Erin Connor & Erica Earnhardt-Wilson of Spilling the Southern Tea | Kannapolis Businesses | EP 70

Erin Connor & Erica Earnhardt-Wilson of Spilling the Southern Tea join Ryan Dayvault (back from twins duty!), Chris Hughes, and Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin for Episode 70 of the K-Town Connection.

Filmed at the historic Dayvault’s Dyno Garage in Kannapolis, the ladies share how their popular social media brand started in a local coffee shop and grew into a platform highlighting restaurants, small businesses, events, and hidden gems across Kannapolis and Cabarrus County. From positive promotion (never harsh reviews) to the real power of social media for local owners, this episode is packed with community pride, laughs, and local history.

Ryan also gives an update on life as a new father of twin girls and the incredible support the family received from the Kannapolis community. Plus stories from The Pub, favorite local spots, and plenty of K-Town nostalgia.

Follow Spilling the Southern Tea:
Facebook: Spilling the Southern Tea
Instagram: @spillingthesoutherntea
TikTok: @spillingthesoutherntea

00:00 Cold Open – Carolina Pickleball Club
00:32 Welcome to Episode 70 & Ryan Dayvault Returns
02:10 Fatherhood, Twins & Kannapolis Community Support
05:50 Theme Song & Re-Intro at Dayvault’s Garage
06:36 Meet Erin Connor & Erica Earnhardt-Wilson
08:00 How Spilling the Southern Tea Began at Addition’s Coffee Shop
10:45 Showcasing Kannapolis Restaurants & Small Businesses
14:15 The Power of Positive Social Media Marketing
17:30 Preserving Local History Through Digital Storytelling
19:18 Stories from The Pub & Dayvault Family Roots
25:00 Local Favorites, Downtown Events & Hidden Gems
32:00 Jalapeño Poppers, Pickled Eggs & Pub Nostalgia
34:37 How to Find Spilling the Southern Tea Online
36:30 Closing Thanks & Banter
38:45 Episode Wrap-Up
39:17 Hilbish Ford – Your Cabarrus County Destination

Guests:
Erin Connor – Spilling the Southern Tea
Erica Earnhardt-Wilson – Spilling the Southern Tea

Hosted by:
Chris Hughes
Ryan Dayvault
Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin

Filmed at the Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Garage – Kannapolis, NC

Watch, share, and support the local businesses that make Kannapolis special. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of the K-Town Connection!

#Kannapolis #SpillingTheSouthernTea #KTownConnection #CabarrusCounty #SupportLocal

Check Also

Hardee’s Biscuits Got Him Inside the Mills: Chad Mitchell’s Untold Story | Ep 75

In Episode 75 of the K-Town Connection, lifelong Kannapolis photographer and artist Chad Mitchell opens his archive of more than 25,000 photographs that document the demolition of Cannon Mills — the place that built this town. As the massive mill complex disappeared, Chad decided someone had to record what was being lost. What began as a personal mission became one of the most important visual records of Kannapolis history ever created. He takes us inside the abandoned buildings, shares how he gained access (Hardee’s biscuits helped), and reveals the stories behind some of his most powerful images — including the fall of the iconic water tower, a once-in-a-lifetime balloon ride over the complex, and the unforgettable photograph of his late father standing in the partially demolished mill, looking out at the rubble of the place where he had worked for decades. Chad also looks back at an incredible creative career that includes photographing Appalachian State football during its national championship years, serving as team photographer for Kannapolis professional baseball, working with NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, and creating artwork connected to Dale Earnhardt. His guiding philosophy has always been simple: Tell as much of the story as possible in one shutter click. Today, as a new generation grows up in a Kannapolis that looks nothing like the mill town their parents and grandparents knew, these photographs have become even more valuable. They don’t just preserve buildings — they preserve the people, the work, the memories, and the identity of a community that was forever changed. This episode is exactly what the K-Town Connection is about: preserving Kannapolis history by telling the stories of the people who lived it. 📸 Browse and purchase Chad’s photography and artwork: ChadMitchell.com 📍 Filmed at Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Tune-Up & Brake Service Garage in Kannapolis, North Carolina 🎙️ Hosted by the #RoughTalkCousins Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault, along with Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin and David Steele Chapters 0:00 – Intro & Local Updates 5:32 – Welcome to Episode 75 5:52 – Introducing Chad Mitchell 7:02 – Growing Up in Kannapolis 12:00 – How Chad Began Documenting the Mills 14:00 – Getting Access with Hardee’s Biscuits 17:18 – Inside the Abandoned Mill Buildings 19:24 – Over 25,000 Photographs 25:10 – The Darkest Place in the Mill 27:20 – “Lifeline” – The Railroad Light Painting 37:15 – Where to See & Buy the Photos 38:21 – Kiln-Dried Maple Floors & the Sign 39:49 – Baseball Photography Years 43:45 – The Dale Earnhardt Artwork 46:06 – The “Quality Work Means Job Security” Sign 53:45 – The Balloon Ride Over Cannon Mills 56:15 – The Photograph of Chad’s Father 59:48 – Closing Thoughts & Thank You

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