Axios Charlotte

Picture of the Charlotte skyline with CLT written across it.

September 21, 2022

đŸȘ Hello, Wednesday! It's Laura.

Today's weather: Sunny with a high of 91.

🎈 Happy birthday to Axios Charlotte members Paula McKinney, Cindy Rollwage and Megan Sacksteder.

đŸ’Œ Hot jobs: We just added 50 fresh listings to our job board, including one for the Carolina Panthers, and no, it's not for a new QB.

Today's Smart Brevityℱ count is 913 words — a 3.5-minute read.

1 big thing: đŸș A “real concern” brewing

hand holding a beer glass that has NoDa brewing logo on it in front of a row of beer taps

CO2 shortages have impacted cost of production that haven't been passed down to consumers. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

Craft brewers nationwide are grappling with a carbon dioxide shortage that’s affecting production and threatening the beer industry's rebound, Axios' Katie Peralta Soloff writes.

What’s happening: Natural contamination at the Jackson Dome — a Mississippi reservoir of CO2 from an extinct volcano — is causing a CO2 shortage, our Axios Local colleagues report.

Why it matters: Like all small businesses, breweries have been dealing with ongoing pandemic-related challenges like pricier ingredients and supply chain issues.

Zoom in: In June, NoDa Brewing received a notice from its CO2 supplier saying they could only promise to deliver approximately one half of the average CO2 supply NoDa would normally need for the entire summer, co-owner Todd Ford tells Axios.

  • NoDa’s CO2 supplier also increased its costs by about 40%, he adds. NoDa’s been able to buy CO2 from other vendors temporarily.

What they're saying: “We have had two months of real concern and we will not be out for the woods for another month or two,” Ford says.

Full story: A ‘real concern’ brews for Charlotte craft beer makers over CO2 shortage

2. đŸ» Our brewery boom

North Carolina's largest craft breweries
Data: Brewers Association; Table: Thomas Oide/Axios

Four of North Carolina's ten largest craft breweries are in Charlotte, per recent data from the Brewers Association.

  • Sycamore (No. 5), Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (No. 7) and NoDa Brewing Co. (No. 8) are among the top beer producers in the state.
  • Hi-Wire (no. 6), based in Asheville, recently opened a taproom in South End.

Between the lines: The annual data — published for its members in the New Brewer journal — is the most comprehensive breakdown of the state's craft beer industry, Axios' John Frank reports.

  • Not all craft brewers are represented in the rankings because some did not submit both sales and production data to the Colorado-based Brewers Association, the industry's trade group.

Why it matters: Charlotte’s in a brewery boom. We added 10 to our local brewery guide in the last year and we’re anticipating several others to open in the next year.

  • Yes, but: Brewery closures are on the rise nationally and experts say 2022 will be a 'make it or break it' year for many breweries.

Zoom in: Sycamore, which opened its doors in November 2014, has seen the largest rise in production and they're moving to a larger location this winter.

Full story: Sycamore and other local breweries among top beer producers in the state

A new career is waiting for you

đŸ’Œ Check out who’s hiring now.

  1. Nurse aide II- Atrium Health Union- Emergency department (FT evenings) at Atrium Health.
  2. Project lead at Mode.
  3. Events management apprenticeship at Best Impressions Caterers.
  4. Lower school instructor, foreign language (Spanish) at Charlotte Country Day School.
  5. CRM manager at Tepper Sports & Entertainment.
  6. Proposal/business development specialist at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting Inc.
  7. Healthcare recruiter at FlexCare Medical Staffing.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

3. đŸ‘‹đŸœ Welcome, ACC headquarters

ACC logo on a basketball court

Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

After 69 years in Greensboro, the Atlantic Coast Conference is moving its headquarters to Charlotte, Katie writes.

Details: The ACC’s HQ will move to the Legacy Union complex in Uptown, “complete with a state-of-the-art gameday operations studio and modern production studio,” read a statement from the city of Charlotte.

  • North Carolina lawmakers created a package of $15 million in incentives for the ACC to stay in the state, as CBJ reported.

Why it matters: Charlotte is a sports mecca  — and landing the ACC headquarters further cements that position.

Read more: ACC is moving its headquarters to Charlotte

4. Uptown block party and other speed reads

Tree with art hanging from it in Uptown

Find art scattered through Uptown for the CIAF. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

🎭 Wednesday Night Live, a celebration of art and culture, starts today with a block party in Uptown.

🎃 No one under the age of 17 will be allowed at SCarowinds without a chaperone — a new policy following ‘unruly behavior’ by minors during opening weekend. (WBTV)

🚹 Northwest Cabarrus High was evacuated because of a bomb threat on Monday. Yesterday, four Cabarrus County Schools were cleared out for the same reason. (WBTV)

POV: You’re immersed in art 👀

A colorful art display

Photo: Alivia McAtee/Axios

Luminarium – Architects of Air by Alan Parkinson is a unique sensory maze in Ballantyne’s Backyard.

The deets: It’s open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. until October 2 as part of the Charlotte International Arts Festival.

  • Admission is $5.

Plan your experience.

5. đŸ“» Rendering du jour: WFAE's new digs

two-story brick building adjacent to a light rail line

The first floor will be used as a community space, and the second floor will be a hybrid office for employees. Renderings courtesy of Gensler/Black Wednesday

WFAE, Charlotte's NPR station, will relocate most of its operations from University City to the historic building currently occupied by Google Fiber in Uptown, Axios' Danielle Chemtob writes.

Details: The radio station plans to use the 12,000-square-foot space inside an early 1900s building for community events like debates and concerts.

  • WFAE expects to bring its staff into the space in November.

Why it matters: The space is located in First Ward Park in an area that is seeing a wave of changes, from the 7th and Tryon redevelopment to the restoration of the Carolina Theatre.

What they’re saying: WFAE CEO Joe O’Connor tells Axios the idea is modeled after event and performance spaces public radio stations have in cities like New York, Boston and Santa Monica.

Editor’s note: Axios reporters sometimes appear on WFAE programming.

🌀 The loop (we're keeping you in it)

News you can use from our partners.

  • â›łïžCelebrate President’s Cup this weekend with hors d'oeuvres and live golf course paintings from Frankie Jones while you shop Taylor Richards & Conger’s luxury menswear. Plus, a portion of sales will go to charity!
  • Driving distance getaway: SC’s Olde English District has local eateries, boutique hotels and outdoor adventures just a few hours from Charlotte. Explore what the region has to offer.

6. 🏘 Tour some modern homes

Dining room inside a modern home, with wood paneled interiors and vaulted ceiling

This home is located on Cedarcroft Dr. Photo courtesy of Foil Creative

The Mad About Modern Home Tour is back in-person after two years of virtual tours.

What to expect: The home tour focuses on midcentury modern homes mostly built between the 1950s-1970s.

  • Expect to see living spaces that incorporate the outdoors, open floor plans and clean lines mixed with bold patterns.
  • Virtual event attendees can access several 360° home tours.

Why it matters: The event is also a fundraiser for The Charlotte Museum of History, with all proceeds supporting its mission of saving and sharing Charlotte’s history.

Details: The event takes place Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10am to 4pm.

  • Tickets are $30 and $35 on the day of the event.

Future events

📆 Start planning your days ahead.

  • Girl Tribe Pop Up at Charlotte Convention Center on Saturday: Attendees can expect a collection of 100+ women-led businesses that come together to bring you the ultimate day of shopping, cocktails, one-of-a-kind activations, lots of fun photo moments and so much more. $5-$25.
  • Fall South End Wine & Hops Festival on Saturday: The 8th Annual Fall South End Wine will feature wonderful wines, cider and brews paired with live music. Your ticket includes boundless sampling of wines, ciders & craft brews. VIP experience includes 10 festival tickets, VIP tables & chairs, 4 bottles of wine plus unlimited tastings & an one-hour early entrance into the festival. $40.
  • Flower Arranging at South End on Saturday: Learn how to arrange your own fall flower bouquet. This event is first come first serve and is part of South End Blooms, a series of free neighborhood happenings hosted by Charlotte is Creative and Lowe's. Free.
  • Alley Hoops Jam Basketball Clinic and Community Hang Out at Victoria Yards September 25: Enjoy a free basketball clinic, live podcast taping, DJ, and karaoke. Admission is free but registration is required.
  • (Re)Connecting the Dots: Building Meaningful Relationships for a Healthy Mind at The Collector's Room in South End on October 18: Join award-winning author and speaker, Kathy Izard, HopeWay's Director of Medical Services, Kevin Marra, MD, and a panel of HopeWay’s mental health experts to hear stories about connection and the science behind why it matters. $35.

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

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

7. 💭 First thoughts from the Presidents Cup

Sinage that reads "NoDa" in yellow in front of yellow flowers on a golf course

The course has installations with nods to Charlotte neighborhoods like NoDa and South End behind certain holes. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

Quail Hollow Club opened its gates yesterday for Presidents Cup spectators and golfers.

What's happening: Yesterday and today are just the practice rounds, the tournament starts tomorrow.

  • We sent Axios' Ashley Mahoney and Alexis Clinton to get a lay of the land, try some of the food and talk to the golfers.

💭 Their thought bubbles: "It’ll be hard to see everything in one day. Wear good walking shoes and bring your appetite!" — Alexis

  • "I’ve covered Wells Fargo and the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club. You could’ve been almost anywhere with those. With the Presidents Cup, you KNOW you’re in Charlotte." — Ashley

Full Presidents Cup guide

Thanks for reading! Have a great Wednesday.

This newsletter was edited by Kayla Sharpe and copy edited by Lucia Maher.