X is for Exit

The Corner, at 344 Tate Street, has been a Greensboro institution since the Snavely family opened it in 1950. Ever the place for a quick chicken salad sandwich at lunch, a Hallmark card, a flower, a quirky gift, after sixty years, the landmark business is closing.  Recently, a faithful reader of Greensboro Daily Photo commented on our Tate Street Coffee House post. Emily's words sum up Greensboro's relationship with Hugh, and now son Grant Snavely, and this wonderful business.

"Tate St. is an important street to me. ....... And then there is Grant at The Corner. He is a jolly guy who delights in his store's offerings. The Corner Store has always sold nice pens, cards, funky junk, Mattise posters and anything any college student or Summer Music Camp Camper could want. I bought a venus flytrap there for my boyfriend in about 1982. I bought George Bush / Dick Cheney "National Embarrassmints" mints there before a trip abroad. My son bought see through playing cards, a whistling pickle and an Alfred Einstein action figure there. My daughter bought a funny mask that is merely a smile. When I got my hair cut on Saturday, I noticed The Corner had a huge 50% off sign. Hope it doesn't mean the shop is closing. :( It can never close!"

Yes, Emily, The Corner is closing. In the left-hand corner, you can see the former music building of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Once UNCG's new music building opened on the opposite end of campus, much of the faithful clientele just didn't drop by and business declined. Perhaps with the bad economy, people just didn't need rubber chickens, cacti, and whoopee cushions any more. For sure, all will miss that personal interaction from a man who could find every bit of inventory faster that a student could sing, "do re mi." On ABC Wednesday, X is for Exit-- a Greensboro institution.

Comments

[birdman]

The demise of all our 'corner' stores tells a sad story, doesn't it.

[Jack]

Let the debate about progress and nostalgia and shlock and fond memories rage. I am on all sides of that debate.

[Jane Mitchell]

Que de souvenirs!

[Janis]

I am right where above poster, Jack is on this, all sides of the debate.
I am all about de-cluttering (not good at it though) and yet I miss those knick-knacks before they are even gone.
We "antique" for fun and resell some of it for funds to continue the cycle.
Every generation has places that have gone embedded in their memories,that is the way it must happen in order to make way for more moments destined to become someones fond memories.

[Emily]

I'm sorry to hear that anyone would have to go out of business due to the economy instead of the time of his own choosing. I hope this is not a forced choice to close.

If I was this particular Emily that left the message, I would be embarrassed to have wasted my money on "embarrassmints" ridiculing Bush and Cheney. People all over the world were thankful for some of the decisions that administration made. . . Ask Bono about this (AIDS). Ask Tanzania about Bush. Ask snowflake babies about this. Keep asking, and you will always find lovers and haters. Funny how the haters are always loudest.

I guess a lot of opportunistic shopkeepers and entrepeneurs went out of business when Bush & Cheney left office. Viva la capitalism, Emily!

[Greensboro Daily Photo]

Well, today will go down as the most interesting group of comments for this year's posts!

[Roger Green]

Bummer. Looks like a classic place.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

[Emily]

The UNCG community and I will sorely miss The Corner Store and Grant Snavely's smiling face. My children will be disappointed to hear the news. When will it close? Maybe we can stop by for one more silly trinket or another clever packet of "National Embarrassmints" to share.

All good things must come to an end.

[S573317134]

http://www.nicebagshop.org
a good online store
high quality, reasonable price
worth to have a look