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AMC Concord Mills adds ScreenX auditorium
270-degree panoramic screen first in NC
FROM STAFF REPORTS
CONCORD — Moviegoers in the Charlotte region can now experience films on a 270-degree panoramic screen with the opening of North Carolina's first ScreenX auditorium at AMC Concord Mills 24.
The new premium-format auditorium officially opened July 2, according to AMC Theatres and CJ 4DPLEX, the company behind the ScreenX technology.
Unlike traditional movie screens, ScreenX extends select scenes beyond the main screen onto the auditorium's side walls, creating a 270-degree viewing experience that immerses audiences in the action. The format uses specially produced sequences created in collaboration with filmmakers and studios to complement the director's vision during key moments in a film.
The Concord Mills installation features upgraded projection designed to deliver brighter images and a more seamless presentation, the companies said.
"As demand for premium moviegoing continues to grow, SCREENX at AMC offers a unique way to expand how stories are presented on screen," Cynthia Pierce, AMC senior vice president of design and construction, facilities, sight and sound, said in a statement. "We're excited to debut this format in the Charlotte area and bring a new immersive experience to moviegoers."
AMC Theatres, the nation's largest movie theater chain, partnered with South Korea-based CJ 4DPLEX to bring the technology to Concord. The opening marks the first ScreenX location in both the Charlotte metropolitan area and North Carolina.
Showtimes are now available, and tickets can be purchased through AMC Theatres' website.
PARK PROJECTS MOVE FORWARD
Groundbreaking set for David Phillips Park today
MARK PLEMMONS
The city of Concord's first splash pad at Marvin Caldwell
Park is sure to be a hit.
CITY OF CONCORD
Work is getting closer to completion at Webb Field, including
the concession stands shown here.
Covered basketball courts are coming to Marvin Caldwell
Park.
The new playground is part of the renovations.
CITY OF CONCORD IMAGES
CONCORD
The city of Concord is moving forward on multiple projects funded through its Parks & Recreation Bond program, with officials announcing that Marvin Caldwell Park is nearing its long-awaited reopening while construction continues at several other sites across the city.
The latest project update highlights significant progress at Marvin Caldwell Park, Academy-Gibson Athletic Fields, J.E. "Jim" Ramseur Park and the future David Phillips Park, as well as continued planning for several additional park improvements.
One of the most anticipated milestones is the reopening of Caldwell Park later this summer. City officials said crews are completing the final touches after months of renovations.
Recent work includes laying sod and completing the installation of the irrigation system for the baseball and multi-purpose fields. Crews have also finished installing Concord's first splash pad, completed fencing around the playground and paved the asphalt walking trail surrounding the baseball fields.
Remaining work includes installing lighting around the amphitheater, resurfacing the tennis and pickleball courts, and completing striping on the basketball courts before the park reopens.
Construction also continues at the Academy-Gibson Athletic Fields, where several major improvements have already been completed. The new concession stand and connecting sidewalks are finished, along with renovations to the restroom and storage building. Crews have also poured concrete around those facilities.
The next phase of work will focus on renovating the storage building adjacent to Webb Field.
The newest park
On Concord's west side, construction is steadily advancing at the future J.E. "Jim" Ramseur Park. Crews continue grading the site and installing curbs while also constructing bridges that will become part of the Clark Creek Greenway extension.
Installation of the park's storm drainage system is also progressing, with crews placing stone into the large drainage infrastructure that will be located beneath the primary parking lot.
Planning continues for the city's proposed Skate Park, Pump Track and Sculpture Garden. Parks and Recreation staff are reviewing final cost estimates and refining design details ahead of a City Council presentation, during which council members will vote on the project's final design and amenities.
Meanwhile, Hartsell Park, Poplar Tent Trailhead Park and Wilson Street Park remain in the design phase as planning continues.
Groundbreaking on Burrage Road
Another major milestone is this week with the groundbreaking ceremony for the David Phillips Park Bond Project. The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at 946 Burrage Road at the Outdoor Learning Center.
Parking will be available at the David Phillips Activity Center, with staff directing guests and shuttle service transporting attendees from the parking area to the ceremony site.
The future David Phillips Park will feature an extensive network of walking trails, a playground, activity areas, terraced gardens, an aviary, a treehouse overlook, wildlife habitat areas and greenway connections, creating one of Concord's most ambitious park developments funded through the Parks & Recreation Bond program.
Star, cookie gain status in NC budget
RICHARD CRAVER WinstonSalem Journal
Dewey Guy Wilkerson III makes Moravian cookies for Moravian Bake
Shop in 2020.
KEVIN LEE, STUDIO PLACE
Page 524 of the 634-page state budget contains two sentences that are significant for Forsyth County.
"The Moravian cookie is adopted as the official cookie of the state of North Carolina."
"The Moravian star is adopted as the official star of the state of North Carolina."
When the state budget is signed into law, the cookie and star designations will complete a quest undertaken by Rep. Donny Lambeth and the rest of the Forsyth County House delegation over the past seven years.
The Moravian Star
The Moravian star is a popular Christmas symbol in Winston-Salem and elsewhere. It symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem and Jesus as the "bright and Morning Star."
Originating in 19th-century Germany as a boarding school geometry exercise, the Moravian star typically features 26 points and is traditionally displayed from Advent through Epiphany.
The state House unanimously passed separate bills addressing the iconic Moravian symbols in both 2023 and 2025.
The Senate declined to address either bill in committee.
The scuttlebutt over the past four legislative sessions is that the bills were too frivolous for consideration.
Moravian cookies
Lambeth has said the idea of making Moravian cookies the state cookie came from third-grade students at Brooks Global Studies in Greensboro.
Lambeth said the breakthrough for the symbols came in part from his longevity and the goodwill he has built with senators during his terms in office.
"I worked hard to tell the story of the elementary kids that I talked to and the student who recommended to me the star after the cookie was recommended a year earlier," Lambeth said.
"I felt it was important to tell how the students wanted to do something impactful in N.C. I talked to my Senate colleagues, and they agreed. I am very proud to get this done."
Senate Bill 257 does not include language from House Bill 124, which describes the Moravian community's heritage and the cookies, as well as the economic impact of Moravian cookie sales in the Winston-Salem area since the 1950s.
The latest version of the House bill addresses Moravian cookies. The bill doesn't specify a particular flavor but does say cookies are made with molasses, allspice and ginger.
No House bill was introduced during the 2025 or 2026 sessions addressing the Moravian star. Previous bills described the Moravian star as a popular Advent symbol "all around the world."
Local bakeries have said that, with previous Moravian cookie legislation, being recognized as the state cookie has been a no-brainer from a marketing, financial and feel-good perspective.
Among local sellers of Moravian cookies are Dewey Bakery, Mrs. Hanes Moravian Cookies, Old Salem Museum & Gardens, and Wilkerson Bakery Co.
"We're proud to be a part of the rich Moravian Cookie heritage in Winston-Salem," Dewey Bakery chief executive Mike Senackerib said.
"After 95 years of baking, we're excited at the prospect of official recognition for these very special cookies, and hope it will lead even more North Carolinians to discover them."
Concord Mills aims to evict Go Green CBD
CATHERINE MUCCIGROSSO The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.)
Another store at a Charlotte-area mall is facing eviction, with court documents claiming over $100,000 in unpaid rent.
EZ Purchase LLC, doing business as Go Green CBD, is being evicted by Mall at Concord Mills Limited Partnership at 8111 Concord Mills Blvd. in Concord, according to a civil complaint filed June 23 in the Cabarrus County District Court Clerk of Superior Court small claims division.
The Aventura, Florida-based retailer owes $104,770 in rent as of June 1, according to court documents. The store sells CBD and THC products.
The landlord stated that the tenant has refused to vacate the premises. The mall's owner is Simon, which also owns SouthPark mall and Charlotte Premium Outlets in Charlotte.
Simon could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday, and the firm's Charlotte-based attorney declined to discuss the case. Go Green CBD officials also declined a request for comment on Monday.
Concord Mills in Concord has 182 stores and restaurants.
With a monthly lease rate of $7,598, according to court documents, the CBD store has been delinquent for nearly 14 months. A hearing was scheduled Wednesday, July 8, at the Cabarrus County Magistrate's Office.
About Go Green CBD
Go Green CBD is based in Florida and has seven stores in malls, according to the company's website. The Concord store is the only location outside of Florida.
At one time, Go Green CBD had 18 mall-based kiosks and storefronts in New York, North Carolina, New Jersey and Florida. The company previously had stores at Northlake Mall in Charlotte, as well as Asheville and Winston-Salem. The Concord store opened in November 2024.
Other Charlotte mall evictions
This is the latest in a spate of recent mall-related eviction proceedings in recent weeks.
In June, SouthPark Mall Limited Partnership filed to evict Aroma360 NC Sp LLC, a luxury scenting and retail store at SouthPark Mall at 4400 Sharon Road. Aroma360 is a luxury scenting and retail store.
Aroma360 owes more than $55,816 in rent as of June 1, according to the complaint filed in Mecklenburg County small claims court. At a lease rate of $13,687, the company is roughly four months behind on payments.
The mall is seeking possession of the space, according to court filings. A hearing originally scheduled for Monday, July 6, was continued until July 13.
Meanwhile, at Northlake Mall, owner Hull Property Group also filed a complaint in June to evict a tenant. However, the Atlanta-based real estate firm dismissed its lawsuit against The Juicy Crab restaurant just days before the scheduled magistrate hearing, Mecklenburg court filings show.
The Charlotte Business Journal first reported about those two evictions.
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