News and Updates

Many attended the event at Holy Angels on a night with several other nearby options. 

Holy Angels is observing 61st year of service  

The outdoor Push Place pavilion was enclosed and warmed by heaters, and also by the Christmas spirit present, when Chamber members and friends were invited for "Network After Work" at Holy Angels in Belmont on Thursday, December 8. Despite a busy evening of nearby holiday gatherings, many came to see the beautiful decorations on the grounds of Holy Angels, to make business connections and enjoy refreshments provided by Cherub's Cafe, which offers vocational training opportunities for many Holy Angels residents.

Holy Angels CEO Regina Moody talked about the services provided on the 14-acre campus, which is part of a much larger tract owned by the Sisters of Mercy. The international service community of Roman Catholic women established Holy Angels in 1955 to care for children and adults with severe physical and mental challenges. Mrs. Moody also told the group that Holy Angels must raise millions of dollars each year to provide care for the residents who live there. She proudly showed a painting with the word "HOPE" that will be printed as a greeting card and available in 2017. It was created by Holy Angels residents participating in an art club taught by Belmont art instructor Jeaniene Dibble of Art by J.

"Network After Work" receptions are hosted at least once each month by Chamber members and are free to attend. Non-members with an interest in the Chamber or the host company or organization are welcome. 

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 Holy Angels residents helped prepare and serve delicious food for the Chamber reception. 

General Manager Joy Auten speaks to Chamber members from the performing stage at Nellie's Southern Kitchen during Morning Spark networking. 

A large crowd of Chamber members and friends enjoyed breakfast refreshments and networking while learning about a popular new restaurant in Belmont at Nellie's Southern Kitchen on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. General Manager Joy Auten introduced the group to Nellie's Pick Me Up, which offers breakfast biscuits, pastries and take-out food daily starting at 7 a.m. She also spoke about the live entertainment provided every evening in the restaurant and about private party and meeting facilities at Nellie's to accommodate groups of up to 50. 

From left, Jay McCosh, Lindsey Burchfield, Somer Wilson, Bob Clay and Bill Carstarphen

Celebrates with Chamber "Network After Work reception

Chamber members and friends attending "Network After Work" in downtown McAdenville on November 29, 2016, learned about the recent relocation of the Christmastown Thomas Kinkade Gallery and the pending arrival in early 2017 of a William Henry Signature Salon at 131 Main Street. A 3000-plus-square-foot space, ideal for a restaurant, still is available.

The joint Montcross Area Chamber and Gaston Regional Chamber after hours reception and ribbon-cutting drew well over a hundred guests. Pharr Yarns and Coldwell Banker Commercial MECA co-sponsored the event.

Somer Wilson and Lindsey Burchfield are partners in the new salon, which will be the third for William Henry Signature Salon, which also is located in Belmont and Mount Holly. They are targeting a February opening for the business. Thomas Kinkade Gallery owner Jay McCosh told the crowd about his recent move to a new space just south of his former location.

Pharr Yarns CEO Bill Carstarphen spoke about the McAdenville revitalization project under way and about the  town's history. Bob Clay of Coldwell Banker Commercial MECA is looking for the right business for several available spaces on Main Street, including the future restaurant. 

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 Jay McCosh, Somer Wilson and Lindsey Burchfield cut a ribbon to celebrate the recent relocation of the Christmastown Thomas Kinkade Gallery and pending arrival of William Henry Signature Salon in downtown McAdenville.

Cramerton ABC Board Chairperson Carolyn Helms cut a ribbon Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, to open the town’s second ABC Store at 4701 S. New Hope Road. With her are Cramerton Mayor Ronnie Worley (left) and store general manager Sam Carpenter. Eager to see inside the new 5,200-square-foot store and to check out the special holiday bottles on display, a large crowd of Chamber members and Cramerton officials and residents attended and enjoyed food by H&M Catering. N.C. Rep. Dana Bumgardner and County Commission Chairman Tom Keigher were among elected officials on hand along with Cramerton Mayor Pro Tem Will Cauthen and Town Commissioners Susan Neeley and Donald Rice. Other members of the ABC Board are Rick Houser, Gil Aguirre, Mark Wilks and store manager Greg Matthews. Holding the ribbon are Chamber Board members Jennifer Church of the Chronicle Mill and Jason Ramey of PSNC Energy.

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Shannon and Brad Thomas cut a ribbon to celebrate opening of a large new warehouse at Creative Solutions Special Events on Wilson Road in southern Gaston County. The ceremony, which included the entire staff of the business, plus Belmont Mayor Charlie Martin and Chamber representatives, took place just before about 250 guests arrived for "Network After Work GONE Wild" on Nov. 10, 2016. Creative Solutions Special Events provides tables, chairs, tents and every other possible need for weddings, concerts, conferences, parties and all kinds of large and small public events throughout the region. A fourth warehouse is being planned for the rapidly growing local business. Call them about your next event at 704.825.8701, or visit: http://www.csspecialevents.com/.

J.C. and Maria Vargas prepare to cut a ribbon officially opening Belmont Executive Offices with members of their family, staff and Chamber representatives. The photo below shows a pergola and fountain in the courtyard in front of several office suites. 

Chamber members and other guests at the Grand Opening of Belmont Executive Offices were astonished to see how J.C. and Maria Vargas have transformed a crumbling 1940s motor court on Wilkinson Boulevard in Belmont into upscale business office suites. Enjoying food from H&M Catering, music by the Doug Burns Jazz Band and the soothing sounds of a bubbling fountain under a pergola, more than a hundred guests filled the courtyard and strolled in and out of the one, two and three-room office suites, each with its own restroom. There's a shared conference room and mail room.

Originally opened in the 1940s as Bishop's Motel, the 12-room motor court later was known as Delux Motel. It had been vacant and deteriorating for many years, when J.C. and Maria recognized the property's potential and began restoring the buildings.

A former residence and motel office at the front of the site has been beautifully renovated to serve as the business office for the company and also as an office for Maria's consulting practice. 

Lease rates for office suites range from $475 to $1375 per month. For information, call 704.825.0061, or visit www.belmontoffices.com.

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