Here are some things we did in Charlotte before the pandemic that feel surreal now
Charlotte, it’s been a long two weeks turned two years.
I know you don’t need this article to tell you that in the several weeks leading up to mid-March 2020, things still felt oddly ... normal.
Of course, here in Charlotte, we’d all certainly heard of COVID-19 (or “the coronavirus”), and we knew there was a good chance it was heading this way, but the idea of a pandemic coming to shut down the city for two whole weeks still felt surreal.
Two years later, with words like “n95,” “boosters,” “variants”, “COVID cough” and “brain fog” as part of everyday conversations, it can be difficult to remember the time before.
Buzzfeed recently wrote an article: “35 things that happened weeks before the pandemic that will make you question reality, space and time.” It was a strange trip down memory lane.
It got us thinking: What was going on in Charlotte during that time that would make us “question reality, space and time?”
Here are 8 of the things:
50,000 people are coming to Charlotte for the RNC. Can they stay at your place?
When: Nov. 4, 2019
In August 2020, Charlotte was to welcome over 50,000 guests as it hosted the 2020 Republican National Convention at the Spectrum Center. This major political gathering was to bring an influx of tourists into the city, all of whom would need somewhere to stay, CharlotteFive’s Deanna Taylor wrote in November 2019.
Charlotteans saw dollar signs — but of course, COVID-19 inevitably squashed our dreams of getting richer:
- The event ended up being drastically scaled back, with about 1,200 people attending — at the time, still the biggest indoor event allowed by officials since the pandemic began.
- Four people tested positive at the August convention and 14 people were advised to quarantine.
Italian restaurant Vivace closes in Midtown Charlotte
When: Dec. 31, 2019
Italian restaurant Vivace closed its Metropolitan location after dinner service on New Year’s Eve. The restaurant had been open for a decade at the Metropolitan.
“When one door closes, another opens and we look forward to seeing the many friends we made at Vivace at our other restaurants ....” owner Kevin Jennings said at the time.
Too many friends: Is avoidance of FOMO killing us slowly?
When: Jan 9, 2020
In 2020, we were going to learn to say no.
CharlotteFive writer Christy Siebert reported on the toll of “fear of missing out” and of people choosing to say yes to things over listening to their bodies asking for down time and self-care.
“I don’t want to miss out on fun or the experience of friends,” Charlottean Maya Chaplin told CharlotteFive. “Just recently, I had four different events to which I was invited, and I experience FOMO all the time.”
Charlottean Natalie Dilley said “Charlotte is a city that is go-go-go, and we never take the time to slow down.” She recommended listening to that inner voice that includes needing time for one’s self.
Turns out, many of us were about to really take that advice to heart — whether we wanted to or not.
No one goes to the movies anymore, yet this theater was expanding.
When: Jan. 14, 2020
A June 2019 survey revealed only 14 percent of adults see a movie in a theater once a month. Almost half of us went to the movies only once a year, yet Studio Movie Grill had recently expanded into its second Charlotte location. We went to check it out on a rainy Monday afternoon (Spoiler alert: I haven’t been to a movie in a theater since!).
- Studio Movie Grill closed its original location at The Epicentre for good on March 2, 2020.
- It also closed its new University location shortly after, temporarily due to the pandemic at first — and then permanently.
- In January 2022, Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas announced it would move into Studio Movie Grill’s old University location.
Pass the popcorn?
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit opened with free biscuits and coffee for a year
When: Jan. 31, 2020
The hotly anticipated (pun intended) Charlotte opening of Charleston spinoff Callie’s Charleston Biscuits was big news in South End. The grab-and-go spot was celebrating with all the swag, free biscuits and free coffee.
Sadly, we said goodbye to Callie’s almost exactly two years later. We’ll still visit in Charleston, Callie’s!
Brooks’ Sandwich House was back, with cheeseburgers, community — and memories of Scott
When: Feb. 1, 2020
It was cold and overcast the morning of Saturday, Feb. 1, but that clearly didn’t stop anyone from showing up to Brooks’ Sandwich House. Everyone came for the burgers — yet no one was there for the burgers.
Co-owner Scott Brooks was killed on Dec. 9 as he attempted to open for the day. On Feb. 1 at 10 a.m., the restaurant opened its doors for the first time since. “It’s almost like an awakening of something new for something old. I’m looking forward just to fellowship and watching everybody coming in and enjoying themselves today,” owner David Brooks, Scott’s surviving twin, told me that day.
More than two years later, the pain of losing Scott remains painful for many in the Charlotte community — including this reporter.
Surrounded by rescue dogs: Is there a more fitting Charlotte goodbye for the Riveras?
When: Feb. 15, 2020
The Panthers former head coach, Ron Rivera, and his wife, Stephanie, held the yard sale of yard sales at before moving to Washington, D.C. The Humane Society of Charlotte was both the location and the benefactor of the sale, with all proceeds going to help rescue animals.
Of course, Tahoe the Golden and his new sister, Sierra, were on hand for snuggles and pets from fans.
5 things you can’t miss during the CIAA’s last hurrah in Charlotte
When: Feb. 27, 2020
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association men’s and women’s basketball tournaments had been held in Charlotte since 2006, but 2020 marked the CIAA’s final hoorah in the Queen City. “We have grown with Charlotte and Charlotte has grown with us,” Suzette McQueen, senior associate commissioner of the CIAA, told CharlotteFive reporter DeAnna Taylor. “The ability to have everyone is one central location has been a benefit and made the event explode.”
Two years later, we still miss the day parties, CIAA. Come back soon?
