👋 Hi, Friday! It's McKenzie.

🕯️Situational awareness: Today marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks, a day we remember for the nearly 3,000 people who were killed and the countless lives forever changed.

• 🍎🍯 And as Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown tonight, Shanah Tovah to those celebrating.

🌧️ Today's weather: Mostly sunny then slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 93 and a low of 72.

This newsletter is 683 words — a 2.5-minute read.

A gym membership can easily become a pricey monthly expense. In Charlotte, plenty of people are willing to pay for it.

Why it matters: Charlotteans have more fitness options than ever, and many come with a hefty price tag.

• But local members tell Axios they're willing to make room in their budgets for studios that deliver great instructors, convenient classes, community and results.

By the numbers: We compared membership prices at 47 Charlotte-area gyms and boutique fitness studios. The average monthly price in our guide is about $210, with a median of $199.

Reality check: That may sound expensive, but Charlotte's prices are roughly in line with regional boutique fitness costs.

• The average unlimited boutique fitness membership in the Southeast costs about $204.80 per month, according to fitness software company Mariana Tek.

What they're saying: "I'm willing to pay for it because of validated parking, class times offered and instructors — their vibe and playlist," Kendall L., a Solidcore member, tells Axios.

• Summer Woods pays $189 a month as a founding member at Overflo. She points to accommodating owners, its six-hour cancellation policy and the studio's practice of donating half of late-cancellation fees to charity as reasons she stays.

The other side: Those membership fees are also paying for an expensive operation.

• Multi-modality fitness studio Overflo in South End spends roughly $55,000-$60,000 a month on operating costs, co-owner Matt MacLean tells Axios.
• Jungle owner Olivia Morgan says her cycle and mat Pilates studio spends about $22,000 a month on payroll and $7,000 on rent before utilities, software, cleaning, supplies and other expenses.

Prices for each studio

🗓️ See what's going on around the city.

• Charlotte FC Bar Network at Various Locations Now - Nov 7: Grab a friend, grab a beer, and let's party! In partnership with Michelob Ultra & Wicked Weed, Check out CLTFC's Bar Network website to find local bars across the Carolinas where you can catch every Charlotte FC match, all season long.
• AC Creative Collective's Community Conversations at Sip City Market and Bottle Shop Sept 17: Come hang out in person with fellow creatives and business owners for an evening of structured networking + an industry panel focused on real‑world lessons... what's working and what's not - Light snacks provided | Goody Bag
• Food Truck & Music in the Garden at Wing Haven Sept 18: Enjoy an evening of fun with a local food truck and live music. Perfect for a date night or for the whole family. $25-$30.
• Lúmina: The 2026 Bechtler Fall Fundraiser at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art Sept 19: Don't miss Lúmina, the Bechtler's biggest party of the fall, featuring immersive art, live music, DJs, Latin-inspired bites and drinks, all in support of the museum's mission.
• The Way Home - A Women's Retreat by Rooted.Rested.Rising at the Isle of Palms, SC Oct 8 - 11: You take care of everyone. For 4 days by the ocean, someone takes care of you. A women's retreat on Isle of Palms for rest, connection and coming back to yourself. Private chef, massage, and much more. Register by Sep 20.

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

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

This week's hot homes make room for a little more space, including this Plaza Midwood property with a large porch made for hanging out.

1815 Dearmon Drive — $1,150,000

Zoom in: 3 beds, 2.5 baths and 2,944 square feet

• Notable features include a shaded porch, fireplace, wine rack, wood floors, green cabinetry, walk-in closet, patio, fire pit and fenced-in yard.

More homes

🥩 The highly anticipated Guard & Grace steakhouse in South End's Queensbridge Collective development has announced its opening date: Oct. 1.

Four people were found shot inside a Gaston County home Thursday morning and taken to the hospital. (WBTV)

🍷 Emmy Lou's will launch a monthly "Girl Dinner" chef series starting Sept. 21 that will spotlight Charlotte women in the culinary industry. (Emmy Lou's)

🚌 The Panthers and CATS are offering a Game Day Express during home games for the 2026 season. It's an extension of existing Express bus services from CATS park-and-ride stations. Fare: $3 each way or $6.60 for a day pass. Tickets are available via the CATS-Pass App. (Axios)

🔍 Clue: Murder on the Menu's run at Blume Studios has been extended through Sunday, Dec. 6. (Blumenthal)

Today at Romare Bearden Park in Uptown, 2,977 flags are planted in the shape of the Twin Towers, with photo cards remembering each life lost during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

• This year, for the 25th anniversary, two pillars of light will shine into the Uptown skyline from dusk until dawn.

More 9/11 remembrance events

Our team took home multiple awards at last night's North Carolina Press Association Awards in Raleigh:

💌 1st place: Newsletter | Our team

📱 1st place: Use of Social Media | McKenzie Rankin

🍿 1st place: Arts and Entertainment Reporting | Ashley Mahoney | TV series drive North Carolina's film resurgence

❤️ We're thinking of two beloved members of the Charlotte community we lost this week — longtime Charlotte 49ers Athletics leader Tom Whitestone and fitness coach and athlete James Gulley.

• Our hearts are with their families, friends and the many people across Charlotte whose lives they impacted.