Pam Stowe: My Favorite things …
February 5, 2020
Pam Stowe describes herself as “a small-town, eastern North Carolina girl who loves being in this exciting, fast-growing city. “It’s wonderful that Charlotte has retained its quintessentially Southern roots — manners still matter here, most of the time, and a smile at a stranger is happily returned,” says the Lumberton native. Stowe’s community involvement includes support for Stand for Animals, a nonprofit that provides low-cost spay/neuter services and veterinary care for pet owners at all income levels. Stand for Animals’ signature fundraiser, So You Think You Can Bark, takes place Feb. 21 at Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts. Catch Stowe and her dog, Brixxie, in a performance with local singer/songwriter Brit Drozda while raising money for a good cause.
Comments were edited for brevity and clarity.
ART SCENE
Nothing makes me happier than being in an art gallery. My favorites are SOCO Gallery, Sozo Gallery, Anne Neilson Fine Art and the studios in my beloved McColl Center for Art + Innovation. I’m on the board of Theatre Charlotte and cannot say enough about the quality of their productions. TC is somewhat of a hidden gem on Queens Road. Everyone who loves live theatre should go to one of their shows.
FOOD & DRINK
My husband and I love dining out, and Barrington’s and Bar Marcel are our go-tos. I love nothing more than sneaking into Ginbu 401 on Providence Road for solo dining when I need to think or write — the shrimp lettuce wraps are the best, and the staff is so warm. When I crave a hot dog and a cherry coke, it’s Park Road Soda Shoppe every time. Poppy’s Deli has delish chicken soup with matzo balls for when a friend (or myself) needs comfort, and I love to venture out to Windsor Square [in Matthews] to Ben Thanh for the best Vietnamese I’ve ever had.
GETAWAYS
I don’t get away as much as I’d like, but New York City is always high on my list. My two sons live there. For total relaxation, we go to our funky ’60s era family house at Myrtle Beach. It looks kinda like Hugh Hefner designed a beach house. We have total privacy there, which is a treasure.
KEEPING THE FAITH
It would be impossible to talk about my favorite things without mentioning Sunday mornings at Myers Park Methodist Church, hearing Rev. James Howell’s smart, funny, incredibly insightful messages. I always feel like he is speaking directly to me. Led by Director of Music James R. Jones, the choir and organ send chills down my spine with the beauty of the soaring music.
SHOPPING SPREES
My mother and grandmother were “dressers,” so I caught the bug early in life. Most of my best clothes are from Capitol and Poole Shop. Owner Laura Vinroot Poole is a dear friend and the most innovative, inspirational woman I know. Besides the clothes, I particularly love my Ann Howell Bullard handbags. Other treasures from Capitol are my Of Rare Origin earrings. My daughter, Palmer, got her first pair for Christmas this year.
My mother taught me to mix high-end clothes with “finds” for an interesting eclectic look. I love checking out Boris + Natasha in Plaza Midwood and Jade Sky in NoDa for delightful surprises. Vintage clothing also plays a big part in my wardrobe. I’m fortunate to have some of my mother’s things, plus I love shopping the online vintage shops Golyester, Seeline Vintage, Quinby Vintage and House of Landor. The very best place in Charlotte for accessories you will not see elsewhere is CLTCH on Central Avenue. I can always find fun gifts there, too, even for guys.
LOOKING AHEAD
My hopes and dreams for the 2020s are to continue to engage and support younger women, particularly artists. The relationships I have forged with young women in Charlotte have brightened my life and brought fun and excitement that I would have missed. I don’t know who said it, but “be the person you needed when you were younger.”
Also, I’d like to travel more, paint more, continue training my dogs and spend more time with those I love, both family and friends. Here’s to a shiny new decade! SP
compiled by Whitley Adkins Hamlin. Know of a Charlotte tastemaker or person of interest we should feature here? Email whitley@thequeencitystyle.com.
photo top provided by CLTCH
