A new restaurant will open it’s doors today in Fort Mill’s Baxter Village. Fish Market, with a focus on seafood but also offering steak, chicken, and pork, will take the place of the vacant Inn at Baxter.
The restaurant boasts Executive Chef Bryan Lindsay who has 16+ years experience as a chef in various locations, including New York City. Menu prices vary with most entrees being under $20.
According to General Manager Selena Kelleman, “We thought this was the perfect place. There is nothing else like what we offer in this area.”
To me, this just shows how popular the Baxter Village area is. Vacancies don’t last long and when one business does leave, it’s not very long before another, high quality commercial venture takes it’s place. As the Charlotte NC area continues to grow, I predict that the Fort Mill SC and Rock Hill SC areas will benefit as people move further out from the center of the city. This in turn means we’re looking at increased property values and improved services.
After a long, painfully slow off-season the Carolina Panthers are finally ready to get back on the playing field as they’ll take on the Indianapolis Colts tomorrow night at Bank of America Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30pm.
If you can’t be at the stadium you’ll be able to watch the game on TV on the Panther’s TV Network. It will also be on the radio on WBT.
For a breakdown of the game, visit the Panther’s website at www.Panthers.com.
Go Panthers!
Filed under Carolina Sports Beat, Charlotte NC, Fun Stuff, Out and About in the Carolinas by 
The city of Rock Hill recently approved an upgrade to the Rock Hill Galleria and Manchester Village areas along Dave Lyle Blvd. The goal is to make the area a premiere shopping destination that can compete with other area shopping centers like Fort Mill’s Baxter Village, South Charlotte’s Ballantyne Village, and North Charlotte’s Birkdale Village.
Some of the work, including sidewalks, curbs and gutters on Galleria Boulevard and Springdale Road, have already been completed, but the total 5 year project which is expected to finish up late next year includes additional sidewalks, curbs, gutters, lighting, and an enhanced Exit 79. The recently approved funds include money for the new additions as well as maintenance for the new landscaping.
The passing of the resolution is the first step in the process of completing the project. The next step is a public meeting, scheduled for August 11th at Rock Hill City Hall, where citizens and business will have the opportunity to express their thoughts about the proposed projects.
I for one am excited about the upgrades. I’m a big fan of the atmosphere and ambiance of the other shopping districts in the area (Baxter Village, Birkdale Village, etc.) so getting one closer to home here in Rock Hill is a good thing!
Filed under Out and About in the Carolinas, Rock Hill SC by
As I’ve mentioned several times before, my husband and I love good food. As a result, we’re always on the look out for great, undiscovered places to eat and while some of the spots aren’t totally undiscovered, if we haven’t been there yet, it’s still undiscovered in my book. 
Anyway, we happened upon one such place yesterday. Located along the near light-rail line in the up and coming area of Charlotte known as South End is this fantastic Greek restaurant called The Greek Isles.
As soon as you walk in it has a great atmosphere. A spacious, open dining room sits nestled in between an open bar space and an open kitchen, all of which gives the entire restauarant a very open, spacious feel. There are smatterings of Greek decor here and there, but what really makes this such a great place is the food.
The menu is filled with a variety of traditional Greek fare, from the Saganaki we had as an appetizer down to the roasted lamb and traditional vegetables my husband had. The menu also boasts traditional favorites such as gyro sandwiches, tzatziki, hummus, Greek salads, souvlaki, and desserts like baklava and loukoumades.
The prices were very reasonable as well. Overall, it was a fantastic experience and I’ve added it to my list of restaurants to visit again in the future.
The Greek Isles is located at 200 E. Bland St. near uptown Charlotte.
Filed under Charlotte NC, Fun Stuff, Life In the Carolinas, Out and About in the Carolinas by
Have kids that are out of school for the summer? Are they already coming to you constantly saying, “I’m bored. I don’t know what to do!”
Well, I can speak from experience… it’s NO FUN!
So, I was fortunate enough to come across this little gem of a resource in the Charlotte Observer’s MomsCharlotte.com recently. It lists 20 different activities you can do with your kids that are in the Charlotte NC, Fort Mill SC, and Rock Hill SC area.
Here are the ones that I think my kids, almost 9 and almost 7, would enjoy:
- The Mint Museum of Craft + Design. It’s free on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pick up the family guides and scavenger hunts at the front desk, and don’t miss the kid-friendly, hands-on activities on the mezzanine level. Also, from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Tuesday of the month, parents and children ages 1 to 4 can drop in for a free art-making experience. 220 North Tryon Street, 704-337-2000, www.mintmuseums.org.
- Airport Overlook Park. Pack a lunch and come here to watch the planes take off and land at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. Off Old Dowd Road near the intersection with Besser Drive.
- Public spraygrounds. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s five spraygrounds feature sprays, nozzles and spouts that spray water for children to run through and frolic under. Open seven days a week in the summer, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Several have playgrounds next door, making them a perfect place to spend hours. Locations: Nevin Park, 6000 Statesville Road; Cordelia Park, 2100 North Davidson Street; Latta Park, 601 East Park Avenue; Veterans Park , 2136 Central Avenue; and West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2400 Kendall Drive. (704) 336-3854. www.parkandrec.com.
- ImaginOn. This uptown magnet of family fun is part children’s theatre, part library, and it’s always free. While Children’s Theatre productions require tickets, in other areas kids can put on a puppet show, play with trains, try on costumes, play computer games and, of course, check out books. The facility has lots of free storytimes each week, as well as rotating exhibits in its lobby. 300 E 7th St. 704-973-2780. www.imaginon.org.
- The Energy Explorium at Lake Norman. Located at McGuire Nuclear Station, the Explorium features hands-on exhibits and interactive games designed to introduce kids to the wonders of electricity and nuclear power. They can even use the power of a treadmill to operate a TV. The explorium also offers a mile-long nature trail, a picnic area, and a large deck that overlooks Lake Norman, the Cowans Ford dam and two nuclear silos. No admission fee. 13339 Hagers Ferry Road in Huntersville. 704-875-5600. www.duke-energy.com/visitor-centers/energyexplorium.asp
- Charlotte’s Asian Corner. You could hop on a plane and 16 hours later land in China, or you could hop in a car and head ten minutes northeast of uptown to The Asian Corner Mall and New Century Grocery Store. Your kids will love the fish, frogs and shellfish in the aquarium, trying the koala bear and “intellect†cookies, and other new sights and tastes.
- See a free movie. Some are outside on the big screen; others play weekdays in commercial theaters. Check out MomsCharlotte’s comprehensive list of free movies playing this summer.
- Kids’ Workshops at Home Depot. Offered the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. and noon at most stores, kids will learn to hammer nails, turning screws and sanding wood while they build things such as bird houses and catamarans. Designed to teach kids do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while instilling a sense of accomplishment. No registration required. www.homedepotclinics.com
- Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics. Held twice a month on the second and fourth Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., kids will build things such as a dune buggy, a picture frame and more. Different clinics target children of different ages. Registration is required but can be done online. www.lowesbuildandgrow.com
There are quite a few more so be sure to check them out at MomsCharlotte.com.
Filed under Fun Stuff, Life In the Carolinas, Out and About in the Carolinas by
