BW Sweets Bakery, a popular Black-owned bakery whose owner competed in the Food Network’s “Girl Scout Cookie Championship,” closed its retail location. Yes, but: Soon you’ll find their desserts at local and chain restaurants and grocery stores, the owners announced in an Instagram post. BW Sweets Bakery will strictly offer delivery now. Why it matters: Businesses across Charlotte have struggled to keep up since the pandemic. Some have closed their doors permanently, while others like BW Sweets, have found ways to pivot. What they’re saying: “As we have continued to try to find ways ..read more

SupperClub SouthEnd, a new restaurant with duckpin bowling, pool tables, shuffleboard, air hockey and board games will open in LoSo later this summer. Details: The 15,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment space will also have live music every night, craft cocktails, beer and wine.  It will be located at 3521 Dewitt Lane, near Weathered Souls Brewing, Red Clay Ciderworks and State of Confusion. To start, it’ll be open Monday-Thursday 4pm-midnight, Friday-Saturday 11am-2am and Sunday 11am-10pm. Menu: SupperClub will serve sharable plates with Southern, French and Italian influ ..read more

The Axios Charlotte team started off the summer strong and hungry. Here are five of the best dishes we ate this month, listed in no particular order. The ahi tuna nachos from Suffolk Punch SouthPark  If a menu includes ahi tuna nachos, my order has already been decided. Pair that with mac-n-cheese with bacon and I’m set. The radish addition to the ahi tuna nachos gave them an extra pop of color, texture and made it feel next-level. — Ashley Mahoney, reporter Go deeper: Suffolk Punch opens its second location with a cafe, taproom and coffee bar this weekend at SouthPark mall The ahi tuna ..read more

The Royal Tot, the two-story bar known for its Sippin’ Santa pop-up, is back open with a new menu and under new ownership following its sudden closure in May. The tropical-themed bar in Charlotte’s Belmont neighborhood will operate in a soft opening phase for the next few weeks, meaning it’s still staffing up, and it may have limited hours. What’s happening: Previous owner Scott Gadd of ETA group sold the bar to Greg Walter, a real estate investor and owner of Greg Walter Realty. Last month, The Royal Tot posted to Instagram that they were closing permanently. Rising costs of supplies, Royal ..read more

Babe & Butcher, a popular Charlotte charcuterie board shop, will open a second location in September at Park Road Shopping Center — in the former Southern Pressed Juicery space near Michael’s. Why it matters: Babe & Butcher has expanded from a boutique service making two charcuterie boards a day in 2019 to a cult favorite with a storefront at Camp North End. Details: The new Park Road spot, which will have a bigger kitchen, will be able to handle larger catering events and service an expanded part of the Charlotte region, from Myers Park into South Carolina. Plus it will have an expan ..read more

Local restaurateur Jon Dressler is adding a bakery and deli to his restaurant lineup — Joan’s Bakery and Deli, named after his mom. Joan’s will open this fall at 1100 Metropolitan Ave., near Dressler’s at Metropolitan, where Xtend Barre used to be.  Why it matters: Chef Rob Clement, best known for his popular Jewish deli pop-up Meshugganah, will lead the bakery. And he’s bringing his Meshugganah staples with him, including pastrami and corned beef sandwiches. Context: Chef Rob has a history working with Rare Roots Hospitality, the restaurant group that encompasses all of Dressler’s restau ..read more

This story is proudly presented by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority – our partner in exploring the Queen City. Snag some itinerary inspiration for exploring and supporting Charlotte’s local businesses here. Your tour guide: Shaina Wire, who just finished her seventh season with Charlotte Ballet. One thing every Charlottean should try at least once: “I’m obviously a little biased, but I’d say going to see a Charlotte Ballet performance. I also love heading to Boone and driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. And then you have to get a drink at Thirsty Beaver. That’s a must!” W ..read more

Bulldog Taproom/Social, a popular hangout that’s evolved over the years from a college town bottle shop to a South End nightlife destination, will enter a new chapter soon — in NoDa. What’s happening: Bulldog owner Rob Johnson purchased the Room & Board business in NoDa last week for an undisclosed amount. Over the next month or so, he’ll begin rebranding the bar and restaurant at 36th and North Davidson. Its new name: Bulldog Taproom/Social NoDa. Another big update for the company: Bulldog in South End will close at the end of July and open in a new two-story space at the new Centro Squa ..read more

Tim Harris, a local father of two, is not a chef by trade. Cooking is more of a hobby for him. But he just proved to some of America’s most well-known chefs that he knows his way around the kitchen … and a grocery store. “I’ve never been to culinary school or anything,” Harris tells Axios. Context: Harris, who’s an auditor for an insurance company just across the Charlotte border in Fort Mill, recently won on an episode of Guy Fieri’s popular Food Network show “Guy’s Grocery Games.” The competitive cooking show, also known as “Triple-G,” features chefs competing in a series of intense cooking ..read more

You’ve likely heard of farm-to-table dining for humans. For the Love of Dutch, on the other hand, is a local dog food company that offers farm-to-dog bowls. For the Love of Dutch delivers human-grade dog food made from Charlotte-area farms to your door each week. Why it matters: Charlotteans love their dogs — we’re constantly spoiling them with human-like dog treats and celebrity-approved makeovers. Charlotte is even one of the nation’s most pet-friendly cities for renters, Axios’ McKenzie Rankin recently reported.  The big picture: For the Love of Dutch is similar to national organi ..read more