American & Efird will close N.C. plant | Charlotte Observer

Mount Holly-based American & Efird will close a thread plant in Caldwell County, affecting about 75 employees.

The challenging “economic climate” for textile makers is forcing the consolidation of the company's spinning operations, said Barry Chambers, vice president of human resources. Employees will be given the option to relocate to other American & Efird facilities. They learned of the coming closing last week.

The company, a subsidiary of Charlotte-based Ruddick Corp., makes industrial and consumer sewing and embroidery thread.

Hannah Mitchell

Garden & Gun magazine

is suing the owner of a Charlotte nightclub of the same name, alleging trademark infringement.

The Charleston, S.C.-based Southern lifestyle magazine filed the suit in state court Monday against TwoDalGals, which owns Charlotte's Garden and Gun Club, set to open this summer. The case was removed to federal court Tuesday.

In court documents, the year-old Garden & Gun magazine argued that it owned the Garden & Gun trademark by assignment from its parent company, Evening Post Publishing Co. The company selected the name to exemplify the South's “geniality yet strength,” it said. It alleged that it has spent millions developing, publishing and advertising the magazine and accompanying Web site. Company officials discovered the Charlotte nightclub during an Internet search.

The company said it is concerned that the club's use of the name will lead people to believe the club and magazine are related. The magazine is seeking more than $75,000 in relief, according to court papers. Kirsten Valle