The Lake Norman area has another competing newspaper this week, The Lake Norman Citizen, which was scheduled
to arrive in mailboxes Friday. Meanwhile, something’s in the wind at Davidson’s Sadler Square, where a developer is seeking permission to renovate part of the shopping center for an undisclosed use.
Also in this edition of BizNotes, dining news from Campania and Restaurant X. and an anniversary for Lake Norman Regional Medical Center.
CHANGES AT SADLER SQUARE?
Rumors are swirling about planned renovations at Davidson’s Sadler Square shopping center, off Griffith Street. After five days and a half-dozen interviews, we can shed a bit of light on the rumors, but a formal announcement could be several weeks off.
First, let’s quash one bit of hearsay: Sadler Square isn’t being torn down to make way for a new development. That was one of the scenarios discussed at a weeklong planning workshop for Griffith Street area in March. That workshop also produced one other intriguing idea that is fueling rumors and may be worth watching: The possibility of a movie theater in the square.
Davidson Town Planner Kris Krider said this week his office has approved a building permit for a “commercial upfit” –a renovation/addition – involving 9,750 square feet at Sadler Square. But the permit is still going through additional approvals at the county level.
Owner Audi Dover of Concord said building the permit is for the east side storefronts that formerly housed CVS and Palermo’s Pizza. He referred questions to the developer who plans a new business in the space, but that developer declined to comment.
People involved with the project told DavidsonNews.net it’s too early to talk about, in part because of uncertainty about bank financing. “There is no project to talk about yet. The permit has been approved but it has not been pulled,” said one key investor.
Stay tuned.
NEWS BATTLE
Some newspapers that once covered our region may have pulled back or closed this year, but the battle for readers and advertising around Lake Norman is anything but quiet.
The first issue of Lake Norman Citizen, a new free weekly paper published out of Huntersville, was scheduled to hit north Meck mailboxes today (Friday, June 12). Investors, staff and supporters gathered at XO Tapas in Cornelius Thursday night to celebrate the paper’s debut. Those behind the paper include Huntersville town Commissioner Charles Jeter and the wife of Huntersville Commissioner Ron Julian. ( See our May 22 report on the new paper.)
Publisher Kim Clark said 28,000 copies were mailed to businesses and residences in Huntersville and Cornelius and to selected neighborhoods in Davidson. It’s also expected to be available Fridays on racks in north Mecklenburg and south Iredell.
Meanwhile, the free Lake Norman Herald Weekly, also based in Huntersville, is beefing up its delivery with an offer of free curbside newspaper tubes for readers. Carriers deliver the newspaper free to local homes. The paper hopes the tubes will make delivery more reliable, and ensure it arrives on Thursdays.
In a front-page note in a recent issue, the paper said it has hired additional carriers. And it invited readers to request subscriptions and tubes. “We’re working to make sure residents who want the paper, get the paper,” Alain Lillie, CEO of owner Carolina Weekly Newspaper Group, said in the article.
Here in Davidson, of course, you also have an online option for local news and advertising: DavidsonNews.net.
DINING NOTES
- Campania Café will have another Regional Wine Dinner on Wednesday, June 17. Chef Vincent DiGiorgio will have a five-course dinner menu, based on traditional Italian dishes, and special wine pairings. Cost is $65 per person. Also, Campania hosts another Friday night Party on the Porch today, June 12, from 6:30 to 10 p.m., with musician Ronn Fryer. Guitarist Clyde Derberry plays next Friday, June 19. Campania, 416 S. Main St., sponsors the Friday night music all summer. They serve their trattoria menu on the porch. Phone: 704-987-5111.
- Restaurant X in South Main Square, off South Main Street in Davidson, will be open for Father’s Day brunch on Sunday June 21. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2:30p.m. Reservations or more information: 704-892-9369. www.restaurantx-davidson.com.
HOSPITAL TURNS 10
Mayor Bill Thunberg of Mooresville and Dr. Jane Testerman.
On Monday June 1, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center celebrated 10 years in its new facility on Fairview Road in Mooresville.
The hospital held several events throughout the day to celebrate the anniversary. Employees and visitors were surprised with a free picnic style lunch courtesy of Café at the Lake, the hospital’s cafeteria. In addition, a reception was held in honor of the celebration, which featured several keynote speakers. Special guests in attendance included such town dignitaries as The Honorable Bill Thunberg, Mayor of Mooresville, and Mooresville Commissioners Miles Atkins and Mac Herring.
Speakers also included Lake Norman Regional Medical Center Board Member Dr. Jane Testerman and Dr. David Gish, M.D., Medical Chief-of-Staff.
Local historian, Cindy Jacobs, provided a presentation “From Lowrance to Lake Norman”. The presentation highlighted eighty years of service the hospital has given to the community.
More info: www.LNRMC.com.
Archibald Black, procurement counselor with the Small Business and Technology Development Center.
- TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, 19900 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius: Seminar for women and minority business owners and others on “Doing Business with the Government.” Speaker is Archibald Black, the procurement counselor with the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC). Reservations requested; call Patty McIlroy 704-892-1922 or email mcilroy@lakenorman.org.
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 5 p.m., Amity & Bailey Trading Co., South Main Square – Amity & Bailey hosts a summer Block Party to benefit United Family Services, which wants to expand the hours of a counselor at Davidson’s Ada Jenkins Center. Live music, food and drink, entertainment for kids and teens, and a prize drawing. Wines by the glass, skateboarding exhibitions, and pony rides. Free, but tickets will be sold for various activities. Details: 704-896-9690.
