Inc. Inc. magazine’s annual list of the nation’s 5,000 fastest-growing private businesses. 5000 is out. And nearly 50 companies on the list are located in the Charlotte area, though, most of which are names you may not recognize. That’s like the Charlotte Ledger Business Newspaper. For more, WFAE’s Marshall Terry talks with host Tony Messia.
Marshall Terry: We’ll get to that list of businesses in a moment. First, Brooks Sandwich House in Noida will be closed tomorrow because Saturday Night Live will be filmed in the city. Do you know what you enjoy?
Tony Messia: I mean, these things are usually held very close to the vest until they are released. Marshall, manager of Brooks Sandwich House, told the Observer that it would be a group of comedians on roller skates that would light anything up. I think the mystery is sinking in. It was also reported that it was part of a movie, not exactly an SNL skit, but a longer feature of a movie. So I think that’s all we know.
Terry: When I first heard this, my mind went to that 70’s skit diner where everyone is ordering cheeseburgers and they have nothing else on the menu. Remember that?
Messiah: Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, burger. Cheeseburger. yes. Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. yes. yes. I don’t know if they make that reference nowadays. That is one of the oldest. But yes, it’s a good idea.
Terry: OK Tony to Inc. I want to return a magazine list. How big of a deal is it to be named on this list?
Messiah: Well, it is very important for these companies. I think it gives them some marketing pitches to tell their customers and post on social media. And, it’s like an honor. I mean, and, you know, as Americans, we’re often fascinated by these entrepreneurial stories of people, you know, starting companies and actually taking off.
You know, so these are the fastest-growing companies in Charlotte that have grown the fastest, coming in at number 109 on Hoodsly’s list. They have about 26 employees in Lincoln County and make ventilation hoods for the length of the kitchen. So things you don’t always think about. I don’t know how many people have heard of Hoodsly, but you know, its revenue has increased almost 40 times between 2018 and 2021.
Terry: Is there another business on the list that stands out to you?
Messiah: Well, again, as you mentioned, we don’t really hear about a lot of these businesses because they’re very small, fast-growing, but usually not full-time employees. But, you know, very, very large revenues. You know, at 248, you had a company called Carewell, an online retailer of home health care products. And at 428, you had one called PetScreening that helps pet owners digitally manage pets and help animals. So there’s all kinds of things that you haven’t really heard and most of us haven’t. But, you know, there are companies among us that are doing well.
Terry: Okay, let’s move on to the Charlotte Integrated Development Ordinance that passed the City Council this week. It would set new rules to guide future development, including allowing duplexes and triplexes to go up in areas previously zoned for single-family homes. Some residents are upset that Airbnbs don’t include any regulations. What exactly are you upset about?
Messiah: Well, Marshall, you may recall that the discussion of short-term rentals and short-term rental laws was one of the most discussed items in the previous consolidated development ordinance. A lot of residents have been complaining about the Airbnb short-term rentals in their neighborhood, where people rent out these houses to serve as party houses and then, you know, several dozen people come and drink beer, stop it all. On the way, leave a lot of plastic cups everywhere.
Many residents don’t like it in their neighborhood, but the city decided to exclude it from integrated development regulations after a court ruling earlier this year. But the city has some power to regulate short-term rentals and Airbnb, and we’re seeing other cities do the same. Asheville is doing just that. Wilmington therefore wants some residents to see some regulations on short-term rentals.
Terry: And does the city plan to do anything about the Airbnb regulations?
Messiah: Well, it looks like they might revisit that, but not as part of the UDO. This court ruling limited cities’ power to require permits, which is one of the things Charlotte has proposed. But it allows other types of rules.
The city could ban short-term rentals in various zoning districts if it wanted to, but chose not to. And it looks like some parties will go on. You know, we’ve been seeing a piece in the letter this week, we’ve been seeing some of it. A property that was the site of frequent parties in Elizabeth. There were also complaints in Wesley Heights, a section of East Charlotte. So it’s something that’s happening everywhere.
