Hello, Thursday. The Hornets have been busy making headlines off the court. More on that below.

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🍰 Happy birthday to our members Namcy Newcomb and Telitha Hight!

Today’s newsletter is 1,007 words — a 4-minute read.

Anyone tuned into North Carolina politics knows the name Tim Moore. But few have heard of LaKesha Womack — until election night.

Why it matters: In a stunning upset, Womack is poised to hold her first political office in Congress after leading in unofficial vote totals over one of North Carolina's most prominent Republicans.

• AP had not officially called the race as of Wednesday.

What she's saying: "I honestly didn't see Tim Moore as the competitor that I probably should have assessed him to be," Womack tells Axios.

• She knew her district leaned Republican, but Democrats outperformed in elections nationally in 2025, she says.
• "I just felt like with all of my campaign training, if I put together a strong program, then I could win," she says.
• Moore spent 34.5 times more than Womack, according to campaign finance reports.

By the numbers: Moore is trailing by about 6,500 votes, according to unofficial results, with 99% of votes reported.

• He lost the most ground in Gaston County, where he received 62.9% of the votes in 2024 versus 53.2% Tuesday.

But who is Womack? The 49-year-old minister and consultant centered her congressional campaign on affordability, accountable government spending and federal investment in public schools.

• Womack says she'll advocate for housing reform after experiencing home insecurity herself.
• She says she ran for Congress, rather than starting at a smaller office, hoping to make a greater impact on issues like health care.

Political analysts Axios spoke to considered Moore's seat safe, even with Democrats dominating voter turnout.

• Moore said on the first day of early voting that he was door knocking "even though I probably wouldn't have to if I didn't want to," according to WUNC.
• Womack says she was averaging five to seven events per week, while Moore wasn't "showing up."
• Axios reached out to Moore for comment.

Friction point: Womack lives in the 12th District, not District 14. She says she signed for her house before winning the primary.

• Congressional candidates don't have to live in a district to run in it — just the same state.
• She says she doesn't intend to move.

Read the full story

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The old Epicentre has defied the laws of inflation, selling for just $27.5 million to the Charlotte Hornets' joint venture.

Why it matters: That's significantly lower than its appraised value of $97.8 million, according to Mecklenburg County records.

• Deutsche Bank previously bought the 302,324-square-foot building in 2022 with a sole bid of $95 million after the former owner, CIM Group of Los Angeles, defaulted on an $85 million loan with the bank.
• CIM Group bought the building for $130.5 million in 2014.

Catch up quick: Hornets Sports & Entertainment, Lincoln Property Company and Vision Ventures say they plan to revitalize Queen City Quarter, aka the Epicentre.

Let us know what you hope the Hornets do with the space. Send your thoughts to [email protected].

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FARE, a Chicago-based healthy eatery, opens Nov. 6 in South End in the Queensbridge Collective.

Why it matters: This is FARE's first location outside of Chicago. Before FARE even opens the doors on its first Charlotte location, there are already plans to open a second Charlotte spot in late spring 2027 at the Commonwealth development in Plaza Midwood, FARE founder Kasia Bednarz tells Axios.

What they're saying: "The goal is national expansion," Bednarz says.

• In the Charlotte area, they're also considering SouthPark and Matthews. The local market can hold five to eight locations, Bednarz says.
• Bednarz also likes the idea of bringing FARE to the Triangle. She plans to bring FARE to a new market in 2028, but where exactly is TBD.

Take a look around ... More restaurants opening in Charlotte

💆‍♀️ Mood House, a local massage studio, will open a Ballantyne location in 2027 at Toringdon Market. (Instagram)

🌮 Mariah's Taco Spot will open a South Carolina location in Rock Hill on Nov. 10.

🛒 Publix opened a new store at the Village Commons (6460 Weddington Road) in Wesley Chapel, just outside Charlotte, this week, per a release.

📚 EpicFest, a free literary festival for children and families, is this Saturday, Nov. 7, at ImaginOn in Uptown. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library)

🍪 Gluten-free bakery The Accidental Baker is celebrating its rebrand to Panetteria Senza this Saturday from 9am–noon with giveaways and coffee. (Instagram)

News you can use from our partners.

• 🗓️ Get your event on Charlotte's calendar. Axios Local Marketplace helps Charlotte businesses generate buzz around events and promote what's next. Get started.

Finders' Coffee recently soft opened in South End.

Why it matters: It's from the owners of Littl Madeleine, an organic bakery and coffee shop in Ballantyne.

What to expect: Finders has a similar menu, with specialty coffee, matcha and pastries made in-house.

• The space is bright, airy and minimalist, with about a half-dozen tables inside.
• You can also watch the staff make pastries behind the counter.

💭 My thought bubble: The menu feels like a mix of French- and Korean-inspired treats. I tried an Earl Grey madeleine, turkey and cheese croissant and their take on the popular Korean garlic cream cheese bagel.

• To drink, I tried the iced Einspänner, essentially a fancy iced espresso topped with a creamy cloud and cacao powder, plus a cloud caramel latte.
• Of course, I couldn't leave without diving into their chocolate Basque cheesecake. It's massive — go with a sweet tooth or prepare to split.

Stop by: 1617 S. Tryon St. Open Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm, and Saturday 8am-3pm. Closed Sunday.

🥗 Ashley is obsessed with using cabbage instead of lettuce to make a Caesar salad.

😋 McKenzie's still thinking about the Basque cheesecake she had at Finders' Coffee.

😴 Alex has an Election Day hangover.

☕️ Alexis thinks more coffee shops should offer coffee flights.

🏋️‍♀️ Melissa, who edited this newsletter, learned how to breathe and brace during squats this week.