From the SouthPark Magazine inbox, here’s notable news around town. Keep reading for details on new restaurants, new flavors and a new concept for IKEA in Charlotte.

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It’s getting closer. Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen will join the lineup at The Bowl in Ballantyne later this spring. It will be the restaurant’s third location in Charlotte and a neighbor to Bossy Beulah’s Chicken Shack, both owned by Noble Food & Pursuits. The Northwood dining and enterainment project will be anchored by Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. Construction is still underway with an opening expected in the next few months. The Amp, a concert and festival venue on the property, opened last fall.

NEW FLAVORS

Which one to choose? Queen City Crunch just launched two new pretzel flavors (Ranch and Fiesta). Katie Cooper (featured in this previous story) started the business from her Charlotte kitchen three years ago and has been growing it ever since. Queen City Crunch is a favorite for gift bags and gourmet snacking. The new limited edition flavors join the lineup of The OG, The Dill, Cinnamon Sugar and The Heat. Order online or find the seasoned pretzels at several local retailers around town.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF IKEA

It won’t be huge like the University-area IKEA in north Charlotte, but south Charlotte will soon have its own IKEA brick-and-mortar store. A new plan, order and pickup location is expected to open this summer at the Promenade on Providence shopping center. In a news release, the Scandanavian furniture and home decor chain says this addition brings a focus on interior design planning with IKEA experts to the Charlotte market.

THEY’RE REALLY NICE

Stars from the national tour of Mean Girls stopped by Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital this week to visit patients and spread some creative cheer. The meet-and-greet took place at Seacrest Studios, an in-house broadcast center launched by The Ryan Seacrest Foundation. The studio was built to foster creative outlets through media during a patient’s hospital stay. Audiences can see the Broadway musical in Charlotte through Feb. 18.