A toehold in Charlotte's funny sock market
Plus: Ledger crosswords return; And the news of the week: Wild City Council election ahead, suspect in bus driver shooting arrested, mask requirement dropped on school buses, new telecom company HQ
Good morning! Today is Saturday, March 5, 2022. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger’s Weekend Edition.
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Hot sock tip — retired Kroger exec is behind the thousands of socks for sale in Matthews; the spiciest ones are hiding in the ‘dirty sock drawer’
From socks with clever plays on words to ones with cheap laughs, there are some 10,000 pairs for sale in the new Painted Tree Boutiques in Matthews. They’re being sold by a retired executive whose wife was having big success selling home-goods out of the nationwide stall retailer and decided he wanted in on the game.
by Cristina Bolling
Mixed in among what feels like miles of stalls filled with home décor, clothing and accessories in the new Painted Tree Boutiques in Matthews is Mike Wingard’s domain, and it might be one of the strangest and funniest retail places in Charlotte for what it offers — thousands of pairs of socks.
Fart joke socks. Dad joke socks. Socks that cater to practically every type of dog, political preference and food craving. Socks with such foul language they are kept in a “dirty sock drawer” and out of reach of kids.
Wingard lives in Tennessee with his wife, Kimba, and now has socks in 22 Painted Tree Boutiques across the country — an unlikely second chapter for a former Kroger executive who retired a few years ago at age 56 and wondered what he was going to do with the rest of his life.
“I got into this sock business thinking, ‘This will be pretty easy,’” he told The Ledger last week while he and Kimba were driving to return a new SUV they’d bought and later regretted. “I wanted to play a lot of golf and not work a whole lot. It hasn’t really worked out that way.”
Kimba Wingard had been selling home décor and furniture at antique and stall retailers for years, and when she started having luck with the new Painted Tree Boutiques franchise a couple years ago, husband Mike had just retired and figured he’d like to get in on the action.
Many of his former colleagues at Kroger loved whimsical socks. If it was Sunday, they’d be wearing football socks, or they’d look for excuses like National Margarita Day to wear socks with cocktails on them.
“Several of them wore these crazy socks every single day, and it drove them crazy that I wore regular socks,” Wingard said. “Periodically, I’d come in and there was a pair of socks sitting on my desk, to try to get me to not be so boring in their eyes.”
As a retail opportunity, it made sense. “Socks are a whole lot lighter than furniture,” he laughed. The price (most go for around $10 to $12 a pair) makes them not a huge splurge and in the sweet spot for gift-giving.
Suddenly in the sock business, Wingard got to know the brands and started sourcing. Now, he and Kimba travel the country, and they employ a team of 20 who work at each store, stocking and freshening up her furniture and his sock booths.
“Dad-alorian” … “Chile Nelson” … “Buns n’ Roses” … “Zero Fox Given”: Do these remind you of anybody you know? Sock seller Mike Wingard says the appeal of socks is that they are easy to transport, they fit anybody and they are a reasonable price point for gifting ($10-$12).
Political socks sell like crazy — Trump and Biden socks flew off the shelves during the 2020 election season, and “edgier” socks do well, too. Wingard said he notices sales differences by region, especially when it comes to political socks.
At first, Wingard said he shied away from socks with the F-bomb, worried they weren’t appropriate for a family retailer. But his suppliers told him he’d be leaving money on the table if he didn’t offer some crass ones. He puts the edgy socks (with milder dirty words) behind pieces of paper warning “This product contains extra sass!” The spicier socks (with the F-bomb) are in the “dirty sock drawers” that are so popular they need constant replenishing, he said.
Wingard goes to apparel shows and markets in Dallas, Las Vegas and Atlanta to source his socks to stay on top of new trends. He opened up an e-commerce site recently, Mike’s Wild Crazy Socks.
If his former Kroger colleagues would be impressed with his new hustle, they most definitely wouldn’t be impressed with what he had on his feet as he talked to a reporter on a recent afternoon: “I’ve got on no-show socks right now; I’ve got shorts on,” Wingard said.
“After 30 years of wearing a coat and tie, you’re going to be hard pressed to find me even in a pair of jeans.”
Cristina Bolling is managing editor of The Ledger: cristina@cltledger.com
Today’s supporting sponsors are Soni Brendle…
… and Jumbo, which specializes in creating customized, unique digital experiences for enterprise businesses. By focusing on customization, Jumbo allows large-scale organizations to create premiere virtual events that are engaging and unforgettable.
Back by popular demand: Ledger crosswords
At The Ledger, we want to make you smarter and nourish your brain.
So we’re reviving our weekly Charlotte- and Carolinas-themed crossword puzzles. We did a trial run of five weekly puzzles at the end of 2021. Readers seemed to like them, so we commissioned more from puzzle-maker Chris King. They’re edited by Ledger contributing editor Tim Whitmire and sponsored by CXN Advisory.
We’ll release new puzzles each Saturday and link to the solution the following Monday. We’ll also keep all puzzles and solutions on our Charlotte Ledger Crossword page.
Today’s crossword has a bunch of Charlotte-themed clues, including:
“277-77 connector” (4 letters);
“__MG, favorite winter hashtag of @wxbrad” (3 letters); and
“Participated in 24 Hours of Booty” (5 letters)
Our puzzles are available in both .pdf format, suitable for downloading and printing, and in .puz format, which can be accessed on tablets and desktops using an app called Across Lite.
Download today’s puzzle:
.PDF (suitable for download and printing): DOWNLOAD PDF HERE
.PUZ (suitable for use on tablets and computers with Across Lite app): DOWNLOAD PUZ HERE
Instructions for .PDF (printing out): To print the .PDF file, on your computer, click on “download PDF here”, then click download (the down arrow), then open file and print as you usually would.
Instructions for .PUZ (playing on tablet or computer): The .PUZ file, which lets you solve crosswords on a tablet or computer, is for use with an application called Across Lite. You need to download and install the app, then download the .PUZ file (“download puz here,” above), then open the app and use it to open the file on your tablet or computer.
If you have any questions or feedback, please email crosswords@cltledger.com. Let us know what you think!
Oh, and if you or your company is interested in sponsoring future Ledger crosswords, contact brie@cltledger.com.
Enjoy!
This week in Charlotte: Patrick Cannon mounts a political comeback; Masks dropped on school buses; New corporate HQ for South End; Home debut of pro soccer
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
Masks not required on school buses: (Observer) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said Friday that it will not require students to wear masks on school buses, following a change in federal guidance.
Study details Covid learning loss: (WFAE) A new study of educational learning loss during the pandemic shows that the more time students spent in remote learning, the more ground they lost academically. “Our biggest takeaway is that the majority of students need regular interaction and direct personal engagement with their principals, their teachers and their peers,” a researcher told the state Board of Education. The drops were largest among Black, Native American and multiracial students. During the pandemic, Mecklenburg County’s school board kept students out of classrooms longer than in surrounding counties, citing health concerns.
New high school: (Ledger 🔒) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials started the process of seeking public input for where boundary lines will be drawn for high schools in south Charlotte as they prepare to open a new high school at Johnston Road and Community House Road in the fall of 2024. CMS officials laid out the process at a meeting last Tuesday and will have another meeting where they’ll share possible boundary scenarios on April 7 at 5:30 p.m. (Meeting info will be available on the CMS website.)
Politics
City Council election intrigue: Former Mayor Patrick Cannon and former City Council member James “Smuggie” Mitchell are among six well-known Democratic candidates running for four at-large seats on the City Council. Republicans are also running a full slate of candidates for the at-large seats. Cannon served nearly two years in prison on corruption charges and said he’s seeking “a chance for redemption.” The Ledger reported in December that Cannon was considering running (🔒). The primary election is May 17.
Commissioner in hospice (WBTV) County commissioner Ella Scarborough is under hospice care at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, commissioners chairman George Dunlap said at a Tuesday commissioners meeting. Scarborough has been absent from commissioners meetings for months, and commissioners last month granted her a medical leave.
In memoriam: Former City Council member Claire Fallon passed away on Sunday, her family wrote on Facebook. She served on the council from 2011-2017. (WCCB)
Local news
Not last in economic mobility? (WFAE) In 2014, Charlotte was ranked 50th out of 50 cities for economic mobility, in a study that led Charlotte business and political leaders to focus on the problem. Now, new numbers from the same researchers paint a more complex picture and place Charlotte closer to average.
Russian liquor sales suspended: (AP) The N.C. ABC Commission says it has stopped selling liquor produced by Russian entities in North Carolina, following an executive order from Gov. Roy Cooper. Cooper’s order directed agencies and departments to review contracts and terminate those that directly benefit businesses that are headquartered in Russia as a result of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Less than 1% of vodka consumed in the U.S. is made in Russia, and popular brands such as Stoli and Smirnoff are not made by Russian companies.
Shooting suspect arrested: (WSOC) A two-week manhunt for the suspect accused in the fatal shooting of Charlotte Area Transit System bus driver Ethan Rivera last month ended late Monday with his arrest in Kansas. Darian Dru Thavychith, 21, was arrested at a gas station in the Kansas City suburb of Shawnee, Kan. He is being extradited to Charlotte and will be charged with murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Students cheeks swabbed: (WSOC) A Charlotte-Mecklenburg-Schools bus driver was suspended this week after parents said the driver paid their children $5 to swab their cheeks and get their names and birthdays.
Business
New corporate HQ: (Biz Journal) Tech company Brightspeed has signed a lease for its 27,000 s.f. corporate headquarters at Vantage South End’s east tower. The broadband and telecommunications company plans to expand into 20 states and expects to bring 100 to 150 jobs to Charlotte.
Innovation district to be called ‘The Pearl’: (WBTV) Atrium Health announced a name for its innovation district by its new medical school in the Dilworth/Midtown area: “The Pearl.” It’s a reference to nearby Pearl Street Park, one of the only surviving parts of the former Brooklyn neighborhood. CEO Gene Woods said it “will be a place where Charlotte’s historic vitality meets its innovative future.”
Newspaper union recognized: Management of The Charlotte Observer has agreed to recognize the Charlotte Observer News Guild as a union representing its journalists. That means that the union and management can start negotiations on a contract. “Voluntary recognition of the Charlotte Observer Guild allows us to quickly begin negotiations and ensure our shared steadfast commitment as public servants to our communities remains strong,” Observer editor Rana Cash wrote on social media. The Observer is one of just three Charlotte companies where workers have organized unions in the last year, according to records from the National Labor Relations Board.
Sports
Soccer home opener fan guide: (Fútbol Friday) Charlotte’s new pro soccer team, Charlotte FC, is expected to set a Major League Soccer attendance record at its home opener tonight at Bank of America Stadium. Our new Fútbol Friday newsletter tells you everything you need to know to be a fan — including tailgating info, updates on stadium renovations, cheers and the answer to the critical question “when should I go to the bathroom?”
Coach K’s final game at Duke: Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium is tonight at 6 p.m., against rival UNC Chapel Hill. Krzyzewski, Duke’s coach for the last 42 years, is retiring at the end of the season.
Good reads
A son from Ukraine: (Ledger) Laurie and Bryan Maddex of Waxhaw forged a forever bond with the country and people of Ukraine 11 years ago when they adopted Zeke, a 4-year-old with Down syndrome, from an orphanage there. The Maddexes now watch, worry and try to help the people they met there who have become lifelong friends.
The Gnome Man of Davidson: (Ways of Life 🔒) Tom Clark was a nationally respected theology professor at Davidson College who did sculptures on the side when he picked up a book about gnomes and began a career creating gnome sculptures. A factory in Mooresville churned out gnomes off molds he created, and they were sold internationally including to famous buyers including Stephen King and Barbara Bush.
A trip to the mechanic: (Ledger) Writer Michelle Crouch took her Honda Odyssey to Scott Clark Honda for an oil change. The dealer’s service department recommended $800 in repairs — including some that Honda says it “does not recommend or generally considers unnecessary.” A spokeswoman said the company “works to make the best recommendations for our customer’s individual vehicle needs.” Plus: consumer-friendly tips on what to know when you take your car in for service.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
University City shuttle: (Transit Time) Major employers in University City are interested in starting a privately funded shuttle to connect the area’s light rail stops to University Research Park. It would happen after Charlotte finishes building a bridge across I-85, scheduled to be complete in 2025.
WDAV makes history: (Friday) Classical music station WDAV was the top-rated radio station in the Charlotte market in January, according to Nielsen figures that measure that measure the number of average listeners in quarter-hour intervals. It’s the first time a classical music station has led the ratings in a major market. The station’s general manager said: “We’re delighted that so many radio listeners in the Charlotte region care about classical music and turn to WDAV to experience it.”
Dilworth development: (Friday) A developer has filed papers with the city to rezone the site of the Starbucks in Dilworth and replace it will 300 apartments and a mix of office and residential uses.
Attorney general investigates TikTok: (Friday) N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein is joining attorneys general from other states in investigating TikTok’s role in children’s mental health.
Paul Simon paints: (Wednesday 🔒) Longtime Charlotte clothier Paul Simon has been painting landscapes and outdoor scenes in vibrant colors for more than 20 years, and 15 of his paintings are for sale this month at Providence Gallery to benefit the non-profit Trees Charlotte.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire, CXN Advisory; Contributing photographer/videographer: Kevin Young, The 5 and 2 Project