Trivia Question❓
What state highway runs through Matthews and connects it directly to both Pineville and Mint Hill?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
Welcome to the January 7th Matthews Pulse!
Happy New Year, Matthews! 🎉 We’re excited to kick off 2026 with a fresh issue full of local flavor, fun community happenings, and helpful homeowner insights. Whether you’re looking for a new place to grab dinner, curious about upcoming events, or thinking about selling your home this year, we’ve got you covered. Let’s stay connected and make 2026 a great year in our town!
🍽️ Noteworthy Places to Eat
Here are a couple of great spots — cozy, delicious, and perfect for January nights out:
🍔 Juicy burgers, craft beer, and a lively atmosphere make this downtown favorite a fun stop for dinner or weekend outings.
🥘 Stylish small plates and cocktails — ideal for sharing and social evenings with friends or business colleagues.
Bonus local favorites worth visiting:
Carolina Beer Temple – great beer and sandwiches
Cellar & Ale – wine and small plates
Yanni Bistro – top breakfast/brunch pick
Entrepreneurial Career Opportunity — Create Better Future
📅 January 27, 2026 — 🕒 11:00 am
📍 McMullen Creek Shopping Center
📄 A networking and career development opportunity for local professionals and small business owners.
👉 Read more... (https://www.townplanner.com/matthews/nc/)
Porter Ridge Rec Soccer – Spring 2026 Sign-Ups
📅 January 28, 2026 — 🕒 8:00 am
📍 Local fields
📄 Registration opens for youth spring soccer — perfect for families planning seasonal sports.
👉 Read more... (https://www.townplanner.com/matthews/nc/)
(For a full event list and details, visit the Matthews events calendar.)
🏡 Real Estate Tip: Preparing Your Home for a Winter Sale
January is often slower in real estate, but that’s actually an advantage if you’re preparing to sell!
Why list in winter?
Serious buyers are active — with fewer homes on the market, yours stands out.
Cooler weather means cozy staging opportunities and great curb appeal with seasonal décor.
Tips to maximize appeal:
Deep clean and declutter — first impressions matter year-round.
Enhance lighting — short winter days mean bright, warm interiors sell better.
Focus on comfort — think warm throws, inviting seating areas, and glowing lights to showcase livability.
🚗 Traffic Note: Major Commuter Routes
If you travel east from Matthews, here’s something to know:
East John Street/Old Monroe Road widening project — NCDOT has plans in progress to eventually improve this corridor from Trade Street past I-485 into Indian Trail, aimed at easing congestion and adding pedestrian/bike facilities once completed.
I-485 commuter note: There have been ongoing updates around express lane and interchange work near Matthews, and while timelines have shifted, drivers should stay aware of changing patterns and lane configurations as the region’s infrastructure evolves. Some parts of improvements near Exit 54 are nearing completion with hopes of opening in early 2026.
💡 Answer to Trivia Question:
North Carolina Highway 51 — a key commuter route passing through our town and serving as a vital link to neighboring communities.
📲 How to Add the Matthews Pulse App to Your Phone’s Home Screen
(No App Store required!)
Matthews Pulse is a web-progressive app, which means you can add it to your phone just like a regular app—without downloading anything.
✅ On iPhone (Safari)
Open Safari (important—this won’t work from Chrome on iPhone).
Go to Matthews Pulse.
Tap the Share icon (square with the arrow pointing up).
Scroll down and tap “Add to Home Screen.”
Tap Add in the top-right corner.
👉 You’ll now see the Matthews Pulse icon on your home screen—tap it anytime for quick access.
✅ On Android (Chrome)
Open Chrome.
Go to Matthews Pulse.
Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
Tap “Add to Home Screen” (or “Install App”).
Confirm by tapping Add.
👉 Matthews Pulse will now function just like an app on your phone.
Our apologies
Correction from last issue: Enzo’s Italian Market in Matthews is not open. There current locations are in Stallings, NC and Lancaster, SC. They are scheduled to open in Matthews Station soon.
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