Charlotte Harris Lucas owner of Charlotte Lucas Design and Co-Owner of House of Harris
How long have you lived in Charlotte? Where did you grow up?
My parents were born and raised here. We moved to Charlotte in 1999, my sophomore year at Myers Park High School.
What are some favorite summer memories from your childhood?
Before we moved to Charlotte, we lived in Wilmington and spent the summers on the water... long days with friends on the beach and on the boat.
What's one of your most memorable family trips and why?
We spent a lot of time in the British Virgin Islands. My favorite memories were simple, being able to slow down and enjoy spending quality time with my parents and sisters.
Did your family go to the beach every summer?
We grew up going to Bald Head Island, and I still take my kids there every summer. Even though a lot has changed, the island maintains its simplistic charm. Every time that ferry leaves the dock for BHI, the weight of the world leaves me, too.
What is your favorite thing to do in Charlotte in the summertime?
My new favorite thing to do is to just enjoy being at home. I renovated my house last year and added a pool, which has been a big hit with the kids! Summer days are filled with a full house of kids hanging by the pool.
Is there something you see/smell now that you always associate with past summers?
Fresh-cut grass always reminds me of summer camp in N.C.
Favorite summer meal/drink.
Anything with fresh summer tomatoes. I love making tomato pie.
Favorite beach read.
I just finished Verity by Colleen Hoover. Next up: When the Going was Good by Graydon Carter.
Liz Hilliard fitness expert and owner of Hilliard Studio Method
How long have you lived in Charlotte? Where did you grow up?
I've been in Charlotte for 48 years. That is wild to say. I grew up right up the road in Concord.
What are some favorite summer memories from your childhood?
Playing football and basketball with my brother and his friends in my yard.
What was one of your most memorable family trips and why?
Going to the World's Fair in 1965 in New York City. My brother and I tended to be rascals, and I snuck away into an open door that ended up being a burlesque show. My Baptist parents were mortified. I also remember the “Future World” exhibit, where cars were flying and robots were serving dinner. We're getting closer!
Did your family go to the beach every summer?
Yes. Pawley's Island was and still is our go-to.
What is your favorite thing to do in Charlotte in the summertime?
Honestly, I prefer to travel. But when I'm here, I'm working or taking a week at Pawley's.
Is there something you see/smell now that you always associate with past summers?
Honeysuckle.
Favorite summer meal/drink.
Sweet iced tea, field peas, fresh squash, and strawberries.
Favorite beach read.
The last beach read was Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
Adam Rhew President and CEO of SouthPark Community Partners
How long have you lived in Charlotte? Where did you grow up?
I've lived here a total of 31 years over two stints; I was born and raised in Charlotte, left for undergrad and a few years of work and moved back in 2012.
What are some favorite summer memories from your childhood?
Lounging on the grass—first on the "front lawn" of SouthPark Mall, and later at Symphony Park—listening to the Summer Pops series with my family.
What was one of your most memorable family trips and why?
I have so many memories from Bald Head Island, and it's been such a joy to take my wife and kids there and experience the island with them.
Did your family go to the beach every summer?
We started going to Bald Head Island when I was in elementary school. It's my favorite place on earth. The ferry ride from the mainland and the lack of cars on the island immediately put me at ease.
What is your favorite thing to do in the summertime in Charlotte?
Eating family dinners outside on our back patio.
Is there something you see/smell now that you always associate with past summers?
As a lifelong swimmer, summertime and chlorine will always go together.
Favorite summer meal/drink.
Fried shrimp and a cold beer.
Favorite beach read.
I love to unwind with a spy thriller.
Nesha Pai Founder of Pai CPA, keynote speaker and author
How long have you lived in Charlotte? Where did you grow up?
I have lived in Charlotte since I graduated from N.C. State in 1993. I was born in East Tennessee and then moved to Raleigh when I was 13.
What are some favorite summer memories from your childhood?
My parents took us to India every summer until I was 16. We not only learned a new culture, but we learned our heritage, met with our extended family, and saw that the world was far bigger than our little corner of the Southeast in America.
What was one of your most memorable family trips and why?
I begged my dad to trek to see the Taj Mahal. It was not easy to travel within the country in the 80s, but my parents made it happen. We stayed in the Agra Taj, a 5-star hotel, my first luxury hotel.
What is your favorite thing to do in Charlotte in the summertime?
For the past three years, I have taken a sabbatical to Paris in the spring. In the summer, I like to rest and relax in town and regroup before the fall.
Favorite summer meal/drink.
Piña Coladas or limoncello spritzers and anything on the grill!
Favorite beach read.
Books about Americans living their dream in Paris.
Sam Diminich Executive Chef and Owner of Your Farms Your Table and Restaurant Constance
How long have you lived in Charlotte? Where did you grow up?
I landed here in the fall of 2004. I grew up in Myrtle Beach in a large restaurant family. I'm the middle child of five (with four sisters) and grew up playing sports, especially surfing and skateboarding.
What are some favorite summer memories from your childhood?
Myrtle Beach came alive in the summertime. Back then, it was still a family-focused small small beach town where everyone knew everyone. We would spend days on the beach and nights in the restaurants, sunburned, bussing tables, washing dishes and cooking.
What's one of your most memorable family trips and why?
My family had lots of mouths to feed, so vacations were rare, but when we did, it was a trip to Disney or the mountains for a getaway.
What were summers like growing up at the beach?
If we weren't surfing, we were crashing a hotel pool and making ourselves at home. Ha!
What is your favorite thing to do in Charlotte in the summertime?
We love to cook, create, and celebrate the incredible farmers who grow our vegetables and seasonal ingredients at Restaurant Constance. It's a great way to make connections and something I really look forward to.
Is there something you see/smell now that you always associate with past summers?
My fiancé's garden. It is always flourishing and grounds me on a daily basis.
Favorite summer meal/drink.
A great melon, an incredible ham, and non-alcoholic Riesling.
Favorite beach read.
On the Road by Jack Kerouac.
Before we moved to Charlotte, we lived in Wilmington and spent the summers on the water... long days with friends on the beach and on the boat.
Honestly, I prefer to travel. But when I'm here, I'm working or taking a week at Pawley's.
We started going to Bald Head Island when I was in elementary school. It's my favorite place on earth.
My parents took us to India every summer until I was 16. We not only learned a new culture, but we learned our heritage.