Charlotte metro condo prices rose faster than those of single-family homes, per the latest Zillow data.

• In May, the typical metro-area condo sold for $291,902.78, up 7.9% compared to last year. Meanwhile, the typical single-family home here cost $386,175.56, down 4.3% year-over-year.

The big picture: More buyers have turned to condos and townhouses as housing costs surge, Realtor.com analyst Hannah Jones tells Axios.

• Across the U.S., that segment's prices are now climbing at a faster clip than single-family homes, the real estate company's data shows.

Why it matters: Condos' growing appeal comes as younger buyers look for more affordable homes, and empty nesters want to downsize to a maintenance-free lifestyle, real estate experts say.

• In Charlotte, affordability and inventory are two big factors drawing buyers to condos and townhomes, real estate agent Ken Riel tells Axios.
• Opting for a condo is a way buyers can attain homeownership — and thus build wealth — without added responsibilities like lawn care, says Vicky Mitchener, owner of Dickens Mitchener and Associates.

Be smart: Homeowners' association fees, which vary from building to building, factor into the cost of owning a condo.

Between the lines: A bump in new home construction could bring prices down.

• Charlotte had 22.9 single-family building permits per 10,000 people in the first quarter of this year, the fifth-most per capita among U.S. metros.

Duke's Mayo is partnering with restaurants and breweries in the Charlotte area (and Charleston; Greenville, S.C.; and Richmond) to offer a series of tomato/mayo-based specials.

• Kindred is serving an heirloom tomato pie and Moo & Brew has a hot tomato burger, for example.

Zoom in: Duke's "hot tomato summer" special is in its third year, so it's safe to say they were ahead of the new "tomato girl summer" TikTok trend.

Context: This Delish writer put it best: "The tomato girl looks like she stepped right out of an ad for the Amalfi Coast. She wanders through farmers' markets, wears bright tones and bold prints (actual tomatoes included) and plenty of ruffles. She cooks with the windows open. She's carefree!"

• The "tomato girl" hashtag has over six million views and counting.

Details: Duke's "hot tomato summer" runs through July 30.

• You can check out the list of participating restaurants here.

💼 See current open positions on our Job Board.

1. Store Manager at Southern Lion.
2. Lower School Associate Teachers at Woodlawn School.
3. Tutor (Part-time) at Heart Math Tutoring.
4. Outfitter Operations Manager at Catawba Riverkeeper.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Today's the first day of Panthers training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Practice starts at 10:15am.

Why it matters: It's the first time fans will see new faces — like coach Frank Reich and No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young — in action.

Of note: Tickets are free, but for the first time, fans are required to reserve them ahead of time. You can get up to six tickets per practice.

What's next: The Panthers return to Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 2, for Fan Fest, where you'll get to see the team practice and a fireworks and laser show.

Training camp schedule

"Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes" is on view at Discovery Place Science Uptown, and this Thursday through Saturday, you can see it in a special, after-hours showing from 5–9pm.

• The exhibition celebrates Marvel’s cultural impact and features original costumes, props and artwork.

Get tickets.

🏗 The developer of Lagoona Bay, now called Waterside, says he has a backup plan to move his controversial project forward without a rezoning. It includes 350 single-family homes, a clubhouse, the eight-acre manmade lagoon and no retail. (CBJ 🔒)

🍗 Bossy Beulah's will open its fourth location on Monday, July 31, at 314 N. White St. in Fort Mill. The first 100 people in line will receive gift cards. (Axios)

📚 The annual School Fair to Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas returns Oct. 14 at Camp North End. It's a free event for parents to learn about the best pre-k through 12 schools in Charlotte. (Charlotte Parent)

🍽 Rosemont Market & Wine Bar in Elizabeth will start serving brunch Saturday and Sunday 10am-2:30pm starting this weekend. (Axios)

🧑‍⚖️ A Charlotte tax preparer with three tax preparation offices in the Charlotte area was sentenced to 20 months in prison for preparing and filing false tax returns. (WBTV)

News you can use from our partners.

• 🏎️ In NASCAR, every lap matters — and so does every vote. The nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 have been announced, and you can get in on the action with the Fan Vote.
• 🍕 When you pick up a pizza from Wheelz, you get a hot and crispy pie and save on delivery fees. Even better: All summer, get a free fountain drink when you order pick-up from Wheelz (South End location only).

One adult endured non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting at Julius L. Chambers High School Tuesday afternoon, Axios' Alexandria Sands writes.

What we know: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police is investigating the incident at the northeast school’s campus. An altercation between two contracted workers escalated to shots fired around 2:30pm, according to the department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

• CMS says the two workers were making repairs to the track. One person was shot in the arm and drove himself to the hospital. The shooter left the campus and contacted police.

What's next: Charges are pending, according to CMPD.

Of note: School is out for summer. But the campus still went into a modified lockdown as students trying out for the football team started arriving on campus about an hour after the incident.

Full story

Tickets are on sale for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, organized by our news partners at WBTV.

Why it matters: 30,000 tickets will be sold in hopes of raising $3M for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and paying for the treatment of seven children.

Details: Tickets cost $100 each and enter you in a raffle to win a newly built ranch-style home just west of Monroe on Grey Pond Lane.

• The home will have three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and custom features including a massive hidden pantry, front and back covered porches and an owner’s suite with a walk-in closet.
• If you buy a ticket today, you'll be entered to win all of the prizes, including the house, a car and a $5,000 gift card.
• Last year tickets sold out in 28 hours.

More details can be found here

📆 Check out what’s going around Charlotte.

• 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.
• Be The Light Tour Mobile Career Fair at Headquarters Building | AvidXchange Music Factory on Saturday: The Tour’s mission is to empower and serve communities by providing direct access to job-readiness resources and career-building strategies. The Be The Light Tour is an indoor and outdoor event. Free.
• True Play: A Podcast Panel with MomSlay, In Killing Color, and Manly Deeds Podcasts at Launch Factory on Saturday: An unmissable event for podcast lovers. This lively panel discussion will bring together three of the most captivating podcasters in Charlotte. Free.
• Girl Tribe Pop Up at The Revelry at Camp North End on Sunday: Girl Tribe Pop Up is headed to Charlotte's newest magical venue, The Revelry at Camp North End. Shoppers can expect a full day of shopping, drinks, food, live music, and magical photo moments. $5-$15.
• Jimmy Pearls’ Crab Crackin’ at The Market at 7th Street on Sunday: Enjoy a communal blue crab feast at the Market. Jimmy Pearls is using time honored recipes of seafood cookery to give you some of the best seafood you've ever had. They're offering steamed mixed blue crabs, peel & eat shrimp, their famous Bubba Chucks, an assortment of housemade condiments, and other goodies that will satisfy your tastebuds. $40-$110.

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

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

Queen's Feast (aka Charlotte restaurant week) is ongoing through July 30.

• You can feel like you're in Europe without leaving Charlotte at Bar Marcel in SouthPark, writes Axios' McKenzie Rankin, who is currently in Europe.

Details: The restaurant specializes in cuisine from Italy, France and Spain.

• It's located at 3920 Sharon Road, next to Boem. And is open Monday-Thursday 4-9pm and Friday-Saturday 4-10pm.