At The Hop
Coverage (20 articles)
North Carolina's Robocall Crackdown Targets 37 Providers in FCC Partnership
North Carolina's attorney general joins 50 states in a sweeping crackdown on illegal robocalls, targeting 37 telecom providers with FCC-backed enforcement.
Ballantyne Creek Becomes Biohazard After 1,200-Gallon Spill
After a grease-clogged pipe burst, over 1,200 gallons of sewage spilled into a Ballantyne creek. Nell Thomas digs into what went wrong—and what you can do to help.
At The Hop in Ballantyne: Mobile Detailing and Ceramic Care, Plus Our Previous Coverage
At The Hop brings professional mobile detailing and ceramic care to your driveway in Ballantyne. Here's why neighbors rebook, plus our link to earlier coverage and how to keep that shine.
Party, Purse, Prison? Councilwoman's Indictment Roils Charlotte
Councilwoman Tiawana Brown is facing federal charges tied to COVID relief fraud. Lavish spending and a refusal to resign have left District 3 residents asking, "What now?"
Survive the DMV. Celebrate with bagels.
Charlotte DMV offices just ranked worst in the nation. Here's what happened, what to do about it, and why Einstein's bagels may be the only balm.Tags: DMV, Charlotte, North Carolina, Politics, Bagels, Customer Service
Touchdown & TMI: Steve Smith Sr. Sued for Alleged Affair
Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. is being sued in NC under the 'homewrecker' law by a man alleging an affair with his wife, a Ravens band member.
From Schmear to Storms: A Week of Ballantyne Grit
From storm recovery to schmear strategy, Ballantyne's brightest showed us how to hustle with grace—and occasionally, with mulch in their socks.
Charlotte Schools Spotlight: Teacher Wins, AI Pilot, and a $98 Million Scholarship Haul
CMS, Charlotte Schools, Education, AI in Classrooms, Teacher Retention
Highway Hissy Fit: NC Lawmakers Crack Down on Left-Lane Laggards
NC lawmakers want to fine slow drivers clogging the left lane. A new bill could make dawdling on I-485 officially illegal.
Napa Bistro & Wine Bar at Stonecrest: California Vibes, Ballantyne Heart
Napa Bistro & Wine Bar brings wine-country ease to Ballantyne with a scratch menu, thoughtful sips, and Sunday service starting at 10 a.m., right in Stonecrest. Reserve or order online today.
Meet the Daley Family: Suburbia's New MVPs
A healthcare power couple, three charming kids, and a fish named Zuko—meet the Daley family of Ballantyne.
Mercedes‑Benz of South Charlotte Fuels Ballantyne’s November Business Stories
Nell Thomas thanks Mercedes‑Benz of South Charlotte for making November’s local business features possible while she revisits Napa Bistro, At The Hop, The Daily Pilates, Libretto’s and Ombre.
Rise, Shine, Repeat: Einstein Bros Serves More Than Breakfast
Ballantyne's Einstein Bros Bagels delivers fresh, preservative-free bagels, signature shmears, and early-morning charm with heart—and hot coffee.
Charlotte Mulch Guys and More: Student-Run Yard Help for Ballantyne Homes
Neighbors kept calling them the "Mulch Men." The official name is Charlotte Mulch Guys and More, a collegerun team that handles the work most homeowners dread and many contractors skip: mulching, lig...
Forty Minutes From Frenzy to Calm: Inside Perspire Sauna Studio Ballantyne
Infrared heat, red-light therapy and a chilly SNØ shower: Perspire Sauna Studio Ballantyne turns 40 minutes into a full-body reset—no gym membership or Nordic passport required.
Retirement Roulette: NC Approves Crypto Investments
NC lawmakers vote to let public retirement funds invest in crypto. What could go wrong?
$230,000 to Say Goodbye: What Charlotte Paid to Make Patrick Baker Disappear
Charlotte paid ex-City Attorney Patrick Baker over $230K after his quiet exit. Records suggest he was fired—without cause.
Ballantyne Mail Carrier Caught in $1.9 Million Check Fraud
A Ballantyne mail carrier lifted more than 200 business checks worth $1.9 million, sold them to fraudsters, and now faces 27 months in federal prison—leaving local businesses asking: who's minding the mailbox?
How websites remember you (for better or worse)
Cookies aren't dessert—they're tiny files tracking your every scroll. Here's what they do, how they work, and why Ballantyne's favorite bagel shop might just be using them.
This Bernedoodle Just Inherited the Neighborhood
Teddy the Bernedoodle goes from auction pup to family MVP in Ballantyne's most heartwarming adoption tale.