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INSIDE ▼ Salvation Army reopens youth center
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PAGE 2A Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 31
thecharlotteweekly.com
@southcltweekly
Greear wins Patriot Award
CHARLOTTE – Joy Greear, president of Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center, was surprised with the Patriot Award on Aug. 4 for supporting employees who serve in the military. The Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve presents the award to leaders who help others balance military service with civilian careers. Under Greear’s leadership, Ballantyne Medical Center supports military-connected staff members
through initiatives such as the hospital’s Honoring Our Heroes Wall, accommodations for military training and deployments, and programs that ensure service members remain connected while fulfilling their military obligations. Greear was nominated by Greg Duggan, a nurse anesthetist at Ballantyne Medical Center and colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Duggan praised her commitment to service members and their families. He highlighted Greear’s efforts to
go above and beyond, including hosting his promotion ceremony to colonel this year. He also thanked her for creating an environment where military service is accommodated and valued. Greear said she was honored by the recognition and reflected on her family’s deep connection to military service. She shared that her uncle, a paratrooper, was killed in Normandy during World War II. That loss instilled in her family a lasting appreciation for those who serve.
Joy Greear said supporting military members, veterans and their families has always held a special place in her heart. Photo courtesy of Novant Health
Gabbard plans retirement, transition for Blumenthal Arts
WHAT'S INSIDE:
Blush CLT Nightlife venue offers themed nights, 1B
Dear Charlotte will pair botanical cocktails, artisan pizzas, shared plates and private gathering spaces with an immersive atmosphere that feels layered. Photo courtesy of NiceDay
Market at the Mint Fundraiser features state pottery, 2B
DEAR CHARLOTTE
Hoteliers creating garden-inspired refuge
Revved Up Neighborhood Theatre gets upgrades, 3B
Sibling Story Author adds a pirate hook to book, 4B
CHARLOTTE – Maya Hotels Co-CEOs Parimal Thakor and Krishna Deva are set to open a garden-inspired top-floor bar, restaurant and event venue this fall. The concept will operate on the top floor of the new Hilton Garden Inn Steele Creek, which is owned and operated by Maya Hotels, in a partially enclosed rooftop garden setting. The project was originally planned as a traditional hotel development, without a standalone food and beverage brand. But when the pandemic brought construction to a pause, the Maya Hotels team reconsidered what would be most valuable for both hotel guests and the surrounding community. “Steele Creek has continued to grow, and we saw an opportunity to bring something more distinctive to this part of Charlotte,” Thakor said. “With Dear Charlotte, we wanted to create something beautiful, specific and unexpected in a part of the city that deserves a gathering place of its own.”
The team decided to remove 11 planned guest rooms from the sixth floor and create a fullservice cocktail bar and restaurant. The name reflects both Charlotte as a city and its namesake, Queen Charlotte of MecklenburgStrelitz, a botanist, collector and patron of the arts. That influence appears throughout the see GARDEN, Page 3A
CHARLOTTE – Tom Gabbard has shared plans to retire as president and CEO of Blumenthal Arts by the end of 2027. Gabbard has led the organization for more than 20 years. “Vickie and I are staying in Charlotte as we aim for our own new chapter of active retirement,” Gabbard said. “I’m blessed with great health and abundant creative energy. I look Gabbard forward to continuing as I’ve done my entire career to advise and support creative entrepreneurs.” He will work with the board of directors on a leadership transition. “Tom’s vision, leadership and unwavering commitment to the arts have shaped Blumenthal Arts into one of the premier performing arts organizations in the nation,” said David Head, chair of the board. “We are deeply grateful for everything Tom has built and are committed to conducting a thoughtful, inclusive search that honors his legacy and positions Blumenthal Arts for its next exciting chapter." Gabbard’s nearly 50-year professional career has been guided by the belief in the power of the arts to improve lives and create stronger communities. Since 2003, Blumenthal Arts under Gabbard’s leadership has grown and evolved in significant ways, including: • The launch of community events, including The Charlotte Jazz Festival, The Charlotte International Arts Festival and the relaunch of Charlotte Shout. • New venues like the Knight Theater, Stage Door Theater and Blume Studios. • The launch of The Blumey Awards in 2013, to ensure that Charlotte students could qualify for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.
South Charlotte Partners updates branding CHARLOTTE – South Charlotte Partners unveiled a new brand for the organization whose mission is to educate, celebrate and advocate on behalf of everything that makes the South Charlotte community thrive. The new brand includes an updated logo, color palette and other design elements. Created by South Charlotte firm Antilles Digital Media, the updated look features an abstract representation of two people in conversation, reflecting
the exchange of ideas, diverse perspectives and meaningful dialogue that are at the heart of the South Charlotte Partners mission. “‘Keep the Conversation Going’ is the centerpiece of our new branding,” said South Charlotte Partners Chair Christina Thigpen, senior vice president, marketing and communications at Northwood Office. “That idea symbolizes the power of connecting to explore the challenges and opportunities
that are most vital to maintaining South Charlotte’s place as one of the most dynamic and preferred places in the country to live, work and play.” South Charlotte Partners Vice Chair Matt Britt, who works as a marketing strategist for Atrium Health and oversaw the rebrand, noted the Antilles team chose a streamlined color palette of blues and whites, symbolizing professionalism and clarity. “We then added complementary shades of green and yellow to
provide visual interest while drawing attention to special programs like our Regional Transportation Summit,” Britt said. “A new, cleaner font for the South Charlotte Partners logotype helps create a modern, energized feel.” The new brand is featured on an updated website,
southcharlottepartners.com, as well as the group’s social media channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X. Newly branded signage and other items will be unveiled at the Regional Transportation Summit on Sept. 29 at TPC Piper Glen, for which tickets are already on sale.