Escape to Main Street Monroe
Plus: The news of the week — Transit tax bill wins final approval; N.C. school cell phone ban moves ahead; Hornets draft Duke's Knueppel; Four Charlotte high schools to lose home football games
Good morning! Today is Saturday, June 28, 2025. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger’s Weekend Edition.
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Off the Beaten Path: Take a scenic drive, explore vintage treasures, and sip handcrafted coffee — all just 45 minutes from Charlotte.
Editor’s note: This occasional series is devoted to discovering the hidden corners and unexpected stories in Charlotte and the surrounding region. Have a suggestion? Contact series editor Doug Miller at coach@millerswimming.comext
By Caroline Willingham
Charlotte’s hustle and bustle can wear on you. If you’re someone who loves a slower pace, sometimes you just need a change of scenery.
Cue downtown Monroe. The perfect recipe for a relaxing afternoon? Coffee and vintage shopping. As someone who frequents thrift stores around Charlotte, I’ve found they can get crowded or feel picked over. And while I love Asheville’s curated vintage boutiques, I don’t always want the mountain drive. Even local coffee shops can be packed — and pricey — making home feel like the better option.
That’s why stumbling upon Backstage Vintage felt like a win. Tucked inside Monroe’s oldest building, its hot pink zebra awning stands out against the historic brick. Inside, you’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces and stories to match. Just down the block is Sorella Coffee, a pink-and-white dream with plenty of seating and house-made syrups.
Backstage Vintage stands on the corner of North Main and West Windsor streets in Monroe in a brick building with a rich history — and an inventory full of history as well. (Caroline Willingham photo)
The drive to Monroe takes about 45 minutes from SouthPark Mall, and the scenic backroads offer a welcome break from traffic — and a chance to breathe in a little country air. Downtown Monroe moves at a gentler pace than Charlotte, with rows of historic brick buildings, quiet streets, and — gasp — free parking.
Backstage Vintage is no thrift store, says owner Judy Craycraft. It’s packed with handpicked, authentic pieces “from every decade of the 20th century.” This isn’t your grandmother’s attic. It’s a bold, colorful and sparkling space where you might find something fit for a Prince video — or Gatsby’s guest list. A large part of its business comes from rentals, whether to individuals dressing up for special events or local theater and music groups pulling costumes for performances.
Just as fascinating as the clothes are the people behind them: Judy and her husband, Dennis. As Billy Joel played softly on a CD player, Judy told me about her past as a professional viola player, performing with orchestras up and down the East Coast. On breaks, she’d wander into wardrobe departments, then started collecting vintage pieces along the way during her travels.
After a stint selling in Asheville, she and Dennis opened their own shop in Monroe, relocating her extensive archive from their home to the historic Main Street storefront. You could easily spend hours sifting through racks and glass cases, chatting with the Craycrafts and soaking up their stories. Their collection is full of gems you’d never find in a crowded Charlotte thrift store — each one chosen with a careful and creative eye.
No vintage shopping trip is complete without an iced coffee, and Sorella hits the spot. This charming cafe was opened by two Monroe-born sisters who, according to their website, were tired of driving long distances just to find a cute coffee shop with seasonal drinks and personality. Sorella delivers all that and more.
Housed in the former Holloway’s Music Store, the space is warm and inviting, with exposed brick, high-beam ceilings and plenty of seating. The front room is spacious and bright, with a full coffee bar, a retail area featuring local goods, an upstairs nook stocked with books and games and a quiet back patio that feels like a secret garden.
If I worked remotely, I’d stay here with a pastry and a playlist for hours — or meet a friend to catch up without fighting for table space. The menu covers the coffee and tea basics, along with seasonal specialties. I tried the Morning Bun Latte — highly recommend. There’s free Wi-Fi, and prices are on par with Charlotte cafes. Locals might find it a bit spendy, but between the house-made syrups and cozy vibe, it’s worth it.
If you’re making a day of it, downtown Monroe has plenty more to explore, all within walking distance:
Lowe Country Estates & Re-Imagined Designs — Right next to Backstage, this antique store features furniture, decor, jewelry and artwork.
Jampac Records — A locally owned vinyl, CD and cassette shop, located next door to Sorella.
Dowd Center Theatre — A 1940s Art Moderne movie house across the street from Sorella, offering screenings, exhibits and events.
Oasis Sandwich Shop — Classic counter-serve spot for hot dogs, desserts and sandwiches — budget-friendly and beloved by locals.
47K Marketplace — About a five-minute walk down the hill, this shop is packed with local goods: pottery, candles, artwork and more.
Caroline Willingham is a freelance writer and multimedia storyteller based in Charlotte. You can reach her at caroline.e.willingham@gmail.com.
Today’s supporting sponsor is Dye Culik, a corporate and litigation law firm based in Charlotte, NC representing businesses and franchises in NC, SC, MA, and MI.
Teen Talk — Build your vocabulary. Today’s lesson: excessive internet use
Impress and delight the teens in your life by using the words they use! The Ledger shows you how in this occasional Saturday feature.
Term: “touch grass”
Parts of speech: verb + noun
Definition: An expression that is said, often mockingly or sarcastically, to suggest that someone spends excessive time online or on social media. Telling someone to “touch grass” implies that the person is slightly out of touch with reality and should spend time outside interacting with the real world rather than the internet.
Examples:
“Did you really just spend three hours stalking your ex-girlfriend’s social media to try to find pictures of her new boyfriend? Dude, you need to touch grass.”
“I knew it was time to touch grass when I realized I was getting too invested in the fight in Kanye’s Instagram comment section.”
“Kayla sent us so many weird internet memes last night that I reminded her to touch grass and interact with a real human.”
—Caroline Mecia, age 22
This week in Charlotte: Alexander Michael’s facing lawsuit; Lawmakers pass Helene recovery package; Council drops Tesla purchases; Belmont Abbey names interim president
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
N.C. school cell phone ban closer to becoming law: (Axios Raleigh) North Carolina lawmakers passed bipartisan legislation requiring public school districts to ban student cellphone use during instructional time and limit social media access on school devices.
Belmont Abbey appoints interim president: Belmont Abbey College has appointed alumnus and current provost Joseph Wysocki as interim president effective Aug. 3, following the retirement of longtime president Bill Thierfelder, according to a press release.
Politics
Transit tax referendum receives final approval: (Ledger) A bill letting Mecklenburg County hold a referendum on a sales tax increase from 7.25% to 8.25% for transit and roads has passed both chambers of the N.C. General Assembly, setting the stage for a major vote this November.
Concerns about City Council: (The Assembly) Two former Charlotte mayors and Hugh McColl Jr. expressed concern about the direction of the Charlotte City Council, after the council reached a secret settlement with the police chief and one member was indicted on fraud charges. This week, prominent developer Johnny Harris wrote in a Charlotte Ledger column that he thinks the council is “increasingly driven by performative activism” after a close vote on a union-backed measure to raise the pay of airport contract workers.
Helene recovery package: (Axios Raleigh) North Carolina lawmakers unanimously passed a nearly $1.4B Hurricane Helene recovery package — combining state and federal funds for infrastructure and community repairs — after months of debate, sending it to the governor just before adjourning for the summer.
Local news
Alexander Michael’s lawsuit: (Ledger 🔒) The owner of Alexander Michael’s, a beloved Fourth Ward restaurant, is being sued by the building’s landlord, who claims he was misled before buying the historic property and could face costly code upgrades as the restaurant prepares for new ownership.
City council votes to regulate NoDa street vendors: (Ledger 🔒) Charlotte City Council voted to restrict unpermitted street vending in NoDa, soon launching a new permitted “NoDa Street Market” pilot program and raising fines for illegal vending from $50 to $500.
Landscaper throws massive party at client’s house: (WBTV) A 37-year-old Charlotte man who was hired to do yard work in Weddington is accused of holding a large house party last weekend while the homeowners were on vacation, charging entry fees and inviting hundreds.
Business
New job for former business chief: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) Former Charlotte Regional Business Alliance CEO Janet LaBar has taken a new job as executive director of the Women’s Impact Fund of Charlotte, a philanthropic organization that empowers women to pool their resources, learn about community needs and collectively award grants to nonprofits.
Doughnut partnership crumbles: (Business NC) Charlotte-based Krispy Kreme will stop selling its doughnuts at McDonald’s on July 2 after the 18% of McDonald’s stores selling the doughnuts failed to turn a profit.
Sports
Hornets draft Duke’s Kon Knueppel, trade Mark Williams: The Charlotte Hornets selected Duke University guard Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 pick in the NBA Draft. The Hornets also traded center Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for guard Vasilije Micić, a 2025 first-round pick (No. 29 overall) and a 2029 first-round pick, according to ESPN.
Home football games find new locations: (Ledger 🔒) Four Charlotte high schools are losing home football games this fall as construction delays and renovations are making their fields unavailable. It will mean a loss of money for booster clubs, and some parents and coaches are frustrated that there wasn’t better planning by the school district.
Queens makes full Division I jump: (WSOC) Queens University of Charlotte will officially become an active NCAA Division I member on July 1, completing a three-year reclassification process to join the Atlantic Sun Conference.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Monday
Special book-lovers’ edition: Local novelist Joy Callaway shares the joys of researching historical fiction in a Q&A and Charlotte Ledger Podcast episode. Plus: Beach read recommendations from Charlotte’s library; Book-ish events happening around town
Wednesday (🔒)
The landlord of Alexander Michael’s is suing the restaurant’s longtime owner. Plus: Gas prices increase amid Mideast turmoil; City council makes NoDa a “congested business district” to regulate street vendors; Signs of new life at abandoned parking deck in uptown
Friday (🔒)
Four Charlotte high schools will lose home football games this fall amid construction chaos. Plus: Johnny Harris on City Council's “performative activism”; Pineville bans door-to-door sales; Alexander Michael’s owner responds after Ledger lawsuit story; Legislature approves transit tax bill
Transit Time
Transit bill tightens requirements on road money. The referendum is likely to be on the November ballot.
Real Estate Whispers
New life for abandoned uptown parking deck? Plus: BrickTop’s explores adding a 2nd Charlotte restaurant; Examining track record of Brooklyn Village developer; Another new uptown sign; Kings Mountain casino progress; Novant buys parcel
Futbol Friday
Will Agyemang return to Charlotte FC? Plus: Newly-named MLS All-Star striker is starting for U.S. team while also drawing interest from English clubs; Biel on verge of extension, Kahlina talks about benching, advancing Chicago Fire and more
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