Feature Archive

My Favorite Things: Charlotte's Collectors of Kitsch

They are Charlotte’s premier collectors of kitsch (except for the guy with the custom bikes—that's just boss). Lava lamps, Frankenstein figurines, velvet paintings, Simpsons memorabilia—the collections are fun, weird, and not even especially valuable. But every single action figure and poster is a piece of the collector’s childhood—gone, but not forgotten

By Courtney Devores • Photographs by Chris Edwards

2012 Cracked Crowns

From the cringe-inducing headline “Mistressville, USA” to a giant catfish to ridiculous campaign ads, 2012 was a year to remember. Or forget. OK, now we’re confused. So let’s just get to the awards

Jeremy Markovich

Sister Soldiers

Military and government agencies have done little to help female veterans transition into civilian life. Three veterans at UNC Charlotte decided to forge their own paths

Lisa Rab

Guide to Private Schools

Compiled by Richard Thurmond

Making the Choice

Public or private? Faith-based or secular? When it comes to raising kids, choosing a school ranks among the most important and most difficult decisions. Here’s how three Charlotte families are navigating the challenge

Beth Howard

Best New Restaurants

Where to Eat (And Drink!) Now

Aleigh Acerni

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Need help buying for the power player, couture queen, or culture connoisseur on your list? Look no further

Ashley E. Hotham

There's Something About Ballantyne

Love it or hate it, the suburb on steroids known as Ballantyne tends to inspire strong feelings from Charlotteans. Now, a small group of true believers—or nonbelievers—want Ballantyne to secede from the city and form a new town

Melba Newsome

This Is Belk

Belk is celebrating its 125th birthday by spending $600 million—revamping the brand, renovating stores, and retraining employees—in an attempt to stay relevant in today’s new world for department stores. Will the iconic brand succeed?

Michelle Boudin

Saving History

The Charlotte Museum of History was flying high in the late 1990s, with a brand-new building and scads of donors. But it fell on hard times and closed earlier this spring. In a city that some say doesn’t value history, can the museum find its way again?

By Emily Harris