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💓 Heartbeat of History
Matthews Heritage Museum
Did you know that The Reid House, located at 134 West John Street, was built in 1890 by Edward Solomon Reid? It is one of the few remaining Victorian houses in the area. Mr. Reid sold the house to his sister Ellen in 1893, the year she married Dr. Thomas Neely Reid from Sharon Township, no relation to the Reid family from Matthews. Dr. Reid served the citizens of Matthews for over 55 years.
The house is named for Miss Nancy Reid, the youngest daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ellen Reid. She was born in the house on January 9, 1898, and lived there until her death on January 25, 1986. She was well educated and taught in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System for 35 years. Mrs. Sarah Redd, a niece of Miss Nancy's, inherited the house upon her death. Mrs. Redd generously gifted the house and property to the Matthews Historical Foundation on December 31, 1987.
Visit their website: Matthews Heritage Museum
👀 What’s Happening…
🧩 10/21 Puzzle Night Competition - Halloween Edition
📚 10/22 Fall Event with Joy Callaway
📽 10/23 October Screenings at The Dowd Center
🚚 10/24 Learning Jungle Sam Newell - Trunk or Treat
Food Truck Friday - Waxhaw
Lake Park Food Truck Friday’s
🍂 10/25 Fall Farm Fest at The Union Exchange
🎃 10/26 Pleasant Plains Baptist Church Trunk or Treat
🍂 Area Farmers Markets
🎯 What makes VRTX stand out
If you’re looking for a new local spot to relax, indulge, and enjoy great company, let me introduce you to VRTX Restaurant & Bar, tucked just a short drive away at 7800A Stevens Mills Rd. (technically in Stallings, but definitely convenient for our Matthews crowd).
Their menu comes straight from a scratch kitchen—fresh ingredients, creative twists, and dishes that are anything but ordinary.
A curated, rotating selection of North Carolina craft beers, plus specialty cocktails and carefully chosen wines; it’s a haven for food & drink lovers.
A warm, community-focused vibe: VRTX describes itself as built around “vibrant community spirit and exceptional flavors.”
Indoor & outdoor space, friendly staff, and a setting that works whether you're catching up with a friend, doing brunch, or just unwinding after a long day.
✅ Why Matthews folks should care
It’s close — perfect for a spontaneous dinner outing or a laid-back weekend stop.
The menu diversity means there’s something for everyone: whether you’re into a gourmet burger or craft beer flight, VRTX delivers.
Supporting a local restaurant like this helps strengthen our regional food scene and brings more flavor to our town’s lifestyle.
It's just the kind of place you’ll want to mention in your next “let’s get together” invitation: “Hey, how about VRTX?”
My top 3 recommendations in no particular order: The Carolina burger, the Vortex Reuben sandwich, and the Cuban Port Wrap! Also, their fries are amazing!
👉 Explore more and check out their menu here: vrtxnc.com
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❓ Did You Know…
The very first train arrived in Matthews, NC on December 15, 1874
That was the day the Carolina Central Railway (later part of the Seaboard Air Line) connected the town to broader trade routes.
☕ Coffee Corner
A New Coffee Sanctuary Near Matthews: Meet Psalms Coffee
If you’re looking for a cozy, faith-filled café just a short drive from Matthews, check out Psalms Coffee in Indian Trail. They combine small-town hospitality, Christian values, and a warm, comfortable vibe — a perfect spot to grab your morning brew, settle in with a book, or linger over conversation with a friend.
Why you’ll like it:
Their menu includes brewed coffee, lattes, hot tea, frappuccinos, chai, matcha, and refreshing lemonade — plus freshly baked pastries and desserts.
They also sell coffee beans and themed T-shirts, so you can bring a bit of the Psalms Coffee experience home.
The space itself feels welcoming and relaxed — ideal for working, reading, catching up, or just taking a break from the daily grind.
Hours are generous: Monday through Saturday, 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM.
➡️ Location: 5904 Indian Trail Fairview Road, Indian Trail, NC
📞 Phone: 704-628-2251
If you haven’t been yet, why not make Psalms Coffee your next stop? Visit their site here: psalmscoffeepressley.com — take a look at their menu, hours, and photos. Then drop in and experience it for yourself.
Your next move:
Swing by Psalms Coffee sometime this week — try a latte or a pastry, snap a cozy photo, and send me your thoughts (or a pic!) for a possible “reader spotlight” in an upcoming issue. Let’s spread the word on local gems like this.
🍺 Matthews’ Hidden Gem: Seaboard Brewing
Where local flavor meets laid-back charm
The spacious patio at Seaboard Brewing — perfect for a sunny afternoon.
Step off Trade Street and into one of Matthews’ most inviting hangouts — Seaboard Brewing, the town’s only brewery!
It’s where handcrafted beers, good vibes, and local charm all come together under one roof (and one very big patio).
Inside, you’ll find the on-site 5-barrel brewery turning out fan favorites like the Silver Meteor IPA, Sunland Orange Honey Wheat, and Tidewater Red Ale — all brewed right here in town. Craving something different? They also feature rotating guest beers and a wine room with over 400 world wines to explore.
Local craft flavor, brewed in the heart of Matthews.
Hungry? Wander next door to The Exchange Pizza Depot, where you can grab everything from classic pies to adventurous favorites (yes, pickle pizza is a thing — and it’s delicious).
Whether you’re catching up with friends, relaxing on a weekend, or looking for your next date-night spot, Seaboard Brewing has you covered.
🌐 Visit Online: SeaboardBrewing.com
🌆 Grab a patio seat before sunset - it’s one of the best people-watching spots in town.
➕ Training for QuickBooks Online
How to set up sales tax in QuickBooks Online
😁 Fun Fact… A former livery stable and cotton gin waiting room still exists as part of downtown fabric
Behind downtown Trade Street once stood the Renfrow cotton gin and the Funderburk livery stable. While the gin is gone, the little building on “Cotton Gin Alley” (where folks waited while their cotton was being processed) still remains and is part of the downtown walking tour.
Take a walking tour of Matthews
CLICK HERE for details and a map.
✔CORRECTION: One of our many astute readers brought to our attention that we missed adding ingredient amounts in our recipe section last week. Our sincere apologies. Please see our corrections and update below. Thank you for your patience and understanding. 👇
🌽 Taste of the Week
Sausage and cheese cornbread recipe
This savory cornbread recipe combines classic Southern ingredients for a delicious fall comfort food. Sourcing local sausage and sharp cheddar cheese from the Matthews Farmers' Market can elevate the flavor. This recipe makes about 12 servings.
Ingredients
1 lb ground pork sausage
1½ cups self-rising cornmeal mix
2 large eggs
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1½ cups buttermilk
1 small onion, chopped (optional)
1 (15 oz.) can cream-style corn (optional)
Chopped green onion, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a baking dish (a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or 9x13-inch baking dish works well).
In a skillet, cook the ground sausage over medium heat until it is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
In a large bowl, mix the cooked sausage, self-rising cornmeal mix, eggs, buttermilk, and one cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. If using, stir in the chopped onion and cream-style corn.
Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the cornbread during the last few minutes of baking, until it is melted and bubbly.
Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped green onion.
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Till next time,