NINER PICKS
Niner-owned businesses are offering exclusive eats, bold drinks and special deals crafted to make your Niner Nation Week unforgettable.
From Belmont to Ballantyne and beyond, UNC Charlotte alumni are helping power Charlotte’s food, specialty beverage and retail scene. For Homecoming, they’re stepping up with exclusive menus, discounts and giveaways to help us celebrate Niner Nation Week: Homecoming 2025. Discover the exclusive perks and celebrate the alumni-owned businesses adding flavor to Niner Nation Week. Go Niners!!
704 Shop
Chris Moxley '03, Jerri Shephard '14 and Scott Wooten '02
Founded by UNC Charlotte alumni, 704 Shop is back with a Homecoming apparel drop designed to show off Niner pride in style. These limited-edition collections sell out quickly every year, so don’t miss out!
Sammy’s Neighborhood Pub
John Bailey '94
Niner Punch + Alumni Social Oct. 15
Join the Alumni Social: RSVP here!
Owned by proud Niner alum and Board of
Trustee member John Bailey '94, Sammy’s Neighborhood Pub in Belmont is mixing up
the Niner Punch, crafted just for Homecoming. Join fellow alumni on Oct. 15 for a lively social filled with good company, great drinks and plenty of pride.
Boardwalk Billy’s: University City
Jamie Jenkins '97
Green & Gold Margarita Bucket + Norm’s Carolina Gold Sandwich
Alumni-owned and a longtime campus
favorite, Boardwalk Billy’s is serving the Green & Gold Margarita Bucket alongside Norm’s Carolina Gold Chicken Sandwich stacked with crispy chicken and tangy sauce. Right around the corner from campus, it’s the ultimate Homecoming
fuel-up.
CLT Fan Creations
Tanner Long '13
25% off + giveaway
Run by alumni entrepreneurs, CLT Fan
Creations offers officially licensed, 3D-printed UNC Charlotte gear you won’t
find anywhere else. Enjoy 25% off online during Niner Nation Week and enter to
win a basket filled with Niner spirit.
Sabor Latin Street Grill
Dalton '07 and Miriam Espaillat '13
10% off
Spice up your Homecoming celebrations with Sabor Latin Street Grill! Enjoy bold, authentic street food favorites and flavors with 10% off your order when you mention Niner Nation Week at checkout.
Suffolk Punch Brewing Co.
Seth Stidham '06
49er Lager + Alumni Social Oct. 13
Join the Alumni Social: RSVP here!
Alumni-owned Suffolk Punch is pouring the
49er Lager and hosting a spirited alumni social on Oct. 13. Raise a pint and kick off Niner Nation Week surrounded by friends, flavor and 49er pride.
King of Fire Pizza
Siler Chapman
Free garlic knots
Led by four-time world pizza champion and
UNC Charlotte alum Siler Chapman, King of Fire is serving alumni a free six-count order of garlic knots with any purchase. Celebrate at their restaurant or one of their trucks.
Ed's Tavern
Tina Blundell '14
Niner Punch cocktail + Niner Tea shot
A favorite among alumni, Ed’s is celebrating with two specials: the rum-based Niner Punch and the whiskey-based Niner Tea. Stop in, toast to your alma mater and keep the Homecoming spirit high.
Royal Bliss Brewing
Larry Griffin, Jr. '84
Above the Norm Lager
Brewed in collaboration with UNC Charlotte alumni, the third annual batch of Above the Norm lager returns for Niner Nation Week: Homecoming 2025. Invite friends, lift your pickaxes and celebrate with a beer made just for Niners.
Happy Scents Co.
Jamea Scales '15
30% off + candle giveaway
Alumni-owned Happy Scents Co. is bringing
the pride home with handcrafted products. From Oct. 11 - 19, take 30% off online products with code NINERNATION and enter to win a UNC Charlotte sneaker candle.
Hanabi Sushi & Hibachi
Maria Legaspi '20
10% off in-store
Alumni-owned Hanabi is rolling into Niner
Nation Week with 10% off in-store purchases of $15 or more from Oct. 12–19. Limited to the first 100 coupons and cannot be combined with other offers; show your pride and don’t miss it.
Greek Letter Co.
Haley Brasington '20
Marble Greek T-shirts + 15% off
Founded by UNC Charlotte alumni, Greek
Letter Co. has created a new Green & Gold Marble tee licensed for all Niner Greek orgs. Take 15% off sitewide Oct. 12–31 with code 49ERPRIDE.
Moo & Brew
Zach Current '99
Major Burger + vintage logo cup
Alumni-owned Moo & Brew is serving the UNC Charlotte Major Burger — stacked with Angus beef, cheese, arugula, fried curds and sundried tomato ranch — with a 32-oz vintage logo cup you get to keep.
CiCi's Pizza - University City
Jennifer Hamilton '08
Buffet + pizza specials
An alumni favorite near campus, CiCi’s
Pizza is offering two Homecoming deals: the adult buffet for $4.90 with a large drink, or a medium 1-topping pizza for $4.90 carryout/call-in.
Vaulted Oak Brewing
Kiel Arrington '08 and Charles Kistler '06
Strike Gold IPA
Owned by two UNC Charlotte alumni,
Vaulted Oak is celebrating Niner Nation Week with Strike Gold IPA: a West Coast
classic brewed with Chinook, Krush and Centennial hops. Medium-bodied with a
golden-orange hue and bold, balanced flavor, it’s made for raising a true Niner
toast.
Smallcakes Utpoia
Steve "CJ" '13 and Samantha White '11
Buy 3, get 1 free
Alumni-led Smallcakes Utopia is offering Buy 3, Get 1 Free cupcakes when you
wear your Niner gear and mention “the Homecoming Special.” Sweet, simple and
Niner proud.
Cara's Cookie Company
Jennifer Hamilton '08
Buy one, get one for $0.49
Founded by an alum with a love for sweet traditions, Cara’s Cookie Company is celebrating with a Homecoming special: buy one cookie, get a second for just $0.49 when you wear UNC Charlotte gear. Limit one, but unlimited pride.
Freemore Tavern
Tina Blundell '14
Niner Punch Cocktail & Niner Tea Special Shots
Run by alumni who love Niner Nation, Freemore Tavern is serving two specials this Homecoming: the Niner Punch cocktail and the whiskey-based Niner Tea shot.
Blackfinn Ameripub
Chris Gilligan '94
The Gold Rush + Alumni social Oct. 14
Join the Alumni Social: RSVP here!
Alumni-owned Blackfinn Ballantyne is pouring the Gold Rush and it features 2XO Oak Series Whiskey and hosting a spirited social on Oct. 14. Connect with friends, raise a glass and celebrate Homecoming together.
RW Latin Dance Co.
Rodrigo Jimenez '19
Bachata Brunch lesson + performance
Led by UNC Charlotte alumni Rodrigo '19 and Wendy Jimenez, RW Latin Dance Co. will headline Bachata Brunch 2025 with a one-hour lesson and dynamic performance.
One Campus Co.
Nick Sulak '17
Exclusive Niner Nation Week Giveaways
One Campus Co. is celebrating Niner Nation Week with exclusive giveaways for proud 49er alumni! They’ve donated five Charlotte items — including a sweatshirt, hats, and more. Keep an eye on the @49erAlumni channels throughout the week. Don’t miss your chance to win some stylish Forty-Niner gear and show off your Charlotte pride.
Stay Connected
Are you a Niner Business Owner?
If you’re a UNC Charlotte alum who owns a business, we’d love to feature you in future Niner Nation spotlights.
Jessica L. Dunlow ’12 (jldunlow@charlotte.edu)
Assistant Director for Affinity Networks
Office of Alumni Engagement