Uchi and Uchibā will open later this month in Plaza Midwood.

Why it matters: Charlotte is getting two nationally recognized Japanese brands at once. The dual debut marks the Austin-based group's first Carolina outpost and one of Commonwealth's highest-profile restaurant openings.

Driving the news: Uchi, an award-winning restaurant specializing in Japanese fare with a twist, opens Tuesday, March 31.

• Uchibā, its sister bar upstairs, follows Friday, April 3.

The vibe: Uchibā's rooftop is positioned for after-work drinks, while Uchi offers a more immersive sushi bar experience.

Both restaurants will feature Uchi staples, including Hama Chili — raw baby yellowtail with Thai chili, orange and ponzu.

Context: Founded in 2003 by James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole, Uchi is known for non-traditional Japanese cuisine and its omakase experience.

Zoom in: Translated as "Uchi Bar," Uchibā is an izakaya-inspired concept that debuted in Dallas in 2018 and Austin in 2023.

• The focus is craft cocktails, Japanese whisky and shareable plates. Its menu will feature a curated sushi selection, bao, buns and yakitori skewers.

Take a look around

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Director of Economic Research at Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
2. Assistant Store Manager at Laura Park.
3. Upper School History Teacher at Charlotte Country Day School.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Aura photography, the trend that turns your "energy" into a rainbow portrait, has landed in Charlotte.

Why it matters: Black Moon Co. owner Alexia Byrd says she has the first aura camera in Charlotte, and she's hosting pop-ups around the city so you can try it for yourself.

Context: Online, "aura" has become Gen Z shorthand for someone's intangible cool factor. Aura photography takes that idea literally, translating supposed energy into color.

• We tried it at a recent pop-up at The Bag Lady in Elizabeth.

How it works: Participants sit in front of a vintage-style camera and place their hands on two biofeedback sensors. Thirty seconds later, the camera produces a Polaroid.

• As the photo develops, colors will bloom around your portrait.
• Then, Byrd interprets them for you.

Each color corresponds to traits and chakras (energy centers in the body).

What they're saying: "It's just seeing it for yourself," Byrd says about the experience. "Even skeptics will watch the whole process ... and then they're like, 'Okay, yeah, I want one too.'"

Where to catch the next pop-up

Charlotte City Council approved terms for an American Express Sidecar Lounge lease at Charlotte Douglas International Airport Monday night.

Why it matters: The lounge is the latest offering from American Express, which opened its first Sidecar Lounge in Las Vegas last week.

Keep reading

Bitty & Beau's, the popular coffee shop that employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will close its South End location on March 22.

• "This decision came only after deep reflection and exploring every possible option to avoid this outcome," reads a note posted inside the shop. The owners declined to give Axios additional context for the closure.
• They're also asking the community to help find new jobs for their staff.

🏡 The Symphony Guild of Charlotte will host its 9th annual Heart of the Home Tour the weekend of March 27–28. (Tickets)

Chef Michael Bowling, a beloved Charlotte chef and one of the founders of Soul Food Sessions, died over the weekend. (Unpretentious Palate)

🍎 About 15% of teachers left Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools last year, highlighting ongoing retention challenges in local education. (🔐 Observer)

The Charlotten, a parody account poking fun at Charlotte, appears to have rebranded after allegedly receiving a cease and desist letter from The Onion.

✍️ The Panthers are making offseason moves, adding quarterback Kenny Pickett and linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd. (Panthers)

News you can use from our partners.

• Thrifting at Goodwill is about more than just the thrill of the find. Every purchase funds tuition-free job training and career development services that help Charlotteans find work and support their families. Shop in-store and online.
• 🍴 Indulge and experiment at Discovery Place's food-themed Science on the Rocks on March 20. Dabble in molecular gastronomy and explore the science behind each sip and bite — from glowing drinks to liquid nitrogen ice cream. Get tickets.

The ACC men's basketball tournament returns to Spectrum Center in Uptown.

Why it matters: Thousands of people will make their way to Charlotte for the tournament, staying in hotels, eating at restaurants and traveling through the city's airport.

What we're watching: The Duke Blue Devils enter as the No. 1 seed and may go on to win the ACC tournament again. Sports fans can only hope the tournament produces another matchup between the Blue Devils and the North Carolina Tar Heels like last year.

What to expect: Fourteen games will take place at Spectrum Center March 10-14, culminating in the championship on March 14 at 8:30pm.

• Find the full schedule here.

Share with your March Madness pool

Gasoline prices are jumping as oil prices spike following the U.S. and Israel strikes on Iran, reflecting market fears of extended geopolitical upheaval.

Why it matters: Americans use about 370 million gallons of gas per day, so price increases have an immediate effect on their pocketbook and mood about the economy.

Zoom out: The national average price of unleaded gas hit $3.11 per gallon on Tuesday, March 9, up 11 cents overnight.

• It was the biggest single-day spike since March 4, 2022, according to GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan.

Context: As of March 9, the U.S. average has jumped to $3.48 per gallon, according to AAA.

• In North Carolina, drivers are paying $3.27 per gallon.
• In the Charlotte metro, a gallon of unleaded is $3.25, up nearly 50 cents from a week ago.

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