Sycamore Brewing in Charlotte is changing its LLC name to 'Club West Brewing' amid a scandal involving co-founder Justin Brigham, which led to the company's temporary closure and significant sales decline. The rebrand may be a strategic move to recover, but experts suggest that selling the assets to an unrelated buyer might be a more viable solution due to the damage to its reputation and the challenging craft beer market environment.
In 2025, Charlotte emerged as the top U.S. metro area in CNBC's Power City Index, driven by significant gains in local stocks like Albemarle and Bank of America, outperforming tech hubs like Silicon Valley and the D.C. area, while Dallas lagged behind with negative returns.
The Village Restaurant in north Charlotte, a family-owned diner open since 1965, has closed after its property was sold and lease not renewed, ending its long-standing presence in the community.
In 2025, Charlotte's vibrant restaurant scene saw over 60 closures amid a surge of new openings, with notable losses including longstanding favorites like Bar-B-Q King, JJ’s Red Hots, and Mattie’s Diner, reflecting economic pressures and changing dining trends, though some beloved spots like Fenwick’s have reopened under new ownership.
R.O.'s Bar-B-Que in Gastonia, a beloved 80-year-old restaurant, is closing due to economic challenges, with its products still available at local retailers, marking the end of a community staple.
The article highlights the 12 best new restaurants in Charlotte for 2025, showcasing a mix of international cuisines, innovative concepts, and notable reopenings, with La Lima Sangucheria being the top pick. Despite challenges like closures and rising costs, Charlotte's culinary scene continues to thrive with recognition from Michelin and other accolades.
SORA, Charlotte's newest French-Asian fusion tasting-menu restaurant in Myers Park, offers an upscale global culinary experience with a focus on sustainable ingredients, featuring an 8-10 course signature menu and a more condensed option, set in a hidden, intimate space that highlights innovative dishes and detailed service.
A measles outbreak in South Carolina poses a risk to Charlotte, with vaccination rates in Mecklenburg County just below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, raising concerns about potential spread. Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination, especially for those in high-risk settings, and advise residents to get vaccinated at local pharmacies or healthcare providers to prevent an outbreak.
Scout Motors, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, is establishing its new headquarters in Charlotte with a $207 million investment, creating over 1,200 high-paying jobs by 2030, and choosing Charlotte over other sites due to its talent pool and regional growth. The company is also expanding its manufacturing presence in South Carolina with a new plant and supplier park, focusing on electric vehicles.
The Trump administration plans to expand the deployment of Border Patrol agents to Charlotte, North Carolina, and New Orleans, continuing a broader effort to increase immigration enforcement in U.S. cities, amid ongoing tensions and restrictions on the use of force by agents.
Reports suggest that border patrol agents may be deployed to Charlotte for operations targeting undocumented immigrants, prompting concerns among local officials and community organizations about safety, rights, and the role of local law enforcement. Authorities emphasize that local agencies do not participate in federal immigration enforcement, and community groups are organizing to educate and protect migrants. The situation remains developing, with officials urging peaceful responses and clear communication.
A man accused of stabbing and killing a Ukrainian woman on Charlotte's light rail has been indicted on federal charges that could lead to the death penalty. The incident was captured on surveillance footage, and the suspect, who has a prior criminal record, was arrested at the scene. The victim, Iryna Zaruska, emigrated from Ukraine to escape war and was unprovokedly attacked while riding the train.
A stowaway was found dead inside the landing gear of an American Airlines flight arriving in Charlotte from Europe, highlighting the extreme dangers of such attempts, which almost always result in death due to harsh conditions and low survival rates.
A stowaway was found dead in the wheel well of an American Airlines plane at Charlotte Douglas International Airport after arriving from Europe, prompting an investigation by local police. Incidents of stowaways in wheel wells are rare but often fatal, with some survivors due to luck and specific conditions.
A stowaway was found dead in the landing gear of an American Airlines flight in Charlotte, NC, prompting an investigation by police and the airline, with the incident highlighting the dangers and rarity of survival in such cases.
