Greensboro Daily Photo

Chick-fil-A

Those of you who come for Sacred Sunday are in the right place. Every Sunday, we publish a photo intended to cause viewers to reflect on their spirituality. Chick-fil-A is featured today because all 1,480 stores are closed on Sunday so that workers can respect the Sabbath and be home with their families. One might think that one day a week of lost revenue would hurt the company; however, Chick-fil-A is in its 42nd consecutive year of positive sales growth. Still a privately-owned family business, Chick-fil-A is planning 78 new locations and renovations on 86 existing stores. The owners, the Cathys of Georgia, are devout Christians and express this devotion not only at home and in press releases but also every Sunday at every store.

The store in this photo (taken yesterday) is at the corner of Battleground Avenue and New Garden Road. 

 

Girl Scout Cookie Time 2010

Hurray!!! Finally!!!!!! Barring inclement weather, Girl Scouts cookies will be arriving in the Triad today. Word has it they will be selling cookies at the Harris Teeter on N. Elm Street, where this photo was taken (last year). Let us see, thin mints, shortbread, caramel deLites, peanut butter sandwiches, peanut butter patties, lemonades, cinnamon rounds, thanks-a-lot. Oh those memories of childhood. 

Alice always said, "nothing beats staying up watching the Olympics and eating Girl Scout cookies." She also said that her scout troop leader was second only to her mother in guiding and mentoring her in her youth. A teacher friend of ours said that teacher appreciation week is not the same without a box of thanks-a-lots.  So much goodness is tied up in the purchase of a box of Girl Scout cookies, Boy Scout popcorn, Kiwanis Club pancakes. Put on your rain galoshes and find a civic organization to support today!

Visit our friends over at Newton Daily Photo if you like visual reflections!

 

Indu Convenient Store & Fanta City

Indu Convenient Store is located at the Fanta City, the Triad's International Shopping Center at 4925 West Market Street. Fanta City is a large complex for ethnic goods, foods and activities from saris to Colombian coffee, bubble tea and rice to Tae Kwon Do. Approximately 3 years old, Fanta City is one-stop-shopping for many different ethnic groups. The complex is truly a pan-global conglomeration of cultures. Additionally, Fanta City is a place to gather with family and friends and holds many different meetings and events. The red roof, arched doorways, and light stucco walls remind us more of Florida or California than Greensboro. 

We will feature other photos of Fanta City at a later time. Today, we chose this outdated calender at Indu Convenient Store to share with our Weekend Reflections friends and our friends over at Camera Critters (see the parrots?). The cars in the reflection were waiting patiently for Indu Convenient Store to open the day we were there! If you are from elsewhere, likely, you will feel a little nostalgia when walking through Fanta City!

 

Art at Harper's Restaurant

Harper's Restaurant in Friendly Center is part of a chain of 10 restaurants all located in the Carolinas. They describe themselves as "polished casual." Has Harper's coined a term or have you heard it before? The diners in the photo above do, indeed, look polished casual! As feasible, Harper's uses regional food and monitors their carbon footprint. In short, the food is great and their recycling efforts encouraging.

We decided to feature this photo today because the artwork at Harper's reminds us so much of Haitian art. Haitian artists love to paint bright, bold "slice of life" scenes. Since 1974, Bill Bollendorf at his Pittsburgh Galerie Macondo has been selling Haitian art, dealing directly with artists in Haiti. Since 1977, Boris and Ruth Kravitz have been going to Haiti to bring great art to the world via their Haitian Art Company in Key West. Peruse both online galleries and you will get an idea of the scenes that will be painted depicting the horrors of The Earthquake of 2010. It is just a matter of time. Haitian artists will tell quite a story with canvas!

 

Green Bean, Again

We don't usually feature an establishment twice in a year; however, this photo of the Green Bean Coffee Shop just stole our hearts. It was taken on First Friday when downtown was alive with strollers and shoppers. We love the way the walls have been repainted. Everything looks so fresh.

 Today is Saturday, and if you are looking for a place to go for a great coffee or chai latte, the Green Bean on Elm Street is a great option in Greensboro. Usually Ann serves us and she is delightful;  oh can Ms. Ann make a fabulous beverage. Tonight, Physics of Meaning plays at 8 pm so, don't stay home alone when you can get out and listen to good music!

 

Buffalo's Bar and Grill

Buffalo's Bar and Grill opened in the above location on Battleground Avenue in 1990. Now, this former gas station, repurposed as Buffalo's, is once again empty. Buffalo's Bar and Grill, continues to thrive just down the road on Battleground Avenue: Same food, same menu, same pub-like atmosphere. What is missing in the new location, however, is this brushed aluminum façade and the wrap-around windows. This façade has vintage character and is thoroughly photogenic. At night, it reflects light in an eerie spaceship way. Could that be New Mexican tumbleweed rolling across the foreground?  By day, it shines like a battleship in dry dock. Now, we have to wait and hope someone breathes new life into this building.

 In the meantime, see you at at the new location on Monday for 50-cent wing night. Tuesday is all you can eat wings $11.99; however, we're prefer not to binge and go for the bargain price!

 

Lucky 32

Lucky 32 Restaurant has been a Greensboro institution for twenty years. Here we see the painting of downtown Greensboro in the entrance hallway. Every time we sit on the bench just below the glass bricks on the left, we notice some new detail in this painting. Featured prominently is the Jefferson Pilot, now Lincoln Financial, Building. Lucky 32, located at 1421 Westover Terrace, always has an interesting menu, centered around Southern foods.

Madison Park Cafe

The Madison Park Cafe has been serving great French cuisine since 2008-- at least in its present iteration. Proprietors Paul and Joan Shepherd owned The Madison Park on Dolley Madison Road for ten years until it was destroyed by fire. After several ventures in-between, they are back with this fabulous eatery on Westover Terrace. The food is divine and the service attentive without being overbearing. We had frogs' legs and chateaubriand, both cooked to perfection.

On Friday night, the restaurant was full. Paul was walking around attending to details and talking to customers, many of whom he knew on a first-name basis. One couple commented to friends at another table, "We've been sitting here for hours," and another person commented "I love this place." The couple next to us overheard our discussing the selection of Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games and we all started talking. 

We can't help but think of a Julia Child quote when reflecting on all the years the Shepherds have dedicated to cooking fine, fresh food, "Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it." So, if you are looking for a place to eat or to go for coffee and dessert, head on over.

Yum Yum Ice Cream-- Since 1907

Yum Yum Ice Cream in its first incarnation was sold from a cart beginning in 1909 in downtown Greensboro. An early Greensboro postcard features the ice cream cart in front of the Courthouse. In the 1920's, the business was moved to a free-standing building at the corner of Forest and Spring Garden Streets. Since the location was at the western limit of the city, the owner called the business West End Ice Cream. Around that time, he introduced the ice cream flavor Yum-Yum, a flavor that is believed to have included grapes, raisins, a grain. At any rate, people began saying, "Let's go get some of that Yum-Yum ice cream."  The name stuck and became the official name for the store.

The shop is actually an ice cream factory with the product made in a back room, the old-fashioned way with vintage 1920's equipment. They have had the same ice-cream maker for 25 years now.  He is very picky about the source of his ingredients as well as quality and consistency. The proof is in the taste of the ice cream. Currently, they feature 18 flavors at $2.00 a scoop. The store is, perhaps, equally famous for its tasty, bright red hot dogs which start at $1.00 for a basic dog and cost $1.60 for one "all the way." Yum Yum is surrounded on all four sides by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Let's hope the university remains a good neighbor and allows this century-old business to continue in this prime location. 

We don't usually do a Tuesday meme; however, today we're posting on Ruby Tuesday! Visit there if red is your color!

Village Tavern

Village Tavern, located at 1903 Westridge Road at Battleground Avenue, is a Greensboro institution. Although there are locations in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Arizona, and Colorado, Village Tavern has that small town, one-location feel. You sort of expect Ted Danson and the whole Cheers crew to walk past while you are having dinner, to clap for you when you walk into the bar. They have great specials, affordable fixed-price, multiple-course meals, award winning brunches, great food, and reasonable prices. The above photo shows the happy hustle and bustle of the main dining room, especially cozy on a cold or rainy day. 

This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly. Go here if you like black and white photos and want to see more!

Greensboro Farmers' Market(s) on Saturday

Saturday is Farmers' Market(s) Day for us. First, we'll head to the Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market at 501 Yanceyville St. and then we'll head out to the Piedmont Triad Farmers' Market. Between the two venues, there will be plenty of local produce; plus, we'll see friends and take plenty of photos! This photo of peaches was taken earlier in the season but is still in the spirit of buying locally! We've got a bushel of hot peppers waiting for us at the Farmer's Market off of Sandy Ridge Road. We love hot peppers but still aren't sure what we'll do with a whole bushel. If you have ideas, let us know. If you are local and want to teach us to can in exchange for some of the spoils, let us know!

Pepsi Cola and College Hill Sundries

College Hill Sundries, seen above, is a libation-intense bar located at the corner of S. Mendenhall and Spring Garden Streets, between two college campuses (UNCG and Greensboro College). Close proximity and bargain prices are the priorities for many of their patrons. We took this photo, however, to feature the advertised drink, Pepsi Cola. 

Pepsi was first made and served in the 1890's by North Carolina pharmacist, Mr. Caleb Bradham. Unfortunately Greensboro was not the birthplace of Pepsi. New Bern, NC has that distinction. To see a photo and an original painting of the very corner building where Pepsi was first served, please visit this blog entry of Bernie Rosage, Jr., North Carolina artist and fellow blogger. 

Finally, if you stop by College Hill Sundries to admire this sign, walk across the street and visit Greensboro's latest vintage home and garden store: Adelaide's Corner Cottage. 

Biscuitville-- Fast. Friendly. Fluffy.

Today we feature a Biscuitville truck and driver. The driver was stopping by the corporate office at 1414 Yanceville Street. We were amazed at how effortless he made it look to maneuver this huge truck into the small parking lot! If you don't know about Biscuitville, click through or read our condensed version!

In 1966, flour salesman Maurice Jennings opened two bread stores in Burlington, NC. He decided to make pizzas at the stores. That business expanded into Pizzaville; however, since people do not order pizza for breakfast, Mr. Jennings put the ovens to use in the mornings by making biscuits, an iconic Southern food. Over time, ham biscuits outsold pizza and Mr. Jennings opened his first fully-dedicated biscuit restaurant, Biscuitville, in Danville, VA.  Today, Mr. Jennings' son, Burney, operates their fifty stores. At every Biscuitville, the cook stands behind a glass window where you can watch biscuit dough being mixed fresh, from scratch, before you eyes. The cooks are very fussy about the quality of their biscuits and the employees really do exude Southern charm. Don't be offended if the drive through attendant calls you "honey" or "sugar" or "ma'am" and invites "ya'all" to "stop back soon."  Fresh biscuits, a good money value, and polite workers getting your order ready quickly is what the locals expect from Biscuitville!

We love the cheerful look of this bright yellow truck-- our contribution to Mellow Yellow Monday. 

The Jamestown General Store

Here we see the Jamestown General Store. Although only open since 2003, this family business seems like it could have been around since the 1950's. They serve ice cream, hot dogs, sundry products, local artwork, and oldtiques. They are very open to trying new products and making available items that their customers request and love getting to know their customers. We hope you enjoy supporting these locally-owned businesses as much as we do.

Located just a few minutes down the road from Greensboro, the Jamestown General Store is definitely worth a visit. We like to go on Saturday when people are out selling fresh produce and in the summer when nearby City Lake Park is open. If you are a train fan, we heard and saw two in the hour we were in downtown Jamestown. 

If you notice, we are publishing with one comment already.  Bill B., and perhaps others, saw this post when it was mistakenly published for three hours, yesterday. Bill B., if we ever run in to you in public, we owe you a cup of coffee!

It's Fruit and Vegetable Picking Time in the Piedmont

In the Piedmont Region of North Carolina, many fruits and vegetables are ready to eat. In our yard, blueberries are ripening daily, lavender is growing (a little past peak), mint is wildly rampant, cucumbers are available by the dozens, tomatoes are starting to turn red, pole beans are growing in front of our eyes, and okra is putting up a good fight against the deer. Unfortunately, watermelon blossoms are being eaten by rabbits or deer as soon as the buds open! At the farmers' markets, peaches arrive daily from the Sandhills (Moore and Richmond County). Our part of the world is full of the wonderful flavors of summer. Nothing beats fresh produce. 

A few years ago, we decided to convert our property to an edible landscape. It is amazing what can grow in a small amount of space, especially if you consider the use of poles to grow vines vertically. Once you are accustomed to fresh produce, you will not want to return to salty, processed, packaged foods. Mr. GDP works hard on getting plants in the ground; we all weed and harvest; Mrs. GDP spends afternoons finding nic nacs and dishes that will photograph well with the fruits of our labor. That's what is going on in our world. To learn about others, check out the My World themed postings.

Farmers' Market on Sandy Ridge Road

The North Caroline State Government: Farmers' Market Piedmont Triad is one of five farmers' markets owned and operated by the State's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. And a mighty fine farmers' market it is. Visiting the Farmer's Market at 2914 Sandy Ridge Road is a great way to start the day. You get to interact with friendly people and buy locally. We get many of our plants from here as well as our produce. Most weekends, the Farmer's Market has a theme: strawberries, blueberries, peaches...... that keeps us attuned to what produce is currently at peak season. Oh, the Moose Cafe, on site, is a down to earth place to eat while shopping. Arrive hungry!

For us, the skies are inherently beautiful but are even more meaningful when serving as a backdrop for the rest of nature, including man. So, here's to Sky Watch Friday, from our vantage point under one of the retail shelters at the farmers' market. 

Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing Company

Natty Greene's Pub and Brewing Company is located at 345 South Elm Street. The owners have been on the forefront of revitalizing downtown Greensboro. This establishment, opened in 2004,  is housed in a circa 1896 building, formerly known as the J.W. Jones Building. With three floors open to the public as well as this featured outdoor terrace, Natty Greene's Pub offers plenty of space for enjoying your visit. If you like beer, their micro-brews are worth sampling. Personally, we like to sit with a window view and people watch. On the night of 3/23/07, when Greensboro native and American Idol finalist, Chris Daughtry, gave his free concert in downtown Greensboro, it was held in the middle of the street just to the right of the scene above.

The Green Bean Coffee House

The Green Bean is a family friendly coffee house at 341 South Elm Street. Some consider The Green Bean the social center of downtown Greensboro.  In this conveniently located coffee shop, you can hold small meetings, access Wi-Fi, enjoy live music, take in the ever-changing art exhibits, play billiards and board games, or simply enjoy a cup of fair-trade coffee. On Saturday, they are open from 8:00 am- 11:00 pm. Today is somewhat quiet; however, last night, they had a couple of fabulous live bands. Currently, in their gallery, they are showing Matthew Mica's photography and paintings by Lisa Woods.

Don't ever stay home alone or bored. Grab a friend and head down to the Green Bean. Sunday brunch seems to be getting a lot of traffic. We just might head on over in the morning! Regarding photography, we love the reflective round mirrors against the blue wall. We shot this picture from the back room near the exit to the patio seating area.

Maxie B's

Maxie B's, according to their website, "is a locally-owned bakery and dessert cafe in Greensboro, NC." They have fabulous cakes, cupcakes, coffee, and frozen yogurt. Robin, the proprietor has been so generous with the community, donating cakes to great causes. We love to go there for a late afternoon coffee, a great pick-me-up after a busy day!

This picture has a muted sea-side appearance in color; however, once in a while we like to offer a sepia and this one just screamed "early 20th century Paris" and sepia just fit. 

Sorry this text got posted a day late but we have been away. We finally re-found the monochrome meme, now called, "Monochrome Weekly Theme" where you can see some fabulous non-color photos. Absence of color makes us focus on theme, composition, and range from dark to light (hopefully, like above).

Dining For Friends

Greensboro celebrates its 20th annual Dining for Friends Event today. Every year, the posters are more and more beautiful. We always find ourselves saying that NOTHING could top this year's poster. Then, they produce the next one. Here we see a slice of the 2009 poster, just enough to give you the visual impact of seeing one of these posters through the window of a business, without completely copying someone else's work of art. 

Got Volkswagen? Good Ole Volks Meeting at Herbie's Place

Every Thursday, from approximately 6-9pm, the Good Ole Volks Volkswagen club members and VW owners gather to share their love of Volkswagens. They meet at Herbie's Place, 3136 Battleground Avenue, first inside for dinner and then outside, as weather permits. On warm summer nights, they can be seen lingering in the parking lot giving on the spot tours of VW engines and interiors. As you can see from the VW Bug mounted in the exterior wall of Herbie's, the VW crowd is welcomed with open arms. During the photo shoot last week, we affectionately called the Bug on the left "Snowball," (for obvious reasons) and the one on the right, "The Blue Virginian" since it had VA plates. 

If you are looking for a place to meet people as passionate about Volkswagens as you are, this informal event is the one for you. However, you might want to visit the Good Ole Volks website first to learn more about the club. You may want to contact someone ahead of time,as you can never be quite sure how many Good Ole Volks will turn up on a given Thursday night.  Who knows, maybe we'll see YOU there tomorrow! As for the post, we're linking to Watery Wednesday theme day because, as you can see, it had just rained and the water made great reflections. We've had lots of rain lately!

               

ALS Walk held on Saturday April 4, 2009

Saturday was a busy day in downtown Greensboro. Children began queueing with their families to be part of the Easter egg drop in the NewBridge Bank Baseball Park in the very early morning.  Additionally, the Walk to Defeat ALS was held, culminating in Center City Park. In the photo above, a volunteer, from the Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter of the ALS Association, paints the face of a young boy who, likely, had just finished walking. By mid-day, the park was brimming with people, young and old alike. 

As spring approaches, Greensboro will have no shortage of activities to keep us busy. We challenge the locals to get out and support the myriad causes, teams, organizations and businesses that make an effort to keep our city thriving and entertaining.

               

The Mellow Mushroom: Great Addition to Downtown Greensboro

The Mellow Mushroom, 609 South Elm Street, is a great addition to downtown Greensboro. It opened on December 22, 2008 and already has quite a following. The building has been restored and decorated, maintaining the integrity of the old brick building and playing off the nearby art and antiques galleries. The inside has a cathedral theme with many stained glass windows, mosaic tile mirrors in the bathrooms, and vintage chandeliers EVERYWHERE!

While the cathedral theme is a nice backdrop for this family oriented business, the flamelike colors in the bar area warn of the devilish aspects of imbibing excessively. If you are looking for something to do this weekend, you might want to consider eating a special pizza at the Mellow Mushroom. Our personal favorite is the Mega-Veggie.

On another note, if you are looking for something to do on Tuesday, March 31st, head on over to Aycock Middle Schooll and support the visual and performing arts. They will have some great art items that, likely, will sell for very reasonable prices. They have paintings, wild aprons, some photographs, jewelry. Aycock Middle School has been educating children in Greensboro since the 1920's!

               

Quaker Village

Quaker Village, named for the large community of Quakers in the area, is a charming retail venue just across the street from Guilford College. While struggling with occupancy, Quaker Village is a place of great potential for businesses catering to the college students wanting a break from campus life or needing supplies to get through the next week. Recently, this alley way was remodeled and the results are extremely inviting; evoking life at the beach on a warm sunny day. No purchase necessary to enjoy the relaxing space above.

               

Happy Saint Patrick's Day: Got GREEN?

Scottie dogs aren't Irish (maybe Scots-Irish!), but this fellow looks so cute sporting glittery, green shamrocks. Happy St. Patrick's Day. Our holiday vignette shows you how one Greensboro family goes all out decorating for St. Patrick's Day-- even if they aren't Irish! If you are up for celebrating the green, M'Coul's on 110 W. McGee St. has quite an St. Patrick's Day line-up and at least the first six events sound wonderful AND family friendly! 

Johnny Burris with his Bagpipes 8am to noon

Jason Pierce 12:30- 2pm

Dakota Joe and Scott Manring 2:30- 4pm

Walsh Kelley Irish Dancers 4:30- 7pm

Molly McGinn 5:30- 7:30pm

Limerick Contest 8pm-9pm

DJ 9pm-1am

Here is a modified Ogden Nash limerick to put you in the festive spirit:

A jolly young fellow from Yuma

Told an elephant joke to a puma;

Now his skeleton lies

Beneath Greensboro* skies-

The puma had no sense of huma.

*(hot western)

               

Girl Scout Cookie Sales-- Last Call

Girl Scout Cookie Sales were early this year and, word has it that sales were strong. Unfortunately, the local pantry closes this Saturday. If you missed out, contact a scout in your neighborhood and see if she has any cookies left. Most of them purchase a few extra boxes. Ask her to put you on the list for next year.

Here we see a troop selling in front of Harris Teeter at North Elm Village near Lake Jeanette. How wonderful for these young girls to learn about fundraising and providing service to the community. Girl Scouts were started in March of 1912 and boast 50 million alumnae in the US today. If you know a girl who needs a few more friends, a chance to spend more time outdoors, and an opportunity to learn about community service, encourage her to join a scout troop today!

               

The Rhinoceros Club

The Rhinoceros Club, located at 315 South Greene Street (directly across from the Carolina Theatre) is a great place to socialize if you are over 21, like live music, and like to dance! The colorful newspaper boxes out front add a lot of visual interest. Do you suppose the patrons are inside reading? We hope you have a safe, great weekend!

                

Brown-Gardiner Drug Store

The Brown-Gardiner Drug Store, with its pharmacy, soda fountain, and lunch counter, has been an Irving Park institution for over fifty years. On February 15th, the Greensboro News and Record ran a human interest story on two army buddies who found each other by chance at Brown-Gardiner. Kerman Copley, who works at Brown-Gardiner as a pharmacist's technician, recognized his friend, Dr. Leonard Berman, whom he hadn't seen in 63 years. By chance, Copley having relocated to Greensboro from Durham and Berman, having recently relocated from Florida, met when the latter came to Brown-Gardiner to fill a perscription. 

Brown-Gardiner is a vestige of the small-town, friendly atmosphere of the south of yesteryear. If you are a local, having breakfast or lunch here at least once is a must. Who knows? Maybe you'll see someone from your past. Order a classic-- like a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich and sweet tea!

            

Tea Time on State Street

Several businesses in Greensboro serve great tea. The Secret Tearoom at 412 State Street is no exception. This view from the front window is reminiscent of Savannah or Charleston. We just missed lunch by about 30 minutes and are anxious to get back for a visit inside. We've heard great things about the chef and that children love to have mother/daughter teas here! If you are looking for something special to do on Valentine's Day, perhaps it isn't too late to book something here.

             

Beef Burger Fast Foods-- A local splash of history and color

Perhaps you have passed by the colonial red and yellow A-framed business at 1040 West Lee Street, Beef Burger, and never noticed this colorful little blue corner on the east side of the building. This former Biff Burger franchise has been a local Greensboro eating establishment since 1961.

Click here to see the front, more recognizable, façade of Beef Burger and to learn more about this Greensboro institution from C. Catherman, self-proclaimed Biff-Burger fan and historian.

This picture would have made a great "guess where this is" page! Honestly, did you know before we told you?