Charlotte FC’s new headquarters + Lowe’s gives out $55 million in bonuses

Hello! KJ here. Today is National Thrift Shop Day if you didn’t know. Last week, we asked readers to tell us the best places to thrift in the Charlotte area. After narrowing our list down to 16 of the top responses, we’re looking to hear from you to crown a winner. Vote now!

I’ll spare you the cringe Macklemore/thrift store reference I originally planned to write and get right into your afternoon news.

1. Charlotte FC has agreed to break ground on a new training facility and headquarters

Charlotte FC will open a new permanent training facility and business headquarters by spring 2023, the club announced Wednesday morning.

The news comes a little under a month after Tepper Sports and Entertainment pulled out of plans to build a youth academy and soccer fields at the old Eastland Mall site. When TSE officially pulled the plug on the Eastland project, a spokesperson said the organization immediately began researching “expedited alternatives.”

The new site located at 8600 McAlpine Park Drive and owned by Levine Properties will include a “privately-financed 52,000-plus square-foot facility” that features four fields and related facilities.

Alex Zietlow spoke with sources with direct knowledge of the deal. Here’s more details.

2. Lowe’s is giving $55 million in bonuses to hourly workers because of high inflation

Lowe’s store employees will soon see bonuses in their paychecks.

The Mooresville-based home improvement retailer is giving $55 million in bonuses to its hourly workers because of high inflation, its CEO Marvin Ellison said Wednesday. Employees will see the bonus September 9, Ellison said during a roundtable discussion with Charlotte reporters.

Lowe’s gave seven similar pandemic-related employee bonuses in 2020 and 2021. The last $80 million round in February 2021 provided $300 for full-time employees and $150 for part-time and seasonal workers.

Catherine Muccigrosso has the story.

3. Another day, another fight: Panthers, Patriots continue contentious joint practices

For the second-straight day, several Panthers players were asked to leave practice in Foxborough after fighting with the New England Patriots.

Panthers safety Kenny Robinson, among those who left practice yesterday, was again asked to leave Wednesday, along with Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard and Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise.

Carolina head coach Matt Rhule, star running back Christian McCaffrey and Patriots players all talked about the brawl this afternoon with the media, including with our beat writer Ellis Williams. He’ll have the latest here.

4. Judge dismisses sex abuse case against Charlotte mission group. Protesters call on feds.

A Mecklenburg judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by six people who say they were abused in Nigerian schools that had ties to a Charlotte-based missionary organization.

The ruling sparked a demonstration outside the Charles R. Jonas Federal Courthouse, where people urged federal courts to do more to hold abusers of children in overseas missionary schools accountable for abuse.

The plaintiffs’ attorney Laurie Mellier said she hoped their argument would show that international law backed up her clients’ right to sue. But Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin dismissed the case, according to court records obtained by The Charlotte Observer.

Sara Coello has more.

5. Some more stories to read

• Opinion: ‘Whoever wins gets our kids’: Fiery NC school board race signals a growing fight

• Huntersville boy lost part of leg after shark attack. But he’s staying positive, uncle says

• Muggsy Bogues kicks off new Charlotte Observer series ‘Sports Legends of the Carolinas’

• Walmart truck involved in fiery crash that closed I-77 lanes for hours, retailer says

• Shop back-to-school clothing at these Charlotte-area stories, thrift and consignment shops

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