A friend of mine once told me the toughest stretch for retail and restaurants are the J-Months. You know the ones. January. June. July. The idea is simple enough. You survive those months and make it up during the other nine.

That’s probably why Charlotte Restaurant Week shows up twice a year. And it’s no accident they land it in January and July.

You can debate the J-Month Theory all you want, but after last weekend’s winter weather, I’d bet a lot of small businesses that depend on foot traffic felt it straight in the wallet.

And now we’re staring down another round of winter weather this Saturday. Thankfully, this one looks calmer. No panic. No hysteria. Just snow.

The Winter Wonderland we’ve joked about for years might finally show up. Kids will love it. Parents are a coin flip. But for retailers and restaurants, it means a second straight weekend of lost business and fewer sales.

So enjoy the fluffy stuff if that’s your thing. Or don’t. I’m not here to tell you how to feel.

But once the roads clear and life gets back to normal, let’s do our part. Swing by a local shop. Grab a meal close to home. Those small businesses could use us right now.

Quick note: The events listed in this newsletter are all subject to change. Just like last week. Please double check with the event organizers for the most up-to-date information.

Thank you for reading! Please share with your friends and neighbors!

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The Warlick Family YMCA will host an elegant Daddy-Daughter Masquerade Ball on February 7, featuring dancing, dinner from Chick-fil-A Cox Road, a photo booth, and unforgettable memories. Registration is open now.

Queen’s Feast wraps up this weekend for M.E.P. Casual American Cuisine at Floyd & Blackie’s and Southern Artisan Spirits. Good news for late planners, Drift on Lake Wylie and Old Stone Steakhouse are extending their Queen’s Feast menus through February 7.

Laresa Thompson’s Gastonia City Sights takes viewers inside Barrister’s Restaurant at the Esquire Hotel. A new chef brings bold flavors, from steaks and pasta to Butter Pecan Cornbread Pudding. Winter hours run Thursday through Saturday for lunch and dinner in Downtown Gastonia.

A new video spotlight celebrates Gaston County’s outdoor gems with local hiking enthusiast Vivianette Ortiz Caraballo sharing favorite spots from Crowders Mountain to Belmont and Gastonia. The guide highlights trails, views, and easy ways to get outside before warmer days arrive. [P.S. - 49 days until spring!]

Parsifal Books & Coffee is officially open in Lowell after celebrating its grand opening last weekend. Located in the former Fryeday Coffee space, the shop offers quality used and new books, locally roasted coffee, student artwork, and locally made goods from around Gaston County.

Disclaimer: News items marked with ($) in this section indicate sponsored content.

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The Chutes: Winter Tubing
📍 Crowders Springs, 4914 Linwood Road, Kings Mountain
📅 Now through Saturday, February 28
⏰ times vary
Snowless tubing lanes, campfire treats, and family fun supporting Crowders Camps near Crowders Mountain. Recommended for ages five and up. More Details. ($)

Wandering After Hours: Winter in the Upside Down
📍 The Wandering Cup, Belmont
⏰ 5 - 8 p.m.
Friends don’t lie. Head to the Upside Down for Stranger Things trivia, themed drinks, a tattoo pop-up, and Will’s on a Roll food truck. Costumes encouraged. More Details.

South Fork Run Club
📍 Confluence, Cramerton
⏰ 6:15 p.m.
Weekly group run welcoming all paces, followed by post-run hangs and drinks at Confluence. More Details.

Laser Shows: Genesis (6 p.m.), Metallica (7 p.m.), & Grateful Dead (8 p.m.)
📍 The Schiele, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia
⏰ 3 shows
Enjoy your favorite music paired with stunning laser graphics! More Details.

Moos & Brews
📍 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte
⏰ 5–8 p.m.
Enjoy craft drinks, cow treats, and time inside the fence with Whitewater’s Highland cows during this popular adults-focused experience. More Details.

Trail Workday
📍 Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain
⏰ 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Volunteer-led trail maintenance day supporting local outdoor spaces and stewardship. More Details.

Frigid Trail Race & Plunge
📍 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte
⏰ 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Brave the cold with 5K and 10K trail races followed by a plunge into the Deep Water Solo pool. Registration required. More Details.

Gas House Cars & Coffee
📍 Eastridge Mall, Gastonia
⏰ 8–11 a.m.
Start your Saturday with hundreds of cars, coffee, and community at this popular monthly meetup for auto enthusiasts. More Details.

Links at the Library: Communi-tee Day
📍 Gaston County Public Library, Gastonia
⏰ 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Play mini-golf throughout the library, enjoy games, food trucks, and treats, and support the Friends of the Library. Donations welcome. More Details.

Laser Shows: Taylor Swift (1 p.m. & 2 p.m.), Jukebox Legends (3 p.m.), & Queen (4 p.m.)
📍 The Schiele, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia
⏰ 4 shows
Enjoy your favorite music paired with stunning laser graphics! More Details.

Live Music with David Childers & the Serpents
📍 Confluence, Cramerton
⏰ 7 - 9 p.m.
Roots-driven Americana and storytelling delivered live by a seasoned regional favorite. More Details.

Groundhog Day Celebration
📍 The Schiele, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia
⏰ 2 p.m.
Meet The Schiele’s groundhog, learn about the tradition, and see his seasonal prediction. Included with museum admission. More Details.

Laser Shows: Taylor Swift (2:30 p.m.) & Elton John (3:30 p.m.
📍 The Schiele, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia
⏰ 2 shows
Enjoy your favorite music paired with stunning laser graphics! More Details.

Coffee & Cows
📍 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte
⏰ 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Sip coffee, enjoy a pastry, and spend time with Highland cows during this all-ages morning experience. Registration required. More Details.

America 250 Historical Fiction Film Series: Harriet
📍 Gaston County Public Library, Gastonia
⏰ 6–8 p.m.
Part of an eight-film series tied to America 250, featuring historical fiction films and community discussion. Free to attend. More Details.

Veterans Lunch
📍 Kiser Senior Center, 123 W Pennsylvania Ave, Bessemer City
⏰ 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Free lunch and fellowship for local veterans in a welcoming community setting. More Details.

Disclaimer: Event details are subject to change or cancellation. Please check with the event organizers for the most up-to-date information. We are not responsible for any changes after publication. Events marked with ($) in this section indicate sponsored content.

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Was there something I missed this week? Let me know at [email protected]. Want to get your business in Hello, Gaston!? Let’s talk!