From Day One to Year Two: Alicia Quarles and Liza Mahachek on the Success of Positively Charlotte

Photo: Positively Charlotte

Some of the most influential and memorable people in our lives are often the ones we've never actually met. They're the familiar faces who greet us each morning from our television screens, sharing the day's headlines, forecasting the weather, and highlighting what's happening across the city.

For many of us, those morning anchors and lifestyle hosts become part of our daily routine. Long before influencers filled our feeds, local television personalities were the voices we trusted and welcomed into our homes. If you think back to your childhood, chances are you can still remember the news team your family watched every morning.

Those personalities have a way of becoming woven into the fabric of a city, and in Charlotte, Alicia Quarles and Liza Mahachek have done just that. Since launching Positively Charlotte two years ago, the pair has brought viewers heartwarming stories, meaningful conversations, and a daily dose of optimism, connecting with audiences across the Queen City.

To celebrate their two-year milestone, I spoke with Alicia and Liza about launching the show, the moments that have stayed with them, and what they hope to accomplish in the years ahead.

Positively Charlotte made its debut two years ago and quickly found an audience across the Charlotte region, becoming part of many viewers' morning routines. Looking back on the past two years, what has the experience been like, and what does this milestone mean to both of you?

Alicia: We feel so grateful to have been embraced by the Charlotte community. Since both of us moved to the city from different places, we of course had that concern about making sure we got to know the Charlotte in order to show viewers where to go for great food, culture, and fun. Everyone here has made that easy because they have been so open to us, showcasing their businesses and all of the things the Queen City has to offer.

Liza: Getting to know a new city is always special, but especially when it's a place that's growing as rapidly as Charlotte is. Two years ago, Alicia and I were learning all of the major Charlotte staples, but now it's transformed into us discovering the countless new places constantly opening up in the Queen City alongside our viewers. I've found it takes about a year and a half to truly feel settled after moving to a new city, and after reaching our second anniversary, I can say that Charlotte has certainly embraced us and made us feel at home.

Let's rewind to just before Positively Charlotte made its debut. You both relocated to Charlotte for the show, with you, Alicia, coming from New York City and you, Liza, from Dayton, Ohio. What about the concept of the show motivated you to take the leap and relocate here? And what do you remember most about those first few weeks of settling into Charlotte?

Alicia: For me, several things made moving to Charlotte attractive. At the time, I had baby twins and I love the family-friendly lifestyle Charlotte offers. My immediate family is in Charlotte and Raleigh, so it was a rare chance to finally live and work near them. It was also the chance for me to executive produce and grow as a journalist from that perspective.

Liza: I was hosting the lifestyle show at one of our sister stations in Ohio, and when I saw the opportunity to build a brand-new show from the ground up, I was immediately on board. I'm originally from the suburbs of Chicago, so I was a bit nervous about being so far from home, but when I first visited Charlotte, I saw how warm and vibrant this community is. In the first few months of living here, I was struggling to pin down what this city's personality was. Now, I've realized that each neighborhood has its own persona, and it's been such fun to learn each one.

With Positively Charlotte, the central premise of the show is to celebrate the culture, creativity, and community that make the city so special. Over time, both through the show and by making Charlotte your home, you've become much more familiar with the city. With that in mind, what would you say has become your favorite parts of Charlotte, and what has made the biggest impression on you?

Alicia: I have fallen in love with the greenways of Charlotte. The theatre scene here is amazing as well. So many Broadway productions and unique smaller ones come to our city. If there is one thing we are going to do on Positively Charlotte, it's eat. There is so much diversity in the food scene. It does not disappoint.

Liza: I've been stunned to find how small this big city feels. Charlotte's community is so interconnected, and most people are only two degrees away from knowing one another. I agree with Alicia, as a theatre girl, the performing art scene here is fantastic. Also, I've loved exploring the Charlotte cafe scene — one of my favorite things to do on a weekend morning is going to visit a coffee shop I've never been to. There's an unending list of spots to try.

Photo: Positively Charlotte

Two years into a weekly morning show means you've interviewed quite a few people, both in the Queen City and beyond. Looking back, who would you each say has been the most memorable guest you've had so far, and what made that interview stand out?

Alicia: For me, it's DaBaby. He has been on our show a couple of times, and it doesn't get any more Charlotte than him. DaBaby is always kind, fun, and high energy. Plus, he loves this city.  

Liza: Loved having DaBaby in-studio! I'd say either him or Craig Ferguson. Craig barreled onset and brought all the energy, positive chaos, and even hopped in on a food segment with us. With his experience as a late-night host, he was comfortable with the TV format and was game for anything.

Morning television requires a great deal of chemistry between co-hosts, and the two of you seemed to have that from the very beginning. How would you say your working relationship has evolved over the past two years, and what have you each learned from one another along the way?

Alicia: Our chemistry is what makes this show work so well. We are representing Gen Z and Millennials and have a really good time bridging the generational gap. There is magic in the fact that we don't take ourselves too seriously. We love being journalists and always try to bring our A-games, but can still laugh at ourselves and each other. Also, Liza is genuinely a nice person. What you see is what you get with her. It is so lovely to work with someone who I know has my back, and I have hers.

Liza: Even in our first few shows, Alicia and I could feel our natural chemistry. We have fun on air, but what's special is that we really get along well off-air too. I genuinely like her and consider her my friend. After working together for two years, we know each other very well, which lends itself to the show when we're poking fun at one another. Getting to work with someone who has so much experience in the TV world is a great opportunity, and I've learned plenty from Alicia about interviewing celebrities and how to get your foot in the door with those big-name stars.

Closing out, if we were to have this conversation again two years from now, what do you hope Positively Charlotte will have achieved by then?

Alicia: We​ hope to continue to grow our reach in Charlotte and throughout the Carolinas. We want to be the place the community comes to and turns to for exclusives about culture. When the big names come to the city, we want to make sure they are stopping by Positively Charlotte. We want to put smiles on more people's faces, while keeping them informed with positive, entertaining news.

Liza: Community is what makes our show what it is, so I'd love for us to get as many business owners, leaders and community members on our show as we possibly can. We'd love to be the show people look to when they want to find weekend plans, good restaurants, and local businesses. My hope would be that when people hear positive Charlotte news, they'd want to let us know so we can share that story.