The “new” isn’t hard to find in Charlotte. In fact, it’s a job just keeping up with all the doors opening every day in the Queen City. That’s wonderful, but it can also distract us from the businesses, artists, restaurants, musicians, designers, entrepreneurs and dreamers who have kept the spark of creativity alive over the years. And, we want to celebrate them … and we want you to love them as much as we do.

In this first installment of our new series, O.G. CLT, Andy Goh has a chat — and a chomp — with James Bazelle who, along with his wife Renee and help from Hugh McColl, opened Mert’s Heart and Soul on College Street in 1998! Since then it’s been known as the go-to spot for the authentic soul and Southern food inside the I-277 loop.

So click the button, open your ears … and get ready to crave fried chicken and room temperature desserts. And, fret not, they’re open late tonight