Author: Brian Perry

🚜 The Barn Is Coming Back to Frank Liske Park!

Written by Brian Perry on May 23, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

The centerpiece of Frank Liske Park, affectionately known as “The Barn,” holds a special place in the hearts of Cabarrus County park-goers. Originally a dairy barn utilized by students at the Stonewall Jackson Training School, it has undergone a remarkable transformation. It has witnessed countless joyous occasions throughout the years. Picnics, reunions, weddings, showers, and business meetings have all found a home within its welcoming walls. Unfortunately, tragedy struck on March 26, 2020—the day The Barn succumbed to a devastating fire. Countless calls and emails flooded in,...

🎉🛍️ Discover the Hidden Gem of Mount Pleasant 🛍️🎉

Written by Brian Perry on May 22, 2023. Posted in Shopping.

Contributor: Jamie Richardson Welcome to Simply Pleasant Boutique, your one-stop destination for a unique and stylish shopping experience in Mount Pleasant. Located in the heart of town, this boutique offers a wide range of fashionable clothing and accessories that will make you stand out from the crowd. When you step into the front door, you are immersed in a world of contemporary, boho, and trendy fashion. Owner Georgia Abernathy has created an ideal shopping experience for mothers and daughters alike. Their carefully curated collection guarantees you’ll find the perfect outfit....

🌺 Experience the Taste of the Islands at L&L Hawaiian Grill

Written by Brian Perry on May 22, 2023. Posted in Food & Drink.

Contributor: Jamie Richardson Craving the Flavors of Hawaii? Look no further than L&L Hawaiian Grill, bringing the delicious taste of Hawaiian-style barbecue to Concord. Fantastic-tasting food is not the only thing they bring to the table. They are also hosting authentic Luau Shows this summer! Owned by the passionate duo Andy & Franny Robinson, this restaurant chain has been serving mouthwatering dishes since 1976. After relocating from Seattle, Washington, Andy and Franny noticed the lack of diverse food options in the area. Determined to change that, they did their homework...

🎵 🎸 Harrisburg Announces Outdoor Concert Series

Written by Brian Perry on May 3, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

The Town of Harrisburg announced its 2023 Rockin’ the Burg Community Concert Series, a free, family-friendly outdoor concert series, held on the Harrisburg Park Amphitheater Stage. The Town is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and each Rockin’ the Burg Concert will be honoring a specific decade. 🎵 May 13: Departure – “The Journey Tribute Band” celebrating “80s Night.” Opener: David Domingo. 🎵 June 10: Blue Monday celebrating “Retro MTV ’80s and ’90s Classics.” Opener: Daniel Arthur Gurley. 🎵 August 12: Sail On: “Beach Boys Tribute Band” celebrating the ’70s. Opener:...

👗 Boutique Hosts Spring Open House April 28-29

Written by Brian Perry on April 25, 2023. Posted in Shopping.

Contributor: Jamie Richardson Located in Copperfield Center in Concord, Anne’s Boutique offers the latest fashion trends and seasonal styles! They have a wide selection of clothing, jewelry, handbags, scarves and so much more. Sisters Jill and Melissa run their boutique with a ton of energy and creativity, hosting weekly Facebook Live shopping experiences that started as a necessity during the pandemic. The dress shop was originally run by their mom, Irene. A Mother’s Dream for Her Family Irene was an employee of Cannon Mills until they closed. It was then that she decided to...

🐷 Get Jiggy at Kannapolis’ Award-Winning BBQ Festival May 4th-7th

Written by Brian Perry on April 24, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

On May 4th–7th, Jiggy with the Piggy comes to Downtown Kannapolis with over 50 BBQ competition teams as well as a festival featuring a People’s Choice Pork Tasting Contest, a 5K race, concerts, a kids zone, rides, and over 100 arts and crafts vendors. Started in 2013, this event has grown from an idea into one of the Southeast’s Top 20 Events. How Jiggy Got Started Jiggy with the Piggy has been growing in popularity for a decade, but the festival tradition in Downtown Kannapolis dates back even further than that. Deputy City Manager Eddie Smith played an integral role in bringing the idea...

⚾ 🐖 Cannon Ballers to Become Kannapolis Q’s (during Jiggy with the Piggy)

Written by Brian Perry on April 24, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

In March, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers announced that during the Jiggy with the Piggy festival, the team will officially become the Kannapolis Q’s for their weekend series. “We’re fired up because we believe the Q’s brand is smoked to pork-fection,” exclaimed Cannon Ballers General Manager Matt Millward. “Our organization takes pride in having fun and we feel this is the perfect way to celebrate the significance of barbecue in our region and our city’s renowned Jiggy with the Piggy Festival.” Complete with a full set of logos, the team has “cooked” up specialty uniforms that will be worn...

📚 “New York Times” Bestselling Author to Appear at Mount Pleasant Event

Written by Brian Perry on April 24, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

Celebrated author and North Carolina native John Hart will appear at an event hosted by the Mount Pleasant Friends of the Library on Thursday, May 4th. 📍 The event will be held at 73 & Main restaurant in downtown Mount Pleasant from 7:00–9:00pm. Hart is the author of six New York Times bestsellers, including his most recent novel, The Hush. An alumnus of Davidson College and a former defense attorney and stockbroker, he now lives in Virginia and writes full-time. Hart is the only author to win the prestigious Edgar Award, presented by the Mystery Writers of America, for consecutive novels. Other...

🍨 The “Scoop” on Popular Custard Franchise

Written by Brian Perry on April 18, 2023. Posted in Food & Drink.

Contributor: Jamie Richardson This local Abbott’s Frozen Custard franchise was the FIRST one to open in all of North Carolina and they’ve been recognized as the Chamber’s New Business of the Year! Owner Shannon Leckinger operates Abbott’s Frozen Custard – Edison Square, located in one of the fastest growing parts of Cabarrus County, The Shoppes at Edison Square. With 7 rotating flavors daily and over 100 in their arsenal, there is always something delicious happening at Abbott’s. Because the different flavors are made daily it’s always unique. Shannon says “It’s not the same as...

🌼 SpringFest Vendor Market Coming to CBC

Written by Brian Perry on April 18, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

Cabarrus Brewing Company (CBC) is hosting over 80 local craft vendors this Saturday, April 22nd from 11am-5pm. The SpringFest Vendor Market started in 2018 and has been a huge success every year. Stacey Griffin, co-owner of CBC, says one of the objectives of the Market “is to help support local small businesses.” 🛍️ What will you find? Handmade crafts, jewelry, artists, services, and other vendors who are ALL businesses from our community! “It’s one of the busiest and most successful days for Cabarrus Brewing Company,” Stacey says. “People come to shop, but they also get to enjoy good food...

🎨 Paint a Portrait of Your Own Beloved Pet

Written by Brian Perry on April 10, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

Looking for a fun night out AND a chance to paint your beloved pet? Paintings & Things by Carla and Cabarrus Brewing Company have teamed up to bring you Pets, Paints & Pints. How Does It Work? After you register, you can email Carla a photo of your favorite pet and she will sketch an outline and color guide on a 16” x 20” canvas prior to class so it is ready for you to paint! Her paint-by-letter approach guides you through as she teaches you blending and brushstroke techniques as well, so you end up with a beautiful portrait of your furry, scaly, or feathered friend! The class is $55. All...

🫧 Give Your Pets the Spa Treatment 🫧

Written by Brian Perry on April 10, 2023. Posted in Shopping.

Contributor: Jamie Richardson Barks & Bubbles offers full-service spa experiences for your pets! Barks & Bubbles was named one of The 8 Best Pet Groomers in North Carolina by Best Things North Carolina: “The prices are reasonable, and the staff members make even the most nerve-wracking experience for any anxious pet a pleasant one.” This full-service pet spa is owned by Carol Wyrick who has always loved animals. “My parents always treated them like one of the family,” she said. When she was 21, she took her pet Shih-tzu to Petsmart, and after watching the groomer for a bit she...

⚾ 🐕 Bat Dog Kacey Returns from Baseball Training

Written by Brian Perry on April 10, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

Pictured: (left) Trevor Wilt introducing Kacey to Cannon Ballers fans at a home game; (right) Kacey back home after attending special “bat dog” training! Did You Know? Last summer the Cannon Ballers welcomed their new bat dog, Kacey Betty to their baseball family. She did basic obedience training last year with Stone Paw Dog Training and then the week before the Super Bowl she left to train with a lab-specific trainer. He has taught her how to retrieve a baseball bat, run the bases, and may even catch a flyball. Bring Your Dogs to Bark in the Park. Get your single game, mini-plan, or season...

🐶 🐱 Securing Your Pet’s Comfort During Your Move

Written by Brian Perry on April 10, 2023. Posted in Real Estate.

By: Tate Honeycutt, Team Honeycutt’s resident animal expert Relocating furry friends can be a difficult road. They’re incredibly in tune with your habits, so when the furniture starts disappearing, they grow concerned. They smell the change, and it can be just as difficult for them as it is for you. Here are FOUR things to consider in order to make their transition easier: Stick to a Schedule 📅 In the days and weeks before your move and even when you’ve moved into your new home, it’s important to keep up with your pet’s schedule. From feedings to walks to morning and evening routines,...

🐱 ☕ Unique Cat Café Experience in Downtown Concord

Written by Brian Perry on April 10, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

Contributor: Jamie Richardson A visit to Mac Tabby Cat Cafe is all about “Good energy, local coffee, craft beer, and CATS!” What’s so special about Mac Tabby Cat Cafe? The CATS of course! Where else can you take a latte into a room with 12 free-roaming felines?! So, what can you expect when you visit Mac Tabby Cafe? Twelve adoptable cats roam the CAT LOUNGE, which you can access for a small fee, and they are ready to play! The Café is in a separate area and offers smoothies, iced and hot lattes, kombuchas, lemonades, teas, sodas, beer, wine, ciders and seltzers. They also...

🐕 ❣️ SplashPaw Foundation Rolls Out Red Carpet for Pets in Need

Written by Brian Perry on April 10, 2023. Posted in Connect.

Contributor: Jamie Richardson The SplashPaw Foundation, Inc ™ was founded in 2013 by architect Ginger Moore and provides for others who cannot afford adequate treatment or care for their pets. This can include helping with the cost of treatment, medication, research or just helping a pet be more comfortable while they are ill. Ginger’s Motivation Cancer has impacted Ginger’s life on several levels. Ginger’s grandfather and mother both had cancer as well as both of her pets: Roma, a 16-year-old Spaniel mix, and Pisa, an 11-year-old Calico. During her mother’s last 2 years of battling...

🍝 😋 Husband and Wife Team Serve Up Delicious Premade Meals

Written by Brian Perry on April 4, 2023. Posted in Food & Drink.

Contributor: CabCo Moms Ever have one of those days when the last thing you want to do is cook dinner, and you’re sick of fast food? Well, Leo’s Gourmet Market owners Cody Chiarenza and Cailin Arsenault have been preparing their favorite dishes since 2021 and selling them frozen or fresh out of their market in Concord. Our contributors, the CabCo Moms (aka Ashley and Tania) are regulars at the market and prepared this feature for us to share with our readers. In fact, they even made a video tour of the market to show exactly how you can shop at this great local market. How...

⚾ Partnering to Make a Difference: Eli Lilly & The Cannon Baller Foundation

Written by Brian Perry on April 4, 2023. Posted in Things To Do.

Eli Lilly and the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers have announced that Lilly will be the presenting sponsor of the Cannon Baller Foundation, which is built upon five pillars identified by the team and stakeholders after three years of working in and giving back to the community at and around Atrium Health Ballpark. Some highlights… 🎓 Lilly will create a Cannon Ballers Scholarship Program with a direct gift to a graduate who has worked with the Cannon Ballers. They will also donate more than 1,500 meals to Title I students who attend one of the team’s three Education Games. 🌳 Break-A-Bat, Plant-A-Tree...