If you want to know what people really think, ask them what Dallas needs. They’ll tell you. Trust me, they won’t hold back.

This past Saturday, Lori Leonhardt posted a simple question in the Town of Dallas Facebook group:

“Is our little town ready for Cook Out and 7 Brew to come to TOWN???”

Well, 146 comments later and counting, the people of Dallas have spoken. Loudly.

Who knew folks had such strong opinions about drive-thru coffee and fast food?

Supposedly, Cook Out purchased the old Wells Fargo property, while 7 Brew may be going beside 7-Eleven. At least that’s the rumor floating around Facebook. I can’t independently verify any of it, so for now we’ll call it small-town speculation.

I’d never even heard of 7 Brew until this week. Apparently it’s one of those drive-thru coffee places. Folks in Shelby seem to love it.

Honestly, I first assumed it was the long-lost cousin of 7-Eleven. If they end up beside each other, it’ll be a beautiful family reunion.

But after reading all these comments, I realized something. Dallas may accidentally be building a numbers district.

We already have the 7s covered. Now we just need a 6. Maybe Motel 6? Or better yet, Six Flags. I’m thinking big here, guys.

Then we add Five Guys. Maybe a Take 5 Oil Change while we’re at it. Toss in Five Below and suddenly we’ve got momentum.

At that point, Dallas won’t just be growing. It’ll be educational.

Kids can ride down the highway practicing their numbers while their parents argue in the Facebook comments about traffic, coffee, and whether Cook Out counts as “real food.”

Honestly, that feels about right for 2026.

Congratulations to Mary Hasher, winner of our Gastonia Ghost Peppers tickets for this Sunday’s Mother’s Day game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs!

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday celebrating the moms and mother figures in your life. And while you’re at it, share Hello, Gaston with a mother who might enjoy keeping up with everything happening around Gaston County.

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Breakfast and brunch chain First Watch officially opened its new Gastonia location Monday, with customers lining up more than an hour before opening. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant features a covered patio, interior bar, seating for more than 170 guests, and menu favorites like avocado toast and lemon ricotta pancakes. 

A new Cherryville venue is offering families a place to slow down and reconnect. Timbers Farmstead, founded by former teacher Angela Wy, focuses on simple, meaningful time together through small gatherings, nature walks, and intimate celebrations designed to bring people closer. [Wise News Network]

A recent food feature praised Jackson's Cafeteria for its tender roast beef, rich gravy, and classic Southern comfort food lineup. The longtime Gastonia favorite was highlighted for its cafeteria-style dining and rotating menu packed with staples like fried chicken, meat loaf, turkey and dressing, and chicken and dumplings. [Family Destinations Guide]

A new Faces of the Carolinas segment from John Le spotlights aspiring Kings Mountain filmmaker Alex Hayes, who hopes to bring more deaf and hard-of-hearing representation to the movie industry. The Gaston College student says he dreams of opening his own film studio and creating movies that inspire others facing similar challenges. [Queen City News]

Bessemer City’s longtime Down Home Festival returns starting today with rides, live entertainment, food vendors, crafts, and community fun throughout downtown. The three-day festival marks its 38th year and remains one of Gaston County’s most popular annual traditions, drawing families from across the region for a full weekend celebration. 

Laresa Thompson recently spotlighted Waterbean Coffee in Gastonia’s FUSE District, highlighting its coffee flights, full-service bar, sandwiches, and modern café atmosphere. The North Carolina-based coffee shop also offers tastings, which the business says tend to fill quickly.

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

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Belmont Farmers Market — Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Dallas Farmers Market — Select Sundays, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Gastonia Farmers Market — Saturday, 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 
Kings Mountain Farmers Market — Saturday, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Mount Holly Farmers Market — Saturday, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

Thursday (5/7) — Southern Maryland Blue Crabs @ 7 p.m.
Friday (5/8) — Southern Maryland Blue Crabs @ 7 p.m.
Saturday (5/9) — Southern Maryland Blue Crabs @ 7 p.m.
Sunday (5/10) — Southern Maryland Blue Crabs @ 1 p.m.

Gaston College Foundation presents A Night for Momentum Makers
📍 Myers Center Auditorium, Gaston College, Dallas
📅 Friday, June 5
⏰ 7–10 p.m.
Second annual fundraising event supporting Gaston College Athletics with food, drinks, silent auction, dancing, and live music from The Embers. Tickets required. More Details. 

Downtown Gastonia Caffeine and Conversation
📍 Durty Bull Brewing Company, Gastonia
⏰ 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Enjoy coffee and conversation with downtown business leaders, residents, stakeholders, and public servants during this casual community networking gathering. More Details.

First Methodist Church presents The Mount Holly Cruise-In
📍 140 N. Main Street, Mount Holly
⏰ 5–8 p.m.
Monthly cruise-in featuring custom cars, trucks, and more. Enjoy a relaxed community atmosphere with a 50/50 raffle. All are welcome to attend. More Details.

Gaston Business Association presents Business After Hours
📍 Minuteman Press, Gastonia
⏰ 4:30–7 p.m.
Connect with local business professionals during this Gaston Business Association networking event featuring food, drinks, and relaxed after-hours conversation. More Details.

Downtown Kings Mountain presents May Nights
📍 220 S. Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain
⏰ 6–8 p.m.
Downtown Kings Mountain kicks off its May Nights concert series with live local music, food, drinks, and community fun. More Details.

38th Annual Down Home Festival
📍 Downtown Bessemer City
📅 Thursday, May 7 - Saturday, May 9
⏰ times vary
Live music, carnival rides, food vendors, crafts, and family fun return to downtown Bessemer City for the annual Down Home Festival celebration. More Details.

Movies in the Park presents The Little Mermaid (1989)
📍 24 S. Main Street, Belmont
⏰ 8 p.m.
Enjoy a free outdoor showing of The Little Mermaid with a jumbo screen, immersive sound, and arcade games. Bring chairs or blankets. Concessions available. More Details. 

Garden Photography Walk
📍 Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont
⏰ 8–10 a.m.
Slow down outdoors and learn nature photography skills with professional photographer Nelson Stegall during this guided garden walk. More Details.

LocalMotion Spring Market
📍 Plum Street, Stanley
⏰ 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Shop local makers, bakers, artists, and small businesses as the LocalMotion Market returns to Stanley for spring shopping. More Details.

World War II Living History Day
📍 Kings Mountain Historical Museum, 100 E. Mountain Street, Kings Mountain
⏰ 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Explore World War II displays, reenactors, military gear, demonstrations, and Barber House cooking during this free living history event. More Details.

Dallas Lavender Farm Hippie Daze Festival
📍 937 Old Willis School Road, Dallas
📅 Saturday, May 9 - Sunday, May 10
⏰ times vary
Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with live bands, vendors, food trucks, petting zoo, lavender plants, photo ops, and family activities. More Details.

Reptile & Amphibian Day
📍 The Schiele, 1500 E. Garrison Boulevard, Gastonia
⏰ 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Meet reptiles and amphibians through hands-on activities, games, presentations, live animals, vendors, and wildlife organizations at The Schiele. More Details.

Ducks Unlimited Youth Day
📍 1687 Robinson Road, Gastonia
⏰ 11:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Kids can enjoy outdoor activities, fishing, shooting sports, climbing, reptiles, scavenger hunts, food trucks, and conservation fun. More Details.

Pop-Up Market
📍 2311 South Point Road, Belmont
⏰ 12–4 p.m.
Shop, sip, and support local vendors during this spring pop-up market at South Point Social in Belmont. More Details.

Sip & Stroll at the Manor
📍 217 S. Central Avenue, Belmont
⏰ 3–6 p.m.
Stroll the Stowe Manor grounds, enjoy wine, watch plein air artists, and hear local history during this outdoor event. More Details.

Summer Concert & Cruise In
📍 Dallas Historic Courthouse, Dallas
⏰ 7–10 p.m.
Bring a chair and enjoy live music by Daniel Jeffers, classic cars, food trucks, and sweet treats downtown. More Details.

Photography & Architecture Walk
📍 Downtown Gastonia
⏰ 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Explore historic buildings near South Street and Second Avenue while learning to see downtown Gastonia through a creative lens. More Details.

Free Tuesday at The Schiele
📍 1500 E. Garrison Boulevard, Gastonia
⏰ 4–8 p.m.
Explore The Schiele Museum for free during extended evening hours. Enjoy exhibits, hands-on learning, and family-friendly fun throughout the museum. More Details. 

Wind Down Wednesday ft. The Holiday Band
📍 100 W. First Street, Lowell
⏰ 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Kick back at McCord Family Park with live music from The Holiday Band during Lowell’s Music in the Park series. 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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