Merry Christmas everyone! David here.
Today is December 23rd, 2025.
So Sunday was the first day of winter, but Christmas day is supposed to be 71 degrees! For all you Seinfeld fans, today is Festivus. That being said, today is for the airing of grievances and feats of strength. Here’s my grievance: they should post the actual start time of movies…after the previews.
BTW- love or hate Christmas music? Check out our poll and the end of the newsletter.
Today's weather: Considerable cloudiness, and a high of 63.
Tonight: Clear to partly cloudy,with a low of 45.
R.O.’s Bar-B-Que
R.O.’s Bar-B-Que closing
From Facebook: To our Community & Customers,
After nearly 80 years of serving our neighbors, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our restaurant operations on December 27, 2025.
This extremely difficult decision was reached after much careful consideration. It was necessitated by a combination of current and sustained economic factors that have made continued operation challenging.
Since 1946, our unwavering commitment has been to provide a dining experience defined by exceptional product quality and dedicated service at a fair value. We truly wish we could have continued to be a community staple for generations to come.
R.O’s will continue to produce their slaw and pimento cheese products.
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery under construction in Mount Holly
Riverside beers are on the way! OMB Riverside is officially under construction. The new biergarten will overlook the Catawba River and be close to downtown Mount Holly. This will be OMB’s third location. They project a September 2026 opening date.
“This project has been a long time coming, so we couldn’t be more excited to be moving forward,” John Marino, OMB founder, says.
The New York Butcher Shoppe & Wine Bar in Belmont
New York Butcher Shoppe & Wine Bar close to opening
According to social media (and their voicemail) the New York Butcher Shoppe & Wine Bar is close to opening Belmont. They are predicting the second week of January if the Certificate of Occupancy is finalized. The are currently interviewing staff.
Fire at the Cloisters Apartments in Mount Holly
On the afternoon of Friday December 19th, Mount Holly Fire Department and several mutual aid departments were dispatched to a reported commercial business fire in Mount Holly. Mount Holly PD arrived on scene and advised heavy smoke and fire showing.
A partial roof collapse at 6:08 lead to a second alarm and at 6:12, a full roof collapse lead to all companies evacuating the structure.
Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services responded to investigate the Origin and Cause of the fire and determined it to be accidental. Please use extreme causation and always be present when frying a turkey.
Massive Hudson Pointe project underway
Located at the intersection of New Hope and Hudson, a new affordable apartment community is underway.
Hudson Pointe in Gastonia, NC, will offer features like a community room, gym, and playground, developed with partners like CAHEC and the Gastonia Housing Authority to provide quality housing near downtown. While the name sounds similar to Hudson Crossing Condos, Hudson Pointe is a specific apartment complex focused on affordability, with amenities for families in a growing Gastonia area.
Key Details:
Type: Affordable Rental Housing.
Amenities: Community Room, Exercise Room, Business Center, Playgrounds, Community Garden.
Location: Near Gastonia's historic downtown, a growing area.
Developers/Partners: CAHEC Management, Commonwealth Development Corp, NC Housing Finance Agency, Gastonia Housing Authority, Hunt Capital Partners.
Start your membership for just $1 and dive into everything the Gaston County Family YMCA has to offer, including pools, classes, gyms, and Childwatch. No dues until January 2026! Click to learn more.
Looking for a fun, safe place for your kids during winter break? Well, there’s SNOW place like the YMCA! Kids dive into festive arts and crafts, active games, sports, STEM projects, new friends, and plenty of holiday cheer. Perfect for ages 5–15. Learn more here.
From Bolton’s Curbside Cookery in Mount Holly: This burger is not actually on the menu- this unique combination is called the SmashSquatch, a Sweet Caroline Original combo.
We serve breakfast!
The Gaston Aquatic Center under construction
The Gaston Aquatic Center is under construction
After years of delays and planning the Gaston Aquatic Center is finally under construction in Dallas. The current plans for the 34,000 sq. ft. project include a cool water 50-meter pool, a warm water programming pool with zero degree entry for classes, therapy, and aquatic safety instruction, elevated spectator seating for 900+, clinical rooms, a weight room, and a hospitality suite.
The facility will be located at 642 West Carpenter Street in Dallas.
Have you been to Shelli’s She Shed yet?
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Shelli's She Shed is a home decor boutique full of floral stems & arrangements and unique, vintage, antique, retro, farmhouse styles and the perfect gift items.
New Hours: Fri & Sat 10am-3pm
980-318-3816
106 W Dallas Rd., Stanley, NC 28164
Check us out!
Gaston County Jobs
GA Poll
How do you feel about Christmas music?
Last weeks poll: Where will you spend money locally: at local retailers or at local restaurants? Almost all of you said you will spend money at local restaurants. So most of you shop online and eat out.
Meet Bear. He is a 10 years old Yorkie mix. Bear was picked up by Lincoln County animal control wandering in streets. Matted horribly on legs and rear. He was adopted years ago, but his parents died. He is looking for a new family.
Bear is neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccines.
Email [email protected] for an application.
