From Black Sheep's site:

Mountain Dew skateboarder Paul Rodgriguez and legendary skate artist Don Pendleton worked together to create their own signature can for Mountain Dew. Then inspired 35 skate shops across the country to design their own Dew can in a contest that just launched called the Mountain Dew Green Label Art Shop Series. Black Sheep was 1 of the 35 shops nationally selected to participate in this contest.

How amazing would it be to have one of our local shops featured on a can of soda?

Here's the artwork up close:

And here's the description:

"This design was inspired by the North Carolina state motto, 'Esse Quam Videri,' the Latin phrase meaning, 'To Be, Rather Than To Seem.' This statement is the core value of the shop and important for remaining relevantly connected to the history of skateboarding and our home state."

Go vote!!

The Charlotte Observer reports that at least 1,000 people were in line at 7 a.m. this morning at the Apple store at SouthPark.

Now, I'm pretty excited about the new iPhone because, like I've said before, mine is pretty jacked up right now. But after watching this video about the reception, I'm a little hesitant. Check it out for yourself.

By Cheris Hodges

Next Wednesday marks the end of an era as Eastland Mall closes its doors for the last time.

Built in 1975, it was once one of Charlotte's premier shopping destinations. But over the last two decades, Eastland has been in decline, losing all of its anchor stores -- such as Sears and Dillards -- and its iconic ice skating rink.

By 2007, there was talk of getting rid of the mall. The city commissioned a study by the Urban Land Institute, which suggested that Eastland should be turned into a mixed-used development with retail and housing. So far, nothing has come from it. Longtime Charlotteans, however, remember when Eastland was a place to see and be seen; this week, four notable residents share their mall memories with Creative Loafing.

Read the rest of this story in the News section.

**UPDATE: "New life for Charlotte's Eastland Mall?"

Aw. Plaza Midwood must be so sad to be losing one of its anchor retail stores. Pura Vida has been in this eclectic neighborhood since 2004, and in October will be moving to another eclectic neighborhood. Yep, NoDa.

So what does this mean?

From a newsletter:

...It means we are still having as many events as possible in our Gypsy Lounge as long as we are here. We will continue to support and be engaged in the neighborhood.

...It means we will be having lots of sales so we won't have to lug as much stuff to our new home.

...It means some of our fixtures will be for sale, too (we will not do coffee at the new place)

...It means this place is available for lease soon! email John Jones at jjones@gsrc.net. The landlord, Albert, is terrific and very supportive!

...It means we could really use everyone's support while we make this transition- painting parties at the new place!!!

...It means we will miss being in Plaza Midwood-- running to Nova's in the morning for dessert, getting Pizza delivered from Fuel's Pizza for lunch, walking over to Common Market, Zada Janes, Soul's or Snug Harbor after work, and watching Chilly Willy across the street scream at people all day long.

...It means we are excited about our move in October and look forward to forging strong, supportive relationships with our new business neighbors which include Cabo Fish Taco, Crepe Cellars, The Evening Muse, Fu's Custom Tattoo, The Neighborhood Theatre, Smelly Cat, Wine-Up, Real Eyes Bookstore, Amelie's and many others.

Well, then you're the reason why the rest of the world couldn't pre-order yesterday.

From CNN:

Customers eager to buy Apple's new iPhone 4 experienced massive and widespread difficulties when attempting to pre-order the smart phone on Tuesday, the day it went on sale.

Users trying to order the iPhone on Apple's website received an error message: "Your request couldn't be processed. We're sorry, but there was an error processing your request. Please try again later." Attempts to preorder from AT&T's website yielded similar error messages.

So you see? If only you had waited a day or two, you wouldn't have broken AT&T. You should feel guilty. Really guilty.

In other news, I'm not as hyped about the new version as I have been in the past. It might have something to do with the fact that ever since they announced the iPhone 4, my current iPhone (the second version, the 3G, for those of you who care) has been acting funny, dropping calls when it clearly has full signal. I'm thinking it's a conspiracy to MAKE me buy the iPhone 4, which makes me NOT want to buy it at all.

But I do have to admit: I REALLY want the capability to multi-task.

I apologize for my lateness — sue me! — but congratulations to the retail/shopping related sites that got love from Creative Loafing's Web Awards!!

• ScoopCharlotte.com won Best Shopping Blog.

• Heels.com won Best Site Design.

• Lunchbox Records won Best Retail Site.

Check out these cool sites! Do it! Now!

Seventy-Two Shoe Boutique has made it a year. Knowing how tough that first year in business always is, props to owner Jennifer Keen for making it.

To celebrate, the boutique is hosting a special 72-hour event, this Friday through Sunday. Head down to Blakeney to partake in:

• New Summer Arrivals

• Free Gift with Purchase

• Selected Items Marked Up to 72 percent off

Go ahead and support this local business. You're the reason why they're in business.

9856-G Rea Road

704.542.0472