At a time when many towns are working hard just to retain their local businesses, Lake Norman just keeps adding more great options for our lucky area residents!  The growth since my family arrived in 2005 is truly amazing.  When I drive  relocating buyers around the Lake Norman communities I point out many of these recent additions which have added so much variety and convenience to our lifestyles. While growth definitely slowed starting in 2008 we have continued to get some exciting new restaurants and retail stores; and this trend is increasing as our Lake Norman area economy recovers.

Here are some of our latest additions:

Restaurants/Food and Beverages:

• Mooresville Ice Cream Company’s old fashioned ice cream parlor  is celebrating its grand opening at the corner of Broad and Moore Ave this Friday, May 18th. This comes on the heels of the launch of their new Front Porch Carolina Churned Ice Cream Brand featuring “Southern-inspired flavors”  including “Sassy Strawberry, Chocolate Rocker, Blackberry Crumble and Home-style Butter Pecan.” YUM!
• Michael Bay, developer/owner of Mooresville’s old Burlington Mill is planning to open “an authentic, Old World Pizzeria“ on September 25th following the traditions of Naples Italy.  The 120-seat pizzeria will be located on Main St. in the former power house building at the old Mill.  4 brick ovens, all organic…can’t wait!
• The Prickly Pear just opened in their new location next to Vinnie’s on Williamson Rd in Mooresville.  Same great food but now awesome lake view dining as well!
• La Patisserie on Brawley School Rd continues to be a hot spot since opening about a year ago.  GREAT bakery, lunches and Sunday brunch.
• My husband and I have become quite fond of Blu Star Grill which opened recently in the Harris Teeter Shopping Center at the corner of Brawley School and Williamson Rd.  Their main feature is the build your own burger which can start with Black Angus Beef, Bison, Ground Turkey, Chicken Breast or the Black-bean Burger. “Fresh, natural food is what this whole concept is about,” Bass said in a recent Mooresville Weekly article. “We all see a lot about farm-to-fork and using fresh, locally grown/made products in higher-end restaurants, so why not apply that to a fast-casual setting?”
• The Davidson Beverage Co. just opened last week at 442 S. Main Street in Davidson.  This specialty wine and craft beer store not only sells craft beers and wine but has a tasting bar, wide-screen TV, wi-fi as well.  I think this will definitely become a popular hangout very soon!
• Paddy’s Poor House just opened recently in the Shops on The Green in Cornelius.  They offer “upscale pub grub” with a goal of creating a friendly, “Cheers vibe” to attract locals and neighbors.  Owner Tim Flynn, a disabled veteran, was attracted to Lake Norman from New York by our warm weather and nice people.  There is a lot of this going around!
• Now here is a really cool idea: a restaurant/hangout for dogs and dog lovers!  Opening this summer in Cornelius on Hwy 21, Lucky Dog will not only offer many dog services including day care, a doggy park and grooming, but will have The Lucky Dog Bar, serving coffee, espresso, beer, wine and cocktails for the humans that frequent the great dog facility.
• Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar opened recently in one of my favorite destinations: Birkdale Village in Huntersville. Bad Daddy’s offers something for everyone, including vegetarians, with great burgers, giant chopped salads, homemade chips.  You can even build your own burger. They offer breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 8-11am.
• Coming soon to Birkdale Village is Bonefish Grill.  More to follow as I find out more. 5/18/12 Update:  Bonefish Grill is now open! This is a restaurant chain and as its name suggests has a wide variety of wood-grilled and baked fishes as well as grilled meats, salads and soups.  The only review I have found was positive so check it out and let us know what you think!

Last week I had a potential Lake Norman homebuyer ask me if we had a Sam’s Club in the area.  Well, guess what?  it was just announced that Sam’s Club plans to locate a new store on Ervin Rd just off Hwy 150 and Morrison Plantation in Mooresville.  Now, if we could get a Whole Foods…anyone listening?

Finally, something I think could only happen in our car crazy area.  The Auto Country Club  is coming.  Yes, a country club for car lovers!  The Auto Country Club will consist of  ten 20,000 sq ft buildings on 27 acres on Hwy 73 in Huntersville.  The club will consist of individual car condominiums that can be customized to the owners specifications.  Each condo can be outfitted with a loft to create your ultimate “Man Cave”?  And, their clubhouse will include a kitchen, lounge, conference room, show room for car events, outside fireplace and grilling area, dining both inside and out.

Have anything to add?  Feel free to email me or leave a comment!

The best farmer’s market in the Lake Norman area, in my opinion, has got to be the Davidson Farmer’s Market which is celebrating its spring/summer season opening this Saturday from 8:00am to noon.

What makes Davidson Farmer’s Market so special?

• Features more than 35 farmers and local producers withing a 100-mile radius
• Certified organic, naturally grown & conventionally grown fruits and vegetables
• Grass-fed beef, pastured porch & eggs from free-range chickens
• Fresh baked goods
• Prepared foods
• Fresh cut flowers
• Herbs, plants
• And more!

This Saturday’s celebration will include even more vendors, chef demonstrations by Chef Vera, music by Garrie Howard, Growing Kids Club and a great chance to see friends and learn about food, agriculture and nutrition.

It is easy to find as it is now right on Main Street next to the Davidson Town Hall.

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Christmas in Davidson , an annual tradition since 1988, is my absolute favorite holiday event in and around Lake Norman.  This amazing 3-night, small-town holiday festival can’t help but get you in the holiday spirit and remind you of the warmth and comfort in our communities.  From strolling along Main Street enjoying hot cider to taking a carriage ride or doing so serious gift shopping there truly is something for everyone and every age!

Here is a great summary from DavidsonNews.net (a GREAT resource for local news and events):

 Take a ride on the trolley, stroll down beautiful and picturesque Main Street, start your holiday shopping early at the many wonderful and unique specialty shops, take a journey through the Holiday Village of vendors on the Village Green and enjoy a wide variety of entertainment on the Library Stage. Be sure to visit Ten Thousand Villages at the Davidson College Presbyterian Church Congregation House for goods from over 30 developing countries. Take the little ones for that all important visit with Santa and then sit in on Story Time with Mrs. Claus. Visit the many participating Davidson businesses who will be offering everything from reindeer food and art projects for the kids to live music and complimentary beverages. Make sure to visit Town Hall where the little ones can enjoy a wonderful holiday theater performance and ‘make & take’ craft projects. Enjoy the fine foods and beverages at the many fantastic restaurants Davidson has to offer and also inside Frosty’s Food Court. Experience the wonder and beauty of the Live Nativity. Enjoy the amazing entertainment offered nightly by Davidson United Methodist Church. Make sure you take the family holiday photo as you enjoy your Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides down Main Street. Then jump on over to South Main Square and be treated to live entertainment, fine art and gingerbread cookies for the kids. Enjoy the mouth watering foods at the fine restaurants at South Main and take the entire family ice skating!

Christmas in Davidson runs from 6pm – 9pm this Thursday through Saturday, December 1-3.  Here is a link to the complete event calendar: Christman in Davidson Event Calendar.

I got this comment sharing about a special project you might want to support ( thanks Sue!):

I wanted to let you know about a project that the students at Davidson elementary are doing to help the environment.  They have taken items and recycled them into Christmas ornaments to be used to decorate a Christmas tree at Christmas in Davidson sponsored by our company.  They will then have the ornament returned to them to use on their own Christmas tree.  I love spreading the news of
unique recycling efforts.  Please let your  readers  know if they are at Christmas in Davidson to please go by and see the tree on the green.  There will be a contest and they would love
your votes.

Finally,  the 29th Annual North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade is this Saturday as well.  Starting at 1:00pm it runs from Davidson south along N.C. 115 to Cornelius.

Have fun!

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“From nostalgic patriotic parades to community festivals with firework displays to myriad planned and spontaneous raft- up (boat) parties on Lake Norman, there truly is something for everyone here in the greater Lake Norman area this 4th of July. Get out of your home, save gas and have a great time!”  I wrote this three years ago and it is still just as true this year.  So, here is the run down on Lake Norman’s 4th of July festivities 2011:  

Saturday, July 2nd at 11:00am the 7th Annual Troutman Independence Celebration Parade  will be held on a 3-mile route from the Iredell County Fair Grounds ending at the Troutman Elementary School.  (Highway 21).If you want to experience a slice of true, old-fashion, small-town Americana, this is a must attend parade.  The streets are lined with flags, yellow ribbons and folks of all ages, many with signs honoring our military past and present.  The parade itself  has over one hundred entries including floats with United States Veterans from all of our wars, military units, WWII Vehicles, local clubs and civic organizations, beauty queens and just about any thing you can imagine including at least one John Deere Tractor!  This year they are honoring Purple Heart recipients as their Grand Marshals.  And they will have a special recognition of World War II Merchant Marines.  New this year the parade is followed by  the Town of Troutman’s Independance Celebration festival “ending with a breathtaking fireworks display!

 For the younger crowd, on Saturday, June 25th, Vinnie’s Raw Oyster Bar  is holding their popular annual bikini contest (it’s not too late to enter!). VIP Tables available.

Celebrate our country’s freedom at the Lowe’s YMCA’s Summer Celebration on July 3rd for one of the biggest, baddest Independence Day fireworks show in the area. 20,000 people are expected to gather at and around the Y for family fun, music, food vendors and – of course - FIREWORKS!   The celebration will kickoff at 4pm with activities for the kids including inflatables, face painting, games, and balloons.  Lowes Home Improvement is also providing ” Build and Grow” building kits for kids and families to work on together.  At 8:30 the Peninsula Baptist Church will present a flag ceremony which will be followed by the fireworks at 9:30pm. The event is free and open to the public but all proceeds from sponsors and vendors will benefit the Lowes Community Support Campaign.

The Town of Huntersville will be hosting their 9th Annual Fourth of July Celebration on Monday, July 4th from 10:00am – 1:00pm at Birkdale Village…a family-friendly celebration! Activities include a parade, a bike decorating contest, a water fight between the fire stations, childrens’ arts and crafts, face painting, a clown bounce, music, food and “A whole lot of fun!!!”.  For more details: 704.895.8744

The Town of Davidson will hold their annual Fourth of July Celebration on Sunday, July 3th from 5:15 – 8p.m.  Festivities include their annual small-town parade.  All are invited to “patriotically dress their bicycles, wagons, pets and strollers” and participate by meeting at Davidson Town Hall and lining up by 5:15pm.  Da Throwback Band will perform at The Concert on the Green beginning at 6pm.  Music and games for all ages will be set up on the Village Green and a children amusement area will be available for a $5 admission.  There will be no fireworks this year.  More information: 704.892.7591.

The Town of Cornelius will also be celebrating on July 4th in a “laid back” family-friendly way.  Starting at 6:30pm, families can play games, dance and picnic at this casual patriotic presentation.  At 6:30pm: Acoustic Soulution,  kids can ride the trackless train, concessions, Coca-Cola activities including touchscreen Coke games, wii games, free product samplings and more!  At 8:30pm the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader will be shown on the blimp screen.  Located at the Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.  704.892.6031 ext 160.

Just Confirmed: Fireworks displays are officially planned for Queens Landing on Lake Norman on Saturday, July 2nd. They are billing this “the largest fireworks celebration on the lake!” Fireworks are expected to begin at around 9:15pm.  For more information:  Queen’s Landing Website 

If you want to party, The Sandbar is always a lot of adult fun. Their party runs from 1:00pm – 9:00pm on July 4th.  For more information from their 2009 event: LKN Social.    Where is the Sandbar? Here are the  directions  to the Sandbar.  Be sure to check out LKNfun.com where you will find a great list of celebrations at our many restaurants and bars.

Coca Cola 4th of July Festival at the U.S. Whitewater Center: ” The Coca-Cola 4th of July Festival is the biggest event of the year with 3 consecutive days of free live music and fireworks. The weekend-long celebration will begin on Saturday, July 2 and conclude on Monday, July 4″.  Free!
 

Presbyterian Hospital July 4th Spectacular  (Red White and BOOM!) will offer a spectacular fireworks display at the Memorial Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. From 4:00pm to 10:00pm on July 4th.  There will be plenty of “family-friendly activities including watermelon eating contests, sack races, tug-of-war and more!”  Live music.  At 9:30 p.m., one of the area’s biggest and longest fireworks displays begins so come early and bring a blanket.

Finally, if you want to have your own, legal, fireworks display, in past years they have set up a stand where they sell fireworks at the corner of Williamson Rd. and Brawley School Rd. about a week before the 4th. 

Have fun and be safe!

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Yikes, I nearly missed “Christmas in Davidson”!  This is truly one of the very best events in our Lake Norman area celebrating the holidays.  It actually started last evening but runs through Saturday evening so you still have time.  Held from 6pm – 9pm, this very local, old-fashioned celebration is great fun for the whole family.  Here is a list of just some of what you will experience:

• Main Street will be filled with the sounds of carolers and other live music
• Carriage rides
• Santa Claus will visit with children each night at the library
• “Taste of South Main Street” will feature treats from Restaurant X, Campania, and Fuel Pizza
• The Doggie Fashion show is back, tonight, Friday, on South Main St
• A large tent on the Village Green will offer lots of artists and venders selling holiday crafts and gifts
• Local merchants are offering their own special events as well

Trollys will shuttle visitors from the Exit 30 parking area to Downtown Davidson.

For more information:  Christmas in Davidson