Shopping

Local Love In A Box

Bonnie + Bud, a Dream-Born Business Rooted in Family, Gratitude, and Local Makers Article by Carroll Walton | Photography by Carissa Rogers Whitney Holofchak was a mother of two toddlers at Christmastime when she recognized the need for a business that curated and delivered thoughtful gifts. Her idea to create Bonnie + Bud crystallized in a dream.  On her grandmother’s birthday, Dec. 28 in 2014, Holofchak dreamed she and her husband owned a stretch of lush land called Bonnie & Bud Farms. When...

Home + Design

Old Soul, New Style

Malu Grasso Mixes Cherished Pieces with Modern Design in an Eastover Home Article by Taylor Bowler | Photography by Victoria Moon Malu Grasso approaches every project with a simple belief: each space has a soul and should reflect the story of the person who inhabits it. The Brazilian-born owner and principal designer of Malu Grasso Interior Design likes to reimagine art and furniture that clients already own and give them new life.  “Many clients tell me, ‘It looks brand new,’ and that moment...

Life + Culture

Power Couples of Charlotte

An Intimate Look at Some of Our Favorite Powerhouse Pairs Article by Taylor Bowler | Photography by Amanda Anderson NATALIE AND JONATHAN STEWART In a city that loves its power players, Natalie (“Nat”) and Jonathan (“Stew”) Stewart occupy a category all their own. He’s the former Carolina Panthers running back, who is coaching middle school football at Charlotte Christian alongside fellow Panthers alums Greg Olsen and Luke Kuechly. She’s the creative force behind their media company...

Food + Beverage

Shaken, Stirred and Sauced

High Life Meets High Flavor at Spaghett Article by Taylor Bowler It’s not a misspelling. “Spaghett” is a reference to the now-viral cocktail, which combines Miller High Life, Aperol and lemon juice. Mixologist Amanda Britton discovered the drink in 2019 in Baltimore and introduced it to restaurateur Sam Hart, who loved the bubbly, citrusy libation. That drink inspired the pasta and cocktail house that Hart’s Irreverently Refined Hospitality Group opened last July in the former Poplar Tapas &...

Shopping

Eternally Fashionable

Charlotte’s New Destination for Timeless Consignment Article by Elliott Harrell | Photography by Courtesy of Eternal Maria Lumb has loved clothes since she was a little girl, and recently turned her passion into the new ‘it’ place to shop in town. Eternal, an upscale designer consignment store, opened a few months ago in the Kings Court Shopping Center near Myers Park and has been busy ever since. Lumb was born in Europe and moved to the United States when she was 23. She worked for fashion...

Shopping

Perfect Match on Providence

Family Legacy of Custom Made Jewelry Passes from Morrison Smith to Bailey's Article by Liz Brown | Photography by Courtesy of Bailey's Fine Jewelry For some 20 years, Trey Bailey has wanted to expand his family jewelry business to Charlotte. And for 20 years, he resisted, knowing the mutual respect and friendship his father, Clyde Bailey Jr., had for his mentor, Charles Smith, owner of Morrison Smith jewelers. So Bailey’s added a Cary store to ones in Rocky Mount, Raleigh and Greenville...

Life + Culture

Sole Mates

The Couple Behind Charlotte’s Coolest Sneaker Studio Article by Taylor Bowler | Photography by Carissa Rogers In early November, Shoedio owners Mike and Emily Griffin had a gender reveal worthy of its name. As the Carolina Panthers players emerged from the locker room to take on the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium, they wore cleats painted in UV-reactive paint. When the team sprinted onto the field, their shoes changed from white to blue, revealing the surprise: “It’s a boy!” ...

Food + Beverage

Trending in Taste

Why the Carolinas Are Setting the Table for What’s Next Article by Kayleigh Ruller Restaurant trends, be they sensational, viral, and possibly paradigm-shifting, have a reputation for beginning in New York or Los Angeles. After a few laps around the sun, they finally filter their way down to mid-sized cities like Charlotte, creating a washed-out version of the original.  But not in the Carolinas. At least, not anymore.  Spending a weekend at The Food & Wine Classic in Charleston proved that...

Arts + Culture

Troll-Tastic New Kid In Town

The Story Behind Charlotte’s Most Eclectic New Celebrity Article by Elliott Harrell | Photography by Exploredinary Charlotte’s newest celebrity resident is a bit hard to find. He secretly moved into the city in early November, but has quickly become one of the most sought-after and talked-about folks in town. Big Pete is a 90-foot-long troll nestled in the new River District development by Crescent Communities. He's the latest art installation from Thomas Dambo, a renowned Danish artist known...

Health + Wellness

Beyond the Scale

Dr. Shraddha Mehta Clarifies Today’s Weight-Loss Myths Article by Carroll Walton What shifts are you seeing in weight-loss trends since medications like Ozempic became more mainstream? Weight loss medications, particularly GLP-1s, have helped change the narrative about obesity. It’s considered a chronic medical condition, not a lack of motivation or willpower. However, there is increasing concern about the number of people taking GLP-1s without tracking body composition changes.   ...