Mike'd-Up Media

Telling interesting and compelling stories in and around metro Charlotte through the creative use of words, sights and sounds.

Icon of the Sky

A recent visit by “Doc,” one of only two remaining B-29 Superfortress airplanes that still fly, brought thousands of people to the Statesville Regional Airport.

Hoptown Winning Hearts, Hardware

Since emerging from the seeds of a meager hobby a few years ago, Hoptown Brewing Co. in Mooresville has solidified itself as a beloved community staple with award-winning beer.

Charlotte Auto Fair Revs Up

The long-running tradition known as the Charlotte Auto Fair had another successful run in April 2024 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord.

A Taste of Southern Distilling

Come along for a tour of Southern Distilling Co. in Statesville to learn about the local legacy of bourbon whiskey, and what goes into making the distillery’s award-winning products.

Inside the “Talladega Nights” mansion

Take a closer look inside the Lake Norman mansion and several of the famous filming locations featured in the 2006 comedy classic “Talladega Nights:
The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”

Food Truck Village Finds Footing

The OTC Food Truck Village is using an authentic and unique culinary concept to bring a new experience to the area being branded as Old Town Cornelius.

Hardware and History

D.E. Turner and Co. Hardware in downtown Mooresville is the town’s oldest continually operating business, and every creak in the floorboards speaks to its legacy on Main Street.

Bartaco buzz in Birkdale Village

When the unique eatery known as “bartaco” recently opened within Birkdale Village in Huntersville, it did so with a margarita-inspired splash.

Barbecue Tradition Continues

The 92nd annual Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church Barbecue attracted droves of hungry patrons in October 2023, once again raising money for the church’s philanthropic efforts.

Finding the Key to Escape

Located in a historic structure built in 1898, Key to Escape is one of the most entertainment venues you’re likely to encounter, playing on the rich legacy of the former church building where it operates in downtown Statesville.

Rum Distillery’s Historic Expansion

Muddy River Distillery has established a strong reputation since its 2011 opening in Belmont, N.C., and the business recently expanded into more of an entertainment destination in nearby Mount Holly, with a historic renovation of the oldest surviving textile mill in Gaston County.