Author: Brian Perry

🌳 Make a Date with a Trail This Month!

Written by Brian Perry on February 7, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

Did you know that 2023 is the Year of the Trail in North Carolina? Our friends at Walk Cabarrus have an entire section of their website dedicated to Where to Walk, including all of the great trails around Cabarrus County. 🥾 Each month, there’s a theme for Year of the Trail, along with an activity to go along with it. For February, they want to invite you on a date on one of your favorite trails…and for you to invite a friend or loved one to join you! Share your “trail date” pictures on social media and be sure to tag the Great Trails NC on Instagram or Facebook and Walk Cabarrus...

🍻 Lil’ Robert’s Place Hosting “Lucky 13” Anniversary Party on Feb 3 🍻

Written by Brian Perry on January 31, 2023. Posted in Food & Drink.

Contributor: Jamie Richardson From just a bottle shop, to the quirky but home-like bar they are today. “If you lived here, you’d be home” has been the slogan at Lil’ Roberts Place (LRP) for the past 13 years. There’s an eclectic vibe at LRP, from funky couches and chairs to an airplane hanging from the ceiling…there is a lot to take in, but it’s also easy to fit in. When Cabarrus Weekly contributor Jamie visited, there was a group of regulars hanging out at the bar and several people watching the Keno numbers as they appeared on the television screen. LRP is known throughout the...

👚💪👛 Local Entrepreneur Blazing Her Own Trail

Written by Brian Perry on January 31, 2023. Posted in Shopping.

If you haven’t heard of at least one of Ashton Pollack’s businesses, you must still be in quarantine! This entrepreneur is literally everywhere and blazing a trail wherever she goes. An entrepreneur can be defined as someone who “takes on most of the risk and initiative for their new business and is often seen as a visionary or innovator.” Meet Ashton “Ash” Pollock, a female U.S. Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur whose vision and innovation have led to a portfolio of projects that clearly requires her Marine training to keep it all going. You may have first heard of her as last year’s winner...

☘️🎳 Any “Spare” Time for a Great Cause?

Written by Brian Perry on January 31, 2023. Posted in Events.

💚 🖤 Are you looking for a great opportunity to support mentoring and empowering children to reach their potential? This is a great fundraiser for your work family, church, or friend group to get involved and support Big Brothers Big Sisters in Cabarrus County! Bowl for Kids’ Sake is the perfect way for individuals to make an impact while also having fun! BBBS asks that each bowler set a goal to raise $150 or their team raises $1,000. (Minimum $50 per bowler) as part of the Challenge. *Bowlers representing our School Challenge are asked to raise a minimum of $150 per team. Teams are made up...

🕺🏿 💃🏼 Who Was That Dancing in Front of the Gem Theatre’s Marquee?

Written by Brian Perry on January 31, 2023. Posted in CabCo Culture.

Did you see the Instagram or Facebook post of two people dancing in front of the Gem Theatre’s marquee last week? The Cabarrus Weekly had to know! We tracked the dancer down and learned more about him and why he chose to dance in front of the Gem Theatre! His name is Matt Lopez and he is a dance teacher/professor based in New York City. He’s currently driving across the United States on a Reels Tour USA and will end up in southern California eventually. Along the way, he has been wowing his 15.8K Instagram followers and his 70K Facebook followers shooting Reels featuring dances and...

📣 🤎 NC Black Heritage Festival Coming Feb 26

Written by Brian Perry on January 31, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

As Black History Month kicks off, be sure to make plans to attend the 2023 North Carolina Black Heritage Festival at the Cabarrus Arena on Feb 26th from 1-5 pm. This year’s theme is “Remember the Past, Celebrate the Present, & Shape the Future.” This is a great way to support black-owned businesses with over 100 companies represented with free giveaways, discounts, and coupons making the vendor shopping experience like none other. This family-friendly event will also feature performances, a kids’ zone, arts & crafts, and lots of fun! Click here for ticket information! Planning...

⚾ New for 2023: 10 Game Mini-Plans

Written by Brian Perry on January 31, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

The Cannon Ballers first home game is just a few months away on April 18th. Now is the time to reserve your tickets to a great evening out at the ballpark. New this year are mini-plans that include a collection of 10 games covering the entire season (approximately 2 per month). Plan holders have the option to exchange up to three dates, but the exchange must be made 48 hours prior to the game, and may not have the exact same seats. Benefits include: ⚾ Best seat location ⚾ Savings on regular ticket pricing ⚾ Online account management ⚾ Exclusive member events ⚾ Priority access to playoff tickets Visit...

Vortex Offers a Neighborhood-Feel with a Carolina Only Tapline

Written by Brian Perry on January 24, 2023. Posted in Food & Drink.

Contributor: Jamie Richardson It’s a rainy Sunday morning and the Vortex Bottle Shop is filled with families, couples, and individuals seated at the bar and the high-top tables spread throughout the restaurant, everyone enjoying Sunday Brunch from the scratch kitchen and drinks from the bar. Owner Matt Widerman, a resident of Harrisburg, opened Vortex Bottle Shop almost 5 years ago. The shop is a combination of food, music, beer, and wine that represent Matt’s personal vibe. When he was younger, brewing beer was a hobby and at one time he considered starting a brewery but decided a bottle...

Kannapolis, Start Your Engines!

Written by Brian Perry on January 24, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

CONTRIBUTOR: JAMIE RICHARDSON Slot car racing is coming to downtown Kannapolis with the opening of The Slot Car Track Kannapolis on Saturday, January 28th! 🏎️ Randy and Shelley McAnulty previously operated slot car tracks in downtown Concord and Granite Quarry, but after COVID hit, decided to relocate. They have been waiting over a year for their new location to open and they say it’s been worth it. “Kannapolis is always busy and we can add to the entertainment value,” said Shelley. They also like being in the hometown of Dale Earnhardt because of their love of racing. Fun Fact:...

Cabarrus County Is Home to NC’s Largest Board Game Café

Written by Brian Perry on January 24, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

CONTRIBUTOR: KAYLA CHADWICK-SCHULTZ Tucked beneath a variety of delicious restaurant offerings, on the lower level of the Gibson Mill Market, there is a place where all imaginations are welcome. It’s a place where fathers and daughters can bond over the shared joy of good storytelling. It’s a place where new friendships are formed and old ones are rekindled during hours-long adventures. It’s a place where regulars arrive at their usual café order waiting for them at their usual table because the owners actually took the time to get to know them. In truth, this unassuming ground-level...

Underground Speakeasy Won’t Be a Secret for Long

Written by Brian Perry on January 24, 2023. Posted in Food & Drink.

Contributor: Jamie Richardson Cabarrus Weekly is giving you a peek inside this members-only social club that is actually affordable and packed with options. Exclusive, private clubs are making a comeback and you don’t have to leave Cabarrus County to find one of the coolest and most unique. Located in the center of downtown Kannapolis, The Blind Fox has come to life in the former 1930s fallout shelter of Mr. Cannon. Ken Lingafelt (one of the owners) was born and bred in North Carolina and has lived in Kannapolis for most of his life. He said he and his fellow innovators that form the...

Is a Recession Ahead in the Housing Market?

Written by Brian Perry on January 24, 2023. Posted in Real Estate.

Goodbye 2022 – remembered as a year of housing volatility. Hello, 2023 – likely to be the year of the long-lost normalcy returning to the market. If you are wondering if this is good – YES, it is. Normalization is great for stability. Mortgage rates are expected to stabilize while home sales and prices moderate after recent highs, according to the National Association of Realtors forecast. Not Increasing as Fast Isn’t the Same as Decreasing Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale was upbeat about the prospects of property appreciation, projecting a 5.4% increase in existing-home prices...

National Bootlegger’s Day (January 17)

Written by Brian Perry on January 17, 2023. Posted in Food & Drink.

National Bootlegger’s Day is celebrated on January 17, every year, to mark several key events: Start of prohibition in the U.S. Distillation of Templeton Rye whiskey Infamous gangster Al Capone’s birthday What is most interesting is how all three events are interconnected. It was the onset of prohibition that prompted both Capone and farmers in Templeton, Iowa, to distill their own whiskey to sell. This was how the famous Templeton Rye whiskey was born, and its popularity spread like wildfire during prohibition… so much so that it became Al Capone’s favorite whiskey. On January 17, 1920, the...

🥃 Tour the Only Whiskey Prison in the U.S.

Written by Brian Perry on January 17, 2023. Posted in Food & Drink.

Contributor: Jamie Richardson Southern Grace Distilleries is America’s only distillery that’s housed in a former prison. The compound originally opened in 1929 as Mount Pleasant Prison, where it remained in operation until it was shut down in 2011. In 2014, North Carolina natives Leanne Powell and Thomas Thacker moved into the facility and founded Southern Grace Distilleries. In 2019, Leanne passed away, but the small staff that runs this company works hard every day to keep Leanne’s vision alive. Meet Sebastian Correa, MASTER DISTILLER, PRODUCTION MANAGER Sebastian is from Winston-Salem...

🍿 These Local Businesses Are Poppin’! 🍿

Written by Brian Perry on January 16, 2023. Posted in Shopping.

Decadence Popcorn’s custom Popcorn Pop (left) is perfect for engagement parties. Tastebuds Popcorn makes custom orders with unique flavors like this blueberry cheesecake combo for Panther Pop (right). January 19th is #NationalPopcornDay. This time-honored snack has a crunch we all love to enjoy, and its POPularity is only increasing with the introduction of new variations, flavors, and dedicated shops. To celebrate this fun day, pop into one of these local stores to grab this sweet or savory snack this week and tell them the Cabarrus Weekly sent you! Tastebuds Popcorn (Concord) Offering FREE...

Can You Spot Downtown Concord in the Trailer?

Written by Brian Perry on January 16, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

Several Scenes from New Movie Filmed in Cabarrus County 🎥 Filming facts: Filming took place during the spring and summer of 2021, with scenes shot in Charlotte, Concord, Kannapolis, and Hickory. Actresses Rachel McAdams, from films like Mean Girls, Wedding Crashers, and The Notebook, and Kathy Bates, a multiple Emmy, and Academy Award winner, were in Cabarrus County filming a scene. More than 1,000 extras were used in the filming, including about 85 in Concord. Downtown Concord was dressed up in a 1970s setting in New York City with an Italian bakery, a pizza shop, and a produce stand...

💵 Want to Take Your Side Hustle to Market?

Written by Brian Perry on January 16, 2023. Posted in Shopping.

The Retail Lab Pop Up Store in Downtown Concord Features Products from Graduates of the Retail Lab Boot Camp. 🧼 Meet Nicole Fodeke, a Retail Lab graduate and small business owner of Be Handmade Natural Soaps, which are made in small batches using the cold process method. She has been gaining knowledge about branding and marketing, e-commerce, as well as point-of-sale, and inventory through the Retail Lab Boot Camp. What is the Retail Lab? The program includes an application-based, six-week immersive Boot Camp held at the Cabarrus Center, followed by an opportunity for new retailers...

🏁🍴 World-Class Dining With a Can’t-Miss View

Written by Brian Perry on January 16, 2023. Posted in Food & Drink.

The Speedway Club Is Open to the Public for Dining! 💰💰💰 Through the end of February, mention this story from Cabarrus Weekly to save 10% off your bill in The Club Lounge or The Speedway Club. Overlooking the historic 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway and all that goes on in the bustling infield throughout the year, The Speedway Club might be Cabarrus County’s best-kept dining secret. With upscale seasonal menus, themed cocktails, and unparalleled views, The Speedway Club is open to the public and offers a world-class dining experience for lunch and dinner. Special events throughout the year...