to the Miami club experience.

Step inside

The team behind The Exchange at 36th recently opened a second location adjacent to Monarch Market in Uptown, Alexis writes.

Why it matters: Uptown is bouncing back following a major pandemic-sparked drop in foot traffic. As employees return to their corporate offices, they need somewhere to eat.

The vibe: The Exchange Uptown is located at One Independence Center at 101 N. Tryon St. and it's open from 11am to 8pm daily.

• It's primarily grab-and-go, serving sandwiches, snacks, and drinks like sodas, wine and beer.
• The market also sells greeting cards and candles from Vintage Sun Company.

Take a look around