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 Murray's Mill Historic Site 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 Mooresville, 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.
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“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was the best option. She was familiar with all assisted living/memory care facilities around town and was quick to respond to the family with tours. She delivered FL2 forms to physician's and made the transition an easy process. I recommend Sandy 100 % for any family needing a smaller community for their elderly family member.”
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“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go above and beyond for staff/clients. Highly recommend for employment and senior in-home care support.”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
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“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”
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“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
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 Liberty 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 Epic Chophouse or visit Mooresville Historic Mill Village, 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 Mooresville, 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 Mooresville, 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 Mooresville, 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.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (WBTV) - The owner of a pet grooming and boarding facility at the center of recent controversy was fined by the state for several violations.Pamela Byars, owner of Classy Critters Pet Resort and Spa in Mooresville, was fined $1,900 in civil penalties by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Veterinary Division on Aug. 13. The fine is for 14 reported violations.Classy Critters Pet Resort and Spa has been at the center of controversy in recent weeks due to a dog escaping their...
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (WBTV) - The owner of a pet grooming and boarding facility at the center of recent controversy was fined by the state for several violations.
Pamela Byars, owner of Classy Critters Pet Resort and Spa in Mooresville, was fined $1,900 in civil penalties by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Veterinary Division on Aug. 13. The fine is for 14 reported violations.
Classy Critters Pet Resort and Spa has been at the center of controversy in recent weeks due to a dog escaping their facility, and separate animal abuse allegations.
Here’s a look at those recent situations, and a breakdown of the business’ reported violations.
A handful of the violations reported on Aug. 13 were related to the escape of a dog named Kota in July.
Sheldon Hipps, Kota’s owner, said he dropped Kota and another of his dogs off at Classy Critters on a Monday. Hipps said he was called on Wednesday and told about Kota’s escape.
Kota was found on Sunday. During his escape, he was hit by a car and injured.
Inspectors allege that staff did not document Kota’s escape properly, despite having discussed that requirement with her before. They also said officials were not notified of his escape within 48 hours, as required by the state.
[Previous coverage: ]
None of the violations reported this month appeared to be related to videos of alleged animal abuse captured in July.
The videos appeared to show employee Kirsten Taylor abusing pets while grooming them. In the videos, a person believed to be Taylor could be seen hitting and shoving multiple dogs.
Taylor was arrested on July 23 and charged with four counts of felony animal abuse.
[Previous coverage: ]
Byars declined to be interviewed by WBTV at the time of Taylor’s arrest, but did say that Taylor had been fired and that the incident was not a representation of her business.
The state reported several violations related to the dog grooming and boarding business. Those violations varied in severity, and included:
Byars was given 60 days to either pay the penalty assessment, or file a petition for appeal.
You can read the full notice from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture below:
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The state revealed details Tuesday about the planned six-month closing of a road at a major Lake Norman-area intersection.West Wilson Avenue, at the U.S. 21/Brawley School Road intersection, will close beginning at midnight Monday, Sept. 15, according to a North Carolina Department of Transportation news release.Brawley School Road and U.S. 21 will stay open during the work by Charlotte-based general contractor Lane Construction Corp., highway officials said.West Wilson Avenue will close between U.S. 21 and the entrance ...
The state revealed details Tuesday about the planned six-month closing of a road at a major Lake Norman-area intersection.
West Wilson Avenue, at the U.S. 21/Brawley School Road intersection, will close beginning at midnight Monday, Sept. 15, according to a North Carolina Department of Transportation news release.
Brawley School Road and U.S. 21 will stay open during the work by Charlotte-based general contractor Lane Construction Corp., highway officials said.
West Wilson Avenue will close between U.S. 21 and the entrance to Country Club Apartments, according to NCDOT. That’s a third of a mile stretch.
Brawley School Road extends 10 miles from Lake Norman, beyond Trump National Golf Club Charlotte, to the U.S. 21-West Wilson Avenue intersection. West Wilson is a primary route to downtown Mooresville.
Signs will detour drivers around the closure using West Wilson Avenue, South Main Street, West McLelland Avenue, N.C. 150 and U.S. 21,” according to NCDOT.
The work is part of a $34.8 million widening of Brawley School Road to a four-lane, divided road between Interstate 77 exit 35 and U.S. 21, officials said. U-turn bulbs, bike lanes and sidewalks will be installed, and intersections will get signals.
Construction of the roughly mile-long stretch is expected to end in early 2029.
Word of the closing riled residents of traffic-clogged Mooresville since assistant town manager Ryan Rase announced some details at the Sept. 2 Mooresville Board of Commissioners meeting.
“The news that I want to make the public aware of is that they will be closing the intersection of (U.S.) 21, Brawley School Road and West Wilson Avenue,” Rase said, according to a recording of the meeting on the town’s You Tube site.
“The active closure will be between Country Club Drive and 21 on Wilson for the next 180 days,” Rase said.
Town officials learned of the upcoming closure earlier on the day of the Town Board meeting, Rase told the commissioners.
“The good news is that construction continues on the Brawley School Road project, which is about 50% complete,” Rase said.
Mooresville resident Richard Beck criticized the closure in an email to The Charlotte Observer and local and state elected officials. The state should at least keep a lane open, he said.
“This closure is on top of the current ongoing widening project for (nearby) N.C. 150, the major cross-town artery in Mooresville,” Beck wrote. “This action begs the question: ‘On what planet does NCDOT continue to live?’
“NCDOT cuts one main artery through the heart of Mooresville, while it is conducting major surgery on the other,” Beck said. “Is the intent to kill or in a major way inflict as much pain as it can?”
On its Brawley School Road widening page, NCDOT says:
“By prioritizing pedestrian safety and accessibility, the NCDOT underscores its commitment to fostering a more inclusive and pedestrian-friendly community environment. As construction continues, we look forward to enhanced mobility, connectivity, and overall quality of life in our community.”
This story was originally published September 6, 2025 at 9:09 AM.
Those in search of authentic Italian fare can soon find it in the heart of Mooresville.Florence Wine & Beer Garden has found a home inside the Merino Mill business center at 500 S. Main St., in downtown Mooresville, owner Michal Bay confirmed to CharlotteFive.The Lake Norman restaurant began welcoming guests Monday, Sept. 22, as part of its soft opening and will hold an official ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 7, according to a recent Instagram post.Spanning 40,000 square-feet, Florence Wine & Beer Garden will of...
Those in search of authentic Italian fare can soon find it in the heart of Mooresville.
Florence Wine & Beer Garden has found a home inside the Merino Mill business center at 500 S. Main St., in downtown Mooresville, owner Michal Bay confirmed to CharlotteFive.
The Lake Norman restaurant began welcoming guests Monday, Sept. 22, as part of its soft opening and will hold an official ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 7, according to a recent Instagram post.
Spanning 40,000 square-feet, Florence Wine & Beer Garden will offer traditional Italian cuisine alongside an assortment of wines from Italy, France and Spain. Guests will have their pick of fresh homemade pastas and chicken dishes, as well as fish, veal and beef.
At the grand opening, Bay said customers can enjoy their first plate of homemade pasta on the house.
We’ll have “some of the best steak in the world,” he said of the wagyu, adding: “We serve it with a spoon, not a knife.”
Florence Wine & Beer Garden is the latest to join the family of restaurants inside Merino Mill, including Alino Pizzeria, Barcelona Burger and Picasso Mediterranean. The latter, formerly known as Picasso Taqueria, was recently reimagined and now serves Mediterranean cuisine alongside a few taqueria favorites, CharlotteFive reported.
The menu was inspired by Bay’s summertime visits to Spain.
“We wanted to offer a bigger menu for the entire family,” he said at the time. “If the adults want salmon and seabass, but the kids want cheese quesadillas, everybody can leave happy.”
For his next venture, Bay is focused on breathing new life into a space that’s more than a century old and once housed a generator used to power the entire mill.
“We believe this is American heritage,” Bay told CharlotteFive of the building that will house his newest restaurant. “So we spent two years renovating, restoring and it just came out beautifully. Amazing.”
Guests of Florence Wine & Beer Garden can dine al fresco in its large, lush outdoor space replete with a pond with two fountains that’s 18 feet deep. Bay said the water feature was once used to cool the machinery in the generator.
“The ceilings are like 50-feet high,” he said of the restaurant’s interior. “We could have divided it into two floors, but I didn’t want to ruin the building. The building as it is is so beautiful.”
Customers will have much to look forward to once Florence Wine & Beer Garden is ready to open its doors.
“Authentic Italian flavors. The best steaks in town,” the restaurant said in a recent Instagram post. “Florence is bringing both — all under one roof. Opening soon, right here.”
Location: 500 South Main Street, Mooresville, NC
Cuisine: Traditional Italian/wine & beer garden
Instagram: @florence_wineandbeergarden
The first thing you notice on La Dolcekca Deluxe Bakery’s Instagram isn’t the cakes or pastries, but the way owner Karina Cooper’s warmth seems to reach through the glass of your phone, inviting you inside.She affectionately calls viewers her “La Dolcekca family,” and beckons them to come along on her journey to open a new bakery in Mooresville.In a video posted last week, Cooper’s camera caught the swish of rags and the hum of voices as a few of her family members and friends worked to get t...
The first thing you notice on La Dolcekca Deluxe Bakery’s Instagram isn’t the cakes or pastries, but the way owner Karina Cooper’s warmth seems to reach through the glass of your phone, inviting you inside.
She affectionately calls viewers her “La Dolcekca family,” and beckons them to come along on her journey to open a new bakery in Mooresville.
In a video posted last week, Cooper’s camera caught the swish of rags and the hum of voices as a few of her family members and friends worked to get the shop ready for its grand opening. Locals, she said, have supported her every step of the way.
“I have so many people that have shown love to me in different ways,” Cooper said in a video posted to Instagram last week. “I’m so grateful for the support.”
But this isn’t her first venture.
Cooper opened a similar concept, La Dolcekca Bakery Cafe, in Montford in 2022. She told CharlotteFive it was known as a “family-oriented space,” which meant patrons could enjoy lunch and dinner entrees on top of dessert selections.
After three years, she traded the bustle of an all-day menu for a sweeter ambition, deciding to “downsize and streamline” her menu to focus on one thing: desserts.
The choice to close the shop didn’t come lightly, though. Last May, shortly after the eatery shuttered, Cooper found herself in a prayer, searching for guidance when an idea came to her: bake cupcakes for the neighbors.
“I gave away 100 little boxes with three or four cupcakes inside to the neighbors” before quickly running out, Cooper said.
The next day, she repeated the gesture. This time, as she passed a box to a neighbor who knew of her plans to open a new bakery, they questioned whether she had found a spot yet.
When she said she hadn’t, that neighbor pointed out a “charming” place in Mooresville where she relocated to shortly after, and she and her team have been working around the clock to get the place ready for its debut.
“I love this space because it’s smaller and more intimate,” she told CharlotteFive. “But we’re still going to have the staples.”
The most popular dessert dish at La Dolcekca Bakery Cafe was by far the tres leches, a sponge cake that’s soaked in a trio of milks — evaporated, condensed and heavy cream — until it’s almost pudding-like.
The dish was so popular, it earned the title of Best Tres Leches in Charlotte by in 2023.
It’ll be at La Dolcekca Deluxe Bakery, along with flan, a custard-based dessert topped with a caramel crown, pastries, rolls, key lime pies, cheesecakes and cookies.
“Everybody loves our cheesecakes,” said Cooper, adding that cookies will also be on the menu, a wink to the Gen-Z crowd and their TikTok-fueled cravings.
Customers can also expect crepes and waffles for breakfast, as well as “grab-and-go” cakes for people in a pinch preparing for special occasions, Cooper said.
“If you’re in a rush on your way to a birthday party and you don’t have a cake, you can find one here,” she added.
Cooper, a cake artist and pastry chef, said her heritage – and her stepfather’s – inspired her to create an international menu with exotic flavors from around the world, such as baklava.
“I’m Dominican, but my stepfather is Italian,” said Cooper, noting that she went to France to study the art of pastry-making. “Every place that I go, I’m inspired by the flavors.”
Cooper said the key to her success, aside from unwavering support from the Mooresville community, has been preparing dishes with her main ingredient: love.
“We believe that no matter what you do, if you put love in, it will be better,” she said. “When you’re doing something because you have a passion for it, the love is amazing.”
She recalled a time recently where a friend who had just undergone surgery and was confined to bed called her, in distress. Her aunt was visiting for her birthday, and there was no cake to be found.
“I said ‘in the morning, I’ll give you a cake,’ and I made such a beautiful cake for her to enjoy,” said Cooper. “That’s my fuel, to see people happy.”
La Dolcekca Deluxe Bakery plans to open in the next couple of weeks, Cooper said.
Cuisine: Dessert
Welcome Mooresville to the Carolinas Top 25 poll.The poll is sponsored by McClatchy media companies and ranks the top high school football teams in North and South Carolina.Mooresville (3-2) moves into the poll at No. 19 after beating N.C. power East Forsyth, 42-14. The Blue Devils’ two losses are to No. 11 Weddington (31-10 on Aug. 22) and No. 2 Hough (28-21 on Sept. 12).Elsewhere, Providence Day moved up a spot to No. 1 overall, taking over from Hough, after beating nationally-ranked Rabun Gap, 55-34, last week. ...
Welcome Mooresville to the Carolinas Top 25 poll.
The poll is sponsored by McClatchy media companies and ranks the top high school football teams in North and South Carolina.
Mooresville (3-2) moves into the poll at No. 19 after beating N.C. power East Forsyth, 42-14. The Blue Devils’ two losses are to No. 11 Weddington (31-10 on Aug. 22) and No. 2 Hough (28-21 on Sept. 12).
Elsewhere, Providence Day moved up a spot to No. 1 overall, taking over from Hough, after beating nationally-ranked Rabun Gap, 55-34, last week. The Chargers are ranked No. 23 in the High School Football America national poll, the highest of any Carolinas team.
The top 25 rankings are compiled by longtime high school football expert Chris Hughes, a co-host of The Charlotte Observer’s streaming Talking Preps high school show.
Rk., School, State, Hometown, Rec., Prvs.
1. Providence Day (NC, Charlotte) 5-0, 2
2. Hough (NC, Cornelius) 5-0, 1
3. South Pointe (SC, Rock Hill) 4-1, 3
4. Grimsley (NC, Greensboro) 4-0, 5
5. Irmo (SC, Irmo) 5-0, 6
6. Northwestern (SC, Rock Hill) 4-1, 7
7. Mallard Creek (NC, Charlotte) 4-1, 9
8. South Florence (SC, Florence) 4-1, 8
9. Dutch Fork (SC, Irmo) 3-1, 4
10. Myers Park (NC, Charlotte) 4-1, 10
11. Weddington (NC, Weddington) 4-1, 12
12. Independence (NC, Mint Hill), 4-1, 13
13. West Charlotte (NC, Charlotte) 3-2, 14
14. Cleveland (NC, Clayton) 4-0, 15
15. Millbrook (NC, Raleigh) 4-0, 16
16. Summerville (SC, Summerville) 3-1, 18
17. James Island (SC, Charleston) 5-0, 20
18. North Augusta (SC, North Augusta) 5-0, 19
19. Mooresville (NC, Mooresville) 3-2, NR
20. Cardinal Gibbons (NC, Raleigh) 4-1, 11
21. Byrnes (SC, Duncan) 3-1, 21
22. Belton-Honea Path (SC, Honea Path) 5-0, 22
23. Dorman (SC, Roebuck) 3-1, 24
24. Greenwood (SC, Greenwood) 3-1, 17
25. Hoggard (NC, Wilmington) 4-0, 23
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