Good morning! Today is Friday, July 24, 2026. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
Today's Charlotte Ledger is sponsored by Parker Poe. Businesses and local institutions turn to Parker Poe to structure transactions, navigate regulations, and resolve disputes. Learn more about the law firm's deep regional knowledge and collaborative, client-centered approach.
Happy Friday! Lindsey here. If you haven’t looked out your window recently, the Charlotte area is under a flash flood watch. (Quite the opposite of the severe drought warning from a couple of months ago.) Stay safe out there on the roads. And stay safe using any rain gear — I sliced the tip of my finger yesterday trying to open my umbrella. ☂
—
Why not make the leap and upgrade to a paid subscription today so you can read the full lineup of stories in today’s newsletter? It’ll only cost you $12/month (or $10.75/month if you opt for our yearly paid option), but being the locally informed person in your book club, neighbor group chat or mahjong meetup is priceless.
Club West, formerly Sycamore, laid off some employees this summer amid slow distribution; ownership announcement expected at the end of the month
Frugal MacDoogal Beverage Warehouse in Fort Mill is one of the few retailers that stocks Club West beer. (Photo by Tony Mecia/The Charlotte Ledger)
by Ashley Fahey
Club West Brewing, the rebrand of the Charlotte brewery formerly known as Sycamore Brewing, recently laid off an unconfirmed number of employees in sales and production.
Brad Bergman, vice president of operations at Club West Brewing, confirmed to The Ledger this week that there were recent layoffs related to the brewery’s distribution business, although he declined to say the number or which positions were cut. He said the decision was made to preserve Club West’s taproom operations as its core business.
“With the distribution business not really being exactly where we wanted it, we had to make some changes to keep the business successful,” Bergman said, adding the company is happy with where it is now.
A source with knowledge of the job cuts told The Ledger that about a half-dozen employees in production were laid off in June and an unknown number of sales positions were also eliminated.
Charlotte region’s daily newcomer count falls to 135
The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance confirmed on Thursday that the closely watched “number of people moving here a day” figure fell last year.
The Alliance’s figure is widely cited by public officials and Charlotte boosters to illustrate the city’s rapid growth. A year ago, the Alliance put the figure at 157 people a day moving to the Charlotte region, based on an analysis of Census figures.
CMS superintendent, on paid leave, received $14,000+ in off-cycle payment this month, records show
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Crystal Hill was paid an additional $14,322 this month by the district, even as she remains on paid leave amid an outside investigation.
Public records received this month by The Ledger show that the district paid Hill $14,322.15 on July 10. Her pay records show that she is typically paid her salary at the end of the month, including her usual $26,522.50 on June 30.
REAL ESTATE WHISPERS
Real Estate Whispers is our weekly look at commercial real estate development, debates and debacles — with plenty of scoops and information you won’t find anywhere else.
⛪ An inside look at the Levine Museum of the New South’s new home in South End
❗Where a city-hired consultant says Charlotte’s review and permitting processes fall short
🏗 The Colony developer is readying the SouthPark site’s next phase
🏢 Breaking down the big deals and numbers of Charlotte’s office market in Q2
💰 Going behind the $170M Design Center of the Carolinas deal that closed this week
📝 A wrap-up of land deals and real estate news from us and other sources
25 years of Booty: What began as a solo ride has grown into one of Charlotte's largest cancer fundraising events
Twenty-five years ago, Spencer Lueders set out to ride Myers Park’s Booty Loop for 24 hours to raise awareness about cancer. His neighbors left their porch lights on during his ride and cancer survivors approached him, asking if they could join.
As most longtime Charlotteans are aware, the “Booty Loop” is a 3-mile paved loop that includes major Myers Park thoroughfares like Queens Road West and Selwyn Avenue.
“I completed the 24 hours, and it was amazing, but what really happened was this is a platform, a place for cancer survivors and caregivers to share their stories and come together to have fellowship,” Lueders said.
What began with one rider in 2001 has grown into an annual event that draws more than 1,000 cyclists and 200 walkers. Since Lueders founded 24 Foundation in 2002, it has raised over $32M to fund more than 60 supportive oncology programs at Atrium Health.
From acupuncture and massage therapy to nutrition programs and assistance getting to and from treatment, 24 Foundation helps cover what insurance often doesn’t.
“We’re funding survivors from the moment of diagnosis with cancer navigators to help them go through the process and explain all the lingo and how the whole process works,” Lueders said. “And once they get through treatment, they need to get their lives back physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, all those things.”
Over the years, that support has reached thousands of patients and families across the Charlotte region.
Former scholarship recipient Lauren DiFrank, now a member of the foundation’s board, said the support allowed her to continue her education at Queens University while undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She also met her late husband, Rob, through the 24 Foundation.
“I am such a firm believer that because of all of this programming and survivorship opportunities at Levine Cancer Institute, my husband was able to live so much longer with his cancer diagnosis,” she said.
One of the event’s signature traditions is the Survivor Lap, where local organization Speed for Need helps cancer patients and survivors participate by being pulled in customized cycling wheelchairs.
“The team that leads this chariot is just really wonderful human beings, and they are the epitome of the spirit of Booty,” said Katherine Murphy, executive director of 24 Foundation.
While 24 Hours of Booty remains the foundation’s signature event, the organization has expanded its reach with year-round fundraisers, including Bourbon for Booty, a 24,000-meter row and Dam to Dam paddleboarding events throughout the year. This spring, the nonprofit launched a new survivorship retreat to get cancer patients, survivors, and their families outside the walls of a hospital.
As 24 Foundation celebrates its 25th year, Lueders said the goal remains the same as it was on that first ride: to make an immediate impact in the cancer community. —Emily Brietz
🚲 This year’s 24 Hours of Booty event begins tonight at 7 p.m. Check out 24 Foundation’s website for more information about this year’s events.
An earlier version of this story erroneously named Spencer Lueders and was corrected on July 24.
Renderings: Bank of America Stadium’s $1.3B future; Panthers extend naming rights
Larger scoreboards
Press box lounge
Upgraded seating
Speakeasy
New renderings were shared with media Thursday of Bank of America Stadium’s planned transformation in uptown as part of a more than $1.3B renovation project led by Tepper Sports & Entertainment.
The multi-year overhaul will include expanded indoor-outdoor gathering spaces, larger scoreboards, upgraded seating, new food and retail options, an illuminated crown on top of the stadium and a 4,400-seat entertainment venue. The stadium will remain open for Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC games during construction.
The renderings were released alongside the announcement that Bank of America and the Carolina Panthers have extended the stadium's naming rights agreement, continuing one of the NFL's longest-running naming rights partnerships.
The City of Charlotte committed $650M toward the renovation, with the remaining $650M funded by TSE. Interior renovations are planned to begin this year, with fan-facing elements set to begin in 2027, the press release said.
Renderings are courtesy of Tepper Sports & Entertainment. —Lindsey Banks
—
A future Super Bowl or NFL Draft in Charlotte? NFL commissioner says it’s possible
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in Charlotte on Thursday that the city could be a contender for a future Super Bowl or NFL Draft.
“As far as the Super Bowl is concerned, there is no question that if this city keeps growing the way that it is, it’s certainly Super Bowl quality. … That’s probably somewhere down the line in the future,” Goodell said, according to WBTV. The NFL has announced locations for Super Bowls through 2030.
He also said Charlotte “is built for a draft,” which would be “a terrific thing here in this town.” Draft locations have been selected through 2028.
Goodell was speaking at a Panthers event marking the extended partnership between Bank of America and Tepper Sports and Entertainment. —Tony Mecia
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
TODAY, JULY 24: “‘Hadestown: The Musical’ - Movie and Talkback,” 7:30-10 p.m., at Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St. In a post-apocalyptic world inspired by New Orleans, the tragic love of Orpheus and Eurydice is intertwined with the complex relationship of Hades and Persephone. Eurydice, struggling with poverty, is lured to the industrial underworld of Hadestown by Hades, while Orpheus, a struggling musician, ventures down below to bring her back. $13.50/ticket.
TUESDAY, JULY 28: “Coffee with the Chamber,” 8:30-9:30 a.m., at Equitable Advisors, 11325 N. Community House Road #450. Join the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce for an invigorating morning event that brings together coffee lovers and business professionals from across the Charlotte area. Whether you're a startup founder, a seasoned executive or just a morning person, this event is the perfect opportunity to brew new connections and spark innovative conversations. Registration required. Free for members. $5 for non-members.
THURSDAY, JULY 30: “South Charlotte Partners Breakfast Club,” 8-9:30 a.m., at AC Hotel Charlotte Ballantyne, 14819 Ballantyne Village Way. July Breakfast Club will focus on the topic of “The State of Healthcare in South Charlotte.” The conversation will bring together local health care leaders to explore how hospitals are evolving to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community. $25 in advance. $35 at the door.
In brief
American says it could lose money: American Airlines said higher ticket sales are being outweighed by sharply rising jet fuel costs, prompting the airline to warn it could lose money this quarter and lower its outlook for the rest of the year despite strong travel demand. In a conference call with analysts, an American executive acknowledged that the airline has “done some trimming” in Charlotte and “reallocated capacity” but that CLT remains a “connecting monster” as opposed to a hub with “large local demand.”
Family questions CMPD's handling of teen's death: The family of a 16-year-old Charlotte girl found hanging in a north Charlotte churchyard in May is questioning Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police's investigation after authorities ruled her death a suicide within days. A Charlotte Observer investigation found police did not interview the man who discovered Juliana Umba Nzita's body, did not recover her cellphone and did not perform an autopsy, though CMPD said there was no evidence of foul play and that the medical examiner determined an autopsy was unnecessary. The family has commissioned an independent autopsy. (Observer)
NCHSAA names new commissioner: The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has selected Brad Alford as its next commissioner, succeeding Que Tucker when she retires on Oct. 1. Alford previously spent nearly 15 years with the NCHSAA and currently oversees athletics for the state’s Department of Public Instruction. (HighSchoolOT)
Apartment construction overwhelms Cherry: Residents say workers building a 27-story apartment tower have packed Cherry’s streets with cars for more than a year, blocking driveways, disrupting trash and bus service and creating safety concerns. Neighbors blame the developer for failing to provide enough parking after they said it previously promised construction would not affect the neighborhood. (Observer, subscriber-only)
Honeywell Technologies celebrates first earnings since split: In its first earnings report since Honeywell's three-way breakup, Charlotte-based Honeywell Technologies raised its full-year 2026 profit forecast as AI-driven demand for data centers and other automation products boosted sales, despite quarterly earnings that missed Wall Street expectations, Reuters reported. At its Charlotte headquarters, company leaders rang the closing bell on the NASDAQ exchange Thursday to celebrate the milestone.
Crumbl employees out after video: Crumbl says the employees featured in a viral video showing one worker styling a coworker’s hair inside a Charlotte store no longer work for the company. The Midtown location was closed for a deep cleaning before reopening after the company said it discarded food and sanitized the store. (WCNC)