Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) in Matthews, NC

If you live in or visit Matthews often, you may have noticed new commercial projects popping up around downtown to provide new food and drink offerings, plus a little fun.

Jay Camp, Town of Matthews planning director, describes recent local development as a “slow and intentional” process. The emphasis has been on construction that fits with the character and charm of a traditional, small downtown, he said.

And even if the wide range of new retail and lifestyle businesses appear to be coming at a fast pace, much of the newly visible construction was envisioned decades ago.

Here’s a closer look at some of the local businesses coming soon or recently opened in Matthews.

Perhaps the biggest change to the area is the brand new building going up on Matthews Station Street. The development, helmed by Brahm Investments LLC, is due to be finished in April, with tenants opening their doors in August.

The new three-floor building known as The Station fills a land parcel that has awaited development since the Matthews branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Matthews Town Hall were built in 2000.

“After 25 years, we’re finally seeing Matthew Station Street come to completion,“ Camp said.

Brahm Investments is also beginning work this year on its second development project. The Veranda will be Matthews first “Missing Middle” development — a walkable, village-style community planned to be completed in early 2028. The 4+ acres of land is near Inner Peaks and the Target shopping center.

Here’s what you’ll find inside (and up on the roof) at The Station, Brahm Investments CEO and founder Mumukshu Brahmbhatt told CharlotteFive, along with a pilates studio and another wellness-based business.

Location: 126 Matthews Station Street, Matthews, NC 28105, ground floor

The popular upscale coffee shop, Fly Kid Fly, which launched at the Bowl in Ballantyne in 2024, is set to open a second 1,700-square-foot shop in the new building. (The coffee shop is currently under litigation for an alleged breach of contract with another local developer, which we’ll get back to in a bit.)

Location: 126 Matthews Station Street, Matthews, NC 28105, ground floor

Next door, Seemingly Overzealous, the whimsical dairy-, egg- and gluten-free ice cream concept started by Hygge coworking founder, Garrett Tichy, and his partner, Jessica Berresse, will move in. The brand currently has three Charlotte-area shops with more to come. The Matthews spot will be one of two planned stores scheduled to open in 2026.

Location: 126 Matthews Station Street, Matthews, NC 28105, ground floor

This home-grown record shop, which specializes in selling used and rare albums, will also be on the first floor. Noble Records is also known around the world for its independent archival label dedicated to reissuing little known psychedelic and hard rock albums. Noble will be relocating from its current spot on Independence Boulevard.

Location: 126 Matthews Station Street, Matthews, NC 28105, ground floor

Tee’d Up, a golf simulator bar, will bring the golf experience indoors. Featuring four simulator bays and a full bar, the new business will fill 3,000 square feet of retail space.

Matthews first rooftop restaurant and bar will open at The Station. The name isn’t set, but it comes from the same team behind Graham Street Pub & Patio in uptown and The Clubhouse Bites and Booze in Ballantyne.

Down the street from The Station, directly across from the Matthews Library and Town Hall in the former space of Beantown Tavern, Enzo’s Italian Market & Osteria is in the final stages of work before a planned opening this winter. The 9,000-square-footspace will include a gourmet grocery, bakery and cafe with a temperature-controlled outdoor seating area.

Intersection of West John Street and South Trade Street

“Probably the biggest question we get asked is, ‘What is going on with that building?’” Camp said. “I would say (it’s) the No. 1 mystery in Matthews right now.”

The structure, which has been completed for several years, replaced a former Exxon gas station. Camp said a few concepts had begun work toward permitting for interior upfits, but so far no building permits have been issued.

For months, passing drivers saw a Harriet’s Hamburgers sign posted on the building. But in late December, Charlotte Business Journal reported that SNY Holdings LLC, the property’s landlord, had filed suit against Fly Kid Fly 2 and Harriet’s Hamburgers IV for alleged breach of contract. According to court documents, contracts were signed in March 2024, but the tenants defaulted on their leases. The suit alleges that as of March 2025, the amounts owed were $9,301.50 for Fly Kid Fly and $24,805.10 for Harriet’s Hamburgers.

An old warehouse and motorcycle shop have been converted into a new and bustling retail area on North Ames Street.

Planning for Ames Station began pre-Covid, said Camp, who described this area as organic growth within Matthews. “We were fortunate that the right developer had a vision, and they shared that vision with us and we really embraced it.”

The developer worked with the town to improve the streetscape, including adding on-street parking. New porches, patios and breezeways designed by the architect also help to draw visitors into the site, Camp said.

A pedestrian path along the train tracks also leads from Trade Street directly to this new business development.

“So it’s very well connected to the heart of downtown,” Camp said.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

Locally owned and operated Carolina Beer Temple moved into its spacious, naturally light filled new digs last April. It’s the third home for the shop since it originally opened in Matthews in 2013.

It offers 29 types of craft beer on tap, plus a diverse selection of wine, hard seltzer, hard cider and non-alcoholic alternatives. The brewery’s selection always includes two beers from Belgian brewery St. Bernardus. Carolina Beer Temple is one of only 14 breweries across the U.S. with an official partnership with that renowned brewery and the only one in North Carolina.

“Business has been incredible” since making the move, said Ken Startin, Carolina Beer Temple’s wine director. The space does not currently have its own kitchen, but there’s always a food truck (rotating selection daily) parked outside.

Within the mall-style concept of Ames Street Marketplace, located inside Carolina Beer Temple, you’ll also find:

Location: 215 N Ames St. #900, Matthews, NC 28105

This new family-owned and operated bakery and coffee shop opened last August next door to Ames Street Market. Sisters and co-owners Esther Barokha and Abigail Borisik focus on elegant Eastern European inspired pastries and gourmet coffee drinks. If you stay to enjoy your treats at the cafe, expect them served in real ceramic plates and cups.

Everything at Innescas is made fresh daily with many recipes coming directly from the owners’ Ukrainian born mother. Sometimes she even comes in to help prepare cafe specialties, like her Sweet Cheese Rolls. Other local favorites include the fresh fruit mousse cakes, made with real mango, strawberry or lemon, alongside tarts and cakes. Menu items get switched up every few weeks, Borisik said.

While Barokha oversees the bakery, Borisik focuses on specialty lattes, teas and other drinks. One of the most popular is the Tiramisu Latte, with espresso and house made vanilla syrup, a layer of mascarpone-inspired sweet cream foam, a dusting of cocoa powder and a lady finger.

“It really gives you the experience of having tiramisu but in a coffee form,” Borisik said. “It’s really fun.”

Coming soon to Matthews

Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria franchise — with a nearly 50-year history in Rochester, New York — will be opening next door to Ames Street Marketplace. The date has not been publicly announced.

Self-serve taproom Hoppin’ started in Charlotte in 2017 and now has franchise locations opening across the country. The new Matthews location will open at Ames Station, next door to Innescas. Hoppin’ founder/CEO Rich Moyer (who is also a co-owner of Two Scoops Creamery) told CharlotteFive via email that the franchise is expected to open its doors this spring, but no exact date has been announced.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — The bitter cold is breaking water pipes all across our area and shutting down roads, including one street in Matthews that has seen multiple breaks over the past few years.

As Charlotte Water crews braved the frigid temperatures Tuesday, they were working to restore water for many around Mecklenburg County. We saw main breaks on major streets like Providence Road in South Charlotte, and several in Hickory -- Channel 9’s Hunter Sáenz went to John Street in Matthews, where a portion of the road was shut down.

Neighbors like Tommy Johnson didn’t know about the closure before they started their journeys. Johnson was on his way to get a root canal at Queen City Endodontics, which is smack dab in the middle of the water main break.

“I came on up and the detour signs detoured me around where I needed to come to, and I parked right there and walked across the street,” Johnson said.

He says he tried to get there before the water shut off, but he wasn’t so lucky. Now, he has to go back Thursday for his root canal.

This isn’t the first time we’ve had a water main break on John Street -- it’s actually the fourth break within about a half-mile stretch in the last two and a half years. Charlotte Water said all the breaks have been on different pipes along the street, however.

Charlotte Water told us that bitterly cold temperatures likely shifted the soil, impacting pipes underground.

While crews worked in multiple spots to fix the pipes and restore water access, people like Johnson are just being patient and understanding.

“Winter time is winter time, stuff is going to happen,” he said.

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MATTHEWS, N.C. — A property owner in Matthews is suing a popular local burger chain and a coffee shop.

According to our partners at the Charlotte Business Journal, SNY Holdings LLC filed lawsuits against Harriet’s Hamburgers IV and Fly Kid Fly 2, alleging breach of lease agreements at 101 West John St. in Matthews.

Harriet’s is a Charlotte-based burger restaurant, while Fly Kid Fly is a coffee shop with a location currently in Ballantyne.

The lawsuit says both restaurant concepts have defaulted on their lease obligations, failing to pay base rent and shared costs. Harriet’s Hamburgers owes $24,805.10, while Fly Kid Fly owes $9,301.50 as of March 2025.

The CBJ reported that SNY Holdings LLC has owned the property since June 2018, having purchased it for $305,000. The landlord inked lease agreements with Harriet’s Hamburgers IV and Fly Kid Fly 2 in March 2024.

The complaints allege that both tenants have defaulted on their obligation to pay base rent as well as their share of common-area costs and other fees.

Harriet’s Hamburgers displayed a status of closed for that location, and the last activity on that permit was noted in February 2025.

A spokesperson for Harriet’s Hamburgers provided a statement to Channel 9, saying, “Harriet’s Hamburgers strongly disagrees with the characterization of events described in the lawsuit.” The spokesperson added that the lease contained a landlord termination right tied to an opening deadline and the company requested an extension of that deadline.

They said, “We were supremely disappointed by the landlord’s decision, but remain fully committed to opening a Harriet’s location in Matthews and are actively evaluating alternative sites in the community.”

We’ve reached out to Fly Kid Fly 2 for a comment on the lawsuit, but we haven’t heard back yet.

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When Hough High’s Samari Matthews was a freshman, his current high school coach, DeShawn Baker, was coaching at Cox Mill in Cabarrus County.

Cox Mill played Hough, and even though Baker had heard that Matthews might be a special kind of ninth-grader, he was determined to test the young cornerback.

“It’s like, ‘We gotta make sure he can play,’” Baker said. “And he got his first pick off me.

“Pretty quickly, I knew he was different.”

Flash forward a few years, and Matthews has become one of the best high school players in America. Now, he is being honored as the top high school football player in North Carolina, winning Mr. Football for the state.

Hough will receive a banner to hang in its gym in Matthews’ honor.

“It’s definitely a blessing,” Matthews said of being named a finalist for the award. “I mean, I didn’t think I’d ever get nominated for Mr. Football. My parents told me. They were pretty excited. (Winning the award) would mean a lot. I think Mr. Football is definitely a big accomplishment, and I’m up there with two other great players (finalists QB Zaid Lott of Providence Day and defensive lineman Aiden Harris of Weddington). Being able to be named with them definitely means a lot.”

Matthews, signed to Texas, is the first defensive player to win the award.

Baker has coached him since his sophomore year, and coached Matthews for the final time in Thursday’s state championship game against Raleigh’s Millbrook High. Hough won 21-0.. Matthews had seven tackles, including six solo tackles.

“He never complains,” Baker said. “He’s always coaching everybody up. I tell everybody, he’s one of the best kids I’ve ever had. And I’m not just talking playing-wise, just a human being; like the kid will sit there and play tic-tac-toe with my 9-year-old son for 30 minutes, just laughing and joking with him. So he’s just been awesome.

“Man, I’m going to miss him next year. And what better way to go out than to have the last game with him in the state championship?”

What’s ‘Smoke’ all about?

One of the most frequent questions Matthews says he gets is about the origin of his nickname, Smoke.

On his website (yes, he’s got a website), Matthews says the name initially came from him being fast when running track, but it’s evolved to be more about his prowess on the football field. He said he’s not afraid of any challenge in football — or, as the kids say, he wants “all the smoke.”

But as he has climbed the recruiting charts and landed dozens of major college offers, high school teams have shied away from throwing the ball at him.

This season, he was thrown at less than 20 times. He’s intercepted two passes. His ability to take away one side of the field, like a high school version of Deion Sanders, allowed Hough to bring an extra player into run defense or shade more safety help to the other side of the field.

“The game plan is just to not throw the ball his way,” said Mooresville QB Brody Norman, a three-time offensive player of the year in his conference.

When Norman and Mooresville played Hough in September, Norman said a miscommunication led him to throw the ball toward a receiver being guarded by Matthews.

Matthews intercepted it.

“It’s just not a good situation,” Norman said. “I wish it didn’t happen. But it happened.”

Norman played with Matthews in a middle school all-star game and during his freshman year before he transferred to Mooresville.

“I got to work with him every day,” Norman said. “And I got to see him work, and that is what makes him good, his work ethic. His length helps him out a lot, and he knows how to use his length to his advantage, with the press cover stuff that he does. And his technique, on top of his work ethic and just being a very talented player, it just all comes together.”

Staying humble, looking ahead

Even before that Cox Mill game four years ago, when he intercepted a pass against his future coach’s team, Matthews had become a big recruiting name nationally.

That meant being a target every Friday night — and every summer.

“It’s a like a blessing,” Matthews said, “but it’s something you can’t be complacent with. You’ve always got to keep working. Someone is always coming for your spot. So it’s just something I use as fuel to make sure I’m always at my best.”

Matthews said his parents also help with that.

“The people around me, they kind of tell me, I’m not (among the best),” Matthews joked. “I mean, I never really had the image that I was better than anybody. My parents always tell me, ‘You’re not doing enough,’ or ‘You’re still sorry to us,’ so until I get their validation, I can probably just say that I have to keep going.”

This season, Hough coach Baker said the Huskies moved Matthews around in the defensive secondary. He finished the season with 34 tackles, and the two picks, but he’s often just left outside, guarding the opposing team’s best receiver — and looking at his teammates make plays. He had seven tackles in the state championship game.

His teammates say he never gets bored.

“I guess he’s just strapping boys down on that side,” Hough lineman Jarvis Potts said. “I guess quarterbacks are scared to throw over there. He’s doing what he’s got to do.”

Potts said he really wishes Matthews could get more action.

“Shoot,” Potts said. “You should throw over there, where we could whoop y’all. Throw over there. Make him look better. Let’s work.”

Previous Mr. Football winners

2020: Henry Rutledge, Charlotte Christian

Spring 2021: Daylan Smothers, Chambers

Fall 2021: Omarion Hampton, Cleveland

2022: Jadyn Davis, Providence Day

2023: Jaydn Davis, Providence Day

2024: Faizon Brandon, Grimsley