Where Ballantyne neighbors, stories, and businesses come together
Community Writer, Strolling Ballantyne
Community writer and features editor for Strolling Ballantyne, covering local businesses, wellness, dining, and neighborhood life in the Ballantyne area of south Charlotte.
The monthly mixer for local business owners is on Wednesday, September 16, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the lobby bar at the AC Hotel Charlotte Ballantyne.
Nell Thomas·Sep 12, 2026
Tacos Las Catrina's is parking outside Summit Coffee Ballantyne for the September 25 gathering, with birria tacos on the menu.
Nell Thomas·Sep 11, 2026
Rick Kingston made the second hole in one of his life, on the third. Plus ten honors across five championships at Ballantyne Country Club.
Nell Thomas·Sep 11, 2026
Stroll Into Wellness filled the Stephenson Room at Ballantyne Country Club on Thursday, September 3. Photographs by Charisma of A Brew & You.
Nell Thomas·Sep 10, 2026
Steve Baune set up a table by the fifth hole so passing golfers could take a Bloody Mary. He died in 2014. The tournament his Rotary club built in his name returns to Piper Glen on September 28…
Nell Thomas·Sep 10, 2026
Two guinea pig sisters needed a new home when another Charlotte family could no longer keep them. Brigid Daley, 11, tells the story of taking them in, renaming them, and learning how much work they…
Nell Thomas·Sep 6, 2026
Perspire Sauna Studio is hosting a private open house for Ballantyne Country Club residents on Tuesday, September 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., with complimentary trial sauna sessions.
Nell Thomas·Sep 2, 2026
The September 2026 edition of Stroll Ballantyne Country Club is out and free to read online. Inside: the McAlister-Sazama family on the cover, Precious Pets Cinnamon and Pearl, the club championship…
Nell Thomas·Sep 1, 2026
Nicole McAlister and Zachary Sazama have signed up to climb 29,029 vertical feet in 36 hours, the height of Everest. They are, by their own account, not hikers.
Nell Thomas·Sep 1, 2026
Stroll Into Wellness fills the Stephenson Room at Ballantyne Country Club next Thursday, September 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. Free and open to all, with med spas, massage, chiropractic care, smoothie bowls…
Nell Thomas·Aug 26, 2026
CMS opened the 2026-27 year on August 25. Here is the one-page version for families: every break, workday and early release day, plus what actually changed this year.
Nell Thomas·Aug 25, 2026
The August 14 Coffee with a Cop at Ballantyne Summit Coffee was called off that morning. The meetup resumed September 11, and organizers have added a second September gathering on Friday, September 25.
Nell Thomas·Aug 15, 2026
Charlotte FC has not allowed a goal, the Knights have some awkward math to explain and two NASCAR drivers left Iowa with wins. Here is the useful part.
Nell Thomas·Aug 10, 2026
The monthly Community Connections meetup brings Ballantyne business owners together at the AC Ballantyne Hotel Lobby Bar on the third Wednesday of each month, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Nell Thomas·Aug 10, 2026
Coffee with a Cop brings neighbors and CMPD officers together over a cup of coffee at Ballantyne Summit Coffee, the second Friday of each month, 9 to 11 a.m.
Nell Thomas·Aug 8, 2026
Stroll Into Wellness returns to the Ballantyne Country Club Stephenson Room on Thursday, September 3, 6 to 8 p.m. An evening of local wellness companies, music, networking, raffles and a cash bar.
Nell Thomas·Aug 6, 2026
La Paz Global connects Charlotte and coastal Costa Rica through education. Its Charlotte-based Let's Rock benefit raised more than $22,000 this year for a scholarship program whose graduates have a…
Nell Thomas·Aug 4, 2026
Meet Bruno and Benji, the Munford family's German shepherds who followed them from England to Charlotte. Two English gentlemen who trade the countryside for North Carolina hiking trails, in Packers…
Nell Thomas·Aug 2, 2026
The neighbors behind Ballantyne Country Club's Pink Bow Campaign: more than 20 street captains who line the streets with pink bows every fall as a life-saving reminder to schedule mammograms, now…
Nell Thomas·Aug 1, 2026
The August 2026 edition of Stroll Ballantyne Country Club is out and free to read online. Inside: the Pink Bow Campaign cover story, Precious Pets Bruno and Benji, La Paz Global, Stroll Into…
Nell Thomas·Aug 1, 2026
Anthony Vasquez, a Charlotte-born multi-instrumentalist and bandleader, blends Latin roots, blues, and pop into live music built to bring people together, from neighborhood festivals to a dream night…
Nell Thomas·Jul 21, 2026
The I-77 toll lanes the regional board killed in May are up for a revival vote on September 23, under a state budget with a $64 million penalty attached.
Nell Thomas·Jul 16, 2026
A photo recap of a full spring at Ballantyne Country Club: the Mother's Day Brunch, the Peter Pan Brunch and Masters at Ballantyne.
Nell Thomas·Jul 5, 2026
A patriotic Resident Recipe for the Fourth: red, white and blue sugar cookie bars topped with strawberries and blueberries. Makes 24 slices, courtesy of Your Cup of Cake.
Nell Thomas·Jul 4, 2026
After a Stage II breast cancer diagnosis at 31 traced to a BRCA2 mutation, Kelly Kashmer founded NothingPink. The Charlotte-area nonprofit supports families facing hereditary breast and gynecological…
Nell Thomas·Jul 3, 2026
Meet Rudy "Roo" Pitt, the Maltipoo who has logged more frequent-flyer miles than most people, has a weakness for bananas, and insists on his own seat at the Pitt family table.
Nell Thomas·Jul 2, 2026
Stroll Ballantyne Country Club celebrates the BCC Class of 2026: two dozen high school graduates and where they are headed this fall, from UNC Chapel Hill and NC State to Saint Bonaventure, Furman…
Nell Thomas·Jul 1, 2026
The July 2026 edition of Stroll Ballantyne Country Club is out and free to read online. Inside: the 2026 high school graduates cover, partner spotlights on Sweet & Elegant Delights, The Glow Up Laser…
Nell Thomas·Jul 1, 2026
Starting July 1, a new regional authority takes over Charlotte's buses and trains, and the one-cent tax that funds them. Here is the short version for the Ballantyne area, with the full account at…
Nell Thomas·Jun 29, 2026
Neighbors gathered at Libretto's Pizzeria for a night of Mahjong, pizza, and community, hosted by Strolling Ballantyne and Ashley Horton of Premier Sotheby's International Realty.
Nell Thomas·Jun 25, 2026
Stroll Ballantyne and Ashley Horton of Premier Sotheby's International Realty are hosting a Mahjong Night at Libretto's Pizzeria on Wednesday, June 24, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Nell Thomas·Jun 9, 2026
The June 2026 edition of Stroll Ballantyne Country Club is out and free to read online. Inside: the Thevaos family cover story, partner spotlights on The Seasonal Porch Stylist, Lindsay Cadenhead…
Nell Thomas·Jun 2, 2026
The 2nd Annual Sip & Stroll lands at Ballantyne Country Club tonight, Thursday May 28, from 6 to 8 p.m., fifty-plus local vendor tables, live music, raffles, and food and drinks for purchase on the…
Nell Thomas·May 28, 2026
The 2nd Annual Sip & Stroll lands at Ballantyne Country Club on Thursday, May 28, live music, curated local vendors, and a walk-up format that scales with how much time you have.
Nell Thomas·May 2, 2026
Katie Piper Weant relocated from NYC to Charlotte in 2025 and opened Aquarius Facial Spa in Matthews. Long, unhurried sessions; customized facials with lifting massage and lymphatic drainage…
Nell Thomas·May 2, 2026
Dr. Deidre Downs of REACH Fertility on age, body awareness, lifestyle factors, and the misconception that fertility testing commits you to treatment.
Nell Thomas·May 2, 2026
Bondeno, the bespoke Italian shoe brand founded by Charlotte resident Charles Kelso, has built a small but meticulous business out of an idea most footwear companies abandoned: that a shoe should be…
Nell Thomas·May 2, 2026
North and South Carolina are both hands-free states now, NC's Hands Free Act took effect December 1, 2025, and SC's law went live September 1, 2025.
Nell Thomas·May 2, 2026
Cheri and Russ Sibner took over Tifa Chocolate and Gelato in Ballantyne Village in 2023, kept what was working, and added what made it feel less like a dessert shop and more like a neighborhood…
Nell Thomas·May 2, 2026
Tobe is a mini goldendoodle the Solosky family brought home from Happytail Puppies in July 2020, and renamed almost immediately.
Nell Thomas·May 2, 2026
Cassidy Prosch, a 10-year-old fourth-grader at Endhaven Elementary, has been modeling since infancy. Represented by Charlotte's Directions USA, she's the May 2026 Young Achiever cover for Stroll…
Nell Thomas·May 2, 2026
Two long road trips, two multi-goal losses for Charlotte FC. The home schedule resumes May 9 against FC Cincinnati at Bank of America Stadium, and the next four matches are friendlier on the calendar.
Nell Thomas·Apr 26, 2026
Charlotte Water moved to its first voluntary water restrictions since 2023 on Monday, April 20. Here's what the schedule looks like in Ballantyne, and what the basin-wide trigger means for HOA common…
Nell Thomas·Apr 26, 2026
The Williams Pond med spa hosts an open evening Thursday, April 23, from 6 to 8 PM, a low-stakes way to see the space, meet the team, and finally use that door you've driven past.
Nell Thomas·Apr 21, 2026
Three upcoming events for Ballantyne residents and businesses this spring: tonight's monthly meetup at AC Hotel, a beauty event at The Modern Aesthetic on April 23, and the annual Sip & Stroll at…
Nell Thomas·Apr 15, 2026
Charlotte SHOUT! runs April 3–19 with 200+ free events in Uptown. Here's what's worth the drive from Ballantyne, from all-day jazz and whole-hog barbecue to 20-plus art installations and six nights…
Nell Thomas·Apr 3, 2026
Lucas, a dappled pup in a bow tie, won over the Horiuchi family at the BCC tennis courts. A back injury couldn't dim his spirit, and he's been the household's silliest, most devoted companion ever…
Nell Thomas·Apr 2, 2026
Come to the Table, a two-day designer showcase and benefit at Quail Hollow Club, raised support for Beds for Kids while reminding Ballantyne neighbors that hospitality is community work.
Nell Thomas·Apr 2, 2026
Kevin and Jessica Hightower, an aviation-industry couple who met in D.C. and have lived on two continents, have become the connective tissue of Ballantyne Country Club since moving to Charlotte four…
Nell Thomas·Apr 2, 2026
February’s Stroll Ballantyne Country Club issue captures families, pets, and neighbors who define Ballantyne when you slow down and pay attention.
Nell Thomas·Feb 3, 2026
Ballantyne residents can meet CMPD officers for Coffee with a Cop on December 12 from 9–11 AM at Summit Coffee. A toy basket will also be available for families recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Nell Thomas·Dec 10, 2025
Take a guided walk through Stroll Ballantyne Country Club’s December 2025 issue, from the Holiday Mixer at Zinicola to Cricket the dog, Elle the athlete, and anchor partners across the neighborhood.
Nell Thomas·Dec 1, 2025
A fresh look at the Transamerica Agency Network through Ballantyne neighbor Gabby Starr, whose work helps families navigate financial protection with clarity, compassion, and real local care.
Nell Thomas·Nov 28, 2025
Coffee With A Cop arrives at Summit Coffee Ballantyne on Dec. 12, offering neighbors a simple space to talk with CMPD and support a holiday toy drive for families rebuilding after Hurricane Helene.
Nell Thomas·Nov 27, 2025
A deep look at The Lanphier Record Group's family-first approach to long-term wealth planning in Ballantyne, values, clarity, and client partnership at the center of every decision.
Nell Thomas·Nov 22, 2025
Smart Mortgage brings clarity, transparency, and real guidance to Ballantyne borrowers. Here’s how they help residents understand their loan options with confidence.
Nell Thomas·Nov 21, 2025
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.
Nell Thomas·Nov 21, 2025
Ballantyne’s Kendra Janelle has built a salon that prizes education and healthy hair over trends, proof that expertise, not hype, never goes out of style.
Nell Thomas·Nov 3, 2025
A Fort Mill travel advisor turns points, perks, and relationships into real-world upgrades. Here is how Wanderlust helps you stop planning and start going.
Nell Thomas·Nov 1, 2025
HRB Services tunes people systems behind Charlotte's growth, while LEGACY Books helps leaders turn values into durable stories in Ballantyne.
Nell Thomas·Nov 1, 2025
Steven and Marie Lorimer are an Allen Tate husband-and-wife team serving Charlotte and nearby SC communities, licensed in both states, with verifiable results and local roots.
Nell Thomas·Oct 30, 2025
Walk around Ballantyne any weekday morning and you will hear the same question from smart owners. How do we turn attention into revenue without lighting money on fire.
Nell Thomas·Oct 30, 2025
If you want a band that can read a room, fill a dance floor, then keep your aunt and your CEO equally happy, meet Darin Jones & The Last Men Standing.
Nell Thomas·Oct 26, 2025
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…
Nell Thomas·Oct 26, 2025
Family-run Junk Removal Solutions serves Ballantyne and Fort Mill with licensed hauling, light demo, and clutter coaching, prioritizing care, fair pricing, and donation-first disposal.
Nell Thomas·Oct 22, 2025
A parent-tested profile of BounceU Charlotte–Matthews: private arenas, weekly Open Bounce, and a clean, staff-led party playbook, plus how to plan your visit without guesswork.
Nell Thomas·Oct 22, 2025
Graceful Getaways plans complex travel with clear guidance and hands-on support: quick contacts, when to call, and our prior coverage inside.
Nell Thomas·Oct 22, 2025
Elevate Motion Therapy helps Charlotte residents rebuild trust in their bodies with practical, one-to-one care that fits real life. Small wins add up. Confidence returns.
Nell Thomas·Oct 19, 2025
If October feels like a seasonal obstacle course, you are not imagining it. Ragweed is still around, leaves are breaking down, and weekend smoke from firepits can set off a cough that lingers…
Nell Thomas·Oct 19, 2025
Ballantyne Veterinary Clinic pairs clear explanations with practical care plans, so pet families leave with confidence and a next step that actually works at home.
Nell Thomas·Oct 19, 2025
Ballantyne’s favorite fix-it crew keeps homes humming, small jobs to smart upgrades, plus a neighborly shout to Mercedes-Benz of South Charlotte for service done right.
Nell Thomas·Oct 18, 2025
Uptown headlines, Ballantyne questions. Here's why Charlotte crime is down, why worry persists, and what neighbors can actually do next, with a link to the full Mercury analysis.
Nell Thomas·Oct 16, 2025
A family shop with a full bench: plumbing, electrical, and HVAC under one roof, first-visit fixes from stocked trucks, and nearly five decades of showing up when Charlotte homes need help.
Nell Thomas·Oct 14, 2025
R&C Insurance Group takes a family-first, bilingual approach with free plan reviews and flexible support. Start with a conversation, not a sales pitch.
Nell Thomas·Oct 12, 2025
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.
Nell Thomas·Oct 8, 2025
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.
Nell Thomas·Oct 8, 2025
October at The Daily Pilates: a crisp return to Foundations, clear cues, and steady results, plus where to begin if you're new to the reformer.
Nell Thomas·Oct 6, 2025
House of Colour Waxhaw helps Ballantyne neighbors find a personal palette and style that simplifies mornings and shopping, without guesswork or clickbait.
Nell Thomas·Oct 2, 2025
Ballantyne is efficient by nature. Prime IV Hydration & Wellness meets that energy with drips that start at a full liter, blends that are custom-mixed on site, and a setting that feels more like a…
Nell Thomas·Oct 2, 2025
Younique by MK pairs 21 years of nursing expertise with individualized aesthetics in Ballantyne, delivering care that prioritizes safety, precision, and you.
Nell Thomas·Sep 23, 2025
A quick, smart tour of what The Charlotte Mercury published this week, from the transit tax and district races to zoning fights and ABC holiday hours, with what it means in Ballantyne.
Nell Thomas·Aug 24, 2025
Ballantyne's only weekday market turns lunch hour into a local feast, with 30+ vendors from pierogi to pasture-raised chicken.
Nell Thomas·Aug 13, 2025
Libretto's Pizzeria brought New York know-how to Ballantyne, built a regulars' table, and now pairs pizza with Kim's The Daily Pilates across the street. Same family, same care, two rhythms.
Nell Thomas·Aug 13, 2025
BounceU Charlotte just added five new inflatables and doubled down on chaos, privacy, and padded glory. Yes, The Floor Is Lava. And yes, your kid will absolutely jump on it.
Nell Thomas·Aug 7, 2025
The August Strolling Ballantyne is here: meet the Gallo Family, fetch golf-ball-loving pups Jack & Bailey, tour Lexington's barbecue trail, and more. Read the full issue now.
Nell Thomas·Aug 1, 2025
Dunbar Social by Topgolf lands inside The Ballantyne Hotel this fall, five simulators, craft cocktails, and zero weather excuses.
Nell Thomas·Jul 26, 2025
Federal freeze puts $12 million CMS grant on ice, forcing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to choose between understaffed classrooms or fresh debt. Local board pleads for a thaw.
Nell Thomas·Jul 17, 2025
A proposed NC bill would cap towing fees, limit mileage, and force new transparency, potentially ending predatory late-night tows in Ballantyne and beyond.
Nell Thomas·Jul 13, 2025
An inspector-general audit uncovered 74,000+ undelivered letters and packages clogging Charlotte-area post offices. Here's why your birthday card never arrived, and what USPS says it will do next.
Nell Thomas·Jul 11, 2025
Waxhaw's Kotto Paul gets 15 years for a $17 million loan-fraud spree that snared eight cohorts and 17 banks, rattling Charlotte's financial core.
Nell Thomas·Jul 10, 2025
Family-owned Hubbard Heating & Cooling keeps Ballantyne comfy with same-day HVAC service, a Worry-Free plan, and a phone number locals recite from memory.
Nell Thomas·Jul 7, 2025
Miss a headline? From mortgage wins to a sheriff showdown, here's every Ballantyne story we served between June 30 and July 7, plus a cool nod to local HVAC heroes.
Nell Thomas·Jul 7, 2025
Providence Country Club's kitchen scored 85 on its May inspection: cooling missteps, lukewarm tuna, and missing date labels kept the clubhouse from the 90s. Here's every deduction that mattered.
Nell Thomas·Jul 3, 2025
Mecklenburg County jobs Ballantyne residents can actually snag, nurse supervisors, park rangers, lifeguards, and more, plus the volunteer gigs that turn neighbors into local legends.
Nell Thomas·Jul 3, 2025
Incumbent Garry McFadden confronts CMPD sergeant Ricky Robbins and former jailer Antwain Nance as Panthers stars, staff turmoil, and leaked slurs reshape the 2026 Mecklenburg sheriff landscape.
Nell Thomas·Jul 2, 2025
From hypersonic runways to slimmer spy agencies, here is the busy week on Capitol Hill that could tweak Ballantyne traffic, medicine cabinets, and even Saturday pop‑ups.
Nell Thomas·Jun 29, 2025
Eight must-read stories, from an ICE factory raid to the Senate rules throttling Charlotte's budget, plus quick links, witty asides, and a coffee-fueled author bio.
Nell Thomas·Jun 28, 2025
ICE agents arrested 30 workers at Buckeye Fire Equipment in Kings Mountain, triggering legal, economic, and human aftershocks felt all the way to Ballantyne.
Nell Thomas·Jun 28, 2025
One year after Grants Pass v. Johnson, Charlotte advocates say arrests are rising, services are stalling, and the Cicero Institute's model bills prioritize housing-first defense.
Nell Thomas·Jun 28, 2025
From an ADA Pride Day proclamation to a fiery debate over street vending, here's everything that happened at Charlotte City Council's June 23 meeting, plus what it means for Ballantyne residents
Nell Thomas·Jun 24, 2025
