Tomorrow, Saturday, November 26, 2011 is the second annual “Shop Small“, a national effort to turn holiday shoppers’ focus on small businesses.  I say, let’s not only think small but also local!  What better way to support our Lake Norman communities than shopping at our many locally owned and operated business?

Need some inspiration?  Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Check out the list of members of the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce  or the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce!

Another great resource is Yelp Charlotte  where you can find reviews and information about shopping, restaurants, events and more.

Here are a few of my favorites as well:

Mooresville:

• Lavendar Boutique  (Great designer jean selection in Mooresville Town Square)
• Landmark Galleries (Cotton Ketchie’s gorgeous art, photography as well as pottery, frames and his latest books)
• The American Classic Antique Mall  in Downtown Mooresville
• La Patisserie  (See my Business of the Week review)
• The Daily Grind  (see my Business of the Week reviews)
• The Prickly Pear
• Carolina Ribs on the Run
• Joel’s and JJ Wasabi
• The Meat Center (New on Williamson Road)
• Epic Chop House (Downtown Mooresville)
• Mint (Great Indian restaurant in the Best Buy Shopping Center on Hwy 150)
•  Joe Fish Casual Seafood (Mooreville)

Davidson:

• Davidson Chocolate
• Monkee’s of Lake Norman Boutique
• The Wooden Stone Gallery
• Flat Irons Restaurant
• Toast Restaurant
• Red Mango Frozen Yogurt
•  North Harbor Club
• The shops along Downtown Main Street

Cornelius:

• 131 Main Restaurant
• Ferrucci’s Italian Market
• Marrakesh Morroccan Restaurant

Huntersville

• Birkdale Village
• Wild Birds Unlimited
• Dearness Gardens
• Red Mango Frozen Yogurt
• The Bradford Store

These are just a few that come to mind but please feel free to add more in the comments and I will add them to this list!

Related Articles

Lake Norman Relocation and Resource Guide

New Restaurants and Retail News in Mooresville Lake Norman

Lake Norman Real Estate’s Business of the Week: La Patisserie Cafe and Bakery

Lake Norman Sports (Participation) Resource Guide

How to get the Lastest Lake Norman News, Events and Coupon Savings!

Justin Boston is passionate about watersports, being active and action sports of all kinds.  At just 21 years old, he is on a mission to share his passions by getting as many kids and adults outside, enjoying action sports of all kinds and the fellowship that goes along with them. 

Last summer Justin ran a very successful wakeboarding school out of his waterfront home on Lake Norman. His vision brought him together with Matt Hemric and he has teamed up with Shred Wakening  a unique recreation company founded on their shared desire to help kids and adults to become ”the healthiest and most vibrant” people they can be.   From wakeboarding lessons and watersport camps to outdoor adventures like snowboarding, climbing, surfing, paddling and even camping there seems to be no limits to the possibilities they want to offer. Check out their just released video:

Jocassee Wake Trailer from Zach Burkhart on Vimeo.

 Shred Wakening is an example of “out of the box” thinking by a handful of extraordinary young men who want to make a difference in their community. It is not just about teaching wakeboarding and other watersports, it is about touching the lives of as many kids and adults as possible, getting them ” off their couches” and outside experiencing adventures they may never have thought possible. 

They just finished filming the documentary above to inspire kids about how important it is for everyone to get outside and be active.  Last week Justin even went to Victory Junction Camp to help those special kids have a good time on the lake!

In an effort to reach out to more folks, they created Shred Wakening Mondays which is a weekly wakeboarding program offered this summer for only $50 for a day out on the lake.  Justin also teaches private lessons, group lessons, and lessons with other peoples’ boats.

Shred Wakening also offers an Emagazine similar to Groupon where you will get access to exclusive local deals from companies in the surrounding areas.

 So here’s how to join and what your membership will include:

• Emagazine
• Discounts on merchandise
• Tickets to special concerts/shows
• Access to Camps and Lessons
• Local network of activities
• Access to a social scene that will blow your socks off!

Membership Types and Dues

• $2 For Individuals Monthly   (Click here to Buy) 
• $5 For Families Monthly    (Click here to Buy) 

 To learn more go to their website: Shred Wakening 

Or call Justin Boston at 704.699.3728
 

Related Articles 

Lake Norman Relocation and Resource Guide

Lake Norman Sports (Participation) Resource Guide

How to get the Lastest Lake Norman News, Events and Coupon Savings!

When I saw the La Patisserie Bakery Coming Soon sign in the window of one of the store fronts in the old Lowe’s Market/Rite Aid shopping center at the corner of Brawley School and Williamson Roads I was thrilled!  No more having to go all the way to Historic Downtown Mooresville  for their simply awesome pastries, breakfasts and lunches.

I went to our new La Patisserie Bakery Cafe yesterday for the first time and discovered that not only does our location have all of their wonderful pastries and baked goods but they truly are a full-service restaurant and even a small bar for beer and wine.  What a great addition to our Brawley School Rd/Lake Norman area!

La Patisserie is truly a family’s labor of love.  They use the freshest of ingredients combined with amazing family recipes passed down from generation to generation to make an incredible selection of pastries, desserts,  and gorgeous special occasion cakes.

Over the years they have added a truly unique and wonderful full breakfast and lunch menu including their mouth-watering crepes, omelets, salads, sandwiches and awesome baked Empanadas.  One of my personal favorites is the home-made fresh mozzarella/tomato/basil sandwich. I love their crepes as well.  In fact, I have yet to eat something at La Patisserie that I didn’t happily devour.

Their Cuban heritage is evident in some of their special items like their Cuban sandwich of shredded beef, red and green peppers, onions and cheese served on their freshly bake Cuban bread to their empanadas. 

A bakery first, however, their cake decorators and pastry chef are known for their exceptional and beautiful wedding and specialty cakes for all occasions.  They also offer a full catering service and food to go for those of us on the run.

La Patisserie Bakery and Cafe

631 Brawley School Rd. Suite 406, Mooresville NC 28117

627 North Main Street, Mooresville NC 28115

704.799.1631

More Lake Norman Real Estate’s Business’s of the Week

Shoals Saloon and Grille on Brawley School Road

FreshBerry Yogurt

Josh’s Farmers Market

The Fresh Market:  Lake Norman Just Keeps Getting Better!

All of us transplants to Lake Norman have a list of those special restaurants, markets, hot spots and businesses that we still miss from our prior home town or state.  Mine is kind of like a “Bucket List” and as the years go by I have been checking them off one by one:  Trader Joe’s, Five Guys (well, In n’ Out Burger but Five Guys is pretty darn close to it) Bed Bath and Beyond, healthy breakfast options (Daily Grind and Egg at Davidson), Whole Foods (well, the closest one is in Winston Salem but I count our Fresh Market in Cornelius), Neiman Marcus (I thought this was a priority until I realized that our casual Lake Norman lifestyle has deemed this almost obsolete), North Lake Mall.

FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Cafe, (which is similar to PinkBerry who has several locations in Charlotte), was near the top of my daughter’s list so when I heard it had just opened in Mooresville sandwiched between Panera Bread and Starbucks on Williamson Road, we were there.

Freshberry does not serve your typical frozen yogurt that you would buy in any grocery store.  Freshberry serves all natural frozen yogurt available in FreshBerry Tart, Decadent Dark Chocolate, Vanilla No Sugar Added, Acai Berry, Classic Strawberry, Mango, and Pomegranate.  Plus, they have over 25 toppings available from fresh fruits and cereals to candies and nuts.  They have a complete nutrition chart available.

The first time you taste FreshBerry yogurt you will notice a distinct tang.  Ahhhh, this is not ice cream-like, this is the real thing.  My favorite flavor is FreshBerry Tart topped with fresh kiwis, mangoes and blackberries!  Although I tried their vanilla yesterday and it was delicious as well.

We have owner Matthew Ganis, who recently moved here from New York, to thank for this great addition to Lake Norman.  A resident of Mooresville, his enthusiasm for his new business is evident just watching him in action while serving his customers.  

Want more information? Check out their Facebook page. Or, email Matthew at FreshBerryNC@gmail.com.

So, next time you find yourself sitting at the signal at Williamson Rd and Hwy 150, make a quick turn into the Panera/Starbucks parking lot and check out FreshBerry!

BTW, my husband and I are still waiting for a Baja Fresh so let me know if one is coming our way!

More Businesses of the Week

Shoals Saloon and Grille on Brawley School Road

Josh’s Farmers Market

Lake Norman Real Estate’s Business of the Week:  Lake Norman Gardens

The Fresh Market:  Lake Norman Just Keeps Getting Better!

While most of us who live down Brawley School Road spent the winter trying to cope with this weird and very cold white stuff that kept falling from the sky, “Norman” was busy opening what is sure to become the hangout  for Lake Norman locals:  “Shoals  Saloon and Grille…Mooresville’s premier food-drink & fun spot”  in the new Bloom Shopping Center at Stutts Rd and Brawley School.

As you enter Shoals, you immediately feel like you are on vacation.  The fun, whimsical nautical decor with the weathered wooden walls reminds me of hanging out at the lake or beach in the summer.  It feels like it is time to relax.  Shoals Saloon and Grille pretty much demands that you leave your stress at the door!

But, as “Norman” says on their website:  ” Don’t be fooled by the casual Lake Norman atmosphere at Shoals, cuz we’re dead serious about great food, great drink, and great service.  

The food is awesome.  It is like a gourmet Vinnie’s on steroids with an eclectic menu that offers everything from a fresh mozzarella salad with home grown tomatoes to a lump crab “samich” to prime-aged Filet Mignon to their Lowcountry Boil on Sundays.  Did I mention their desserts?  My favorite is “Granny Heron’s Apple Crisp Streusel” but then again, I have yet to try their Key Lime Pie or Chocolate Thunder Brownie A La Mode!  (Of course, their ice cream is made locally at Mooresvilles Deluxe Ice Cream).

 The “Saloon” is wonderfully located in the very center of the restaurant which gives it that “Cheers” type feel where locals hangout while enjoying one of their amazing drinks like “Fidel’s Berry Mojito”,  Martini’s of all kinds, Kentucky Mud Cider, domestic beers or wine. 

Shoals has daily drink specials like Martini Monday Madness when all of their signature martinis are $5.  And, Monday – Friday they offer “5 for $5 Happytizers”.  How about meatball-sirloin-codwich sliders, fried calamari or Gorgonzola baked potato chips at the end of a busy day?

Looking for some fun on St. Patrick’s Day? 

Check out Shoals Saloon and Grille’s   

ST. PAT’S BASH:

Traditional Irish Fare: $5 All you can eat!

Guinness/Smithwick’s/Harp: $3 Pints all week!

Irish Whisky $3

Gorgeous Guinness Girls (6pm-9pm)

World Renowned Bagpiper and Mooresville’s own Live Duo: Wally & Dave

 Don’t forget to check out their Sunday Brunch!

Shoals Saloon and Grille

1098 Brawley School Road

Mooresville, 28117

704.660.1211

Now Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner