Ah, summer. The air gets hotter, hair gets blonder, skin gets tanner and all we can think about is a cold drink on a breezy patio. Luckily, there’s always something new to do in the 28277. Check it out:
EAT/DRINK
The Lodge – A Sportsman’s Grill
16640 Hawfield Way Drive (Shops at Ardrey Kell) — Coming soon!
This popular Colony Road eatery is opening a Ballantyne location sometime in June, and we are beyond excited. The original location is known for having a huge beer and wine selection, delicious food with an emphasis on local ingredients (the broccoli casserole is to die for) and a spacious outdoor patio that’s perfect for letting the kiddos run around — there are even blocks to keep them occupied. We can’t wait to see what the new location has to offer. Keep an eye on The Lodge’s website for more info.
DANCE
Blakeney summer concert series
Blakeney shopping center (intersection of Ardrey Kell and Rea Road)
Great shopping and live music — the perfect recipe for a fabulous summer evening. Every Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. until August, Blakeney hosts an outdoor concert. This weekend Chris Sanchez Band will headline, and next weekend it’s DJ Chuck. Check out the entertainment schedule here and make your dinner plans for the evening here (we love 131 Main for date night or Chopt for grab-and-go).
TAN
Organic Bronze Bar
16615 Lancaster Highway, Suite 106
Owner Kathleen Riehl was raised on the beaches of SoCal so she knows her stuff when it comes to a beautiful bronze glow. As she got older and switched to spray tans, she started to hate the weird smell and potentially dangerous chemicals in the solution used by most salons. After a visit to the original Organic Bronze Bar in Portland (land of health-conscious hipsters), Kathleen was hooked on her new beautiful color courtesy of skin-improving natural ingredients like coconut oil and dark chocolate extract. She opened North Carolina’s first organic spray tan salon in January and loves making women (and men!) feel great about the way they look.
Your first tan is $25, and you can become a member for $39 (two tans a month), $54 (three tans a month) or $69 (unlimited tans each month). OBB’s professional staff will apply your tan by hand, so you can decide how it goes on. Want super dark legs but a lighter face? No problem. Every tan is fully customizable to your skin tone — no oompa loompas or Cheeto-orange skin walking out of Kathleen’s place — and they last an average of seven days. Not into the faux glow? Organic Bronze Bar also offers a colorless “Quench” spray with 60 naturally hydrating ingredients that can help with eczema and other skin issues. Kathleen says it’s like a body wrap without the sitting and waiting part. Make an appointment here.
Organic Bronze Bar is also all about giving back. A portion of all proceeds benefits skin cancer research. That means you can pamper yourself guilt-free.
