It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Historic Rosedale gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Charlotte, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I love working for this company.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I love working for this company.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Freedom Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Bentley's Restaurant or visit The Charlotte Museum of History, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Charlotte, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Charlotte, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Charlotte, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Category 1 Hurricane Imelda is a bit stronger this morning with winds near 75 miles per hour. The storm is now drifting northeast away from Florida and the Bahamas and will slowly strengthen over the next couple of days, likely becoming a Category 2 hurricane as it moves by Bermuda midweek.On its current track, the tropical cyclone will remain offshore, sparing the Carolinas from a direct hit. Even so, we’ll still deal with lots of clouds along with a cool breeze and off-and-on2 showers again toda...
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Category 1 Hurricane Imelda is a bit stronger this morning with winds near 75 miles per hour. The storm is now drifting northeast away from Florida and the Bahamas and will slowly strengthen over the next couple of days, likely becoming a Category 2 hurricane as it moves by Bermuda midweek.
On its current track, the tropical cyclone will remain offshore, sparing the Carolinas from a direct hit. Even so, we’ll still deal with lots of clouds along with a cool breeze and off-and-on2 showers again today. Highs today will inch up in the lower 70s.
As Imelda continues to pull away, the rain will come to an end late today and skies will gradually clear overnight with lows in the upper 50s to lower 60s.
With the tropical cyclone well away from us midweek, our weather will turn very nice. Lots of sunshine is forecast from off-and-onWednesday through Sunday.
Wednesday will be pleasantly warm and breezy with highs close to 80 degrees before cooling off a bit on Thursday and Friday with comfortable afternoon readings in the low to mid 70s.
Under clear skies, overnight lows in the chilly 40s and 50s are forecast through Sunday morning before a warming trend kicks in. Highs Saturday are expected to top out in the seasonal upper 70s before inching up to around 80 degrees Sunday afternoon.
Update at a glance
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Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!
Chief Meteorologist Al Conklin
CHARLOTTE— North Carolina limited Charlotte to 21 yards rushing and beat the 49ers, 20-3, on Saturday night at Jerry Richardson Stadium.The victory was Bill Belichick's first as a college head coach and improved Carolina to 1-1 this season. Charlotte fell to 0-2 before the largest home crowd in its history.UNC allowed its fewest points since blanking Idaho in 2012 and didn't permit a touchdown for the first time since 2020.Four different Tar Heel players ran five or more times in a balanced offensi...
CHARLOTTE— North Carolina limited Charlotte to 21 yards rushing and beat the 49ers, 20-3, on Saturday night at Jerry Richardson Stadium.
The victory was Bill Belichick's first as a college head coach and improved Carolina to 1-1 this season. Charlotte fell to 0-2 before the largest home crowd in its history.
UNC allowed its fewest points since blanking Idaho in 2012 and didn't permit a touchdown for the first time since 2020.
Four different Tar Heel players ran five or more times in a balanced offensive attack that posted 148 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, UNC's defense held the 49ers to 21 yards on 29 rushing attempts (a paltry 0.7 yards per carry) after allowing 258 yards and 7.4 yards per carry in its loss to TCU.
Gio Lopez started again under center for Carolina despite leaving the TCU game with a second-half injury. On Saturday night, he began with a bang, connecting with Chris Culliver for a 51-yard touchdown in the opening minute. Lopez posted an efficient, 17-for-25 passing game, throwing for 155 yards and a score while also rushing nine times for 44 yards.
Nine different Tar Heels caught passes from Lopez, including three each by Culliver, Caleb Hood and Javarius Green.
Former Tar Heel Conner Harrell, who transferred to Charlotte after the 2024 season, started at quarterback for the 49ers and completed 17 of 29 for 140 yards. Grayson Loftis relieved Harrell and connected on 8 of 12 for 110 yards with two interceptions.
Carolina took a quick, 7-0 lead in the first minute on a 51-yard touchdown catch by Culliver and led the entire game. The Tar Heel defense held the 49ers under 25 yards rushing in the opening two quarters but allowed Charlotte to mount long drives while controlling the clock late in the half.
The Tar Heels seized momentum when Charlotte missed a field goal after a six-minute drive late in the second quarter. Carolina took over with 2:51 to go and punched the ball downfield for the biggest score of the game. Davion Gause's 12-yard touchdown run with 13 seconds remaining in the second gave the Tar Heels a 17-3 lead at the break.
The UNC defense excelled in the final 30 minutes. The 49ers moved 55 yards on 10 plays before punting on the first possession of the second half, but Carolina held Charlotte to three consecutive punts and back-to-back interceptions on five second-half possessions.
Up Next The Tar Heels will return home next weekend to host Richmond on Saturday Sept. 13 at 3:30 p.m. in Kenan Stadium.
How It Happened First Quarter • The game started 30 minutes late after a weather delay caused by rain and thunderstorms in the Charlotte area. • The Tar Heels struck quickly on a 51-yard scoring pass from Lopez to Culliver, capping a three-play, 75-yard drive in under a minute after the opening kickoff for a 7-0 lead. • After Charlotte punted on the subsequent drive, Carolina went 34 yards in seven plays and kicked a field goal to make the score 10-0.
Second Quarter • To start the second period, the 49ers ground out an 11-play, 60-yard march down the field before settling for a 39-yard field goal to pull within a score at 10-3. • Charlotte's defense stopped the Tar Heels before mounting another 11-play march on its next possession, but the drive sputtered with a missed field goal. • Carolina took advantage of the special teams miscue, taking the ball 11 plays and 80 yards before Gause ran it in from 12 yards out with 13 seconds left before the break to take a two-touchdown lead into intermission.
Third Quarter • Charlotte again moved the ball on the first drive of the second half, mounting its third consecutive drive of 10 or more plays. This one sputtered before the 49ers turned it over on downs at the UNC 20-yard line.
Fourth Quarter • Reece Verhoff's 33-yard field goal for Carolina with 10:46 left in the game were the first points by either team in nearly 20 minutes of game time. • Charlotte drove inside the UNC 10 yard-line before Greg Smith's interception ended the threat.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - For the first time this season, the North Carolina football team hits the road Saturday night, traveling in-state to Charlotte. Opening kickoff between the Tar Heels and 49ers from Jerry Richardson Stadium is set for 7 PM, airing on ESPN+.Game Information Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 6 - 7 PM Watch: ESPN+ Live Stats Radio: Tar Heel Sports Radio Network (97.9 FM in Chapel Hill)First and Ten • In 2025, Carolina begins its 135th season of football (138th year)...
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - For the first time this season, the North Carolina football team hits the road Saturday night, traveling in-state to Charlotte. Opening kickoff between the Tar Heels and 49ers from Jerry Richardson Stadium is set for 7 PM, airing on ESPN+.
Game Information Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 6 - 7 PM Watch: ESPN+ Live Stats Radio: Tar Heel Sports Radio Network (97.9 FM in Chapel Hill)
First and Ten • In 2025, Carolina begins its 135th season of football (138th year). • Entering the matchup with Charlotte, the Tar Heels hold an all-time record of 751-577-54. • Saturday evening's game between the Tar Heels and 49ers will be live on ESPN+, with Chuckie Kempf (PxP), Tom Luginbill (Analyst) and Marilyn Payne (Sideline) on the call. • On December 11th, 2024, Carolina announced the hiring of eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick as the program's new football coach. • Belichick became the 40th coach in program history, the 12th to lead the program since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1953. • Belichick's ties to UNC date back to his father, Steve, who was an assistant coach for the Tar Heels from 1953-55. • With the coaching transition, the 2025 Carolina Football coaching staff features more 240 years of combined NFL experience. • The 2025 roster features 38 returners and 70 newcomers, including 40 transfers and 30 true freshmen.
Scouting Charlotte • Tim Albin begins his first season leading the 49ers, hired as the program's fourth head coach on December 8th. • A year ago, Charlotte ended the season at 5-7 (4-4 American), finishing 2024 winning two-straight contests. • Last weekend, Charlotte began the 2025 campaign with a 34-11 defeat courtesy of Appalachian State, in the Duke's Mayo Bowl Kickoff Classic. • Under center, the 49ers are led by quarterback Conner Harrell, who spent the previous three seasons with the Tar Heels.
A Win Over Charlotte Would... • Be Carolina's 752nd all-time victory in program history. • Give Coach Belichick his first win at the college level and his first win at Carolina. • Be Carolina's second all-time win over the 49ers, the first in The Queen City. • Give the Tar Heels their 11th all-time victory in the city of Charlotte, including the third consecutive in the regular season. • Be Carolina's seventh-straight non-conference victory over a fellow North Carolina program.
Series History: Charlotte • Saturday is the second all-time meeting between the two programs. • The Tar Heels lead the matchup, 1-0, after a 38-20 victory in Kenan Stadium last September.
From The Notes: TCU Recap • Since joining the ACC in 1953, North Carolina is 17-27 in season opening contests versus a Power Conference opponent. • Carolina opened the season on a non-Saturday for the fourth time in program history, the first since 1941. • The Tar Heels opened the season with a seven play, 83 yard touchdown drive in 3:59. The scoring drive was the fastest to start a season since 2014 (2:11 vs. Liberty). • Caleb Hood's opening-drive rushing touchdown was his third career on the ground, the first since 2023. • In the third quarter, quarterback Max Johnson connected on his 48th career passing touchdown, his first as a Tar Heel. The passing score was his first since Nov. 4, 2023 during his time at Texas A&M, also caught by his brother, Jake. • Defensive back Kaleb Cost snagged his first interception of the year midway through the second quarter, his third career takeaway. • Tom Maginness' 51-yard punt in the third quarter was his ninth career punt of 50-or-more yards.
A popular bagel shop is opening soon in Charlotte, giving locals a first taste as it plans its expansion in the Tar Heel state.PopUp Bagels officially opens on Friday, Oct. 17, at The Bowl at Ballantyne, a brand spokesperson told CharlotteFive in an exclusive interview. It marks the first of 10 locations planned for North Carolina.The boutique bagel shop offers fresh-baked bagels, including everything, sea salt and poppy seed. Each one is made to order and served “piping hot.”“We’re not a traditio...
A popular bagel shop is opening soon in Charlotte, giving locals a first taste as it plans its expansion in the Tar Heel state.
PopUp Bagels officially opens on Friday, Oct. 17, at The Bowl at Ballantyne, a brand spokesperson told CharlotteFive in an exclusive interview. It marks the first of 10 locations planned for North Carolina.
The boutique bagel shop offers fresh-baked bagels, including everything, sea salt and poppy seed. Each one is made to order and served “piping hot.”
“We’re not a traditional bagel shop where we’re slicing bagels or serving sandwiches,” Todd Gallinek, co-owner of the Charlotte location, told CharlotteFive. “Instead, the concept is grabbing a bagel, ripping it apart and dipping it into your cream cheese. It’s the best bagel you’ll ever have.”
Gallineck will run the new shop alongside business partner Deepen Patel, and the pair hinted at opening more locations in the Charlotte area.
At PopUp Bagels, schmear flavors rotate on a weekly basis. Customers can keep it plain or pick from limited-time combinations like caramel apple cream cheese and maple butter.
A crowd favorite is the everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, CEO Tory Bartlett said. He described the experience as “a flavor bomb in your mouth.”
“It really feels like you’re walking into a different energy,” Bartlett told CharlotteFive. “We’ve got the music bumping, we’ve got (employees) yelling ‘hot bagels!’ and you’re kind of walking into a bagel party.”
The bagel shop has previously collaborated with brands including Nabisco, Sun-Maid and Grillo’s Pickles to create its unique schmears and butters.
“We do over 100 extra (schmear) flavors each year, so it’s a pretty diverse menu of what we do,” Bartlett added.
What began as a passion project in founder Adam Goldberg’s kitchen in 2021 has since grown into a “not famous but known” brand with locations in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts and New York City, CharlotteFive previously reported.
In January, it teased its plans to set up shop in the Queen City.
“Having spent years visiting Charlotte for the holidays with my family, I am excited to roll out our fresh hot bagels to the Ballantyne community,” Goldberg, the founder of PopUp Bagels, said in a news release.
Charlotte is a “key market” in the brand’s plan to expand its footprint in the Southeast, said Bartlett, who pointed to the the city’s vibrancy and growth in recent years.
PopUp bagels just opened a shop in Tampa, Florida, and recently teased plans to open one in Atlanta, Georgia, by year’s end.
“Being in the restaurant industry, you see a lot of restaurants either with great branding and not a great product or a great product but not great branding,” Patel told CharlotteFive. “But PopUp Bagels ... is branded well and the product backs it all up.”
Location: 4020 Stream Way, Suite 113, Charlotte, NC (opening soon)
Cuisine: Bagels and cream cheese
Menu
Instagram: @popupbagels
At 10:40 on Thursday night — 20 minutes before the originally scheduled end time for Lil Wayne’s concert at PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte — a woman in the seat directly behind me started cursing the type of blue streak typically reserved for, well, a Lil Wayne song.And she was hardly the only fan who was growing more and more irritated by the hip-hop star’s unexplained tardiness: Ten minutes later, hundreds if not thousands of his fans started booing, boisterously.It was all completely warranted...
At 10:40 on Thursday night — 20 minutes before the originally scheduled end time for Lil Wayne’s concert at PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte — a woman in the seat directly behind me started cursing the type of blue streak typically reserved for, well, a Lil Wayne song.
And she was hardly the only fan who was growing more and more irritated by the hip-hop star’s unexplained tardiness: Ten minutes later, hundreds if not thousands of his fans started booing, boisterously.
It was all completely warranted.
“The Greatest Rapper Alive” has an established track record for also being Rapper Alive, but the garbage he pulled here on Thursday was, in my experience with this venue, without precedent. I’ve never seen so many PNC staffers shaking and scratching their heads at the same time. I’ve never been more concerned that concertgoers at a PNC show might resort to some form of civil unrest.
Let me just lay the facts out there for you before I go any further:
Which brings us to 10:40 p.m., when the woman in the seat behind me was getting livid, and then to 10:50 p.m., when fans broke into a loud chorus of boos, and then to 10:55 p.m., when there was yet another round of boos and groans.
Is lil Wayne even in Charlotte???? Almost 11pm and he ain’t touched the stage yet….. pic.twitter.com/z6DYQevmXH
— Scott Douglas (@scottydouglas99) September 26, 2025
And once again, Lil Wayne deserved the displeasure. Just imagine having heeded the warning about traffic and arrived at, say, 5:45 p.m., then having headed straight in. You got a beer, got a snack, were in your seat by 5:55; then over the next FIVE HOURS, you’re treated to 41 minutes of T Lew, 29 minutes of Tyga, and 3 hours and 50 minutes of twiddling your thumbs.
The boos made things interesting — and loud — but otherwise, it was getting quieter after 10:30. Couples and friends were running out of things to talk about, running out of social-media feeds to look at on their phones.
I saw yawning. I saw people just kind of staring off into space.
Meanwhile, there hadn’t been a peep about what was causing the delay. But there was some developing speculation that the venue might unilaterally cancel the show if it got to 11 p.m. and Lil Wayne still hadn’t emerged. No telling what kind of chaos might ensue, in that scenario.
As it turned out, that scenario was avoided. At 10:57, the rapper passed through the gates and under the arch emblazoned with the words “THA CARTER,” white electric guitar slung over his shoulder, massive blunt wedged between the fore and middle fingers of his left hand. And as if it was an otherwise-totally normal night under otherwise-totally normal circumstances, he embarked on a mostly masterful 90-minute-long set showcasing both his deep catalog and his stable of “Young Mula” artists, no apology apparently necessary.
It was affably performed, with Lil Wayne flashing infectious, toothy grins through puffy clouds of weed smoke after every snippet of every song, from monster hits like “6 Foot 7 Foot” and “Lollipop” to deep cuts like “Blunt Blowin’” and ““Tunechi Rollin’.” It was also cooly performed, with him unflinchingly staying on beat and on lyric even when an errant young male fan managed to scramble past security, onstage, and to within just a few feet from Weezy.
It was impressively staged, with adrenalized accompaniment from Matt “Yayo” Mayberry on live drums and T Lew on the DJ board, and kinetic visuals in the form of video, lighting and pyro.
It was even a fun little family affair for a few minutes, with Lil Wayne spitting rhymes alongside his 14-year-old son — stage name Lil Novi — who seems much riper for an eventual breakthrough than lesser Young Money mentees, like heavy-metal screamer Lucifena and bilingual rapper Allan Cubas.
It was a show that Lil Wayne could have been proud of, and that I’d have been grateful to have seen ...
... if he hadn’t been so obnoxiously discourteous.
Even if you walked away from the show after it ended at 12:27 a.m. feeling like it was the best concert you’ve ever attended in your entire life, you couldn’t have possibly preferred that he go on so late, on a school night.
Where is Lil Wayne ? We seen Tyga and now we been waiting a hour , the crowd is booing now lol . #LilWayne #Charlotte pic.twitter.com/BRk7IYde0m
— roc.gelato (@GelatoRoc) September 26, 2025
Right? I mean, if I’m wrong, then tell the concertgoers who arrived early to beat traffic that you’re thrilled he waited till 11 to start. Tell it to the woman in the seat behind me, or anyone who let a “BOOOOOO” travel up out of their throats, past their lips, and into the warm, early-fall air. Tell it to the steady stream of fans I saw bolting for the parking lots with several songs still yet to go, as Thursday night turned into Friday morning — to anyone who had to pay the babysitter overtime, or who had to get up for work at 7 a.m.
By the way, it’s no secret that the city can levy some pretty substantial fines on artists who blast music at PNC as loudly as Lil Wayne does after 11 p.m.
So why delay the show for so long if you don’t have to? I don’t know. Maybe he had a good excuse. If so, I’d love to hear it.
In the absence of one, I can only conclude that Lil Wayne managed to waste a bunch of his fans’ time and a bunch of his tour’s money, for no particular reason.
That’s why — when the rapper looked out at a very-ready-to-go-home crowd right before show-closer “A Milli” and said, “Ladies and gentlemen ... you have been nothing but f------ amazing all f------ night, man” — all I could think was: Actually, we’ve been nothing but (expletive) patient all night, man.
Come on, let’s just get this over with.
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