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Charlotte's Winter Storm Warning & Controversial Cuisine, Urban Planning, and Community Healing! 🌨🍽🏗️💖

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Charlotte's Winter Storm Warning & Controversial Cuisine, Urban Planning, and Community Healing! 🌨🍽🏗️💖

Charlotte's Winter Storm Warning & Controversial Cuisine, Urban Planning, and Community Healing! 🌨🍽🏗️💖
Winter storm alert! New Latin cuisine, community feedback needed, and a nonprofit's inspiring mission.

The Queen City Scoop Team

Jan 29, 2026

Together With

Tax season officially opened this week. Feeling it yet?

This edition of The Queen City Scoop is brought to you by Hayes Meeks Financial.



As of January 26, the IRS is officially accepting 2025 tax returns.

That means W-2s and 1099s are arriving, inboxes are filling up, and the quiet pressure of “I should probably deal with this” is starting to creep in.

For a lot of Charlotte households, business owners, and creatives, this is the moment where numbers stop being abstract and start feeling real.



If last year included uneven income, higher costs, or a few financial surprises, jumping straight into filing without a plan can leave money on the table or create stress you don’t need.

And waiting until March or April usually turns tax season into a reaction instead of a reset.



That’s where Hayes Meeks Financial comes in.

They work with people whose finances don’t fit a single template: small business owners, consultants, multi-income families, and anyone balancing personal and business money at the same time.

The focus right now isn’t just filing. It’s understanding what 2025 actually looked like and using that clarity to make better decisions for the rest of 2026.



Late January and early February are an ideal window to:

• Review your 2025 numbers before tax season gets noisy

• Spot deductions, cash-flow issues, or planning gaps early

• Make small adjustments now instead of scrambling later



Hayes Meeks Financial is proud to support Charlotte neighbors who want less guesswork and more confidence with their money.



Early tax-season and planning check-ins are available now, right as filing opens.

 Book an early-season financial check-in with Hayes Meeks Financial

Now, here’s what’s happening around Charlotte this week.

After four years without significant snowfall, Charlotte may see a break in the dry streak with possible snow on Saturday.

The National Weather Service predicts a winter storm could bring up to three inches of snow to the area.

This potential snowfall is the first significant chance for snow accumulation in Charlotte since December 2018.

Residents are advised to prepare for winter weather conditions and stay informed about any weather updates.

Read More...

Mi Cariño, the highly anticipated Mexican Latin gastro cantina and mezcalería, has officially opened its doors in Charlotte’s South End, breathing new life into the former VANA space at 1440 S Tryon St.

 

Led by executive chef Hector González Mora and culinary director Vince Giancarlo, the seasonal menu features shareable plates like tacos, ceviches, and the standout camarones kora—a Nayarit-inspired shrimp dish with coconut rice.

 

The dining experience aims to feel cinematic and immersive, with the vibe intensifying throughout the evening, setting it apart from the typical South End bar scene.

 

Beverage director Henry Schmulling curates a bold agave spirits selection, highlighting tequila, mezcal, and rare options such as raicilla and sotol, perfectly paired with the kitchen’s vibrant flavors.

 

This opening marks a major shift, establishing South End as a premier destination for chef-driven, reservation-worthy dining in Charlotte.


Read More...

Wesley Heights, one of Charlotte’s cherished historic neighborhoods, remains a central focus as the city moves forward with the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

 

The city is gathering resident input on the last seven Community Area Plans, which guide local land use, design, and infrastructure, following the recent approval of seven plans by City Council.

 

Upcoming workshops, including sessions at West Charlotte High School and Julius Chambers High School, as well as a virtual meeting, offer neighbors opportunities to shape how their communities grow while promoting sustainability and protection.

 

Residents can also participate through surveys or by inviting planning staff to local meetings.

 

In Wesley Heights, projects like The Arches—an innovative condo conversion of a historic church—and new venues such as The Bevery and Rocket Pizza highlight the neighborhood’s evolving, lively character.

 

Active involvement is encouraged to help guide the area’s future.


Read More...
Quote Of The Day

"Personal growth is not a matter of learning new information but of unlearning old limits." - Alan Cohen

When families travel from rural communities to Charlotte for major medical care, finding a place to stay can quickly become an unexpected crisis.

 

Hospitality House of Charlotte has offered relief for 40 years, providing affordable lodging—just $25 per night—in its 20-bedroom house steps from the city’s top hospitals.

 

This sanctuary is more than a roof; dedicated volunteers provide hot meals, comfort, and a sense of true community when life feels hardest.

 

In 2024 alone, hundreds of families found compassion and stability thanks to their programs, which ensure a patient’s zip code never decides their outcome.

 

With initiatives like the “Heart-to-Heart” campaign—where every $50 gift covers a night for a family in medical crisis—locals can make a direct impact.

 

Hospitality House marks its 40th anniversary this March, celebrating four decades of turning compassion into action for Charlotte and beyond.


Read More...

What's Happening This Week in the Queen City

 

Your guide to can't-miss events, food festivals, and weekend adventures (Jan 29 – Feb 4)


Queen's Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week (through Feb 1)

Queen's Feast is in full swing through February 1, with more than 100 Charlotte-area restaurants offering three-course prix fixe menus typically between $30 and $55, making this week one of the best times all year to explore the city's dining scene. Reservations are strongly encouraged, and many participating spots are using the event to showcase new dishes and chef-driven tasting menus.

Pro tip for readers: Pick a neighborhood you've been meaning to explore (South End, Plaza Midwood, NoDa) and make it a mini food tour by hitting a participating restaurant for dinner, then grabbing drinks or dessert nearby.

Browse menus and make reservations at CharlotteRestaurantWeek.com

Live Music & Comedy (Jan 29-31)


Thursday, Jan 29: Multiple venues are packed with options, including Adam Ezra Group at The Evening Muse and bigger acts like Snow Strippers, Anna Luna, and OK at The Fillmore. Whether you're into intimate acoustic sets or high-energy electronic shows, Thursday night delivers.

Comedy all weekend: The Comedy Zone and Comedy Club at Duckworth's both have multi-night runs featuring comics like Amber Autry, giving you plenty of laugh-out-loud options if music isn't your thing.

See the full music and comedy lineup at CLTure.org

Arts & Culture


Charlotte Symphony: Prokofiev & Schumann (Jan 30 – Feb 1)

The Charlotte Symphony's Prokofiev & Schumann program at Knight Theater runs January 30 through February 1, offering a polished, dressed-up night out for readers craving something elegant. The program features Ives's The Unanswered Question, Prokofiev's electrifying Piano Concerto No. 3, and Schumann's triumphant Symphony No. 2. Tickets start at $77.54. Perfect for date night or a cultural reset after a long week.

Get tickets at BlumenthalArts.org

Family-Friendly Fun


PuppetPalooza 2026 – Saturday, Jan 31

Head to ImaginOn for PuppetPalooza 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday (arrive early for the puppet procession at 9:45 a.m.!). This free event is packed with puppet shows, hands-on activities, giant roving puppets, puppet karaoke, and make-your-own-puppet stations that'll keep kids (and adults) engaged all day. Bonus: it's downtown, so you can pair it with lunch and window shopping.

Full schedule at KidsOutAndAbout.com
More details at CharlotteOnTheCheap.com

Charlotte Mini-Con – Saturday, Jan 31

Also on Saturday, Charlotte Mini-Con at Blume Studios (Stage 1, 904 Post Street) brings artists, comics, and pop-culture fans together from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is just $5, and kids 16 and under get in free with a paying adult. Featured guests include Mark Bagley, Steve Epting, and dozens of comic creators. This is a great pick for families who love local art and conventions but want something more intimate and community-focused than the huge cons. Parking is free!

Get tickets at Heroes Aren't Hard to Find
Event details at HeroesOnline.com
More info at CharlotteOnTheCheap.com

Chinese Lunar New Year Cultural Fair – Saturday, Jan 31

South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church is hosting a Chinese Lunar New Year Cultural Fair from 1–5 p.m. on January 31, featuring performances, cultural activities, and community celebration in a free, family-friendly setting. It's a beautiful way to introduce kids to Lunar New Year traditions and enjoy an afternoon of cultural exchange.

Event listing at CLTure.org

Date Night & Beyond


Jazz at the Garden – Saturday, Jan 31

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden's Jazz at the Garden offers an evening of live jazz from 6–8:30 p.m. inside the Great Hall, featuring renowned saxophonist and Billboard-charting artist Art Sherrod, Jr. with special guest guitarist JJ Sansaverino. Tickets are $49 (members save 15%), and this is the perfect "mini getaway" date night just outside the city with a sophisticated Saturday evening vibe.

Get tickets at DanielStoweConservancy.org
View all Jan 31 events at Daniel Stowe

Winey Grapes: Charlotte Wine Festival – Saturday, Jan 31

Wine lovers, mark your calendars: Winey Grapes returns Saturday, January 31 at Slate Charlotte (200 E Bland St), offering unlimited samples from 75+ wine stations from 1:30-4:30 p.m. (VIP early entry at 12:30 p.m.). Perfect for groups or a boozy brunch alternative. Use code EARLYBIRD for $20 off tickets—this event typically sells out!

Get tickets on Eventbrite
Event details at SouthEndCLT.org

Queen City Whiskey & Bourbon Festival – Saturday, Jan 31

Also on January 31, Blush CLT hosts the Queen City Whiskey & Bourbon Festival, giving spirits enthusiasts another reason to get out and explore Charlotte's nightlife scene with tastings, education, and social vibes.

Weekend Wrap-Up


Whether you're grabbing a Queen's Feast reservation, catching live music, exploring cultural festivals with the family, or sipping wine and whiskey with friends, this week delivers something for every Charlotte mood. Check venue websites for ticket info and make your reservations early.

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