The Comedy Club at Duckworth's will open in Uptown this Thursday, Jan. 9, inside Duckworth's Grill & Taphouse.

Why it matters: The new comedy club will feature a mix of local and national comedians, giving Charlotteans and visitors another entertainment option.

Driving the news: The inaugural lineup of shows features comedians Leah Rudick, Liz Barlow and Genius Jones across three nights from Thursday through Saturday (Jan. 9-11).

• Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for reserved seating.

What to expect: Located on the second floor of Duckworth's, at the corner of N. Tryon & 7th St, The Comedy Club seats 96 people inside the 2,500-square-foot space.

• Each week, a national headliner will perform a 45-60 minute set in addition to two or three 15-20 minute opening acts from local and regional comedians.
• The Comedy Club at Duckworth's will be open Thursdays-Saturdays or Fridays-Sundays, depending on the acts booked, with a mix of early and late shows.

See inside and check out the menu

Whataburger will open multiple new stores across North Carolina in 2025.

Why it matters: For years, rumors have swirled about the fan-favorite Texas chain branching into the Charlotte market. The company — known for its fat burgers, spicy ketchup and limited edition menu items — has now confirmed exact locations and rough timelines with Axios.

The first locations will open in:

• Gastonia (3415 E Franklin Blvd.) — Late spring
• Charlotte (12935 Albemarle Road) — Early summer
• Hickory (2060 US Hwy 70 S.E.) — Early summer

More Whataburger locations coming to NC

Chef Sam Diminich's powerful personal journey to sobriety and healing will take another next step next month: His Your Farms Your Table Restaurant Group will provide daily meals to clients, guests and staff at HopeWay, a nonprofit mental health treatment organization in Charlotte.

Why it matters: "Food is integral to how we heal and connect," says Diminich, who credits his sobriety in large part to the power of food.

Driving the news: YFYT, Diminich's restaurant group and catering company, will provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks at HopeWay's 20-acre campus.

• The meals, made in the nonprofit's kitchen, will use ingredients from local and nearby farms, plus fresh herbs grown onsite.
• HopeWay clients will also have access to interactive therapy in the kitchen through hands-on meal preparation, group therapy and meeting with dietitians.

What's next: YFYT will take over the kitchen at HopeWay on Feb. 1.

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⚽️ Charlotte FC forward Patrick Agyemang received his first U.S. Men's National Team call-up for this month's camp. Charlotte FC defender and USMNT veteran Tim Ream has also been called up, per a press release.

🐾 Hill's Pet Nutrition is covering up to $100 in dog or cat adoption fees at the Humane Society of Charlotte through Jan. 12. HSC is one of 13 animal shelters nationwide chosen to participate in the Welcome Home Adoption campaign, according to a press release.

🎻 Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) will perform pop favorites in their Charlotte debut concert on Jan. 23 at 7:30pm at the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement at Queens University of Charlotte. Tickets start at $29.

🌮 Popular Mexican food truck El Veneno quietly opened a food stall inside Monarch Market in Uptown over the weekend, its owners confirmed to Axios.

🍽 Counter- will host an exclusive seven-course tasting menu in honor of legendary chef Jacques Pépin on Jan. 29.

• The dinner is part of The Jacques Pépin Foundation's nationwide fundraising campaign, which 90 chefs and restaurants across the country will participate in. Tickets are $255 per person.

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Workers Compensation Attorney at Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor.
2. Community Programs Coordinator at SouthPark Community Partners.
3. Development and Engagement Manager at Wing Haven.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring?Post a job.

New year, new dates to lock into the calendar. Here's what to look forward to in the Charlotte area in 2025.

🎭 "Hamilton": Be in the room where it happens to catch the Tony Award-winning musical through Feb. 2 at Belk Theater.

🍽 Queen's Feast: Check out 100+ restaurants in the Charlotte area will offer three-course, prix fixe dining deals Jan. 17-26.

🎤 Lovin' Life Music Fest: The Uptown music festival returns May 2-4 after a sold-out inaugural event.

⛳️ PGA Championship: One of golf's biggest events returns to Quail Hollow Club May 12–18.

More fun things to do this year

Winter temperatures in Charlotte are rising and climate change is driving the trend, according to a new report from Climate Central, a climate science organization.

Why it matters: If you're a transplant, there's a good chance you moved here for warmer winters. But more warm winter days can have knock-on effects on water supply the following warm season, Axios' Andrew Freedman reports.

By the numbers: 81% of the winter season in 2023 was above-freezing minimum temperatures. In a model without global warming, this number would drop to 74%, according to Climate Central.

Yes, but: This week's temperatures are the opposite of warm. There's a wintry mix in the forecast for Friday and Saturday, according to WBTV meteorologists.

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