Charlotte Mercury Morning Briefing: Wildfires, Growth, and Local Gems

Good morning, Charlotte! ☀️ Pour yourself a Summit Coffee (because let’s be honest, nothing happens without caffeine) and settle in for today’s news.

From wildfires raging in WNC to big business moves in Ballantyne, the Queen City is in motion. The former Duke Energy HQ is getting a $250M facelift, a local banker is disrupting the payment industry, and two of Charlotte’s favorite chefs are teaming up for a one-night-only dinner that will make you wish every night was date night.

Meanwhile, a new NC billboard law is chopping down trees faster than a kid with scissors on craft day, and Sen. Thom Tillis finally breaks his silence on Trump’s latest international incident.

🌲 Wildfires in WNC: High Winds and Hurricane Debris Fuel the Flames

(via WFAE)

• A 500-acre wildfire in Saluda is only 30% contained, and Fire Marshal Bobby Arledge isn’t sugarcoating the challenge.
• “We hope that really pretty much puts everything out that’s not contained right now,” he said, referring to the rain expected Tuesday night.
• Firefighters are battling against Hurricane Helene’s wreckage, as downed trees provide ample fuel.
• 40 residents evacuated voluntarily, but so far, no homes have been damaged.

🔥 Burn bans remain in effect across multiple counties, and campfires are prohibited in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

📰 Read More: Wildfires in WNC

🏋️‍♀️ Luxury Pilates Comes to Ballantyne

(via Charlotte Business Journal)

• Mike and Kim Libretto are bringing The Daily Pilates, an Atlanta-based luxury fitness brand, to Ballantyne Village.
• The 1,808-square-foot studio (set to open in May) features a resort-inspired aesthetic that promises to make you feel like you’re working out on vacation.
• “We both ended up falling for the practice,” said Mike Libretto, who—fun fact—also owns Libretto’s Pizzeria just a few doors down.

📰 Read More: Daily Pilates Expands to Charlotte

🏗️ $250M Redevelopment of Duke Energy’s Former HQ Begins

(via Charlotte Business Journal)

• The Brooklyn & Church project will convert the former Duke Energy HQ into 460 luxury apartments and 25,000 square feet of retail.
• A new three-story retail building is replacing the atrium to create a walkable, mixed-use hub in Uptown.
• Developers Asana Partners, MRP Realty, and Rockefeller Group say it will be ready by late 2026 or early 2027.

📰 Read More: Duke Energy HQ Gets a Makeover

💳 Charlotte Banker Disrupts the Payments Industry with New Startup

(via Charlotte Business Journal)

• Lori Burns, a former exec at Wells Fargo, AvidXchange, and Bank of America, has launched RubyFive, a real-time payments startup.
• The platform aims to simplify transactions and optimize cash flow for businesses while cutting down costs.
• “Right now, our focus is on getting our first set of customers, learning their needs, and ensuring we meet them,” Burns said.
• Already partnered with Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and JPMorgan Chase.

📰 Read More: Fintech Startup Launches in Charlotte

🍽️ A One-Night-Only Culinary Experience: Charlotte’s Best Chefs Unite

(via Charlotte Observer)

• Sam Diminich (Restaurant Constance) and Andres Kaifer (Customshop) are hosting a five-course collaboration dinner on March 20 at Restaurant Constance.
• The menu includes:
  • Manchego & jamon croqueta (Kaifer)
  • Scallop switch sweet potato spaetzle with brie & black truffle (Diminich)
  • Dry-aged NY strip with shiitake cannelloni (Diminich)
• Only 40 seats are available at $150 per person—good luck scoring one!

📰 Read More: Chefs Diminich & Kaifer Collab

🌳 NC’s New Billboard Law is Clear-Cutting Charlotte’s Treeline

(via Charlotte Observer)

• A 2024 state law allows billboard companies to chop down all trees within 500 feet of their signs.
• The result? Treeless roadsides, exposed creeks, and higher erosion risks—just ask the folks near Irwin Creek off I-77.
• “We lose our trees and the services they provide to the environment,” said Duke professor Ryke Longest.

📰 Read More: New NC Law Clears Trees Near Billboards

🎤 Jack Beckett’s Signature Sign-Off

That’s all for today, Charlotte! If you like your news bold, fresh, and with just the right amount of Summit Coffee espresso-fueled sass, you’re in the right place.

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Until next time—stay caffeinated, stay informed, and always rep the Queen City. ☕💙