A bid has been submitted to bring a WNBA team back to Charlotte.

Why it matters: Charlotte's first WNBA franchise, the Charlotte Sting, folded nearly two decades ago, but support for women's sports has transformed since the early 2000s, giving WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert confidence to aim for a 16-team league by 2028.

• Three new teams will tip off over the next two years: Golden State Valkyries in 2025, plus the Toronto Tempo and a Portland team (whose name is TBA) in 2026.

State of play: Businesswoman Erica Berman is leading the bid with the support of her family, according to Nadia Eke, a consultant and spokesperson for the Charlotte bid. The team would be called the Charlotte Sting and play at Spectrum Center as early as 2028.

• The bid for the 16th franchise was submitted to Allen & Company, a New York-based investment bank leading the expansion process, before the Jan. 30 deadline, according to Eke.
• Hornets owners Gabe Plotkin, Rick Schnall and Damian Mills are part of the project, per Eke. HSE released a statement saying it believes in the growth of women's basketball and the WNBA.
• Earlier this month, the WNBA filed new trademark applications for the Sting and four of its other former franchises, WUNC reported.

Berman family connections to the Charlotte area

The Health Club, a new locally owned luxury fitness and recovery center, recently opened on Monroe Road in east Charlotte.

Why it matters: Memberships for the high-end wellness space, designed for both fitness and recovery, sold out before it opened.

What to expect: The massive 18,000-square-foot, two-story facility offers a fully equipped gym, group fitness classes and a dedicated recovery section for members.

Between the lines: The Health Club has a 600+ person waitlist.

• Memberships will be $249 a month for individuals or $409 for couples when they reopen.

The vibe: With a clean and modern aesthetic, The Health Club draws heavy inspiration from luxury fitness brands like Equinox and Anatomy Fitness in Miami, says founder and owner, 29-year-old Addy Collett Hakim.

What's next The Health Club will hold its grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Take a look around

The Republican senator leading Mecklenburg County's transit bill through the General Assembly says members of her caucus remain largely opposed to a tax increase.

Why it matters: Sen. Vickie Sawyer, who represents north Mecklenburg County, was iffy about the bill's chances early on. Her message has not become more encouraging.

• The bill is "a long way from being palatable to have enough votes to even get to the floor," Sawyer wrote in emails that Charlotte Rail Advocate, a local transit advocate, shared with Axios,

Keep reading

Charlotte Catholic High School principal Lori Phillips has resigned effective Friday, Feb. 14, according to a letter shared with parents. CCHS parents have been calling for her removal, as well as that of Gregory Monroe, superintendent of Catholic Diocese of Charlotte Schools.

Why it matters: Charlotte Catholic, one of the city's oldest private schools, has been embroiled in controversy this school year, from changes in accreditation to students getting suspended for bullying.

Between the lines: Phillips' resignation comes days after a video of her meeting with parents circulated in which she appears to imply parents are the school's "culture problem."

• Frustrations among some parents have been building over the school's direction and leadership, the Charlotte Ledger reported.

More about the tension at CCHS

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Staff Accountant at Charlotte Country Club.
2. Director of Marketing and Communications at Classroom Central.
3. Accommodations Specialist at The National Board of Examiners in Optometry.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

🥚 Trader Joe's has added a limit to how many eggs shoppers can purchase at all of its stores as bird flu shortages increase. (Axios)

🎢 Carowinds will hire more than 2,500 seasonal employees for the 2025 season, according to a press release. People may apply, interview and be hired the same day during a week-long hiring event from Feb. 15-22. Hourly pay is up to $16 per hour. Opening day is March 15.

🛒 Mezzo Market, a Mediterranean market in the former Segan Food Mart space, will open at 2212 The Plaza in March. The market will sell frozen meals, dried pasta, beer and wine and will have a restaurant with a Mediterranean-focused tapas menu. (Unpretentious Palate)

🍷 Charlotte Wine + Food Week is returning this year from April 23-27. Tickets go on sale in March, according to a press release.

DetraPel, Inc., a chemical manufacturer that gained recognition from its 2018 "Shark Tank" appearance, is relocating its headquarters and advanced manufacturing operations to southwest Charlotte, where it'll add more than 30 new jobs, per a press release.

🛍 Employees at Belk's corporate office will have to work in-office three days a week after being allowed to work remotely since March 2020. (Charlotte Ledger)

🚧 Work begins Monday to widen one of Charlotte's most congested roads — N.C. 150 near Lake Norman. (Observer)

📅 Find things to do on our Event Board.

• Luxury Outdoor Warehouse Liquidation Sale at VIRIDIEN Patio + Fireplace now through Feb 16: $10M in Luxury Outdoor Furniture and everything must go. Clearing showrooms for new 2025 collections. Shop early for the best deals. First come, first served.
• Pop Up Valentine's Bar at Tap and Vine Indian Trail now through Feb 28: Celebrate love all February and sip festive cocktails, enjoy indulgent bites, and soak in the romantic vibes.
• ALP Volunteer Reading Tutor at St. Peter's Episcopal Church Feb 13-Mar 15: Help 1st graders learn to read. Volunteer tutors are trained to give ALP lessons to students in CMS Title 1 Elementary schools.
• Free trees with TreesCharlotte at City of Charlotte Landscape Management Feb 14-20: Registration opens at 10 am on Friday for TreesCharlotte's next TreeAdoption. If you live in West Charlotte you are eligible to receive 2 free trees and mulch as well as planting and care education.
• Elgar's Enigma Variations at Belk Theater Fri-Sat: Pianist Olga Kern captivates with her rendition of Robert Schumann's uplifting Piano Concerto, setting the stage for Elgar's evocative Enigma Variations in a Valentine's weekend concert. $27+.
• Annual Sidewalk Sale at Julies Boutique Fri-Sun: Shop the annual sidewalk sale with all fall and winter merchandise $40 and under. Prices as low as $5.
• Central Piedmont Healthcare Open House at Central Piedmont Central Campus, Health Careers Building Feb 18: Explore 21 programs, try hands-on activities, and see where your healthcare career can take you.

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

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

The University City Regional Library at University Place opened last weekend.

What to expect: At 38,000 square feet Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has two floors filled with books for children, teens and adults.

• It also has plenty of desktops and laptops, plus study rooms and conference rooms.

Stop by: 5528 Waters Edge Village Dr., next to Novel University Place.

• Open Monday through Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 1-5pm.

Let's Meat KBBQ, a Korean restaurant in South End, is finally reopening.

Catch up quick: The restaurant closed because of a fire almost exactly a year ago.

• Nobody was hurt and investigators determined the fire began in the ventilation duct system, WCNC reported.
• The damages amounted to more than $200,000, owner Tim Chun confirmed to Axios, in addition to another $200,000 for repairs.

Driving the news: Let's Meat will open before the end of the month at 1400 S. Church St., next to Seoul Food Meat Company.

• Chun says he is hopeful the restaurant repairs will allow him to introduce new dishes eventually, like hot pots and soups.