News About Town: Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec has closed the Woody Creek access to the Four Mile Creek Greenway (in Chesney Glen) for repairs. The entrance is expected to reopen by December 7. The closure mostly affects those in the Chesney Glen neighborhood. For more information, please contact Mecklenburg County 980-314-1000.

News Around Town: Craft store AC Moore will close up shop in 2020, after 34 years in business. The craft store giant cites being unable to compete with online retailers as its reason for pulling out of brick and mortar operations. Michael’s will take over stores and hire employees in markets where their brand is not represented; this is presumably not the case in Matthews, with a Michael’s in Sycamore Commons and an AC Moore in neighboring Windsor Square.

Two Fun Things: It’s shopping time! If you’re looking for gifts or shopping for yourself, check out the handmade markets open in downtown Matthews this week.

First, the Matthews Woman’s Club Service League hosts a craft boutique in the Carriage House behind the Reid home throughout the four days the Victorian Teas are offered. While the Tea has an entry fee of $30 (funds go to the Woman’s Club’s support of area nonprofits), the boutique is free and open to the public. Over 35 vendors will have their arts, crafts, handmade wares, and baked goods available for purchase. Dates and times are simultaneous to the teas: Thursday, December 5 — 7:00 pm, Friday, December 6 thru Sunday, December 8 — Noon - 9 pm.

Also, the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market is hosting its first-ever Holiday Night Market during the Hometown Holiday Stroll this Saturday, December 7 from 3 to 7 pm. Featuring live music, artisan crafts, artisan foods/baked goods, hot cider, gourmet coffees, and fresh popcorn, more than twenty-five vendors will be at the market, ready to fill up space under your tree with locally made goodies.