Matthews
(Mecklenburg County)

The town of Matthews, located about 12 miles southeast of uptown Charlotte, maintains a laid-back look and feel.  Home to many antique and craft shops housed in turn-of-the-century buildings, Matthews has become somewhat of a tourist town and a fast-developing antique center.  Matthews was know as stumptown when it was first settled in the early 1800s because of the stumps left from the forests which covered the area.  It is said that a wagon could not make a U-turn without running into a stump.  

The center of town is located on North Trade Street, home to Renfrow Hardware, which has served the community since the early 1900s.  You can still purchase seed and garden supplies, hardware items, clothing, hoop cheese soft drinks and pickles.  Reid-House, another Matthews treasure, is part of the National Register of Historic Places and is used for Victorian teas, weddings, family gatherings and socials.

A variety of housing options are available in Matthews.  A number of well-known companies also call Matthews home, including Family Dollar, Pic 'n Pay, Harris Teeter and ALLTEL Service.  Windsor Square and Matthews Festival are well known shopping areas and offer a variety of restaurants and shopping.  The Matthews Community Farmers Market, open every Saturday from May to November,  offers fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, fresh baked goods and more.

Matthews also hosts a number of events throughout the year for entertainment and family fun.  During the Labor Day weekend celebration, Matthews ALIVE attracts thousands of visitors.  The town ushers in the month of June with the Matthews Auto Reunion.  Outdoor concerts abound at Stumptown Park beginning in May and running through August as part of Matthews Music in the Park.  The holidays are always an exciting time in Matthews with the annual tree lighting and Santa making a personal appearance.

The Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association involves over 1,000 children in its sports programs.  The Matthews Playhouse of Performing Arts helps to bring arts entertainment to area young people and produces four plays a year.

In all, Matthews continues to be one of the area's most desirable communities, while at the same time it retains its quaint, small-town atmosphere which has attracted thousands of visitors and families who have chosen to Matthews home.