Good morning! Today is Friday, July 31, 2026. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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Good morning! It’s Tony. One cool thing about local journalism is you’re always learning. I had never heard of “house managers,” but Carroll Walton had, and she explores that household trend in today’s lead story. I didn’t know that until a few years ago, Charlotte had a 70mm IMAX theater, which would have been ideal for watching “The Odyssey” – but our intern Emily Brietz did, and she shares that info with you today. We have other interesting tidbits, too: some relief from the drought, Ashley Fahey’s local real estate scoops and insights, and one of the final photos of a 100-year-old oak on Central Piedmont’s campus. Here’s to lifelong learning!
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Busy Charlotte families are hiring ‘house managers’ to handle errands, get organized and shoulder the never-ending mental load; ‘We’re the partner you wish you had’
Lauren Bell, owner of Charlotte Lifestyle Management Co., has a team of eight house managers. (Photo by Savbrown Photography.)
by Carroll Walton
Like countless women, Lauren McCrory is a busy working mother. She has a demanding full-time job as a preschool director at First Presbyterian Church, while raising two elementary school-aged sons of her own. Her husband, Wilson, travels a lot for work and when he’s in town is often juggling client meetings.
It’s a challenge to find the time, energy and capacity to do things like drop off dry cleaning, schedule appointments and wait for a repairman. So McCrory hired a substitute teacher, Carla, to become her part-time house manager.
“We live in a house from the 1940s, and it's really helpful to have someone who can troubleshoot different issues and then execute them from beginning to end,” McCrory said.
Carla has had their generator serviced, the front door painted and once put together a scooter for McCrory to roll around on after foot surgery.
“She’s really handy, much more than Wilson and I are,” McCrory said. “... She's like Mary Poppins. She's very warm and cheerful and friendly and active.”
Unlike Mary Poppins, though, she’s not there for child care, unless it’s an occasional run to a follow-up orthodontist appointment. She’s not a housekeeper, either, though she doesn’t mind unloading the dishwasher if she notices it needs it.
Carla is one of a growing number of people for hire around Charlotte known as house managers. Busy professionals and parents are increasingly hiring them to do the invisible stuff, everything from the time-sucking tasks around the house that often get taken for granted to shouldering the mental load of coordinating hectic schedules.
While there have always been people hired to help in different capacities at houses of people who can afford outside assistance, today’s house managers say their responsibilities are different from those of nannies or maids.
“It’s an extra spouse for your house,” says Lauren Bell, owner of Charlotte Lifestyle Management Co., which employs a team of eight house managers and counting. “Chaos coordinators.”
SPONSORED CONTENT
As Charlotte settles into the hottest months of the year, homeowners are looking for simple ways to stay comfortable while keeping energy use in check. Fortunately, a few small adjustments can help your HVAC system perform more efficiently and keep your home feeling cooler throughout the summer.
Until 6 years ago, Charlotte had the ideal screen for ‘The Odyssey,’ but now the closest 70mm IMAX is in Georgia; Can see Calypso actress’ ear piercings
There are only 25 theaters across 14 states in the U.S. where moviegoers can watch “The Odyssey” the way filmmaker Christopher Nolan intended: in 70mm IMAX.
The closest theater to Charlotte? About 200 miles south at the Regal Mall of Georgia in Buford, Ga., which has a screen that can show movies shot using 70mm IMAX film.
“It’s an event-type film,” Brad Ritter, executive director of The Independent Picture House, said of “The Odyssey.”
“The Odyssey” is the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX 70mm cameras, using over 2 million feet, or 398 miles, of film during the 91-day shoot. Though the old-school method is difficult and cumbersome, it produces exceptionally high resolution and image quality.
“The Odyssey,” which opened this month, was filmed in IMAX 70mm, but there are no longer such theaters in Charlotte. (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)
Drought improves across Mecklenburg; meeting Monday to evaluate water restrictions
Rain this week helped lessen the drought, with all of Mecklenburg County listed as “moderate” — the lowest category of drought — down from “severe,” “extreme” and “exceptional” in recent months.
And local lake levels on Thursday were at multi-month highs, though still below normal conditions.
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.
📈 Highwoods execs feel more upbeat about development (and Charlotte more generally)
🧑🏼💼 A prolific Charlotte commercial real estate firm cuts jobs
🥗 Restaurant coming soon to The Pearl?
🍰 More cheesecake for Charlotte metro
🤝 And a wrap-up of land deals and real estate news from us and other sources
Farewell to a 100-year-old ‘Grandaddy Oak’: Central Piedmont to remove iconic tree because of safety risk
The historic "Granddaddy Oak," a willow oak estimated to be about 100 years old, stands on Central Piedmont Community College's Central Campus in Elizabeth. The college announced Thursday that it will remove the tree next week, after years of monitoring and consultations with certified arborists determined it is deteriorating and that recent limb failures pose a safety risk. Considered one of the largest known willow oaks in Mecklenburg County, it measures more than 21 feet in circumference, stands more than 90 feet tall and has a crown spread nearly 95 feet. Central Piedmont plans to plant a substantial replacement tree in the same location and is exploring ways to commemorate the landmark through partnerships with local artists. (Photo courtesy of Central Piedmont)
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2: “‘The Princess Bride’: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes,” 4-7 p.m., at Ovens Auditorium, 2900 E. Independence Blvd. Cary Elwes (Westley) is hitting the road to share personal accounts and behind the scenes stories from the making of a piece of cinematic history, “The Princess Bride.” After a screening of the beloved film, Elwes will engage in a moderated discussion revealing an inconceivable look at life on and off the set of the iconic movie. Tickets start at $40.
AUGUST 8: “Repair Café Charlotte,” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Innovation Barn, 932 Seigle Ave. Come join Envision Charlotte for a fun-filled day of fixing things! Repair Café Charlotte is the perfect place to bring in your broken items and learn how to repair them with the help of skilled volunteers. So grab your broken treasures and swing by for a day of tinkering and learning. Free.
AUGUST 16: “‘Notorious’ - Movie and Talkback,” 3-5 p.m., at Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St. Join The Independent Picture House after the screening of Hitchcock's “Notorious” movie for a talkback with series co-curator Sam Shapiro, who taught film courses on Hitchcock at UNC Charlotte for 30 years. $9.75/ticket.
In brief
CMPD officer accused of tipping off drug target: State investigators say Officer Seth Elliott used law enforcement databases to identify an undercover officer’s vehicle and shared the information with the subject of a drug investigation. Elliott was charged with a misdemeanor and placed on unpaid administrative leave. (WSOC)
Rent dispute follows LaMelo to Minnesota: A company owned by Cam Newton’s father is suing former Hornets star LaMelo Ball, alleging he is responsible for more than $280,000 in unpaid rent and HOA fees tied to a Charlotte property. The same dispute previously led to the eviction of Ball’s manager, Jermaine Jackson. (Observer, subscriber-only)
CMS bus driver applications hit record high: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools says a record turnout at summer hiring events is helping its push to recruit 150 new bus drivers before the new school year. The district is expanding training as it works to address past delays and student safety concerns. (WCNC)
BofA to buy British cybersecurity firm: Bank of America said it plans to acquire U.K.-based cybersecurity firm MDSec Consulting, a move that would strengthen its defenses against AI-driven cyberattacks. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter, pending regulatory approval. (Reuters)
Tryon Medical expands into Union County: Tryon Medical Partners has opened its first Union County office in Waxhaw, offering internal medicine and primary care services. Located on South Providence Road, the 4,800 sq. ft. practice is part of the group’s broader expansion across the Charlotte region. (Union County Weekly)
Invasive hornets found near Charlotte: State agriculture officials confirmed North Carolina’s first established yellow-legged hornet population at a Matthews home near the Mecklenburg-Union county line. More than 200 traps have been deployed as officials search for the nest and try to prevent the bee-killing species from spreading. (WCNC)