Axios Charlotte

June 16, 2025
Hello, Monday. It's Ashley, who will never hear Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club" without thinking of Charlotte Squawks turning it into "Damn Selwyn Pub."
- Charlotte Squawks runs through June 28 at Booth Playhouse. Go laugh until it hurts.
⛈ Weather: High 88. Scattered thunderstorms.
🧁 Happy birthday to Axios Charlotte members Eileen Keeley and Cynthia Aziz!
Today's Smart Brevity™ count is 958 words, a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: ⛳️ Tap in with this new golf simulator spot
Tap In is a new golf entertainment venue opening this July in LoSo.
Why it matters: Tap In will join a growing number of recently opened entertainment venues in the popular neighborhood including Beat the Bomb and SupperClub.
What to expect: The 10,000-square-foot facility, located in the former Weathered Souls Brewery spot, will feature a social putting green at its center, surrounded by 10 golf bays.
- Eight bays will offer the option to play on PGA courses and some fantasy options. Each bay, which comes with real golf balls, can be personalized for skill level and offers performance tracking technology to access metrics like launch, carry and spin rate.
- The other two VR bays will offer the option to play on thousands of virtual courses with a gaming headset.
- Shortly after it opens, the 500-square-foot putting green space will have games plus additional technology that indicates where to aim.
Be a Local News Champion
Calling all local news enthusiasts! We aim to be your go-to source for timely, relevant stories that impact our community.
Help us continue our mission to keep you informed by becoming an Axios Charlotte member today.
- For just $50+ a year, you'll receive exclusive perks and support our newsroom's growth.
Join the club and make a difference!
2. 🍱 What to eat at Urban District Market
Urban District Market is an international food hall at the intersection of NoDa, Villa Heights and Optimist Park known as the Mill District.
Why it matters: In addition to food stalls from around the world, the family-friendly spot is known for its weekend events and unique offerings, like its Gashapon machines and Japanese 7/11-inspired "SUPER" market.
Dig in: UDM has about a dozen food stalls unique to Charlotte and family-owned and operated. Each stall has a self-order iPad at the register.
🍣 Rangoon Sushi offers made-to-order sushi, poke bowls, plus Thai and Burmese dishes.
🌮 El Dorado Latin Grill specializes in Tex-Mex cuisine, featuring tacos, quesabirria and other Latin-inspired dishes, like Cuban sandwiches.
🍔 HC Burger Company offers hand-chopped wagyu, steak and beef burgers and fries. It also serves Korean street toast and grilled cheese.
🍝 Pasuta is a build-your-own pasta stall with freshly made spaghetti, bucatini, tagliatelle and rigate.
☕️ & Coffee serves coffee, espresso, tea and specialty drinks, plus pastries and bingsoo (shaved ice topped with fresh fruit).
🍺 LaBARatory is a craft brewery and soju distillery with an adjacent event space.
🍱 SUPER is a Japanese 7/11-style market, offering specialty snacks, drinks, onigiri, bento boxes and other grab-and-go options.
3. 🏒 Checkers fight on and other speed reads
🏒 The Charlotte Checkers are tied 1-1 in the Calder Cup Finals series with the Abbotsford Canucks after their 3-2 overtime win at Bojangles Coliseum Sunday. (X)
🖊️ North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed a bill into law Friday that will change how the state picks investments for its $127 billion pension plan — moving the pension plan's management from a sole-fiduciary model to a model where a board votes on the decisions.
Thousands of people gathered in Uptown Charlotte's First Ward Park for the "No Kings" protest Saturday. It was among the many demonstrations that took place nationally to counter President Trump's military parade in D.C. (Axios)
🥵 The City of Charlotte is working with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to provide box fans to at-risk residents. (WFAE)
⛈️ More than 30 people were rescued amid Thursday night's flash flooding. (WBTV)
💰 The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is addressing its $32 million debt. (🔒Charlotte Ledger)
4. 🚘 Uber for seniors
Uber is making it easier for older adults to take rides with the nationwide launch of senior accounts.
Why it matters: Nearly 1 in 6 people globally will be 60 or older by 2030, the World Health Organization estimates.
- Competitor Lyft launched its Lyft Silver feature nationwide for seniors in May.
The big picture: A 2020 study by researchers with the CDC and the University of Chicago found ride-hailing apps could benefit older people, especially those facing cognitive decline that makes driving less safe.
The intrigue: Uber's new features also help seniors' family members keep track of their loved ones and book rides for them more easily.
Your future begins here
💼 Check out who's hiring on our Job Board.
- Product Marketing Lead at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
- Assistant Director of Academic Budget at UNC Charlotte.
- Ophthalmic Apprenticeship Program at CEENTA.
Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.
Hiring? Post a job.
5. 📆 5 fun things to do this week
This week is filled with opportunities to get outside. Here are five fun things to do in Charlotte this week:
🎤 Monday: Sing your heart out at a James Arthur concert at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre. | $30+ | 7:30pm | Details
🧘♀️ Tuesday: Slow down at the Whitewater Center with slow-flow yoga. | Free | 6:30pm | Details
⚾️ Wednesday: Catch a Charlotte Knights game as they take on Gwinnett. | $27 | 7:04pm | Details
✊🏿 Thursday: Celebrate Juneteenth at the Harvey B. Gantt Center with live music, guided exhibit tours and create your own art. | Free | 12-4pm | Details
🍿 Friday: Watch "Night at the Museum" in Fourth Ward Park. | Free | 7:30pm | Details
🌀 The loop (we're keeping you in it)
News you can use from our partners.
- One long table — infinite opportunities to connect with your community in new ways. Take a seat at The Longest Table on Sept. 27 at Truist Field, a free event hosted by United Way of Greater Charlotte.
- 🕺 Move & Groove is where you can break a sweat while dancing to your fitness goals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beginners and seasoned pros alike are welcome for this fun and energizing outdoor workout session. See the dates.
6. 🎨 Charlotte International Arts Festival returns this fall
Charlotte International Arts Festival, the annual Blumenthal Arts celebration, returns Sept. 1 and runs the entire month.
Why it matters: The festival has become one of the city's signature events since it launched four years ago.
What to expect: Over 200 events will take place across the city this year. Several events are free, and ticketed events start at $5.
Blume Studios will host several events:
- International Bazaar, a vendor market
- Charlotte Brunch Festival, showcasing local cuisine
- CLTure Day & Night Market, celebrating local Asian communities
7. 😋 Photo du jour: New People's Market opens
The People's Market recently opened a new location in Myers Park.
The vibe: It's similar to the Elizabeth location both in terms of the menu and the feel, but there's a touch of nostalgia that's reminiscent of the old East Boulevard location.
What to expect: Take your pick of one of their coffees, pastries, sandwiches, salads, pizzas and more familiar favorites from the Elizabeth location. There's also wine and a small market selection.
- The 6,000-square-foot space offers ample indoor as well as outdoor seating.
Stop by: The People's Market Myers Park is at 2820 Selwyn Ave., previously home to Mellow Mushroom.
- Hours are Monday-Saturday 7am-10pm and Sunday from 8am-5pm.
🎭 Theatre Charlotte's first Penguin Project production opens this Friday, June 20.
- Their production of "Annie, Jr." is part of a nationwide program supporting young artists with special needs, allowing them to star in a fully staged musical with the support of peer mentors.
- Tickets are $20 for students and $25 for adults.
Thanks to Katie Peralta Soloff for editing this newsletter.
Sign up for Axios Charlotte









/2025/06/13/1749826818429.gif?w=3840)


