QCity Metro

☕BLACK BIZ CLOSES: Sherry Waters, owner of a popular tea bar in Charlotte’s Camp Greene, is closing her second location on Beatties Ford Road due to high rent and low customer traffic. She opened the Beatties Ford spot in January 2024, five years after launching her first tea bar in Camp Greene. The location, at 1017 Beatties Ford Road, was inside a 1,334-square-foot former home. 📉BECAUSE: Historic West End Partners founder J’Tanya Adams said her organization charged Waters $1,250 a month to operate in a building HWEP rents for $2,500. However, after deciding not to renew the lease, the building’s owners hinted at a rent increase to $3,500, which Waters said she couldn’t afford. Waters said she tried various business strategies, including longer hours and offering reservations-only high tea that included food options. But by the fall of 2024, she said, the business was unsustainable. Despite her disappointment, Waters said she learned from the experience on Beatties Ford Road. “… It’s okay to try new models; it’s okay to pivot,” she said. To find out the tea bar's closing date, read more

❄️ LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW: Southern cities do not get a lot of snow, but when we do, there are several things to expect from the cold visitor. We have compiled a list of things to look out for during the event of a snow day or days! ☃️FYI: If snow falls on a weekday, schools, daycares, and universities in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area may switch to virtual learning or close. In some cases, there may be a two- or three-hour delay, with school starting later but ending at the usual time. When snow is forecast, bread, milk, and water are often the first items to fly off the shelves in Charlotte. To avoid the rush, it’s best to stock up early. Charlotte clubs often capitalize on snow days with indoor parties or drink specials, if allowed to open. Check social media for updates. For more information about the snow’s impact on parties, grocery lists, and education schedules, read here

Black-owned tea shop, The Pauline Tea-Bar & Apothecary, to close second location due to increased rent and low customer traffic.

Abraham Mitchell, an avid attendee of the CIAA Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, has passed away in his hometown, Suffolk, Virginia. Mitchell was inducted in the Class of 2016, Hall of Fame by the CIAA. Conference officials said at the time that Mitchell had been attending the tournaments for about 30 years. Mitchell was known for his self-made suits that were decked out with jewelry and hats. In addition, Mitchell delighted fans by taking pictures with them and posing in his attire. For more about Mitchell’s impact on CIAA Basketball Tournament fans, read here

Black-owned taco chain opens in Dilworth, committed to ending world hunger. Craft meals and a mission to make a difference.

🦺SAFETY UPDATE: City officials in Charlotte emphasize that improving neighborhood safety requires more than just law enforcement. During a presentation on Monday, officials outlined a "holistic approach" to public safety, which includes neighborhood safety initiatives and community engagement. “Creating safe neighborhoods takes more than law enforcement, and the activities that create safe neighborhoods are more than just what we can see in the data,” Hefner said. Hefner said some of these initiatives include neighborhood matching grant programs and collaborative discussions on neighborhood safety. To read more about the initiatives, click here

🏋🏿BLACK OWNED FITNESS STUDIO: Legacy Martial Arts and Fitness is a new Black-owned fitness studio and is opening soon in Charlotte! It offers personal training, self-defense, and mixed martial arts for all ages, starting at three years old. 💪🏾WHY IT MATTERS: It’s estimated that just 9% of martial arts instructors in the United States are Black. Owner John Henederson is hoping to increase this percentage with his studio. “This gives us an opportunity to grow, but also continue to be a part of this community,” he said. To read more about Henderson’s story and the location of his new studio, click here

Legacy Martial Arts and Fitness, a Black-owned martial arts studio, offers fitness services and promoting martial arts in Charlotte's northwest.

👨🏾🎨CATS NEW BUS WRAP: @Charlotte Area Transit System has unveiled its first bus wrap celebrating Charlotte's racial and cultural diversity. The wrap was designed by a local artist Javon Jeter, and it features diverse individuals engaging in music and activities, symbolizing connection. CATS interim CEO Brent Cagle stated the project reflects the city's commitment to diversity and inclusion. 🚌WHY IT MATTERS: With a population of more than 900,000, Charlotte is one of the nation’s most racially diverse cities, with a Black population that reached 34% in 2023. “I want people to pull from the memories and experiences that they have, and share it with others, to really bring people together, because we all have these shared experiences, although we do live very different lives,” Jeter said. The city will feature Jeter’s bus wrap in the Martin Luther King Jr. parade on Jan. 18. To read more about how the bus wrap represents community and diversity, click the link

👮🏿♂️CMPD: Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department is increasing security at Bank of America Stadium for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl happening this evening, Friday Jan. 3. 🚔BECAUSE: The January 1st attack in New Orleans, where 14 people were killed and dozens injured, prompted CMPD to strengthen safety measures. Lieutenant Crystal Fletcher said the department has held multiple meetings to enhance security since the incident. For event goers, “If you see something, say something. Trust your instincts and report suspicious activity to law enforcement or event staff immediately,” Fletcher said. Fletcher also reminded attendees that the stadium does not allow prohibited items, such as weapons, alcohol, fireworks and laser pointers. Guests are also required to have transparent bags of specific size. The Duke Mayo Bowl takes place on Friday, Jan. 3 at 7:30pm, when the University of Minnesota will take on Virginia Tech. To find out the full list of entry requirements, read here