In a promotional video for the CNBC show “Crowd Rules,” Tim (left) and Brian Helfrich talk about their business. Click to watch the video.

Summit Coffee’s Brian and Tim Helfrich will be on national TV next week, on a new CNBC program called “Crowd Rules.” They’re after a big chunk of change that will help them expand their downtown Davidson coffee bar.

You may have seen signs on the windows a few weeks back warning that filming was going on and to think twice about entering if you didn’t want your mug on video. Turns out that was a CNBC film crew working on the upcoming episode. Tim and Brian also have been up to New York for the studio portion of the show. Read the full story

A crowd gathered at the Sunrise Grill truck in the Oak Street Mill parking lot Wednesday. (David Boraks photo)

Ron Pope (left) and Kevin Sheil of the Sunrise Grill, a Cornelius based food truck. (David Boraks photo)

By DAVID BORAKS

A crowd gathered around the Sunrise Grill & Sandwich Co. food truck Wednesday in the parking lot at the Oak Street Mill, helping to kick off a new weekly offering in Cornelius: Food Truck Wednesdays: Lunch in the Lot.”

Cornelius native Matt Sorensen was among the diners. “In all my years, Cornelius sure has changed a lot. I think it’s good,” he said, as he waited for an order of Asian zucchini. Read the full story

The former Midtown Sundries on Lake Norman could become a new restaurant soon. (David Boraks photo)

The vacant Midtown Sundries on Lake Norman in Cornelius could get new life as a waterfront restaurant soon in a deal being put together by Brickhouse Tavern owner Nick Lyssikatos. Meanwhile, Fireside Bar & Grill has opened up in the former Pelican’s Patio site on West Catawba Avenue. And several area restaurants are offering specials for Mother’s Day and other special events this weekend. Read the full story

John Baker is getting ready to move his Davidson Beverage Co. next door after a vacancy opened up at South Main Square. (David Boraks photo)

Davidson Beverage Co. in South Main Square in Davidson is celebrating its first anniversary this week by planning for a move. The specialty beer store and tasting room plans to move at mid-month into more visible space facing South Main Street. The move was made possible by last week’s closing of Legacy Supply Co. Read the full story

Meatballs on Main, which operated less than a year in an old house on North Main Street in Cornelius, closed abruptly on Tuesday, leaving behind unpaid employees and surprised customers. Read the full story

TCBY Manager Greta Hobson and Davidson town officials joined a ribbon cutting Saturday. That’s Commissioner Rodney Graham (second from left) and Mayor John Woods (fourth from left). (Kim Fleming photo)

A ribbon cutting and a day of free yogurt Saturday formally opened the new TCBY yogurt shop at Davidson Commons shopping center, off Griffith Street. The fro-yo chain took over the space at 610 Jetton St. vacated by rival Red Mango, which closed its doors in November after a year in business. Read the full story

Madeline Baucom and Enza Friedman of Maddy’s Fatty’s (Maddy’s Fatty’s photo)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

CORNELIUS – Cornelius bakers Madeline Baucom and Enza Friedman will be in the spotlight Sunday night – the “Cupcake Wars” spotlight. Their Maddy’s Fatty’s bakery on West Catawba Avenue is among this week’s contestants in the cupcake vs. cupcake battle on TV’s Food Network.

• Stop by the shop Monday for free cupcakes at their Claim to Fame party. Details below.

Read the full story

One frozen yogurt shop has given way to another at Davidson Commons shopping center. TCBY, has opened in the former Red Mango space near Harris Teeter, and they’re planning a free yogurt grand opening day on Saturday, March 23. Meanwhile, Davidson Pizza Co. has opened its doors in a small storefront on Davidson’s West Side, offering takeout pizza, heroes and calzones. Also below, news about Easter brunch at Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails. Read the full story

Davidson Farmer’s Market is back again Saturday for the first of three winter tailgate markets during March, including an extra market added at the month’s end. Meanwhile, the dining calendar is busy in March, with wine dinners, beer tastings and live music at Ass Clown Brewery, a Russian food and music festival at Davidson College, and a big two-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Galway Hooker. Read on for the details. Read the full story

Davidson Farmer’s Market is back this Saturday morning, with local farmers selling winter produce, meats and other items. It’s also the market’s next Breakfast of Champions – a beer and chili feast. Meanwhile, Flying Fish Seafood has moved its weekend sales of fresh Carolinas seafood to the Metrolina Warehouse in Davidson. And Davidson Pizza Company is getting ready to open next week in a tiny storefront on Mock Circle, on Davidson’s west side. Plus notes about Galway Hooker’s bigger-than-ever St. Patrick’s Day plans, and a Valentine’s special at Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails. Read the full story

By BRENDA BARGER
DavidsonNews.net

Be forewarned! Valentine’s Day is this Thursday! Having seen the advertisement for the chocolate heart shaped boxes available at the Davidson Chocolate Company, we just had to check them out.

Owner and chocolatier Sue Elliott said this year’s timing isn’t auspicious for Valentine’s Day: It falls on the day after Lent begins. But she smiled and noted that in recent years, chocolate doesn’t seem to be on many people’s lists for giving up.  After all, she reminds us, dark chocolate is very healthy! Read the full story

A server from Toast Cafe hands off a sample of the Chicken Florentine. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Hundreds of diners young and old tested out the soups at the ninth annual Souper Bowl, a fundraiser for the Davidson Housing Coalition at Davidson College on Saturday. After the last ballot was cast, The Brickhouse Tavern‘s Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice came out on top, as the day’s best overall soup. Read the full story

Davidson Farmer’s Market returns this Saturday, Feb. 2, with meats, produce and other items from local farmers and vendors. The market runs 9am to noon, off Main Street, next to Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. Meanwhile, the market in two weeks (Feb. 16) will host its annual Breakfast of Champions, in cooperation with Summit Coffee. This year’s Saturday morning feast will feature chili and beer. Read the full story

Missy Kuykendall prepares to taste the soups at a previous Souper Bowl. This year’s event is Feb. 2. (Bill Giduz photo)

The most popular culinary cook-off in Lake Norman — the Davidson Housing Coalition’s “Souper Bowl” — will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, at Davidson College. Eight area restaurants will be serving their tastiest soups from 11am to 2pm in the Lilly Family Gallery of the college’s Chambers Building in the heart of campus.

This year’s competing restaurants are: Brickhouse Tavern, Jeffrey’s Restaurant, Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails, Armin’s Catering, Campania Café & Trattoria, Toast Café, Restaurant X, and Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse. Read the full story

The Davidson Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization is raising money this winter with the help of local restaurants with a weekly fundraiser called “Dine Out for Davidson Elementary. Every Monday or Tuesday, a different area restaurant will make donation to the PTO if you mention the school when you order. Read the full story