Good morning, Ballantyne! ☀️ Pour yourself an extra-strong Summit Coffee (because let’s be honest, Ballantyne doesn’t run on decaf), and let’s dive into the biggest news around town.

From raging wildfires in WNC to new business openings and a real estate boom, there’s a lot happening in and around Charlotte. The Duke Energy HQ redevelopment is moving forward with a $250M facelift, a local banker is shaking up payments, and two of Charlotte’s favorite chefs are teaming up for an exclusive dining event.

Meanwhile, a new NC law is chopping down trees faster than a chef at Zinicola slices fresh mozzarella, and Sen. Thom Tillis finally weighed in on Trump’s latest clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

🌲 Wildfires in WNC: High Winds and Hurricane Debris Fuel the Flames

(via WFAE)

• A 500-acre wildfire in Saluda is only 30% contained, and Fire Marshal Bobby Arledge says the fight isn’t over.
• “We hope that really pretty much puts everything out that’s not contained right now,” he said, referring to the rain expected Tuesday night.
• Firefighters are dealing with fallen trees and dry conditions left behind by Hurricane Helene, making containment harder.
• 40 residents have voluntarily evacuated, but no homes have been damaged so far.

🔥 Burn bans remain in effect across multiple counties, and campfires are prohibited in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

📰 Read More: Wildfires in WNC

🏋️‍♀️ Luxury Pilates Arrives in Ballantyne

(via Charlotte Business Journal)

• Mike and Kim Libretto are bringing The Daily Pilates, an Atlanta-based luxury fitness brand, to Ballantyne Village.
• Their 1,808-square-foot studio opens in May, designed to feel like a serene, high-end retreat for Pilates lovers.
  “We both ended up falling for the practice,” said Mike Libretto, who also owns Libretto’s Pizzeria nearby.
  📰 Read More: Luxury Pilates in Ballantyne
  
  🏗️ $250M Revamp of Duke Energy’s Former HQ Begins
  (via Charlotte Business Journal)
  The Brooklyn & Church project is Charlotte’s first office-to-mixed-use conversion, with 460 luxury apartments and 25,000 sq ft of retail coming soon.
  A three-story retail space is replacing the atrium, making it a walkable, high-end urban space.
  Developers Asana Partners, MRP Realty, and Rockefeller Group expect completion by late 2026/early 2027.
  📰 Read More: Duke Energy HQ Makeover
  
  🍝 Ballantyne’s Best-Kept Secret: Zinicola is a Must-Visit for Authentic Italian Cuisine
  If you haven’t dined at Zinicola yet, you’re missing out on Ballantyne’s most authentic Italian experience.
  Chef Richard Cranmer, inspired by summers in Italy with his Nonna, brings a taste of home with scratch-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and hand-selected wines.
  🌟 Why Zinicola?
  🍕 Wood-fired pizzas & handmade pasta
  🍷 Curated wine list & craft cocktails
  🏡 Cozy yet upscale Italian dining experience
  📍 Visit: 14835 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite 140, Charlotte, NC
  📞 Reservations: (704) 900-5600
  📧 Email: info@zinicolaitalian.com
  🌐 Explore More: www.zinicolaitalian.com
  Whether you’re celebrating date night, family dinner, or a business gathering, Zinicola is where Ballantyne’s foodies come together. Grazie for supporting local!
  
  🎤 Jack Beckett’s Signature Sign-Off
  That’s a wrap, Ballantyne! If you love your news bold and your coffee even bolder (Summit Coffee, obviously), you’re in the right place.
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