Inside Matthews

In this episode of Inside Matthews, host Jim Taylor welcomes three downtown entrepreneurs who’ve helped transform Matthews’ food and nightlife scene: Adam Reed of Sante, Bob Klein of Stumptown Station, and Brandon Mills of The Portrait Gallery. Adam shares his journey from New York to Matthews, taking over a restaurant and building it into a cornerstone of the community for nearly three decades. Bob and Brandon tell their story of friendship, long hours, and taking a leap of faith to create Stumptown Station, while Brandon reflects on his path from corporate restaurant leadership to small-town business ownership. Together, the trio paint a vivid picture of how downtown Matthews has changed, shifting from quiet streets to a vibrant destination filled with dining, music, and culture. They highlight the power of collaboration, noting that restaurants and bars thrive when they work together rather than compete, drawing more people to Main Street and creating the walkable, community-focused energy Matthews is known for today. The conversation also touches on challenges: parking and traffic, the decline of once-popular community initiatives like Red Brick Partnership, and the need for visionary leadership to sustain growth without losing small-town character. Still, the optimism is clear: more residents downtown, a supportive network of business owners, and a shared belief that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the grit, creativity, and community spirit fueling Matthews’ local businesses, perfect for anyone curious about how small-town charm evolves while keeping its heart.

In this episode of Inside Matthews, host Jim Taylor sits down with current mayor John Higdon, the town’s 19th mayor, to reflect on Matthews’ progress, challenges, and future. The conversation explores how the town has transformed from a quiet, small community to a vibrant destination full of energy, events, and pride. Mayor Higdon highlights Matthews’ growing downtown, the award-winning farmers market, and the role of festivals and cultural events in keeping the community lively. At the same time, the discussion addresses pressing challenges: managing traffic from heavy pass-through commuters, balancing growth with the preservation of Matthews’ character, and ensuring the town stays innovative as nearby municipalities adopt similar revitalization strategies. Higdon explains current efforts with NCDOT projects, downtown planning, and the need to safeguard Matthews’ tree canopy and green spaces, while also fostering new economic opportunities. Key projects shaping the future include the Hendrick Advanced Manufacturing Campus, expected to bring thousands of high-paying jobs; the redevelopment of Purser-Hulsey Park into a major community space; and the creation of a new Discovery Place Kids museum downtown. Higdon also speaks candidly about the uncertainty around regional transit plans, including the stalled Silver Line light rail project, and the importance of planning ahead for future growth. Listeners also get a glimpse of Matthews’ political culture, from collaborative traditions among elected officials to lessons learned in balancing progress with preservation. Higdon shares his hopes for being remembered as a “tree-save” mayor who expanded parks and trails while steering Matthews through a time of growth and change. This episode offers both hometown stories and forward-looking insights, perfect for anyone invested in the past, present, and future of Matthews.

After a few years away, Inside Matthews is back! In this relaunch episode, host Jim Taylor, former four-term Mayor of Matthews, reunites with producer and co-host Chris Melton to reflect on the show’s history, community impact, and their renewed vision for the podcast. Jim and Chris revisit the origins of Inside Matthews, which began during the COVID years as a way to connect the community and preserve local stories. They recall standout guests, former mayors, civic leaders, nonprofit directors, and community volunteers, who helped document Matthews’ history and highlight the people, places, and organizations that give the town its unique character. The conversation quickly moves into what listeners can expect in this new season: honest, engaging discussions about Matthews without politics. Both Jim and Chris emphasize their commitment to keeping the show “politically sterile,” focused instead on storytelling, community pride, and issues that matter to everyday residents. The episode also dives into current challenges and opportunities facing Matthews, including: Community fatigue: the same small group of volunteers carrying much of the town’s civic load. Downtown vitality: questions around parking, walkability, and whether Matthews has lost momentum compared to neighboring towns like Waxhaw and Monroe. Transit and infrastructure: debates over the Silver Line, road extensions, and the future of regional transportation. Town leadership transitions: new managers, police chiefs, and the loss of long-serving figures with deep institutional knowledge. Jim and Chris share candid reflections on their own time in office, lessons learned, and the importance of long-term vision for Matthews’ future. They also stress the need for new voice, especially residents who’ve moved to town in the last few years, to join the conversation, ask questions, and engage with their community. Above all, this episode is about rekindling the spirit of connection that made Inside Matthews an award-winning podcast in its first run. Jim and Chris invite listeners to be part of the journey: to learn, laugh, and explore together what makes Matthews special, from its history and traditions to its growth and future. 📩 Got ideas, questions, or stories to share? Reach out at info@insidematthews.com and join the conversation.

Inside Matthews is the podcast about all of the wonderful people, places and organizations that make Matthews, Matthews. Periodically, Former Mayor Jim Taylor sits down with civic, business and political leaders to have a conversation about what’s happening, Inside Matthews. Hazen Blodgett served as the Manager of the Town of Matthews for 18 years and retired from this position in early 2022. During Hazen’s tenure, he worked under four mayors, including Lee Myers, Jim Taylor, Paul Bailey...

Inside Matthews is the podcast about all of the wonderful people, places and organizations that make Matthews, Matthews. Periodically, Former Mayor Jim Taylor sits down with civic, business and political leaders to have a conversation about what’s happening, Inside Matthews. In this installment of Inside Matthews, Jim welcomes Amy Carr to the Sweetwater Logistics Studios to chat about Matthews Free Medical Clinic, a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation that provides free, quality healthcare to...

The Town of Matthews has quite a few fantastic parks. From our “premier” event park, Stumptown Park, to small pocket parks like Country Place and KP Parks, there’s a place for everyone. In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down to talk to the Director of the Town of Matthews Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, Cory King and Scott Rawls, our Parks Manager. Connect with Inside Matthews on the Web, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We’d love to hear from you to. If...

Thanks for listening to the award -winning Inside Matthews podcast, voted by the readers of the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly as their favorite local podcast. Jim is back in the studio this week having a conversation with an outstanding member of the “Matthews Family”, Tina Whitley. Tina has been instrumental in many of the happenings in Matthews over the years including Artfest and Matthews Alive. She’s been active with the Rotary Club of Matthews, Kiwanis and was Executive Director for the...

Jim invited Chris back from behind the computer to in front of the microphone to talk about the Inside Matthews podcast and share a few, little know historical facts about the Town of Matthews like, why is so much named Fullwood around here and where the Matthews name originated from. Our two hosts also share with you their proudest moments and long term vision for Inside Matthews. Please listen, like and subscribe to the award-winning Inside Matthews podcast on your favorite podcasting...

Our hometown theater group in Matthews, NC is Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts and since 1995, they’ve “enriched the lives of children, adults and families by inviting them to participate in the world of the performing arts and education”. Earlier, in our 6 episode, we met June Bayless, Howie Labiner and Cassie Prodan of the “Playhouse” and in this new installment of the Inside Matthews podcast, we invited the new Managing Director , Sarah Baumgardner, to stop by the Sweetwater...

For folks in Matthews, NC, Stumptown AC is our local, hometown soccer team. As a member of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), Stumptown AC plays at the “crown jewel” of the athletic world in Matthews, the Mecklenburg County owned, Sportsplex at Matthews. Earlier this fall, the team at Inside Matthews was invited to and offered behind the scenes, VIP access to Stumptown AC’s match against Detroit City FC. Before, during and after the match, Jim Taylor walked around the pitch...

The Matthews Human Services Council, in essence, connects community non-profits in and around Matthews, NC. Their mission is to “enhance the quality of life for the people living in the Matthews area by collaborating and being the driving force with local agencies, organizations and institutions to help resolve community needs”. In this episode of the Inside Matthews podcast, recorded in the Historic Reid House, Jim sits down to talk to HSC Board President Bill Helms and Vice President...

Earlier this year, Commissioner Jeff Miller made the decision to not seek re-election to the Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners. Not including his time on the Park & Recreation Advisory Committee, Jeff has proudly served the citizens of the Town of Matthews for over fourteen years. During this time, Matthews has certainly grown and become quite the destination not only for restaurants, entertainment venues but for it's parks and cultural resources as well. Listen as Jim Taylor, the...

For well over twenty years, Nate Huggins has been a fixture in the Matthews Community. Always having a contagious, positive attitude, Nate embodies what we at Inside Matthews love to share; the special people and organizations that make Matthews, Matthews. Now in their third decade, Nate's organization, Blessed Assurance Adult Daycare provide a necessary service to seniors in the Matthews Community. Listen as Jim has a conversation with Nate about his community involvement, as well as the...

We're thrilled to kick of the second season of our award winning podcast that features the special people and organizations that make Matthews, Matthews. In this episode, Jim takes you behind the scenes of Inside Matthews and has a conversation with Chris Melton. Chris edits and produces the podcast and, along with Jim, shares his vision and mission Inside Matthews.

Justin Vick and Adrian Garson are the editor and publisher of our community's local newspaper, The Matthews - Mint Hill Weekly. Each week, they're responsible for publishing and distributing thousands of copies throughout Matthews, and neighboring town Mint Hill, and they also create content for two additional publications, plus twelve social media sites. In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim talks to Justin and Adrian about what goes in to producing one of the area's top publications as...

Chief Clark Pennington has led the Matthews Police Department since January, 2018 and, in this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim has a conversation with Chief Pennington about his background in law enforcement and what led him to Matthews, NC. Public Information Officer (PIO) Tim Aycock joins the Chief and Jim to discuss the make-up of the police department, including the different divisions (or bureaus), policing strategies and the Chief's vision for the future of Matthews Police Department.

Paul Bailey served the citizens of the Town of Matthews for 30 years, most recently as the 18th Mayor of the Town. In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim talks to Paul about his role as a charter member of the Matthews Transportation Advisory Committee, his time serving parents and students, representing District 6 on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education and the transformation of Matthews during his terms as Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem of Matthews, NC.

Matthews Alive! is returning in this Labor Day Weekend and in this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down to have a conversation with Executive Director Lee Anne Moore and the Chairperson of the Matthews Alive! Board of Directors, Julie Bee. They talk a little bit about the history of the festival, currently in it's 29th year, and the inner workings of hosting one of the area's largest events as we emerge from a pandemic. Listen to the entire episode to hear the exclusive announcement on...

Jim is back on the road for this episode of Inside Matthews to have a conversation with the current and a few of the previous Chiefs of Matthews Fire & EMS. Recorded on-site at Station 1 on South Trade Street, this episode features Rob Kinniburgh, Dennis Green and Cal Higgins as they tell the story of how the department has evolved from Matthews-Morningstar Volunteer Fire Department in 1953 to the current, modern day, Town of Matthews Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

"Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts began in January of 1995 with the idea to create a theatre for children in the Matthews area. The original Board of Directors consisted of parents, theatre professionals and educators that wanted to create a venue for young people to perform and view quality theatre." In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down at center stage, in the Fullwood Theater, to have a conversation with MPH Founder and Artistic Director, June Bayless, previous Board...