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INSIDE ▼ Restaurant inspections and live music listings
OCTOBER 21
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PAGE 4B Friday, September 19, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 38
thecharlotteweekly.com
@southcltweekly
Construction starting on Wegmans store CHARLOTTE – Wegmans Food Markets plans to break ground soon on its new location on the Ballantyne campus at 11550 North Community House Road.
The 110,000-square-foot store will be the company’s first location in Charlotte when it opens in fall 2026. Company officials said the store will feature an abundant produce department; a wide variety of seafood, meat, bakery, deli and cheese options; and a large selection of wine and beer.
The store will also have a market café with indoor and outdoor seating for customers to enjoy Wegmans restaurant foods. “This groundbreaking is a pivotal step forward as we prepare for opening day,” said Dan Aken, vice president of real estate and store planning for Wegmans. “The store design has been finalized, we’ve received all the necessary approvals and construction is underway. We can’t wait to welcome the Charlotte community into their new Wegmans.” Wegmans has a reputation for giving back to local food banks. The company recently
connected with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina to learn about its services. “As we’re breaking ground on our future store, we’re also focused on breaking bread with our future neighbors by supporting Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina,” Ballantyne Store Manager Patrick McGuinness said. “We’re thrilled to present the food bank with a $5,000 donation to help fight food insecurity in the Charlotte area.” Wegmans has long-standing partnerships with Feeding America food banks and its agency partners built on food donations,
Hospital gets boost from Hyundai Hope on Wheels
customer giving campaigns, and direct financial support aimed at strengthening hunger relief efforts across every community it serves. The new development will also create jobs for hundreds of locals. Wegmans plans to hire approximately 450 people to staff the store. The project will also generate more than 250 construction jobs between site development and building construction. Wegmans has partnered with local general contractor, Frampton Construction Company, to assist with building the new store.
Companies add $1.1M to Symphony Park campaign CHARLOTTE – SouthPark Community Partners announced that SouthPark’s largest employers have collectively pledged $1.1 million to support the creation of a signature public green space in the district.
Dr. Kaitlyn Smith stands with a young cancer patient who dipped his hand in paint to put his handprint on a Hyundai Hope on Wheels vehicle.
Photos courtesy of Atrium Health
CHARLOTTE – Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels to support a research initiative aimed at improving outcomes for children diagnosed with aggressive sarcomas.
The announcement was made during a celebratory “handprint ceremony” hosted by Atrium Health Foundation. Together, a young cancer patient and his family and care team dipped their palms in paint and pressed their handprints onto the Hyundai Hope on Wheels vehicle. The grant builds on the work supported by the 2024 Hyundai Hope on Wheels gift to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, which helped establish advanced tools for analyzing pediatric tumors. Dr. Kaitlyn Smith will serve as the principal investigator of a study to identify early markers of treatment response, metastatic potential and relapses in pediatric sarcoma patients. Her
Hospital and Hyundai leaders celebrate the awarding of a $100,000 grant toward pediatric cancer research.
work will emphasize Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, which for decades have experienced stagnant survival rates. “Thanks to Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ continued support, this research has the potential to transform how we detect and treat pediatric sarcomas,” Smith said. “This study will allow us to track how tumors and immune profiles evolve throughout treatment, potentially leading to earlier detection of relapse and more personalized therapies.” The research will leverage a unique biological sample and data repository study at Levine Children’s, which collects tumor, blood and other specimens from pediatric cancer patients over the course of their treatment. This approach enables the team to study how tumor subpopulations and immune responses shift over time and across metastatic sites. “We’re deeply grateful to Hyundai Hope on Wheels for their vision and generosity,” said Kellie McGregor, associate vice president of Atrium Health Foundation. “They’re keeping
Chase, a cancer patient at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, participated in a handprint ceremony to celebrate a $100,000 grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels.
the wheels in motion for advances in pediatric cancer and making their own handprints in the lives of our patients and care teams.” Over 27 years, Hyundai Hope on Wheels will have awarded more than $27 million in pediatric cancer research grants, bringing its total donations to $277 million. Atrium Health Levine Children’s has received over $1.1 million in support from the organization since 2010.
South Charlotte leaders among top principals at CMS CHARLOTTE – South Charlotte educators Marc Angerer and Christy McCauley are among 11 finalists for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools 202526 Principal of the Year.
Last week, principals across the district were surprised by Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill along with their Performance Area Assistant Superintendents with the news of their selection. “These visionary educators exemplify excellence in school leadership, fostering inclusive learning environments, empowering staff and students and driving academic success across their communities,” said James Garvin executive director for educational leadership development. Angerer has led South Mecklenburg High School since 2021. He represents High School Performance Area B, which includes Ardrey Kell, Ballantyne Ridge, Butler, Independence, Providence and Rocky River. McCauley joined Hawk Ridge Elementary School as assistant principal in 2018 and was given the opportunity to take the school under her wing as principal in 2019. She represents Elementary School Performance Area A, which includes several south Charlotte schools. Other finalists for CMS Principal of the Year include: • Frederick Mohrien, Mint Hill Elementary, Elementary School Performance Area B • LaTresha Wilson, Tuckasegee Elementary, Elementary School Performance Area C
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools named (clockwise from top left) Marc Angerer, Erik Turner, Christy McCauley and Patrice McCauley among 11 finalists for Principal of the Year. Photos courtesy of CMS
• Wendy Harris, Lincoln Heights Montessori, Elementary School Performance Area D • Kiesha Pride, Westerly Hills Academy, Elementary School Performance Area E • Toni Perry, Albemarle Road Middle, Middle School Performance Area A • Patrice McCauley, Wilson STEM Academy, Middle School Performance Area B • Stephanie Hood, North Mecklenburg High, High School Performance Area A • Erik Turner, Central Piedmont Early
College, High School Performance Area C • Beth Marshall, Druid Hills Academy, K-8 School Performance Area Each finalist represents dedication and excellence in leadership within their performance area and has demonstrated a deep commitment to student success, staff support and community engagement, according to CMS. The district will announce a winner in October.
Albemarle Corporation, Amwins, Coca-Cola Consolidated, National Gypsum and Nucor Charitable Foundation have each made six-figure contributions to the capital campaign to renovate Symphony Park. “Thanks to the business community’s shared excitement and generous support for this project, we are even closer to realizing the community’s vision for an extraordinary park that will be an asset for all of Charlotte,” said Adam Rhew, president and CEO of SouthPark Community Partners. “These major employers recognize the importance of public space as a driver for quality of life and talent attraction, and we’re grateful for their investment in this transformational project.” After this latest round of pledges, the capital campaign is 90% complete, approaching $19 million in commitments. Earlier this year, Simon Property Group, the City of Charlotte and TowneBank made significant commitments to the public-private partnership. SouthPark Community Partners is leading the $21 million project, which is currently in advanced design development, with groundbreaking expected next summer. “In addition to our biggest companies, many of SouthPark’s small businesses and neighborhood associations have contributed, ensuring TowneBank Symphony Park will reflect the values and spirit of everyone who will benefit from this public space,” Rhew said. “We are asking our entire community to help us close the remaining funding gap so we can make this project a reality.” TowneBank Symphony Park will include: • Two permanent anchor restaurants to drive daily activity • Enhancements to the bandshell and better integration for regular use • A SouthPark Loop trail segment along the park’s Carnegie Boulevard perimeter • Two bridges to connect the Loop directly to the park • Permanent public restrooms • Micro-retail space to support emerging entrepreneurs • Flat and terraced lawn areas for small and large events • Interactive areas for children • Public art SouthPark Community Partners will steward the new park through an agreement with Simon Property Group that ensures community programming and events that are accessible to all. The project timeline calls for construction to be completed by late summer 2027. Businesses and individuals interested in supporting the capital campaign can find more information at southparkclt.org/symphonypark.