Greensboro Daily Photo

Changes at 507 Chapman Street

 

 

Do you remember the True family and the Santa of Chapman Street at 507 South Chapman? Every year Jack True, Sr. would decorate his tiny, humble abode for holidays and especially at Christmas. To jog your memory, see HERE for a Christmas photo of a three decade tradition. See HERE for the Fourth of July flag decoration and HERE for Easter. We sure do miss Mr. True. with  his spirit and generosity. Mr. True died in 2003 at the age of 71. According to the Zillow link, the True house had two bedrooms and one bath and was on .17 acres. It sold on January 22, 2024 for $125,000.

Currently, the above trio of buildings is being constructed on the True family  lot. When we first started posting photos on Greensboro Daily Photo, we didn't really think we would be documenting the extent to which Greensboro is changing. It isn't so much we miss his house as we miss the tradition he started and the joy he brought to so many generations of children. Have fun looking back at the old photos. We probably have more, but that's enough "then and now" for one day. Besides, we're already starting to tear up a little.

Happy Thursday!

Rachel's Rose Cottage

Yesterday, we had a chance to spend time on the Guilford College Campus. Students are wrapping us the academic year and the ever-popular, 3-week session is underway.  These 3-week spring sessions are a chance for students to have focused learning experiences that aren't necessarily linked to their major. These 3-week, special sessions have been very popular with students. Some courses are held on campus and there have been some in places like Disney and Mexico.* The short-courses began in 2019, in the same year Rachel's Rose Cottage coffee shop opened.

The coffee shop was named for Rachel Barlow Taylor, a Guilford College student and former home economics teacher. Her grandson, Guilford College Trustee Fred Taylor provided the philanthropic support to convert the building to a coffee shop.**  Rachel's Cottage is so lovely and the roses are currently in full bloom. We can't wait to go back when it is open to have a cup of coffee. This building has been repurposed many times. It started out as a coal-fired power plant, was converted as the student affairs building, housed a language lab, became a storage building, was converted to a  multi-faith, campus ministry building, and, now, it is a coffee shop. Rachel's Cottage is absolutely breathtaking in its current iteration.

Happy Thursday!

• *read more about the sessions, here.
• ** reverence and more information, HERE.

Daves Hot Chicken

DAVE'S HOT CHICKEN is going into the building that formerly housed the "A Cleaner World" dry cleaners at 1951 Battleground Avenue at  West Cornwalis. The franchise is a California concept that started with a pop up restaurant in a Hollywood, CA parking lot in 2017. Fast forward eight years and there are now over 100 locations in four countries. The Greensboro store is the fourth in North Carolina.  Yesterday, we had the good fortune to meet Director of Operations( for the NC locations) Roland (left above) and Nick Smith III (right above) who is co-owner of the North Carolina stores and franchise with his wife, Nicole. DAVE'S plans a soft-opening on Wednesday, April 23rd and a GRAND opening on Friday, April 25th.

We'll feature the artwork soon. It is done by a California artist who is the only artist to decorate the DAVE's  restaurants. The designs are of the graffiti genre, and you cannot miss the store. The artwork draws you in. The artist always incorporates something local into the artwork. For the Greensboro location, it is the word "DAVE'S" , on an interior wall, written to look like the letters are made out of Wrangler denim.

We're sure the chicken will taste great, but equally impressive is the pride, joy, and enthusiasm Roland and the Smiths have for the opportunity to enter the Greensboro market. We found it heartwarming that Dave didn't want to be photographed since his wife Nicole was not on site at the time.  But, we just happened to be driving by when Roland and Dave were available to talk. We look forward to seeing everyone on a future visit. 

Happy Friday!

The L. Richardson Preyer Jr. Building

The L. Richardson Preyer Jr. Federal Building and Courthouse, also used to be a post office until the late 1980s.  It is located downtown on the northeast corner of the Eugene and Market Street intersection. Completed in 1933, the building was constructed in the Art Deco style as a result of the 1926 Public Building Act .*  It also has classical and futuristic elements. Notice the long windows and verticality of the building. L. Richardson Preyer, Jr. was a U.S. Representative and District Judge. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

There is no rain in the forecast until Sunday afternoon, so you should have some time this weekend to get out and explore the beautiful buildings of downtown Greensboro. On another note, if you love history, Preservation Greensboro will have a tour of historic homes and gardens of Irving Park on May 17th and 18th. That would be a fabulous opportunity to learn more about one of Greensboro's oldest neighborhoods. (see HERE).

*If you love learning the history of buildings, read more HERE.

Construction On Horse Pen Creek Road

The above photo is a construction site on Horse Pen Creek Road at Jessup Grove. As you can see in the background, the area was formerly woods. By 2026, the property will transform into an Atrium Health/Wake Forest University surgery and cancer center. Here is a history of Atrium Health, which has its beginnings over 80 years ago in Charlotte, NC. Here is another article that actually links Atrium to the late 1800s. 

The above Atrium Health facility will join Cone Health MedCenter Greensboro at Drawbridge Parkway, as a medical facility in the area.  As the crow flies, both facilities are just a stone's throw from Well-Spring  Retirement Community, and many relatively new communities. Horse Pen Creek is transforming before our eyes.

Happy Thursday!

State Street Is Changing Before Our Eyes

State Street is changing before eyes. The above construction is happening at the corner of State Street and Roseland Street. This work was being done yesterday, meaning that this building should be occupant-ready with a blink of an eye. Formerly, there was a tan, one story house on this corner and it was looking very tired. As this district brings in new businesses, it will continue to rebrand itself and attract new shoppers and clients. There are at least 30 businesses in the area and offerings range from salons and offices to coffee and tea shops and cute boutique shops. We can't wait to see how the above construction adds to the revitalization of this block.  Stay tuned!

Happy Thursday!

The Greensboro Skyline

Today's photo features the most prominent part of Greensboro's skyline. We see the iconic Jefferson Pilot/Lincoln Financial Group building to the left of the photo. It is still our tallest building to date.  The photo was taken from the greenway area at the edge of the Dunleath neighborhood. There don't appear to be any new tall buildings on the part of Greensboro's horizon; however, there is significant construction taking place downtown and around Greensboro. Somehow, it is most likely that the JP/LFG Building will be our most recognizable. 

We love the above view of downtown; however, it will be even more beautiful as the greenery returns. If you want to see the changing face of Greensboro, have a look around the baseball stadium, extending up along Battleground to Cycles d'Oro and Green Hill Cemetery over to Joymongers. That northwest part of town has such a new look.

Happy Tuesday!

Steeple blown Off Church

With those peak gust winds we've had recently, there has been some damage done. In addition to some fallen limbs, the above photo features a church steeple on the ground. Our friend, local teacher extraordinaire Antonio Powers sent us this photo of a church he took on Gate City Boulevard. He didn't remember the name of the church, but thinks it is a Baptist church.

The scene reminds us to remember just how powerful nature is and to be grateful for every time there is inclement weather and we are spared damage. It looks like this church won't have a lot to do, other than reattach the roof.

Steeple blown Off Church

With those peak gust winds we've had recently, there has been some damage done. In addition to some fallen limbs, the above photo features a church steeple on the ground. Our friend, local teacher extraordinaire Antonio Powers sent us this photo of a church he took on Gate City Boulevard. He didn't remember the name of the church, but thinks it is a Baptist church.

The scene reminds us to remember just how powerful nature is and to be grateful for every time there is inclement weather and we are spared damage. It looks like this church won't have a lot to do, other than reattach the roof.  An early reference to the comment "In like a lion, out like a lamb" is Thomas Fuller in 1792, It appears this old adage may may have truth to in in Greensboro this year. Let's hope that the "out like a lamb" part is true as we've already experienced "in like a lion."

Happy Sunday!

Fordham's Cleaners Has Left the Building

The above "yard sale" took place on Saturday. Actually, it was a "sell everything that isn't nailed down" sale. Fordham's was sold and the new owner of the business could not make a go of it. The former owner, Lindsay helped the building owner clear out the space. All clothes were 50 cents. The vintage fire extinguisher was sold for $5. Someone bought the large plastic bins on wheels that formerly wheeled  dirty clothes to their respective cleaning area. A few dollars here, a few there, and by the afternoon, much had been sold. We didn't ask about the price of wedding dresses, but they were beautiful. All of the clothing that hadn't been picked up had to go. 

It seems like Covid, the trend to dress casually and wear "wash and wear clothing" have taken a toll on the dry cleaning business nationwide. Society is changing in so many ways, especially the above little corner of Chapman and Spring Garden Street. Freeman's Grocery became David Sheppard Instruments, which is now Freeman's Grill and Pub. And then there is the Wine Tasking that still has an IHOP roof; Bianca's Italian Restaurant is long gone from that corner. It will be interesting to monitor the transition of 1900  Spring Garden Street. What will Fordham's become?

Happy Monday musings!

Great Instruction Happening at the Weatherspoon Art Museum

We love to go to the Weatherspoon Art Museum on UNCGs campus. It is free, open to the public, and has free parking behind the building for museum visitors. We went earlier this week and noticed several students in the galleries drawing on sketch pads. As they finished up and the museum was closing, they met outside with their instructor. They were debriefing on the experience and he was asking questions getting them to reflect on their experience. The instructor noticed that some of the student-artists were listening to music while drawing and he wanted to know how that impacted their experience.

When students are all-in, or locked-in as kids say today, learning can be magical. Society is very focused on school to work and the STEM courses and careers. However, we have even seen medical students in art museums completing assignments. One assignment was to try to determine if a person in a painting was likely suffering from any illnesses based on their position and appearance. If you haven't been to an art gallery lately, most of our local college campuses have artwork available for the public to see. Also, we have many fine art galleries in Greensboro that are an opportunity to view art. Today is First Friday, so head downtown and try to find some art that touches your heart. Next week is Valentines Day. You just might find something for a special someone. (The Weatherspoon closes at 5:00 pm on Fridays).

Happy First Friday!

Resco Products Refractory Manufacture

Today's photo is part of the Resco Products manufacturing plant in Greensboro. Their address is 3514 West Wendover Avenue, but we took the photo from Spring Garden Street near Pomona Drive. They make "cashable" products; materials that can be mixed with liquid and poured into a mold or to a surface to make a desired shape. Castable refractory mixtures are heat resistant. Examples of castables include the cement used in high-temperature furnaces and kilns. They also make specialty bricks and ceramic anchors. If you look on the property around the building, the white chunks of what appear to be cinder blocks, anchors, or tiles are as powdery white as the above stacks. Perhaps they are cast offs of the castings.

The company was founded on July 26, 1946 in Philadelphia, Pa and is now headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA. We're not sure when the Greensboro branch opened, but at sunrise and sunset, these stacks look other-worldly. We've never noticed anyone working around on the back end of the facility. Perhaps this weekend, we'll try to find the entrance to the building. It seems like one of those places that you don't know about, unless you need to know about it. To be sure, the facility would make a good movie-set location. We would like to thank our friend Alex Seymour for getting us the name of the facility. All it takes is  a little sleuthing and some really smart friends.

Happy Thursday!

The Corner of Golden Gate & State Street at Twilight

State Street seems to be experiencing a rebirth before our eyes. It is the one street in Greensboro that has the feel of a small, beachside town. It is quaint, full of local businesses, and unique shops. The above photo is of the building that used to house a business very dear to our heart. The Saltbox. an original folk art and handmade lighting store, owned by Nancy Moore, opened in the above building in 1974 and closed 37 years later in 2011. Currently, the building has been rebranded as "The District" with six, cute  businesses inside, selling an array of items for the home, clothing, and accessories. We are struck at how beautiful the building looks at night. The landscaping is looking good, too.

We felt very comfortable walking around this past Friday night when several businesses, including The District, were open. The State Street Wine Company had a nice crowd and featured live music.  Cafe Pasta had some great specials. While the salon and personal service businesses attract people who have appointments to State Street, it is the retails shops that are encouraging them to stroll and linger a little longer. It will be fun to monitor the progression of State Street- on foot.

Happy Wednesday!

At the Corner of Chapman & Spring Garden Streets

This little building at the corner of Chapman and Spring Garden Streets has undergone many changes over the last 13 years. From 1993- 2012, it was Bianca's, a little Italian restaurant with big flavor. It first opened in 1993 and Chef Lisa Carmella was known for altering the menu weekly. Perhaps naively, we thought it would remain Bianca's forever. The exterior was white with blue shutters and a circular, blue awning over the door.

When driving by the other day, we noticed the building was for rent with a sign indicating that it was "turn key" ready for a restaurant. It would seem that with Freeman's Pub, The Tasting Room, and other places to eat and drink nearby, this space has great potential. Also, UNCG and the Coliseum complex are right down the road. What kind of business/restaurant do you think would work well there? It looks like a wonderful opportunity for some young entrepreneur. For now,  with this frigid winter air keeping people home, it looks rather desolate. However, there are times when this corner is hopping. We have eaten there and then walked down Chapman Street to an event at the Coliseum. We would love to see a new life for this space and will follow this corner with great interest. 

Happy Wednesday and please stay warm. This has been a cold January in Greensboro. Temperatures are predicted to be between 13 and 28 today.

Friday Night In Lindley Park

Friday night at the corner of Walker Avenue and Elam, it is so fun to walk around and is really beautiful in early evening. We ate at Fishbones, yummy fish and chips, and blackened salmon with plum glaze and ginger rice. After that, we walked a little and fell in love with this view. Common Grounds was open, but there was no live music last night. Surely, there is some band that would enjoy playing there. We've seen many, wonderful, live shows there. We felt very safe walking around. It was still early and some people were heading to Beltway, likely for one of the most extensive beer walls in town. At the end of the week, it is really nice to see people out. Although this seen looks a little Edward Hopper desolate, there were actually several people out enjoying the evening. We're thinking that bright planet in the upper left-hand corner- the western sky, last night, was Venus. Does anybody know for sure?

Where do you suggest going in Greensboro. We like places that have a local flavor and neighborhood crowd, that aren't chains. Let us know and we will try to stop by for a visit.

Happy Saturday!

Freedom House Thrift

Yesterday, Freedom House Thrift opened in the former location of Tuesday Morning, on North Battleground in the same plaza where Big Lots is located. They had a smaller store a few doors up; however, that plaza will undergo major renovations and some buildings replaced. The new location must be three times the size for the retail portion and the back room for processing is large. They can process as much as they need there, even prepare bales that must move on to another place.  The store is bright, clean, and impeccably staged with vignettes by master designer Lori Gray. The Greensboro community answered the call to send in donations to stock the store and, at least on opening day, there were plenty of volunteers to wait on customers and to keep restocking shelves. The store actually has well-labeled departments. Other than not having duplicate items, you would think you are in a regular retail store. Everything, except the antiques, is nearly new.

The thrift store is a way for Freedom House to make money to fund their Christ-centered, residential facility for mothers struggling with addiction to receive treatment. Freedom house is a large community where participants work and live together for a year and than graduate, but continue with support and to help each other. It was the vision of  Ann Reilly who got it started in 2006. Nineteen years later, the program continues to thrive. The thrift shop keeps items out of landfills, gives their shoppers great items at a reasonable cost and the money helps women and families in need. Read more about the program HERE, and head to North Battleground to see the new store. And if you do not shop thrift stores, do consider items to this store that is local.

Happy Friday!

 

Moonrise Over Wendover Avenue

We've had a full moon this week and this is a view of the moon rising over West Wendover Avenue at Benjamin Parkway. You may not have noticed but there is an overpass on the Friendly Center/ O.Henry Hotel side. That was our positioning for this photo. That was one place in Greensboro we haven't been before. Moon shots are really hard with a cell phone. There was also a great view over the O.Henry Hotel, from near Chick-Fil-A.The moonrise was early that day 5:08 p.m. in Greensboro. As an example, it rises at 8:26 p.m. tonight. Seeing the Proximity Hotel reminds us that the hotel opened in 2007, 18 years ago.  

Ever in search of good places for photography around Greensboro, this one was a fun surprise. If you look at this map, provided by the O. Henry Hotel, you can see exactly where we were- at the trail entrance for the Greenway and the fitness trail that takes you all the way downtown, and beyond. We're betting this would be a good location for a sunrise. Stay tuned!

Happy Tuesday!

A Mondrian Take on Perry's Service Center

Perry's Service Center, formerly known as Perry's Downtown Exxon, is located in the 400 block of North Greene Street, a block off North Elm.  On January 26, 2015, The Greensboro News and Record wrote an article about Perry's being the oldest, downtown gas station even in the early 1980s. As the article points out, in 1953, less than a decade after WWII, there were 47 places to buy gas downtown. Journalist Jim Schlosser cleverly combed Greensboro city directories and surmised that gas was first pumped there in 1929. *

A couple of years ago, we were walking past the property the day Exxon was leaving the site. A couple of guys were called in to remove Exxon signage and they didn't know what was happening next.  According to the Winston Salem Journal (3/26/24), as confirmed by their perusing the Register of Deeds filings, a Clemmons group purchased the site for $502,000.  This past December 29th, we were urban walking and noticed a fresh paint job on the building with the addition of yellow on the canopy. This must be new, because yellow was never an Exxon color. Also, the concrete car bumpers have been painted bright red.  Another sign of life was that bay being partially open.  However, what really caught our eye was the red, blue, and yellow composition against square and rectangular shapes. If the 20th century Dutch painter Piet Mondrian's canvases came to life in a street scene, they would not look unlike this scene!

Happy Monday!

 

*If you miss Mr. Schlosser's journalism and you like a good stories about Greensboro, see the original article HERE.

Our Vote Is Our Power!

Today is the day. Since half of North Carolina has already voted, today is the day the other half of the state  will vote. If you are not sure where you vote,  here is the list of polling places. Remember, today, you must vote in your assigned place and a few polling places have changed. The Greensboro Transit Authority announced that bus fares are waived today so people can go vote. You need a valid photo ID, but if you do not have one, you can fill out a "Photo ID Exemption Form."

The above photo was taken at the Greensboro Cultural Center on Davie Street at the Guilford Native American Art Gallery. According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, there are 1.012 American Indians registered in Guilford County. Out of North Carolina's 100 counties, the one with the most registered voters who identify as American Indian is Robeson County (26,403). Every vote matters, and indeed, "Our vote is our power." Today is the day to use your superpower, regardless of  your political affiliation and what demographic you fit!

Also, if you like original art, or want to know more about Greensboro's Native American community, stop by the Native American Art Gallery.

Happy Election Day 2024!

Revolution Mill on Yanceyville Street

Fall is such a special time of year. It gets dark earlier, yet it isn't cold yet; making it perfect to spend time to attend events and be outside. The above photo was taken at Revolution Mill on Yanceyville. Revolution is an old textile mill that was empty for a good while and now it is a multi-purpose, mixed-use building with everything from housing to offices, to restaurants, to exhibit space, and more. Here, we see a family leaving Cugino Forno Pizza Restaurant. We were leaving the ArtStock preview. 

This is a busy weekend for activities in Greensboro. There is ArtStock (see information in link) and also Leanne Pizio's Keep it Local Art and Pottery Show. Leanne's show has been going on for 26 years.  It is at 2409 Oak Ridge Road. There will be fabulous artwork and the weather will be nice. You could go from place to place meeting artists all day today and still have places to visit. If  you really want to be adventurous, you could take Amtrak to Raleigh and attend the last weekend of the NC State Fair. There are many options. 

Oh what a beautiful Saturday it will be.

Great Progress Being Made on Brooks Global Elementary School

The above photo is of the new, relocated  Brooks Global Elementary School at 400 Ashland Drive near the Greensboro Arboretum. The plan is for it to open in January. It is located on the Old Craven School Site.  The families with children currently enrolled  absolutely love Brooks School, the culture, and the teachers. They are beyond excited to have their children attend the new school that will have new technology and will emphasize sustainability and discovery learning. If you get out this weekend, drive by and see your tax dollars at work. This is an 80,000 sq. ft. building and the lot is about 8 acres, but, it fits perfectly.

Happy Saturday! 

Oscar Oglethorpe Eyewear

Earlier in the week, leaving the celebration for Justice and Mrs. Frye and heading to our car, we noticed this window at Oscar Oglethrope Eyewear at 226 South Elm Street. Seeing those eyes staring back at us in purple and burgundy caused us to reminisce about a time, decades ago. Back in the day, storefronts were the Internet and social media for a store. Grocery stores posted ads of what was on sale, what was not available. Clothing stores dressed mannequins that drew y ou in. Consumers went "window shopping." Doing window displays was a popular profession.

In the 21st century, storefronts simply don't have that same allure. But look at how the Oscar Oglethrope Eyewear window draws you in. Their windows are always so creative and change often; same with their trendy glass frames. Their inventory is constantly changing. Decorating a downtown window  seems so appropriate. As for the 200 block of South Elm Street, here is what the documentation for the "National register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination Form" has to say about the 200 block of South Elm.

"This area contains the most architectural diversity of any part of the district, Here are found the simple Italianate structures of the late 1880's, 1890's and early 1900's, as well as the Art Deco buildings of the 1920's and 1930's and the modern structures of the 1950's and 1970's. The entire area is included because all structures fit together so well to form a complete sereetscape of both sides of the street and show such a wide range of architectural styles. Most of the structures are two-stories in height, although a few do rise to three and four stories."

Happy Saturday, a perfect time to go window shopping and reflect on what you see.

Bobby Goffredo, Graffiti Artist

Bobby Goffredo is a graffiti artist from Staten Island, New York. He has been in the Jamestown/High Point area for five years. Yesterday, we saw him painting murals at Dino's Audio Video at 3116 Battleground Avenue. Bobby has been at it a few weeks, with more to go. Bobby has been painting graffiti for years,  remembering fondly riding into New York City, as a child with his dad, and being fascinated by all of the graffiti. He developed his graffiti skills in New York back when the work was not appreciated  as an art form in the same way it is today.

Bobby is a cancer survivor whose cancer is attributed to being a first responder at the Twin Towers on 911. As inspiration to himself and others, on the other side of Dino's, he has plans to paint a cancer ribbon and writing the encouraging message, "Nobody Fights Alone."  He also paints his fingernails the color the cancer awareness ribbon for a given month (see colors HERE). We hope Bobby feels at home in the Greensboro area. Maybe Bobby could teach a graffiti class at Hirsch Wellness Center, a place dedicated to bringing  art to cancer survivors and their families. In the meantime, we'll keep our eye on the building across from Balance Day Spa on Battleground Avenue as it transforms into a bright pop of color; not only advertising Dino's business, but also reminding us to live every day to the fullest.

Happy Friday!

Dear Dads at 3929 Battleground Avenue

If you drive on North Battleground near the intersection of Horse Pen Creek Road, you may have noticed the restaurant about to open in the  building between the BP Gas Station and Elizabeth's Pizza. It will be called "Dear Dads" and is operated by Fernando (center) and (from left to right) Veronica, Melanie, Haidi, and Katie. The space has been completely renovated inside and will serve Mexican-American food. They will be open 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The dream is to create a 3rd space where people will want to become regulars. They are considering open-mic nights and other community oriented events..

The 1827 square ft. building was constructed in 2000 as a Waffle House. The population in this part of town has increased significantly over the last 24 years and a new restaurant will be welcome addition. After chatting at length with the local families who have been working day and night to get the restaurant ready, we're convinced Dear Dads will be around for a long time. They anticipate opening August 26th, pending final inspections

Here's to a great Friday!

Continental Club

How will you spend the weekend in Greensboro? The above photo is of a banjo player, yes, a banjo player, heading into the Continental Club on 816 South Elm Street. This is a great place fore music and dancing. The venue is located in a building that was originally "The Mill" a landmark and historical place. It is so great to see those historic buildings put to good use. It sold in 2016 and has been a hub of activity since then. If you are out this weekend, head downtown Greensboro and check out some of these historic properties that are getting a new life. The above property was originally the 1910 North State Milling Company. See a wonderful 2 minute video HERE.

Happy Saturday and happy exploring historic Greensboro.

Sears Demolition Is Well Under Way- 2024

2024 has been a year of change in Greensboro. We already showed you a photo of the razing of the News & Record building downtown. Today's photo is of demolition in progress Sears in Friendly Center at 3200 West Friendly Avenue. This is the east side with the main entrance. When it closed in 2023, the Friendly Center store was the last remaining Sears store in North Carolina. Nationally, Sears has roots dating back to 1892 (see history HERE). The year 1928 was a banner year for Sears in North Carolina when the first Sears opened in North Carolina. In that year, Sears stores opened in Greensboro, High Point, Asheville, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem- a year before the stock market crashed. In Greensboro, Sears relocated in 1934, 1940, 1948, and 1973.*

Sears remained in Friendly Center for fifty years, from 1973- 2023. In 2012, Whole Foods took over part of the Sears building in Friendly. At one point, there was discussion of renovation of the above building, but as it stands now, it looks like it may be headed for total demolition. D.H. Griffin has the contract. We are wondering how they will address the common wall, shared by Whole Foods and Sears. While we are sad to see this business close, it is always refreshing when a lot gets rebuilt, as opposed to destroying unimproved, rural land.

What Sears memories do you have? Likely it will date us, but yes, we have great memories of looking through the Sears catalog to pick out school clothes and Christmas toys. We remember going to the catalog department and picking up (and returning) items for our grandparents and parents. For many, there is some real nostalgia associated with Sears. Here's to new beginnings.

Happy Tuesday!

 

*read the timeline for Sears stores in North Carolina HERE.

More Along Eugene Street

Yesterday's post was from a photo taken while walking along Eugene Street. Today, it is the same. This is the part of Eugene across from the ballpark. In the middle, Hyatt Place is featured. It was built in 2019 and adds a modern flair to this part of town. It has 108 rooms and is known for having a sleek design and for being dog friendly.  The photo is a bit distorted as a result of the angle we used to take the picture. However, the angle does add to the emphasis on geometric shapes.

If you look closely, you can see the city's beloved Lincoln Financial Group off to the far right. There is a lot happening downtown this weekend as tomorrow is First Friday. Thursday is the new Friday, so today would be a great day to head downtown. See you there!

Lincoln Financial Group, Plus

On one of our recent urban walking treks, we were looking at all of the changes on Eugene Street, which led us to the baseball stadium, the Hyatt, the Carroll at Bellemeade Apartments, and more. We then went to the Grace United Methodist Church and noticed that the lot at the corner of Eugene and Friendly is cleared and filled in with grass. This open lot provides a perfect view of the (from left to right) the Jefferson Standard Building (1923)  The Lincoln Financial Group Building (1990), the West Market Street United Methodist Church (this iteration dates to 1898), and the L. Richardson Preyer Federal Building (completed 1933).

L. Richardson Preyer, a Greensboro native,  was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina and later a United States representative of North Carolina. This accomplished person, a Princeton and Harvard graduate, was the son of Mary Norris Richardson Preyer and William Yost Preyer, and the grandson of Lunsford Richardson, the founder of Vick Chemical Company. On this one city block, alone, in Greensboro, there is so much history. What a joy it is to piece together; and it is even more fun to explore on foot. Now, with cell phones, we can walk and research and photograph, all at the same time.

Happy Wednesday!

At the Corner of Beaman Place & Grecade Street

Today's photo was taken in the same parking lot as the one from yesterday. This is a parking lot on the southeast corner of Beaman Place and Grecade Street in Mid-town. Beyond the lens to the left is FILTER Coffee Shop, then The Tiny Greenhouse, Then Craftroom (the pink building [artwork by Golden305]), then the Music Academy, and finally, the building with the mural is The Chop Shop Hair Company. Also, hidden back there is Jacobi-Lewis Restaurant Supply. This shows you just how diverse the area of town is becoming.

Just researching this post has us wanting to go back and visit each of these businesses. The Chop Shop Hair Company is decorated in steam punk style full of collectibles. Also, they cut hair for men and women. We didn't see the artist's name on the mural, but we bet The Chop Shop manager will know. There is so much to explore in Greensboro and we're out to see as much as possible this summer. Don't forget the inaugural "World Promenade" on Sunday, June 2nd at the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden from 1:00- 5:00 p.m.. It is a rebranding of the Parisian Promenade, but it will be another spectacular Greensboro Beautiful event.

Happy Last Day of May!

News & Record, Going But Not Forgotten

The weekend started with acclaimed author and journalist, James McBride praising the fine journalism in Greensboro. The weekend ended with our heading over to see what was left of the Greensboro News & Record Building on East Market Street. The front of the building is still intact, but demolition is well under way on the back side. You can still see office space from this back view. Demolition should be finished by the end of the summer. While the newspaper traces its roots back to the late 1800s, the above building was completed in 1976. After 48 years, with the diminished state of print journalism in the digital era, no longer needed were the above in-person think tank and printing presses. D.H. Griffin began demolition on 4/22/24. They are the local company that played a major role in clean up after the 911 tragedy in New York City. 

While on site, we noticed pieces of steel I-beams, chunks of bricks and cement, and many interesting metal pieces (e.g., several small metal doors that looked like facades of safes). After resuming our walk along South Elm Street, we visited Sculptor Jim Gallucci's 9/11 Sculpture Project on at the South 500 block of Elm. It is crafted from beams that D.H. Griffin brought back from NYC. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a sculpture commemorating 130 years of noteworthy journalism in Greensboro. The I-beams are still there and could be figured into a sculpture. As we were leaving, we noticed a piece of the Sunday comics in the rubble. It was on that thick paper and the color was intact. Sometimes you don't realize what you miss until it is gone. We look forward to seeing what becomes of the space.

Happy Monday!

Brooks Global, In Progress

We love to drive by new school construction and check on progress. The above photo is of Brooks Global Elementary School as it stands now, located just behind the Greensboro Arboretum. This is one of the six schools that have been funded with bond money. The state-of-the-art design will fit an 80,000 sq. ft. building on an 8-acre lot. There will be solar panels and ceiling tiles made of recycled material; all visible to students so they can learn about sustainable energy. The school will have large windows to help bring the outdoors in and students will be able to walk across the street to the Arboretum.* An outdoor classroom in anticipated to be a popular feature.

The building is starting to look like a school. If you want to see people hard at work, get there before 3:30, when the construction crew winds up for the day. When we visited yesterday, we saw people hard at work. The process and progress are fascinating. Those will be some lucky teachers and students who have the privilege of teaching and learning here. Hopefully, photos of the construction will be available to be archived.

Happy Friday!

*reference and more information, HERE.

 

 

Layers of Downtown

We love this view on Greene Street and have published a similar one in years past. The front building is the Fire Department, City of Greensboro Central Station. It was built by architect Charles C. Hartmann from 1925- 1926. In 1980, this Renaissance Revival building is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It closed in 1980, replaced by a station at 1514 North Church Street. We love the way the Marriott Hotel looms large behind the fire station. The day we walked by, the red, white, and blue cars just happened to be parked in a row- adding yet another layer of visual interest. 

Mariott will build a 12-story hotel on North Eugene Street. Here is a list of many projects on the books for downtown Greensboro.  Have a great Thursday! Head downtown to see some of these projects in process and locations of what is here now that will soon be replaced.

Wrangler, Lee, Kantoor

Today's photo features the view of the Wrangler, Lee, Kontoor Building at 400 North Elm Street. The photo was taken from the southeast side of Tanger Center. We love the way the unidentified couple echos the couple on the advertisement. This 60,000 sq. ft. building opened in early 1994. Oh, the changes it has seen in 30 years. However, fortunately, the world headquarters of what is now Kontoor is located here, in Greensboro. When the four story building opened, there were 700 employees*. For our loyal history buffs, here is a timeline of Wrangles history, something we can be very proud of in Greensboro. 

Preparing this post, we realize we've never been inside the building. The lighting is supposed to be indirect and conducive to a good work environment. We're adding that effort to visit the inside to our summer "to do" list. As for the couple in the photo, we're betting they were wearing jeans!

Happy Tuesday!

*reference and more information HERE.

Tate Street

Tate Street Coffee has been a Greensboro institution since 1993. It is one of those coffee shops that stays full of students and faculty. It is a great 3rd space- a home away from home and office. The artwork on the walls is engaging, the staff knows the regulars well, and people are usually willing to engage in conversation. At the academic year approaches the end of the semester, the coffee shop crowd will shift a bit. To the right of Tate Street Coffee is Boba House. In March, it closed permanently, ending a 20 year run of a Vietnamese/Thai, vegan/vegetarian restaurant. They were serving boba tea with tapioca pearls long before the boba tea craze. Let's hope something with character and good food moves into their location.

If you are on Tate Street this evening, you will have at least two opportunities for events. "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical will be playing in the Brown Building at 402 Tate, and Tim Warfield will be performing in the UNCG Auditorium at 408 Tate. Since the semester is ending, many event options are related to students' final projects. The Lalla Essaydi photos will be in the Weatherspoon Art Museum for about another month. If you arrive at the Weatherspoon during the day, you will have the option to grab a cup of coffee from the Borough Coffee Cart. To be sure, there is so much to choose from along Tate Street.

Happy Friday!

On the EUC Lawn at UNCG

Thursday was a lovely afternoon in Greensboro. After we left the book talk on the UNCG campus, we walked across the lawn of the student union. It was nice seeing all of these UNCG students spending time together, relaxing and socializing. This is the picture of the best of college life when students have the opportunity to meet in person. The building in the background really frames the photo. It is the tower, or stacks, added on to Jackson Library in the 1970's. The nine-story tower is quite a landmark on campus.

Just under 18,000 students enrolled at UNCG this fall. Thirty six percent of students live on campus. Let's hope that even those who don't live on campus have an opportunity to enjoy some of the campus activities- planned and impromptu. Even though it is going to be a rainy day today, there are still plenty of things to do on a college campus, and we have four of them in Greensboro.

Happy Saturday!

Luxe Soulfood & Cocktails

Luxe Soulfood and Cocktails is located at 403 North Elm Street in the building where Ganache was located for years. Luxe opened in October of 2020, which was about a year before Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. Luxe is one of the places contributing to the "Uptown" section of Greensboro and, specifically, North Elm Street. Here is a copy of the Soulfood Sunday brunch menu. While the meats look tasty, it is the sides that make Luxe a standout for good, home-cooked food. Mac and cheese, yams, potato salad, collards, cabbage, rice and gravy and more are examples of the offerings. Over the last three and a half years, Luxe has worked hard to maintain their upscale vibe, to the extent that they have a strict dress code. The Luxe family works hard to keep their customers satisfied.

On the day we walked by, there was a glare from the sun. It was that teal Polaris Slingshot, parked out in front, that caught our eye. We haven't had a chance to eat there yet, but after looking at that menu, we plan to try to get in soon.  We love a good brunch, but Sunday brunch looks quite crowded. It is heartwarming to see these Covid/post-Covid businesses that appear to be thriving. Their hours are Tuesday-Thursday from 11:30a.m.- 5:00 p.m; Friday from 11:30 a.m.= 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon- 7:00 pm. So it is not (yet) a late-night eatery.

Happy Wednesday!

WFMY News 2

A few weeks ago, we were on the east side of Greensboro, just east of Highway 29 and drove past WFMY News 2. It was a cold and rainy day and we took this photo without getting out of the car.  Seeing the building reminded us of what a great resource our local news channels are. Especially now that so few people are reading the newspaper, we are relying on the news stations for local news. We had a chance to go inside in 2015 (see HERE) . We have to chuckle at our comment that this is an "unimposing square building on Phillips Avenue." We also had the good fortune to interview Lee Kinard who started at WFMY in 1956 and worked there for 43 years (see HERE).  He was such an amazing community resource and founded one of the early morning shows on TV (The Good Morning Show).

The exterior of the building looks so unimposing, but when you go inside, it is feels like a magical, alternate reality. We hope you get inside sometime- and for good reasons. WFMY launched its first live show on August 18, 1949 and will turn 75 this year. You may have heard about the big birthday celebration and they're looking for people in the community to celebrate who are turning 75. We'll have to look through out interviews and see if there is anyone we've interviewed to suggest for the "Turning 75" segment. Are you?

Happy Thursday!

Vote Early!

Have you voted yet? Early voting seemed to be gaining traction yesterday. The above photo was taken at Lewis Recreation Center at 3110 Forest Lawn Drive. This center is one of Greensboro's ten recreation centers. If you go there to vote in the afternoon, you will see students enjoying the after school program. Early voting can be done anywhere. However, be sure to take a form of identification. You have today and tomorrow to vote early.  We didn't see any candidates out, but we did see lots of signage. We expect we will see the results after voting on Tuesday (3/5). Former President Trump will be in Greensboro tomorrow for a "Get Out the Vote" Rally. President Biden visited in January. 'Tis the season.

Today is also First Friday, so there will be plenty to do downtown.  Here's to a great weekend for all.

Happy Friday!

Black History Month Sunset

Closing out Black History Month, with an extra day this leap year, we find ourselves on the stairs of the Historic Dudley Memorial Building. It was originally the administration building on the campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University (NC A&T). It was built in 1930, making it close to 100 years old. It is a beautiful brick building that now houses the University Galleries. The architectural style of the building is Neoclassical Revival; you can see the columns peeking on the outer edge of the photo. While the building isn't visible here, what is in view is the back of the 2001  Barnhill monument, February One ( also known as The A&T Four Monument). The four men here are remembered for their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and the Sit-Ins. On February 1, 1960, they walked from campus to take their place at the Woolworth lunch counter to the west of campus.

While the sun is setting in the photo, the shadows are long, and Black History Month is coming to a close, let us hope the journey towards a just and fair world will continue. 

Happy Leap Day!

A Boy and His Dog

When we were out exploring northeast Greensboro this weekend, we stopped by The Lusk Center, Caregiving Education Center. Located at 2501 Summit Avenue, the center is a palliative and hospice care collective. They specialize for tailoring care plans to meet the needs of their clients. End of life care is never easy, but it helps to have people listening to patients and caregivers. In front of the building is the sweetest statue. The Boy and His Dog, donated by Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., was created by Lloyd Le Blanc and Judith Holmes Dreary. This husband and wife duo have created many sculptures together. There is something bittersweet about the boy walking towards hospice and palliative care with the little doggie walking faithfully behind. The sculptors really captured mood and emotion. It reminds us of the statue of O. Henry's dog "Pete" downtown, across from Tanger Center. If you are on North summit, stop by and have a look at the statue.

ITG Brands

Sometimes, driving around Greensboro looking for something to post on Greensboro Daily Photo feels like sleuthing. We were driving on Green Valley Road on a recent afternoon when the sun was low to the horizon and the cement and glass building above was shining brightly. We stopped to have a look and there was no sign of what happens in that building. We did notice the sign on the entrance said "ITG Brands".  Returning home, we were able to research and learn that it stands for Imperial Tobacco Group. In 2015, Lorillard was one of four cigarette brands that divested to Imperial Tobacco Group. Lorillard, a tobacco company that was established in 1875, was sold to Reynolds in 2015. ITG has absorbed so much North Carolina, and Greensboro, tobacco history and it is now located at 714 Green Valley Road.

On the day we visited recently, the building looked almost empty. According to Triad Business Journal, ITG Brands is selling the building. Their headquarters will take over the top floors of a nearby building (reference). What will become of 714? According to City Data records, the building was constructed in 1996 (reference). It seems older than 28 years old. We wonder what will move in. The location is convenient and there is plenty of parking. What do you think it should become? It would be so much fun to have an apartment in that round part.

Happy Thursday!