News About Town: During the Monday, September 13 Board of Commissioners meeting the board granted a waiver on the standard one-year moratorium for rezoning requests on the same property. In April of this year True Homes was denied rezoning for a parcel that would sandwich the future Greylock Extension. The homebuilders came back asking permission to reapply. The project was considered substantially different since True Homes is now combining property with Lat Purser on the 63-acre parcel at East John and I-485 known as Wingate Commons.

News Around Town: The Loyalist, a cut-to-order cheese and charcuterie shop offering local farm and artisanal food products, sandwiches, salads, small plates, beer, wine, is hitting the nationwide restaurant staffing challenge head on. By recognizing $15 an hour is barely a livable wage, Chris Sottile, the owner, is raising each item on the menu by $1, which will allow him to provide full-time staff with a $2 an hour raise. Chris expands on the “why” and how that equates to living in Mecklenburg County in a video he posted on Facebook. Chris explains that giving his staff a better life provides a better restaurant experience. 

Now, if you’ve read this far, we have a fun contest to support and celebrate The Loyalist’s investment in Matthews! Let us know what your favorite menu or retail item at The Loyalist is and why you love it. We’ll draw two names and each winner will receive a $50 gift card for the restaurant. Contest closes Tuesday, September 21 at 5pm.

One Fun Thing: The annual fundraiser for Matthews Free Medical Clinic is going virtual this October and tickets are on sale now. Hearts & Hands 2021 is a virtual cocktail event that includes an exclusive link to the evening’s program plus party supplies delivered to attendees within 20 miles of the downtown Matthews clinic. For $150 attendees will receive a charcuterie board, wine and all the supplies needed for a party of two. The Event Host Party Package ($1000) includes a Deluxe Charcuterie Board, wine and all the supplies needed for a party of eight. In addition, there is a host gift, swag bags for your guests and instructions on how to host the perfect event in your home. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information or to reserve your event package now, please contact Amy Carr at acarr@matthewsfmc.org, call 704-841-8882 ext 1020 or click purchase now.