👋 Happy Wednesday! It's McKenzie.

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, with a high of 95 and a low of 74.

🎂 Happy birthday to our members Jo Nencetti, Robert Wallker, Dawn Adams Miller, Emily Dellinger and Sarah Satkus!

This newsletter is 982 words, a 3.5-minute read.

Chef Andres Kaifer of Customshop is teaming up with longtime friend and Miami chef Michael Beltran to open Roe & Olivia’s in Lower South End later this year.

Why it matters: The restaurant will bring together two chefs with ties to acclaimed restaurants in Charlotte and Miami under one roof.

Context: Kaifer owns Customshop in Elizabeth. Beltran is behind Miami restaurants Ariete and Chug’s Diner.

What to expect: Roe & Olivia’s will serve contemporary American food influenced by the chefs’ Cuban and Spanish roots and seasonal ingredients.

• The 3,644-square-foot restaurant will have about 120 seats, including patio seating. Menu and team details will be announced closer to opening.
• The chefs envision it as an all-occasion spot, from solo cocktails and snacks to business dinners and larger weekend gatherings.

The intrigue: Kaifer and Beltran, who were both raised in Miami, met in 2015 and have collaborated on restaurant projects over the last decade.

Fun fact: The restaurant is named after their firstborn daughters, Roe and Olivia, who were born just hours apart on the same day.

Stop by: Roe & Olivia’s will open in late 2026 at 3531 Dewitt Lane, in the former Giovanna’s space.

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💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Salon Coordinator/Receptionist at Theory Salon.
2. Wholesale Account/Sales Manager at Laura Park.
3. Director of Advancement at Digi-Bridge.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Crystal Hill made her first public appearance Tuesday since being reinstated and only briefly acknowledged her suspension. She promised "more information" in the future.

"To ignore it or to pretend that it didn't happen would not be authentic, and that's simply not who I am. However, I want to point out that today is not the time or the place to have that discussion. Today, we are focused on the opening of schools."

The district dodged questions not related to "back-to-school readiness."

• School starts Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Prominent Charlotte developer Pappas Properties is planning a nearly 15-acre, walkable mixed-use development in lower South End.

Why it matters: LoSo Synergy South, as it's called, will replace a people-less, gated-off site with townhomes, apartments, first-floor retail, restaurants and hospitality uses.

• Pappas declined to share the number of buildings, units and other specifics.
• The site is on Duke Energy-owned land, across from Terwilliger Pappas' Solis LoSo apartments that opened in 2024. (Terwilliger Pappas is developers Peter Pappas' and Ron Terwilliger's multi-family firm.)

What they're saying: "LoSo has emerged as one of Charlotte's most dynamic growth areas," Pappas Properties said in a statement to Axios. "We see an opportunity with LoSo Synergy South to build on that momentum."

• Pappas Properties is behind some of Charlotte's best-known destinations, including Metropolitan at Midtown (home to Trader Joe's and Best Buy) and Sharon Square and Phillips Place in SouthPark.

What's next: Before it breaks ground, Pappas is going through the city's process to rezone the industrial land. It expects city council to vote on its petition Dec. 21.

📍 4405 Yancey Rd.

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🍔 Crazy Burger & Cafe, a new burger spot and cafe serving Yemeni coffee, is now open on Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood. (Instagram)

🍳 Grey's Diner on The Plaza is launching a $40 annual membership program. Members get free drip coffee, $10 eggs your way, a T-shirt and free dessert on their birthday. (Instagram)

✈️ American Airlines plans to add 4K seatback screens at every seat across its single-aisle planes, with the rollout starting in 2028. (American Airlines)

👮‍♀️ Iredell County deputies charge suspect in the investigation of a break-in at late NASCAR driver Greg Biffle's Mooresville home. (WCNC)

This $9 wine tasting in north Charlotte feels like one of those if-you-know-you-know deals.

Why it matters: The Wine Vault has been pouring in University City for more than 30 years, but you could visit the bar and never realize there's a weekly wine tasting happening in the back.

What to expect: Every Wednesday, a sommelier walks you through six wines, with the lineup changing from week to week.

• The tastings are casual and educational — and occasionally a winemaker like tonight's event will lead the tasting themselves.

If you go: Tastings happen every Wednesday from 7-8pm at 9009 J M Keynes Dr.

Save this hump day deal

See what's going on around the city.

• Blue Furia La Previa at McNinch Lot Sat: A lively pregame tradition before Charlotte FC matches. Bringing supporters together for music, food, community, and futbol energy before starting the march to Bank of America Stadium.
• Create Space at SouthPark Locations Sept 8-Nov 4: Connection. Creativity. Joy. Build new friendships and learn new hobbies during Create Space's 9-week program. Daytime and evening cohorts begin September 8 in SouthPark. $525.
• Food Truck & Music in the Garden at Wing Haven Sept 18: Enjoy an evening of fun with a local food truck and live music. Perfect for a date night or for the whole family. $25-$30.

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

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

Que Onda Tacos + Tequila is expanding to Montford with a new $2 million restaurant expected to open early next year.

Why it matters: The $2 million flagship will be Que Onda’s sixth location as the Charlotte-born restaurant chain continues to expand.

Driving the news: The restaurant will open at 1515 Mockingbird Lane, across from L’Ostrica.

Zoom out: The Charlotte-born Mexican comfort food chain currently has locations in Plaza Midwood, Matthews, Highland Creek, Uptown and University City.

• Que Hospitality, the restaurant group behind Que Onda and sister concept Que Fresa, is partnering with Charlotte-based Southwick Architecture + Interiors on the project.

What to expect: Que Onda Montford will have 228 seats, including a 64-seat dining room, 44-seat bar area, 70-seat outdoor patio and a private event room with space for 50 people.

• A large central bar will anchor the restaurant.
• Sliding partitions will open the main dining area to the patio, creating an indoor-outdoor dining space.
• It’ll be the first Que Onda location with a dedicated private event room.
• It will serve lunch and dinner, plus weekend brunch.

What’s next: Que Onda Montford is slated to open in February 2027.

See the renderings

🍾 Speaking of midweek drink specials, I discovered Common Market in Plaza Midwood makes a mean $6 spritz on Wednesdays.

😋 Alexis is looking forward to The Wine Vault's riesling-themed tasting next week.

☕️ Alex finally visited the Night Swim in LoSo while she was in the neighborhood.

🥞 Melissa, who edited this newsletter, still hasn't been to Grey's Diner, though she loved the blueberry pancakes from Mattie's.