Gimme a Break, Please!

December 5th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Eats, Charlotte Lifestyle

 

Have you already had your fill of turkey, dressing , and ham for this holiday season?  Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are around the corner so why not take a break from the typical holiday staples.  I suggest that you try an ethnic restaurant to add some flavor to your palate.  Dilworth, a Charlotte community south of Uptown, has several options to give you that much desired break from turkey overload.

 

• The Kabob Grill,  which is on East Boulevard, offers “exquisite Middle Eastern cuisine.”  In addition to mouth watering kabob entrees, the Kabob Grill offers spicy appetizers and savory salads.  My daughter is a big fan of their pita bread which is replenished often during your meal.  In addition to the tasty food, maybe you will enjoy watching the rhymthic movements of a belly dancer.  A belly dancer performs at the Kabob Grill every weekend evening.
• Thai Taste is another option for ethnic food.  Thai Taste is also located on East Boulevard.  It provides typical Thai cuisine that’s inexpensive yet delicious.  There are also Thai Taste locations in Matthews and the University area.  Thai Taste deems itself “Charlotte’s first and best Thai restaurant.”  It’s packed during weekday lunchtime so it’s a favorite for working folks in the area.
• Greek Isles is a restaurant located on East Bland Street in the Dilworth community. It offers authentic Greek cuisine including Greek salads, seafood dishes, and other Greek specialities.  The decor of the restaurant is authentic as well including many columns and statutes which exhibit Greek architecture. 

Now, that you’ve tried something a little different, your break is over and you may now return to your regularly scheduled holiday staples.  I hope that you enjoyed that brief interruption.

Authored by | Discussion: 1 Comment »

iWalked to dinner, a movie and a latte in Myers Park (Now you can too @ 1300 Queens Road)

December 2nd, 2008 categories: A Charlotte Institution, Myers Park, Rhonda Gibbons

Would you rather live in a peaceful neighborhood lined with hundred year+ oak trees or a vibrant urban setting where you can walk to one of Charlotte’s most beloved restaurants, catch an independent flick at a vintage movie house and then grab a cup of Starbucks coffee (may we suggest halfcaf) for the short stroll home?

Well at Queens Towers 1300 Queens Road in Charlotte’s Myers Park neighborhood you can do BOTH and so much more.

We are always excited when we have the opportunity to list a property in one of Charlotte’s beautiful heritage neighborhoods. We are especially pleased to present the beautiful #303 condo at Queens Towers (click here for a full picture tour online) and listen to the Debussy play ~ nice touch Rhonda! We hope that you will Email the listing agent Rhonda Gibbons or contact any of our agents to tell you more about this unique condominium and this distinctive part of Charlotte.

And through the magic (ain’t this stuff amazing) of the internet and WalkScore you can find out just how close you’ll be to (or what will become) your favorite shops, services and restaurants…like

Trader Joes .88 miles
Harris Teeter Supermarket .22 miles
Starbucks .38 miles
Myers Park Methodist .23 miles
RiteAid .37 miles
Myers Park Library .14 miles
Carolinas Medical Center Hospital 1.0 miles
Presbyterian Hospital 1.5 miles
Center City Charlotte 2.9 miles
and of course Charlotte’s famous jogging/cycling Booty Loop (well basically you’re on it!)

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Red Tag Sale on Homes!

December 1st, 2008 categories: Real Estate Grind

It is shopping season and the perfect time to get a sale price on a new home especially for the family that needs a little more room. Interest rates are down, homes are on sale - some have been reduced by 35%! So what are you waiting for? It is the time to give yourself a great Holiday present…a new home!!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Bordering on Bliss

November 28th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Area Grab Bag, Charlotte Lifestyle, Charlotte Real Estate Trends

Do you want to make a run for the border?  Is your mouth watering thinking of sinking your teeth into that delicious, meaty taco .  Well. . . you’re thinking of the wrong border.   The border that I’m talking about is the South Carolina border and the town of Fort Mill, SC.  

Check out this YouTube video for a tour of Fort Mill.  Fort Mill has a lot to offer so you could be bordering on bliss if you lived there.

If you still aren’t sure about venturing south of border, here’s an incentive.  Baseball is already there.  Baseball may or may not return to Charlotte.  If you lived in Fort Mill, you would be in the hometown of The Charlotte Knights, a minor league baseball team.   What baseball fan would not enjoy the prospect of seeing a professional team on a regular basis during baseball season? Plus, you can always stop at the local Taco Bell in Fort Mill on your way to the baseball game to satisfy your taco craving.

Authored by | Discussion: 1 Comment »

You paid for parking for me? A Thanksgiving Gift from TalkCharlotte

November 26th, 2008 categories: Good stuff we find, Sunday Inspiration

Do yourself a BIG favor on Thanksgiving — I guarantee the family, the malls, the traffic, the food and most of all the parking will look very different for this uplifting story by Kurt Kuenne.  Click here to watch the short video (it’s 15 minutes so please make sure you have time to watch it uninterrupted — grab a cup of coffee or glass of wine and….smile!Thanks to the Go-Giver Blog and fantastic book for pointing us to this gem!

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Ballantyne Has Booty!?

November 24th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Good stuff we find, The Charlotte Scoop

Are you looking for a hidden treasure in this tough economic time?  The South Charlotte community of Ballantyne has a bevy of budget-friendly and fun activities during this holiday season.

• The Ballantyne Village Theatre is offering a Retro Film Series during this holiday season.  You can enjoy a blast from the past with “The Grinch”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and “Wizard of Oz.”  You and your family can catch these flicks for only $5 (reserved seating) or $7 (unreserved seating).  I think that’s a great bargain for a movie classic, don’t you?

•  If you would prefer an outdoor activity, come enjoy a complimentary horse drawn carriage ride at Ballantyne Village shopping and dining venue on December 4th from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm.  This sounds like a great after dinner treat for couples enjoying dinner at one of the great restaurants at Ballantyne Village. 
•  Run, Run, as fast as you can, you can catch me in Ballantyne.  Come to Ballantyne Resort to view gingerbread houses.  The gingerbread houses are being judged through late November and will then be on display through late December.  Admission is free though donations are encouraged to benefit the Levine’s Children Hospital. The Gingerbread Man is a favorite book in my household thus I know that my family and I will be enjoying this event.

 Thus, you can enjoy the holiday season despite living with this tough economic time.  Who knows maybe you’ll opt to change the way that you navigate the entire year by seeking activities that are both fun and easy on your budget.

Authored by | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Charlotte real estate market is tough, TalkCharlotte team diversifes!

November 21st, 2008 categories: Friday Fun

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Huntersville, NC-past,present,and future

November 20th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Real Estate Grind, The Charlotte Scoop

Are you looking for a surrounding Charlotte area town that mixes the past, present, and future into a world-class town? Huntersville, North Carolina is your answer.

 

Huntersville is a town ten miles north of Charlotte with a population of approximately 40,000 people.

 

Huntersville offers a broad range of housing needs including waterfront condominiums, town homes, and single-family homes. The average housing price in Huntersville during the month of September 2008 was $206,131.80. The average housing price during the month of October 2008 was $285,795.60. Thus, housing prices seem to be faring a little better in Huntersville as compared to the national trend.
THE PAST

Huntersville is the home of Torrance Store, the oldest store in North Carolina. Torrance Store dates back to the 1700s. Huntersville is also the home to seventeen additional historic sites that are within a five mile drive of Beatties Ford Road. You and your children can spend your days exploring this plethora of North Carolina history.
THE PRESENT

Huntersville has world-class retail shopping. Birkdale Village which is on Sam Furr Road includes national retailers like Williams Sonoma, Gap and Ann Taylor Loft.
Lake Norman, a manmade lake with 520 miles of shoreline, has been instrumental in shaping Huntersville’s present. The influx of residents who own and/or rent waterfront vacation properties has brought prosperity and commerce to the Huntersville area.

Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics provides a fun place for families. It includes full aquatic and fitness facilities. The facility hosts regional, national and world-class swim and dive competitions.

There is presently so much to see and do in Huntersville now but what lies ahead?

THE FUTURE

Huntersville has a bright future.
Discovery Place Kids will open in Huntersville in 2009. This regional children’s museum will offer children ages one to seven with the opportunity to learn and play at the same time. Huntersville families who had previously ventured into downtown Charlotte for the children’s museum experience will now be able to enjoy that experience in their hometown.
Huntersville will also experience an influx of retirees. Money Magazine ranks Huntersville as one of the top 20 places in North Carolina to retire.
Would you like to find the past, present, and your future in Huntersville? Does Huntersville sound like your ‘kind of town?” Seek and ye shall find in Huntersville!

 

 

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Experience Southpark: A sizzling mix of business and pleasure

November 18th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Real Estate Trends, Market Snap, Real Estate Grind

Would you enjoy the luxury of working and playing within minutes of each other? Would you enjoy a relatively short commute to your office rather than having to fight the Uptown traffic? These dreams can be your reality if you live in SouthPark, a mixed-use upscale community in South Charlotte. The SouthPark community is near the intersection of Sharon Road and Fairview Road about five miles from Uptown Charlotte. I love South Park because it is where I live and it is just 10 minutes from everything. Homes may be a little older but the neighborhoods are established with big trees and stable neighborhoods.

 

SouthPark is a diverse mix of high-rise condos, town homes, and single-family homes. The housing choices are varied limited only by your budget. Homes range in price from the low $100s to over $6 million. The average home price in SouthPark in September 2008 was $481,749.80. The average home price in SouthPark in October 2008 was $435,910.80. Thus, home prices appear to be slightly coming down in SouthPark despite the upscale nature of the community. This may be indicative of the current state of the economy.

 

The SouthPark community is home to the largest shopping mall in Charlotte, the SouthPark Mall . The mall sits at the intersection of Sharon Road and Fairview Road. SouthPark Mall is home to such upscale department stores as Nordstrom’s and Neiman Marcus. SouthPark Mall also includes several upscale dining options including Maggiano’s Little Italy Restaurant and The Cheesecake Factory. During the summer months, many SouthPark residents and Charlotte area residents enjoy the free concerts provided by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra on the grounds of the mall. These free Summer Pops concerts are a great way to meet your neighbors.

The SouthPark business district is the second-largest business district in North Carolina with an estimated 40,000 workers and approximately 5 million square feet of office space according to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. Major Charlotte companies like National Gypsum and Piedmont Natural Gas are headquartered in SouthPark. In addition, regional offices of national companies like Maersk and CSX are also in the SouthPark area. Working and living in the SouthPark community can be your reality.
These are only a few highlights of the SouthPark community. Do you want to hear more about the sights and sounds of the SouthPark area? We or your prospective neighbors would love to hear you. We can tell you why SouthPark is the place to be.

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

“I should be gone in a week or so.”

November 16th, 2008 categories: Good stuff we find, Sunday Inspiration

The very fact that those are the words of an eleven year old young man should cut us to the bone and inspire each of us to do something to end the scourge of cancer. Brenden Foster age eleven is dying of leukemia and yet you’d be amazed to hear what is on HIS mind.

It will be very hard to watch this video and not cry ~ so it’s OK ~ but Brenden would want that to be the end of the tears. Brenden is spending his last days doing some good for others — what will we do with our days?

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 1 Comment »

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