Uptown's foot traffic recovery since the pandemic is a bit of a mixed bag, depending on how you look at it.

By the numbers: Foot traffic is at 62.5% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels, Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.

• That's based on anonymized mobile phone activity analyzed by the School of Cities at the University of Toronto (read about their methodology here.)

Why it matters: Downtowns are typically the beating economic heart of a city, funneling revenue into city coffers via taxes and more.

Yes, but: Uptown's rebound is more like 85%, according to Charlotte Center City Partners. It tracks visits in the municipal services district, which is within the I-277 loop, Axios' Alexandria Sands writes.

• The University of Toronto's study leaves out some hot spots, like AvidXchange's campus and the areas between uptown and Central Piedmont Community College, as well as Midtown.

What they're saying: James LaBar, SVP of economic development for Charlotte Center City Partners, tells Axios that CCCP data indicates visits to Uptown are increasing over time. There are several key ways to return to pre-pandemic levels:

• Experiences: The day of Beyoncé's show, CCCP clocked 192,000 visits to Uptown — the most-visited Wednesday of 2023. LaBar says events like that are what bring people back.
• More in-person work collaboration: "Whether it be in the office, in the lobby, in the brewery, in a local restaurant," LaBar says. "Those third places are really important."
• Complete neighborhoods: They've found walkable neighborhoods like South End are the most resilient, and more people living near Uptown will drive vibrancy.

Between the lines: Charlotte, like many other metros, has a glut of unused or underused office space — particularly in older buildings — as a result of the work-from-home policies ushered in by the pandemic.

• City leaders are considering turning some of this Uptown space into other uses, such as housing. More residents in the city center could further increase the area's vibrancy.

💼 See who's looking for talented Charlotteans.

1. University Communications Project Coordinator at UNC Charlotte.
2. Event Management Contractor at SouthPark Community Partners.
3. General Manager at The Grove CLT.
4. Weekend Bridal Stylist (Part-time) at Savvy Bride Boutique.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

There's a new race in town, Axios' Ashley Mahoney writes.

What's happening: The Meck Mile presented by Albemarle debuts May 25, 2024, at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Elizabeth.

Why it matters: Charlotte Sports Foundation, the event's organizer, is known for putting on marquee events in Charlotte, including Duke's Mayo Classic and Bowl, which draws thousands to the city.

Details: The race, which is intended to be an annual event, is open to all ages and skill levels.

• You can walk, run or dance your way around the course, which is two laps around the stadium. 
• The finish line is midfield inside the stadium. Participants will compete in heats of 25.
• The event will run from 1-9pm and will include live music and a kids' zone, plus food and drink.

Read on for registration details

Catawba Brewing Co. has permanently closed its massive Charlotte location after more than six years in the Belmont neighborhood.

• This comes less than a week after the brewery closed its Wilmington location, too, Axios' Laura Barrero writes.

Why it matters: The news Monday came without any notice, former employees said on social media.

• "Someone from HR and the director of retail operations came in this morning and let us all know that the taproom was closed, effective immediately and that none of us had jobs," former general manager MaryAnn Anstine tells Axios.
• It's still unclear why the brewery closed its doors.

Flashback: Catawba invested $1 million to open its 10,000-square-foot taproom and production facility in Belmont in 2017.

Context: In 2021, Catawba Brewing was purchased by the craft brewing company Made By The Water, which also owns Faubourg Brewing Co., Oyster City and Palmetto.

• Catawba closed its Morganton location in 2022.

Full story

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While we're on the topic of breweries: Protagonist is closing on North Davidson at the end of October. Next year, it'll reopen in a larger spot in Optimist Park.

Flashback: Protagonist opened its roughly 1,500-square-foot location in spring 2019 in the spot formerly occupied by NoDa Grocery at 35th and North Davidson streets.

• The nano-brewery was in a prime spot in NoDa and quickly became a popular patio hangout among neighbors. It started off serving small bites from its kitchen but later discontinued food.
• The plan was always to move into a bigger space once the original location's lease was up, says co-owner Mike Salzarulo.
• "It was our first location and it will be sad to say goodbye to it," Salzarulo tells Axios.

Why it matters: Charlotte's brewery scene is robust and continues to evolve, with new-to-town operators moving in, independent brewers expanding to bigger locations and others having to close their doors.

Full story

• Former Panthers lineman Michael Oher, whose life story was the inspiration for "The Blind Side," alleged in a Tennessee court that the Tuohy family never adopted him and instead tricked him into a conservatorship. (ESPN)
• SouthPark Regional Library will be closed today and tomorrow to repair a broken sewer line at the branch. The location is expected to resume normal hours (9am to 8pm) on Aug. 17.
• James Beard-nominated chef Sam Hart, of Counter- and Biblio, is opening a food stall called Maneki inside The Alley, formerly Latta Arcade. The restaurant is inspired by traditional Japanese cooking and will serve skewers and sides. (Unpretentious Palate 🔒)
• The State Board of Elections voted on Sunday to recognize the No Labels party as an official party in North Carolina. (WRAL)

📅 Start planning your days ahead.

• Music at the Met every Thursday until October 5: Join Metropolitan on the patio every Thursday evening for good vibes and live music by local musicians. Enjoy food and drinks from surrounding restaurants. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. Free.
• Lagerfest at South End and SouthPark Taprooms on Saturday: To celebrate their 6th Anniversary, they are throwing an all-day Lagerfest at both South End and SouthPark taprooms. Enjoy $5 lager pours all day, special release lagers, live music, half-off pretzels, and merch giveaways. Free.
• Become an ALP Tutor at CMS Schools: Join as an ALP literacy tutor helping a 1st-3rd grader in a CMS Title 1 elementary school. They provide training and support. Volunteers commit to tutoring students two times each week. Make a difference this year. No fee.
• Auditions for The Gay Men's Chorus and The Women's Chorus of Charlotte at St. Martin's Episcopal Church on August 22, 24, 26 and 27: Do you love to sing? Want to be part of something amazing? The Gay Men's Chorus & the Women's Chorus of Charlotte are auditioning for new members in August. Visit their site for details or email [email protected] to reserve your spot. Free.

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

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

Popular Asheville pizza spot PIE.ZAA Pizza is opening in South End next to Vinyl and Wooden Robot Brewery, Laura writes.

What to expect: A late-night option with massive, New York-style, 12-inch slices.

• The 2,503-square-foot space will open later this year, per a press release.

Details: PIE.ZAA will be located at 1440 S. Tryon St.

• It'll be open until midnight during the week and 1am on the weekends.