Mental health for many of our veterans and emergency personnel is at a crisis level. Many are taking their own lives. They need to know that we care. One of the Five this week will tell you about an effort to raise awareness.
No. 1
A North Carolina Army veteran attempting to run 700 miles across the state will make his way through Midland on Monday, Sept. 28, as part of a campaign to raise awareness of mental health among veterans, military personnel, and first responders.
Jonathan Milkovich, executive director and founder of Operation WarriorFit, is in the midst of Operation Carolina, a 17-day journey across North Carolina. Monday’s 40.1-mile leg will take Milkovich from the outskirts of Charlotte to Albemarle, passing through Cabarrus and Stanly counties — including Midland.
Milkovich began the run Monday, Sept. 21, near the North Carolina-Tennessee state line and plans to complete the journey Oct. 7 at Hatteras Point. He is averaging about 40 miles per day during the trek. Operation Carolina is designed to draw attention to mental health issues affecting veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders and to promote physical activity and community as sources of support.
Operation WarriorFit is a veteran-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Fletcher that provides free or discounted entries to races and fitness events for veterans, service members and first responders. The organization’s message is that “fitness is medicine” and “finish lines are lifelines.”
Local runners, walkers, veterans and first responders are invited to join Milkovich for part of Monday’s run through Midland. There is no registration fee or requirement to participate. The organization says participants can select a portion of the route and join Milkovich along the way. The Day 8 route covers 40.1 miles with 1,734 feet of elevation gain before finishing in Albemarle.
Those who don’t want to run can also come out along the route to offer encouragement. Milkovich has specifically invited veterans’ organizations, first responder agencies and local running groups to participate. The walk through Midland will be Day 8. Day 7 is scheduled to begin on the outskirts of Gastonia and finish up in Matthews.
The complete route and live tracking during the run are available through Operation WarriorFit’s Operation Carolina page: https://www.operationwarriorfit.org/operation-carolina
No. 2
We’ve been watching this one for several months, and we have news to report on the old Gate station at the corner of Concord Parkway and Pitts School Road.
It appears the property is getting new life as a ShopRite market. New ShopRite signage has appeared at the former GATE station at 3699 Concord Parkway South near Pitts School Road.
The 4,200-square-foot convenience store sits on 1.34 acres. The property, which had been home to GATE for nearly two decades, sold for $1.3 million in December 2025 after being marketed for sale as a convenience store/service station property.
ShopRite already operates several convenience stores in the Concord-Kannapolis area, including locations on Union Street South, N.C. 73 East, Concord Parkway North, and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. Union Street and N.C. 73 stores operate with Exxon fuel, while the Concord Parkway North location is associated with Mobil. An opening date for the new Concord Parkway South location has not been announced.
No. 3
Remember when Target was on Cloverleaf Parkway? A major redevelopment is underway in that building, which has been Rug & Home exclusively for several years. O’Reilly Auto Parts is set to become one of the building’s new tenants.
Signs at the longtime Rug & Home location at 3333 Cloverleaf Parkway show the former big-box store being divided for multiple uses. Rug & Home remains open, with customers being directed to a new entrance, while approximately 32,000 square feet of additional space is being advertised for lease.
Construction records confirm plans for an O’Reilly Auto Parts store at 3333 Cloverleaf Parkway. Project documents identify the location as O’Reilly’s Kannapolis “KN3” project and include plans covering the store’s exterior, interior, mechanical and electrical work, roof, and parking lot. O’Reilly already operates Kannapolis stores at 956 S. Cannon Blvd. and 2821 N. Cannon Blvd., making the Cloverleaf location its third in the city.
The approximately 96,000-square-foot building originally housed Target before the retailer moved to Afton Ridge. Rug & Home subsequently took over the building in 2010. The current redevelopment is carving the former single-tenant big-box store into smaller spaces while retaining Rug & Home.
No. 4
I’ve been joking with people that 7Brew beside Hibachi Pit (across from Mr. C’s) might open before the long-awaited First Watch.
First Watch is preparing to open its second Concord restaurant, taking over the former O’Charley’s building across from Atrium Health Cabarrus.
A banner outside the restaurant at 1389 Concord Parkway North announces, “Fresh Happens Oct. 12,” pointing to a Monday, Oct. 12, opening. First Watch’s website now lists the location as “North Concord” and “Coming Soon,” with planned hours of 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
Construction documents identify the restaurant as First Watch Store #1236 and confirm that the former O’Charley’s is undergoing extensive renovation. Plans called for gutting much of the restaurant’s interior, installing new flooring and making exterior upgrades.
The breakfast, brunch and lunch chain already has a Concord restaurant at 8825 Christenbury Parkway near Concord Mills. First Watch serves a menu ranging from traditional breakfasts and omelets to Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, avocado toast, breakfast hashes, fresh juices, and its signature Million Dollar Bacon. The company operates more than 630 restaurants in 32 states.
I’ve never eaten at the Concord Mills location, but we did eat at the Wilmington location once. It was good.
First Watch is also promoting the North Concord opening on its website. Customers can register for a chance to attend a pre-opening Friends and Family event, while the first 100 customers on opening day are slated to receive a free tumbler. The company is also advertising complimentary Project Sunrise coffee during opening week.
My joke still could come true. 7Brew sat its pre-fab building a few days ago and it looks like the parking lot will be paved soon. They’ve got a little over two weeks to beat First Watch, which started several months before.
No. 5
Looking for something to do? Here are some of the events we found over the next couple of weeks. If your organization has something coming up that we missed, let us know.
Today-Sunday, Sept. 25-27 — Kantoberfest: Downtown Kannapolis celebrates Oktoberfest weekend with food, beverages and entertainment throughout the downtown district.
Today-Saturday, Sept. 25-26 — Breakaway Carolina: The two-day Breakaway Carolina Music Festival returns to zMAX Dragway in Concord with a lineup of live electronic music performances.
Today, Sept. 25 — Friday Night Flicks: Concord’s free outdoor movie series continues as part of the city’s Friday Night Flicks schedule. The series runs monthly through Nov. 20.
Saturday, Sept. 26 — Flint’s Fabulous 5K: The Run Kannapolis series continues at 8 a.m. at the North Carolina Research Campus. The race benefits Leashes of Valor, which provides trained service dogs at no cost to post-9/11 veterans.
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-4 — NCNA Convention & Coin Show: The North Carolina Numismatic Association Convention & Coin Show comes to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 N.C. 49, Concord. The three-day event brings coin collectors and dealers together for the annual convention.
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Concord International Festival: Downtown Concord will be transformed into a celebration of cultures from around the world from noon to 6 p.m. The free festival features international food, music, dance and cultural performances, arts and crafts, cultural displays and children’s activities.
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Burgtoberfest: Percent Tap House in Harrisburg will host a free, family-friendly street party featuring food, beer, live music, shopping and other activities.
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Camp CARE 5K & Fun Run: Frank Liske Park in Concord will host the Camp CARE Golden Hour 5K, combining an evening run with activities supporting Camp CARE.
Saturday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 10 — Midland Farms Fall Festival: Midland Farms will hold its fall festival on two Saturdays with family activities and seasonal attractions.
Thursday, Oct. 8 — Cabarrus County Senior Expo: The Cabarrus County Senior Expo begins at 10 a.m. at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord.
If you have anything for the Friday Five or something I can rant about, email Plemmons.mark@gmail.com or text me at 704-786-0001.