Hello Tuesday. It's David.
Today is March 10th, 2026.
To quote Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while. you could miss it.” For a long time it seemed like Gaston County was regressing, especially with the loss of textiles. But now! Things are definitely moving…I just hope we keep the essence of what makes Gaston County great.
Today's weather: Very warm today, with times of clouds and sun, a passing afternoon shower. The high will be a toasty 84.
Tonight: Mainly clear and warm, with a low of 63.
City of Belmont buys 10.96 acre tract for $6.9 million
On March 5, 2026, the City of Belmont, NC, purchased the historic 11-acre Stowe family property ant 29 North Main Street 23/27 West Woodrow Avenue in downtown Belmont.
The acquisition includes three parcels totaling approximately 10.96 acres, formerly home to R.L. Stowe Jr., intended for future development.
Read more about it here.
Progress continues at Loray Mill Apartments
The final portion of the Loray mill is being renovated, which will mean the entire Loray Mill will soon be refurbished. It looks like the west side will also be apartments and retail. So nice to see this historic building have a new life.
The above pic is courtesy of Gastonia Architecture & History Appreciation. BTW- they are having a meeting March 22 at 2PM at Durty Bull in Gastonia-and you’re invited!
Canal Coffee opening in Hoffman Village
Looks like drive-through coffee is the next big thing…or maybe I’m late to the party!
Canal Coffee is opening their second Gaston County location near Hoffman Village and Publix. They have another location at 3648 South New Hope Road. That location was formerly a Human Bean.
The Human Bean was a franchise location. Cape Asset Management in Charlotte bought all of their franchise locations and all Canal Coffee locations are now corporate owned.
7 Brew and Dutch Brothers are two of the largest drive through coffee companies…along with Starbucks, of course. It looks like the Hoffman Village location will be Canal Coffee’s 10th.
Fifth Third Bank opens in Belmont
A new bank came to Gaston County when Fifth Third Bank opened on February 24 in the Belmont Town Center at 975 South Point Road.
While new to Gaston County, Fifth Third's history dates to 1858 in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the Fifth Third Bank Museum documents the birth and growth of the bank in the Midwest and now across the country.
The most frequently asked question about Fifth Third Bank involves the origin of the name, bank manager Carte said. It stems from the 1908 merger in Cincinnati of Fifth National Bank and Third National Bank.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new bank conducted by the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce is planned on April 1 at 10 a.m. The public is invited.
First Watch restaurant coming to former On The Border location
As we told you earlier, a First Watch Restaurant is coming to the former On The Border Location at 2409 East Franklin Blvd. According to the interwebs, they will open May 4th.
First Watch Restaurants, Inc., commonly referred to as First Watch, is an American restaurant chain, known for breakfast, brunch and lunch, based in Bradenton, Florida. As of August 2024, the chain has more than 630 locations in 32 states and 16,000 employees.
Photo Credit: Positive Growth for Downtown Gastonia Facebook page
The Piedmont Deli & Speakeasy coming along on East Main in Gastonia
Another deli coming to Gaston County! This one is at 125 East Main Avenue in Gastonia. The Piedmont is located in a historic building that once housed a 1900s advertisement for Piedmont cigarettes (and still does), the venue is being designed to transition from a daytime deli to a late-night cocktail lounge
They expect to open mid 2026.
Kayak much?
A new kayak ramp has opened in nearby Cleveland County on the First Broad River. The access point is located at 940 West Grover Street in Shelby.
According to Broad River Keeper David Caldwell, this access point is part of a planned 65 mile paddle route that begins at South Mountain and extends into South Carolina. The goal is to create a continuous paddle route with access points along the way.
Correction
Gaston Max at the Rotary Pavilion, Saturday March 28, 2026
Have you been to Shelli’s She Shed yet?
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
Wanna play?
Animal ID 60126959
Species Dog
Breed German Shepherd/Mix
Age 4 years 1 month 14 days
Gender Male
Size Large
Color Black/Tan
Spayed/Neutered
Declawed No
Housetrained Unknown
Site GCACE
Location Dog Adoption
Intake Date 1/20/2026
Stage Available
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