Greensboro Daily Photo

Bus #1 Reminds Us: Mask Up!

The bus in the photo above is leaving Greene Street, has looped around the Holliday Circle roundabout, and is heading to Spring Garden Street in downtown Greensboro. Notice the "MASK UP!" reminder on bus number 1. The drivers work hard to keep riders, and themselves, safe.

Of course, the tall building in the background is the Lincoln Financial Group building. While the name of the building changes as the occupants change, this skyscraper remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in Greensboro. Actually, it is two buildings. The whiter building to the right in older Jefferson Standard building. It was built in 1922. The grayer one with the green roof and the time/temperature sign is the more recent building, initially Jefferson-Pilot and, as of 2006, Lincoln Financial Group.  At 233 feet, the building is still the tallest in Greensboro.

As for the bus, if you are interested in using this community transportation resource, here is a link to the routes.

When taking the photo, we didn't think there were any people in the photo. On closer inspection, we noticed two people. Do you see the couple?

Boxcar Pizza at Boxcar Bar + Arcade

Ten years ago in 2011, when we interviewed Greensboro entrepreneur,  Dennis Quaintance, we talked about "small" being the new "big".  After years of biggie sizes, smaller glasses, plates, and portions have gained popularity. Today's post is one such example. Boxcar Pizza is a tiny space, specifically boxcar-sized, in the South Elm/Lewis Street area. This outdoor pizza kitchen is the perfect place to get some hot food quickly, whether you are in one of the South Elm establishments or just out walking. It is a way to eat without having to go inside an establishment. You can, however, eat inside the Boxcar Bar & Arcade. It serves as the kitchen for the bar and arcade.

This outdoor pizza kitchen serves Neapolitan style pizza with traditional toppings. It also serves unique toppings like bison sausage and pickles. Savory and sweet soft pretzels are available, too. The boxcar option has been popular with people skating at the adjacent pop-up ice rink. On the day we were on site, the Boxcar employee (in the window) was so busy, we didn't interrupt for an interview.  Boxcar is a unique addition to the downtown Greensboro landscape. See the hours, menu, and more, here.

Sunset Over the Wells Fargo at Friendly Center

Yesterday, the sunset was glorious. Perhaps it was just because the day was a warm, bright, and sunny. The above photo was taken at Friendly Center, just off of Northline Drive near Benjamin Parkway. The façade of the Wells Fargo Bank building seemed to glow under the setting sun. Wells Fargo is actually a multinational financial services company that was founded in San Francisco, CA in 1852. However, it has several branches in Greensboro.

In searching for a local connection, we learned that Wells Fargo merged with the more-local Wachovia in 2008. By way of that merger, Robert "Patt" Patterson began working at Wells Fargo.Mr. Patterson, an NC A&T graduate, was the first Africa American in Greensboro to hold a management position at a major bank. We also learned that Wells Fargo has a Corporate Historian for the company. Two years ago, this historian, Alyssa Bentz wrote a very nice article about the now-retired Mr. Patterson. (reference, here). We hope to interview Mr. Patterson for GDP, which might be possible since he still lives in Greensboro.

For today, we'll just have to settle on enjoying this beautiful sunset.

Liberty Oak Restaurant and Bar

Liberty Oak Restaurant and Bar at 100 West Washington Street is a Greensboro institution. It was located in Irving Park for about 20 years and now, has been in their current location downtown for over 20 years. They are one of those restaurants that can feel as comfortable as the "Cheers" bar for those who are regulars. They are very original and special in their offerings and were on the front end of the bistro revolution in Greensboro. Also ahead of a trend,  Liberty Oak has been buying and showing local Greensboro art for decades now. Local artist Denise Landi recalls their showing and purchasing her art in the 1980s.

The above photo features their new signage out in front of their side entrance at the Vernon Building. That building was originally erected in 1883 and, as pointed out on their website, is the oldest building remaining in the Old Greensborough Historic District. Somehow, Liberty Oak just seems to belong here. Here is their fabulous menu, in case you are interested in dining indoors, outdoors, or placing a to-go order. Happy Wednesday!

The Tiny Greenhouse

The Tiny Greenhouse, located at 1331 Beaman Place, is the perfect place to shop any time of the year, but in December, it is absolutely beautiful. The above photo features an especially festive corner of the shop. Anjelica, who has been working there for about a month, is featured in the photo.  Anjelica is an affable person, perfect for helping you find just the right item- whether it is a gift or something nice for yourself. 

Today's photo doesn't do justice to the Tiny Greenhouse. This Christmas corner is so festive, we snapped a photo there, but you can't see the abundant selection of plants, the many books for children and lovers of art, the beautiful puzzles, and other items that add a color and comfort to our homes. The cards in the foreground were designed by owners Suzanne and Edgar Cabrera. If you haven't been to the store in the past month, you need to go to see how they've  rearranged it. The checkout counter is to the left of the entrance now. Somehow, the change adds so much space for plants and merchandise. Also, you need to meet Anjelica. When not working,  she loves working on her own art projects and reading- especially the magic realism genre. 

Follow The Tiny Greenhouse on Instagram @thetinygreenhouse if you want to see even more of this fabulous local shop. January 1st will be their fourth birthday. What did Greensboro ever do without them?

White Oak Denim Mill Sculpture from the Jeansboro Series

Some cities have fiberglass bulls; others pigs; others horses; and the representations go on and on. Greensboro has blue jeans. With Greensboro's rich textile and denim history, this choice makes perfect sense. The above plexiglass pair of jeans is called "Woven Heritage" and is part of the 'Celebrating Jeansboro', NC series. Wrangler VF Jeanswear spearheaded this public art project in 2015.  The above artwork is by Neidy Perdomo and Ivan Gonzalez. There are jeans, each painted with a different theme, all throughout Greensboro. The White Oak pair has been installed in front of the Carolina Theatre on Greene Street.

White Oak was the original and last selvedge denim supplier in the United States. There is a mill in Louisiana using some of the equipment from the White Oak mill, and there are murmurings that they will make American-milled selvedge denim. The article is linked here.* We remain hopeful that someone will find a way for Greensboro to once again become a center of selvedge denim. With the shop local, small-batch, quality-over-quantity movement that is thriving in young-adults, surely, high quality denim will be once-again made in Greensboro. Every time you walk past one of these beautiful sculptures, consider making that wish.

* (Inside Hook, September 1, 2020)

Pink Sky over Reconsidered Goods

Yesterday, early evening, fluffy pink clouds were swooshing along above Reconsidered Goods. This creative, reuse center is located at 4118 Spring Garden Street, very close to West Market Street. Reconsidered Goods has really perked up this block of Spring Garden. While there are several great restaurants and businesses in the area, RG is one of the few places where people from all walks of life come to shop. The diverse and creative types that RG attracts is heartwarming. RG is part thrift store, part store for people in need of home goods and the perfect pace to pick up arts and craft supplies. Today we got 3 strands of holiday garland, 3 calendar prints a vintage card, a bone and wood bracelet, and an unused rubber stamp that says "So many thoughtful things you do... I'm glad I've got a friend like you." The saying is perfect for stamping a heartfelt message on cards to friends. Prices start at 25¢ and everything is sold below market value.

Even better than the items we found at Reconsidered Goods was the great pink sky that greeted us as we left the parking lot. Sometimes after a long day of working from home and trying hard to self isolate, a little drive or walk, with an opportunity to see the beautiful gifts of nature, is heartwarming. Look at that beautiful sky and how it frames the store and matches the pink door!

Wear your mask, be careful out there, and take time to admire the beauty of nature! And, donate your really cool items to Reconsidered Goods. Check for store hours and their donation schedule HERE. Happy Friday! 

Deep Roots Market Co-Op

Deep Roots Market is a co-op is a full-service grocery store, located downtown at 600 North Euguene street, just around the corner of Joymongers. Deep Roots started in the 1960s as a vegetarian buying club at Guilford College. In the mid 1970s, they moved to a storefront on Spring Garden Street, between the access ramp to Wendover and Merritt Drive. Since 2013, they have been in the downtown location. Anyone can shop at Deep Roots, but you get a discount and access to the big specials if you are a member.

There is a community room in the front of the store and, when gatherings are safe, great events happen there. If you are downtown, possibly at a brewery that doesn't sell food, on a bike ride and in need of a snack, or,  just interested purchasing great food and being part of a caring community, please visit Deep Roots. They have been providing the Greensboro community with organic, bulk, and locally sourced food before the big, corporate whole-food markets were in the area. Have you been? If not, consider stopping by when you are in need of groceries. Happy Thursday!

Downtown First Saturday

The above photo of Hamburger Square in downtown Greensboro was part of the Downtown in December, "Light the Night" event. It is the city's effort to provide a little fun and joy for the community, while remaining Covid-safe. As you can see from the above photo, there weren't many people downtown, but those who were there seemed to be having a very nice time. Behind the inflatables is the fabulous, local gift store, Just Be. Beside Just Be are a couple of restaurants that are reasonably priced and fast at takeout. If you do head downtown, business owners are very mindful of taking precautions to help keep you safe.

Here is a link to all of the events happening in downtown Greensboro in December. If you are leaving the house this weekend, this list will give you some options. Happy Wednesday!

Along Spring Garden Street

Have you been to Spring Garden Street lately? About a mile west of UNCG? This area is simply magical this time of year. The small, locally owned businesses have owners that are dedicated to bringing you wonderful goodness. At the far end of this plaza is Spring Garden Bakery. Its history of baked-from-scratch goodness dates back to 1980; the current owners have had it since 2001 (read a great article for more information, here). Moonbird Soulful Living is next with all things for the home and body that have some spiritual or heartfelt meaning. They have recently started carrying plants which are good for both the heart and soul! Thistle and Broom is the next shop (in the foreground on the left in the photo). They have home decor items that bring a special coziness to your home. Not in the photo, but first in the trio of home decor and  is Adelaide's Vintage Home and Garden. Her shop used to be in the above strip, but moved 1/2 a block west. The entire cozy home is Adelaide's shop- including the yard and porch.

These small businesses really depend on local shoppers to keep their brick and mortar stores viable. With so many "one of a kinds" you just never know what goodness you will find in these shops. With this winter nights, if you get there right as they are closing, you you will see these stores at the most magical time. Lights make the interiors glow. You see end-of-the-day shoppers, bakers getting ready for the next day, shopkeepers tidying things up before closing.

If they ever see us with foldable chairs set up across the street just watching, it will be because we want to see the beauty of people moving among the warm, low-light fixtures on these cold winter nights!. By the way, all of this goodness is just around the corner from the "Santa of Chapman Street House." May we all find some beauty in these dark days of winter. Happy Monday! 

Hudson Hill, H.Lee Waters Films, & Cone Denim

Today, Hudson's Hill American Made will host a very special event. Jonathan Ingram with Cone Denim (on left above) will be at Hudson's Hill with a small pop up of products made with denim from Cone Mills. Jonathan has a wealth of knowledge on textile history and branding. He knows all the great details, like how the shifting of the wooden floors in a textile factory, like White Oak, affects the appearance of the denim. Ben Singer (@benesing on the right) will show video footage from the H. Lee Waters films about Cone Denim. Bene will present at noon and then again at 4pm. Each presentation lasts about two hours. Bene is a multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, and video producer, and more.  If you are involved in the local, live music scene, you probably know Bene. This is such a special opportunity for Greensboro.

H. Lee Waters (1902- 1997) was a photographer from Lexington, NC. When the Depression hit and people stopped getting photos made, Waters started making movies of people in North Carolina communities and then going back to the communities and selling tickets for people to see themselves and their community in the movies. Duke University houses the Waters archives. Bene will treat us to a showing of some of the footage, specifically the videos about Cone Mills.

In the middle, is Evan Morrison, one of the owners of Hudson's Hill and master leatherworker. Give Evan a piece of leather and he can look at it and calculate the size of the purse that can be made from it- and then make that purse. He repairs, creates, and designs. Many of the items at Hudson't Hill are his craftsmanship. Evan will be at the event. A fourth person, who will literally contribute to the local flavor of this event, is Randy Barnes @feedumdogs. Randy will be giving away his gourmet hot dogs (while supplies last).  Drop in today to Hudson's Hill at 527 South Elm Street and check out the event. Masks are required and they will monitor crowds. As you can see in the photo, the screen is in place and ready for your viewing pleasure.

Landscaping and Preparing for Colder Days

Thanksgiving week, there were some beautiful, fall days, and, it was as if all of Greensboro were out working on their yards. Leaves were being raked; dead branches bundled; beds were getting mulched, and more. The above photo features some holly trees being shaped. The crew working on this project in northwest Greensboro was from Benitez Landscape Lawn Services. They were working hard, taking great care to be safe and to get the holly trees balanced into a conical shape. The crew had not finished the crowns of the trees at the time of the photo. With all of the rain this year, the female hollies have really produced a lot of berries and the leaves are especially green. The texture of the foliage was especially vibrant against the cloudless, blue sky.

Today is predicted to be cold in Greensboro ranging from a low of 25°F to a high of 45°F. However, given that today is the first day of December, 'tis the season for cold weather. Happy December 1st; Happy Tuesday.

By the way, if you don't feel like doing those landscaping jobs for yourself, the number on the back of the green crew shirts for Benitez was 336-668-8076.

Reflecting on Shopping and Waiting

Today's photo features the late-afternoon, Black Friday line at Best Buy at Wendover Avenue. Many people in Greensboro were willing to wait for the hot-ticket, electronic and gaming items. Not just the big box store, but the small, locally owned retail shops also did well this past weekend. Greensboro proprietors, especially the ones with shops on Elm Street and on State Street found sales to be brisk. There are so many wonderful gifts to be found, locally. If you can, please check local sources before venturing down the proverbial, Cyber Monday rabbit hole!

Today is the second day of Advent, a season of vigilant waiting. It seems that 2020 has been a year of waiting for so much- from elections, to covid results, for school to reopen, for opportunities to gather and celebrate, for a vaccine, for live concerts, even for stores to restock sanitizing products, for Christmas, and for the year to end. It seems that in 2020, we're all waiting with more intention and are perhaps a bit more grateful when we do get what we want. Happy Monday for our readers in Greensboro and beyond!

Just Be... the Place To Be On Small Business Saturday 2020!

Today is Small Business Saturday and the featured business is Just Be, located in downtown Greensboro at southwest corner of Elm and McGee Streets. Just Be, established in 2005,  is a gift shop filled with items that have interesting stories behind them. You may recognize Kathryn Hashemi. While she has only owned Just Be for about two years, she was an employee for two years prior. Kathryn does a wonderful job of finding a balance between international, fair trade items, arts and crafts from American artists, and items produced by local artists. She has a discerning eye and carefully curates items she knows her customers will like. If you shop at Just Be often, Kathryn has probably greeted you and then shown you something she knows you will like.

Kathryn and her staff have worked tirelessly during the pandemic to keep the shop strong. The store's social media presence has really helped. Also, her husband, an expert tailor, makes the beautiful masks they sell in the store and was well ahead of the trend to make masks not only functional, but also an attractive fashion accessory. If you are local, and out celebrating small businesses today, please stop in an say hello to Kathryn and her staff. She has is offering a discount of 15% for purchases over $100. If you aren't already, you will probably become a regular!

Happy Thanksgiving 2020

Happy Thanksgiving 2020!

In today's photo is a real, taxidermal turkey that was caught in Randolph County. It is set up for display at the Antique Market Place at 6428 Burnt Poplar Road in northwest Greensboro. Also in the photo is Julie Mason, the owner of this giant antique mall and, the owner of the turkey. Julie has owned since  the Antique Market Place since it was located downtown in the 1990s. Her store has been in the current location since the year 2000. 

If you want to get in the holiday spirit, or just be in the presence of genuinely nice people who own their own local business, Antique Marketplace is precisely that kind of place. While Julie owns the business, individual vendors have booths and so it is a way for many people to own their own business. Fortunately, Antique Market Place is closed today so that employees can enjoy Thanksgiving with their families; however, they will back on their regular schedule on Friday (10am-6pm). In case you are wondering, lots of people have expressed an interest in purchasing the turkey, but is is part of Julie's private collection.

Again, Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for family, friends, Julie, her employees and vendors, and Greensboro Daily Photo readers-- you!

Christmas Tree Lots Beginning To Fill!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at this Christmas tree lot, located in the Harris Teeter plaza at the corner of New Garden Road at Bryan Boulevard. This Christmas tree lot is starting to get its shipments of Frazier firs. Bryan Wagoner's sells at this lot. His family, the Wagoner family, has been associated with selling Christmas trees since the 1940s, when the first lot was established as part of 4-H project. Today, some of the lots are owned by Bruce and Bryan Wagoner. The above lot is Bryan's. When Fred and Dot retired, they sold their business to Bradley Lowe who grew up working for them. He purchased the right to continue to use the Wagoner name.   Here is an interesting article about the Wagoner family and their Christmas tree businesses in Greensboro.

So many people are decorating for Christmas early this year; partly because they are spending more time at home and partly because 2020 has been so difficult, and they are ready for the joy that holiday decorating brings. While most lots are open from 9am to 9pm, something about getting the tree at night and celebrating with a cup of hot chocolate is a bit magical. Soon, the above lot will be full and, then, when you blink, it will be empty again. If you like a live tree, 2020 is the year to shop early. It might be something fun to do on Thanksgiving Day.

Happy Thanksgiving Day Eve whether you are in Greensboro or elsewhere!

Make Shift Jewelry and Wood-burnings

At the last arts and crafts event at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, Haley Garris' table really caught our eye. While this artist lives in Durham* , she recently made the trek to Greensboro to sell here. An art teacher by profession, Haley makes these lovely wooden works of art by night as a way to unwind from a busy day of teaching. The pieces are very creative and reflect Haley's talent. The large piece in the middle took twenty hours to make. 

Haley is originally from Virginia and did her art training at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. How wonderful that she relocated to North Carolina. Haley also makes jewelry and is photographed with one of her own necklaces. You can purchase her work online, or, even better, find her at  the farmers market in Durham, and, if we are lucky, at more events in Greensboro.

Have a great Thursday and stay warm!

* see her Etsy and Instagram page at @MakeShiftDurham

Rise & Grind Coffee

The Rise and Grind Mobile Coffee Pod was set up at the Made 4 Market Arts and Crafts Show this past Sunday. They were set up outside on the Yanceyville East Lindsay Street side of the Farmers Curb Market. Rise and Grind is known for their specialty coffees and hot chocolates. While they are based out of High Point, they attend many events in Greensboro, too.

Madeline and Robert Tomasic are the entrepreneurs behind this coffee venture. The red trailer has such a snappy look and the specialty drinks are really good, too. Maybe they will be at the arts & craft market on Sunday, December 6th. This will be a really big event at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market. We're betting they'll bring back their holiday spices, syrups, and flavors. Peppermint is a favorite! If you like to buy local, businesses like Rise and Grind are here to help!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas 2020

Golden Antiques and Treasures held their Mistletoe Market this past weekend. They had an outdoor market, food trucks, and all of the indoor booths were in tip top shape; festively decorated for the holidays. Perhaps the highlight of the day was the arrival of Santa. The unidentified girls in the above photo asked Santa if he was real. He verified that his hair and beard were real. The little ones were mesmerized. With the above Santa's positive image and real facial hair, he sounds like a candidate for the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas (FORBS). 

Santa is a retired civil-servant from Virginia who relocated to the area a few years ago. He stays busy with his calendar full of commitments to make appearances all over Greensboro (and Summerfield). Santa doesn't take money for his services. Instead, every year, he generously identifies a charity and has the companies and organizations he attends make donations. This year, Santa has chosen The STAR: Supported Therapies and Recreation. This is a community resource that provides free therapies, tutoring, and other services for individuals with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities in the greater Greensboro area. Find them on Facebook. Be on the look out for Santa. He will be making appearances all throughout the Triad between now and December 25th.

 

People of Greensboro: Lori Gray

If she isn't on the hunt for antiques and new treasures, Lori Gray is likely to be at Antique Marketplace restocking and staging her space. We met up with her earlier in the week, just as she had finished a new installation. Lori, a graduate of Northwest High School, honed her interior design skills in the interior design program at Randolph Community College. Lori has developed quite a talent for taking antique pieces and putting them together in a way that marries the individual items into works of art. As an example, the tall piece behind her was assembled from a half-circle wooden piece from France.  The square wooden columns were specially made for the piece, as was the metalwork crafted by a blacksmith. The final product came together thanks to Lori's finishing touches with paint. For several years, it served as a headboard in a client's home. When the client downsized, Lori converted it to an accent piece, currently staged as a side bar. With Lori, the possibilities are limitless.

Lori was featured on the cover of the May 2014 O Henry Magazine.*  Read the O Henry article and you will learn that Lori has designed everything from High Point showrooms to prominent, private properties, including John Lomax' penthouse at the top of the Kress Building. To be sure, Lori can transform a space into exactly what you want, or what you never imagined it could be. In addition to being creative, Lori is just one of those fun people to be around. The oldest of seven children and the mother of three, Lori has also honed her people skills. Stop by the Antique Marketplace on Burnt Poplar, find her space, and experience the magic!

*read the full article on pp. 66-67, HERE.

Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market has been serving up fresh produce since 1874. Located on Yanceyville Street across from the old War Memorial Stadium, the curb market is a place for farmers to sell their fresh produce and other edibles. It has also been a place for people to go to enjoy each other. You can talk directly to the farmers and learn from them. You can find vendors who specialize in items you like and arrange to have items ready for you at each market. Sometimes there is entertainment; sometimes themed-events. Today's photo features a view from the Lindsay Street Side, a lone shopper seated, long after the market had closed for the day.

The COVID era has changed the protocols for the market; masks; controlled entrance point; an earlier entry for the community's most vulnerable, more outside. The good produce and direct interaction with farmers keeps people returning week after week. Now is the time for cold weather vegetables, cabbage, greens, collards, turnips. If you want meats for the holidays, you might want to make plans soon. This upcoming Sunday 11/15/2020, the market will host a holiday arts and crafts event, Make 4 Market.

Brew Peddlers

The Brew Peddlers was going strong last weekend, cruising along Elm Street. They bill themselves as Greensboro's first and only pedal trolley. They can accommodate parties of fourteen. You can also join a trolley and meet new people. You bring your own beer, or grab something to drink at one of the downtown establishments.* Tours start outside the Bodega, across from the Carolina Theatre. All riders need to be 21 or older. Read more about Brew Peddlers, here! Peddling is strongly encouraged, but optional.

Whether it is this adventure on wheels or something else, we hope you have a ..... Happy Saturday! 

* Here are the places they stop, if you are interested.

People of Greensboro: Todd Olson

If you are downtown this weekend, stop into the Bodega, located on Greene Street, right across the street from the Carolina Theatre. Above, is Todd Olson who co-owns the convenience store with Daniel Leonard. Todd is from Kernersville and Daniel from Colfax. Both men are entrepreneurs, owning multiple businesses around town. However, the opportunity to open the Bodega and serving people going to the theatre, as well as the people staying in the nearby hotels was very appealing to these guys. Todd and Daniel both love working in the hospitality industry and are keenly aware that human interaction is something hard to duplicate in a digital environment.

If you stop in for a quick cup of coffee or snack, you may decide to stay a while and sit on their outdoor patio. You may even find a live plant for your apartment. The Spanish word "bodega" can mean "wine cellar", "grocery store", or "storeroom". Bodegas started becoming popular in New York and New Jersey in the mid 20th century and the owners and managers would become the person on the block who looked out for you, shared local news when you came in, and did a lot to help you feel like they were part of your community- precisely what Todd and Daniel hope to do in their long/skinny Bodega downtown.

The Wright Stuff

Today, we're featuring The Wright Stuff, an Aviation Flight Simulation Center & Gift Shop, located on Highway 150 in Oak Ridge. If the building looks familiar, you may remember that it was formerly a post office, just on the edge of the Oak Ridge Military Academy (ORMA). The center  has flight simulators, allowing guests to experience flying the friendly skies- virtually. The experience is helpful if you are considering a career in aviation; is it also some fun. Rates range from $10- $30 an hour depending on how realistic you want the experience to be. After hours, you can arrange parties (up to 8 participants). Reservations are required. Upon arrival, you receive a briefing of about 10 minutes and then have fun flying for an hour- without actually leaving the ground. The minimum age is ten.

Oh, and if you are looking for the post office in Oak Ridge, it is now located at 8323 Linville Road in Oak Ridge.

The Bodega on Greene!

Greensboro has a bodega. Is you have grown up in New York City, you quite possibly had your favorite bodega. Bodegas are small grocery stores, often in neighborhoods with lots of Spanish speakers. Kids grow up with the bodega owners looking out for them. Lin-Manuel Miranda (of Hamilton Fame) has a new movie, "In the Heights" in which bodega culture is featured. Greensboro's bodega is located on Greene Street, just across from the Carolina Theatre and squarely between the Biltmore Hotel on Washington St. and the Hampton Inn on McGee Street. This idea of the bodega is to have food, snacks, and unanticipated items that people might need before seeing a performance or while staying in a hotel-- aspirin, needle and thread, breath mints- at very reasonable prices.

Todd Olson and Daniel Leonard, both entrepreneurs and owners of other food and drink businesses, opened the Bodega on February 19th, just before COVID hit. They had to close until July, but are open again. They are in the process of opening a sandwich shop inside the bodega. They already have an outdoor seating area, just waiting for performances to get in full swing at the Carolina Theatre so they can fill their seating area with theatre-going guests. They will even dim the lights for those who rush over during intermission so that customers can get back to the performance on time. If you are downtown, stop in and say hello to Todd and Daniel. If they don't have your go-to item, chances are, they'll start stocking it. Just need a quick cup of coffee with a little personal interaction, this long/skinny store is your place on South Greene!

Elm Street at Phase 3

Last night, North Carolina officially entered in Phase 3 with the COVID restrictions. Restrictions have been relaxed and the streets, stores, restaurants, and bars, were busier last night than they have been a long time. Largely, people were still cautious, wearing masks and being mindful of social distance. The lime scooters were being right and left with people cruising through town on them in clusters.

The above photo features South Elm Street at McGee Street yesterday as night was settling in. If you look closely, you can see a TV on upstairs at Natty Greene's Brewing Company downtown. The blue car is a Papa John's Pizza vehicle out on delivery. Even though you don't see people in the photo, they were there. Before we know it, those leaves will change to fall colors and then drop to the ground. For this weekend, they are still bright green and look beautiful against the backdrop of the sapphire blue sky. Happy Saturday!

Available

If you've driven on West Market Street lately, chances are, you've seen this strip of about 6bbusinesses in the 700 block, just down from Plants & Answers. The businesses are located near Moore Music, Greensboro College, the Bryan Y, and Weaver Academy.  This space for rent is an end unit. It seems like this area has a lot of potential, if the right business goes in. However, it could be that once people get this close to downtown that they focus on their destination and not what they need along the way.

What could you imagine there?  The strip already has a frame shop, a hair salon, a tattoo parlor, and a convenience store.  It is fun to dream and imagine about what businesses go where. Happy Monday and tomorrow is the first day of autumn. We are starting to fall it in the air! Could be a good time to start a business!

Mexican Independence Day: September 16th

Yesterday, Greensboro's Mexican restaurants exuded a celebratory spirit. September 16th is a big day: Independence Day in Mexico and Mexican-Americans celebrate it, too. The above photo is a night shot of of La Bamba Mexican Restaurant on State Street. La Bamba opened on State Street in 1989 and continues today as a family-owned restaurant. Over the years, they have expanded and are now able to host large groups. La Bamba has lunch specials, house specialties, kids meals, and vegetarian meals; something for everybody. Their loyalty program is quite popular with patrons.

Mexico Restaurant on West Market Street opened in 1988, and La Bamba a year later. Since then, as the Mexican-American population of Greensboro grew in the 1990's more Mexican restaurants have opened and flourished here. There is something nostalgic about going to restaurants that have been around for over 30 years. We're betting some of the "Viva México" spirit will continue into the weekend.

 

Artisans Mercantile

The Artisans Mercantile by Sweet Tea Studio hopes to open in October. They will have 40 vendors in a store that will be brimming with things for the home and a place to gather. The store located at the corner of Golden Gate Drive and State Street. You may remember the Saltbox, formerly in this location. The Saltbox was Greensboro's "go to place" for artists' trunk shows, amazing fall candles, hand-crafted lighting, folk art, and so much more. It closed in 2012, after being in business for 38 years. Next, a dance studio moved in to this space. Now, the building will go back to being more like the Saltbox, a shopping destination with ample parking behind it. 

State Street is a Greensboro Street with the feel of a quiet North Carolina beach community: cozy shops, not much traffic, and very walkable. Eclectic by Nature, Vida Pour Tea, and Yamamoto Jewelry are a few of the businesses that have believed in State Street for a very long time. Many new businesses have opened over the last few years. Hopefully, Artisans Mercantile will be part of the reinvigoration of this part of town and will be around for a very long time. It is always nice to see new life breathed into a building.

Khoury Convention Center 2020

The above photo was taken on a sleepy Sunday afternoon, from the parking lot of Popeye's Chicken on Gate City Boulevard. If the photo were a 360º view, you would have seen a jam-packed, parking lot and drive-through line of Popeye's. Sunday and fried chicken just seem to go together. However, from the present view, as you can see, not a lot of traffic was coming and going on what was formerly High Point Road. The lone red car is like a punctuation mark, matching the red lettering of the hotel.

The Khoury Convention Center looks stunning with its pristine white facade. It is the tallest building around and easy to spot from just about every vantage point. Just beyond it, of course, is Four Season's Mall. You have to wonder how the convention center is doing with so many 2020 events being cancelled. With 250,000 square ft. of meeting space and 985 rooms and 27 floors. It has been a Greensboro institution since it was built in 1970. Let's hope that they will be able to do something to celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. The hotel was renovated in 2013, so it should be looking refreshed and ready for a toast to the next 50 years!

Hotel DENIM, Formerly Battleground Inn

The Hotel DENIM is the new kid in town. Located at 1517 Westover Terrace in Midtown, the Hotel DENIM is a trendy, upscale hotel that is replacing the Battleground Inn. The above photo was taken yesterday morning when it looked like they were still putting the finishing touches on it. Online booking indicates rooms are sold out this weekend, so, either people who have known about it are already staying there, or they aren't quite ready, so rooms aren't available. If you search online you will see that the decor is bright and cheerful, with a nod to Greensboro's history- especially the Cone family and textile industry. There are 48 rooms with interior-corridor access, a bar and cafe. It is located near all of the Irving Park Plaza restaurants and bars. IHOP and Outback Steakhouse are within walking distance. Hotel DENIM is part of the CN Hotel Group.

The front looks so bright and fresh. It is always fun to try something new and having a hotel on in the Battleground Avenue/Westover Terrace area sure looks convenient. Oh, and wear your best denim if you make a reservation!

The Old Mill of Guilford

The Old Mill of Guilford is such a fabulous piece of history dating back to 1767. It has gone through many changes and a few different owners over the past 253 years. Isn't that amazing that we have the history of this water-powered, grist mill dating back that many years. Truly, it is a point of pride for the community, providing mighty fine milled products: grits, corn meal, pancake mix, oatmeal, breakfast cereal, other grains, and many other products that can be ordered online. 

It is located in in northwest Guilford County, on Highway 68, near Oak Ridge.* The grinding process has remained the same for 200 years. Electricity to run the modern machinery is generated by the waterwheel. The wheel itself is 24' and rotates at a speed of 4.6 RPM. If you want to support a local business and purchase healthy natural products, order from the Old Mill of Guilford. If you are local, give them a visit. At the moment, it is not possible to go inside, but you can pick up products from the front door. They are open daily from 9-5, including Sunday. Needless to say, it is a great place to take photos.

* See their well documented history, HERE.

Bourbon Bowl

The Southeastern-most side of the 500 block of south Elm Street is getting closer and closer to getting a new business. Great progress is being made on the Bourbon Bowl. The Restaurant, bar, bowling alley is going in the building that Al's Furniture and Appliances occupied for at least a couple decades. You may remember the junk stacked floor to ceiling and the 3' tall giant plastic A in the window. The building, built in 1940, was last renovated in 1960- predating the gentrification of South Elm Street. The new business will be more in line with the building s around it.

The Bourbon Bowl will have a 6 lane bowling alley, plus a patio that extends into the empty lot to the right of the building. Paul Talley, owner of Double G Properties is developing the property. He has worked closely with the city, receiving a $80,000 urban development investment grant from the city. The goal was to find a business that would attract college students to downtown. It is always fun to try out something new. Let's hope the project comes together smoothly and that it opens soon. It will be so fun to see the inside of this building. We're left wondering how many truckloads it took to relocate Al's inventory.

Happy Labor Day! Hopefully, you are able to celebrate yourself and not have to labor.

Get your Al's Furniture and Appliance nostalgia view, here.

Dick Broadcasting Downtown Greensboro

If you are downtown Greensboro this weekend, check out the mural on the Dick Broadcasting Building at 192 East Lewis Street. Maybe you can find your favorite musician among the artists. The piece is eye-catching. Dick Broadcasting began in Tennessee in the 1950s and when they expanded to a new state, they came to Greensboro, North Carolina. Allen Dick, son of founder James Dick Sr. built out WKRR here.

The company has prospered over the years and Allen Dick is trying to navigate the changes in FM radio and the popularity of the streamed, digital world. The commitment to local content and community in each of their markets is one of the reasons for their continued success. Their Greensboro stations can be heard at WKRR 92.3 ROCK 92 and WKZL 107.5. Their other big market in North Carolina is New Bern. 

192 East Lewis Street, built in 1962,  used to be a quiet brick office building on a double lot on Lewis Street. Today, it is a two-story wall of fame for some of great talent that has received a lot of playing time over the airwaves! Happy Saturday!

El Camino @ The Antique Market Place

The Antique Market Place on Burnt Poplar Road was to hold a "Cruise-In" of vintage cars this past Saturday. Due to inclement weather, it was postponed until the next day. However, on Saturday, there was one car that showed up in all its glory. It was a Carolina-blue, Chevy El Camino. The El Camino was introduced in the Chevrolet line in 1959 and produced from 1959-1960 and 1964-1987. This car-truck hybrid looked spectacular with the brick and glass building as a background.

Tha Antique Market Place is a 45,000 sq. ft. facility with over 170 booths. It is one of those "little bit of everything" antique malls. When they hold special events, it is fun to see people both indoors and outdoors enjoying themselves, and reliving a little nostalgia brought about by viewing items from grandma's era. As for the above El Camino, it is very practical for hauling treasures. This particular one is about as close to Carolina blue as a vehicle gets. Happy Thursday!

Arthur's Fine Shoes

If you want comfortable shoes and someone to wait on you attentively, head to Arthur's Fine Shoes at 2920-B Martinsville Road- Winstead Commons. Stan Neerman, photographed above, has been with Arthur's Fine Shoes since Arthur opened the store in downtown Greensboro in 1957. Stan, a Grimsley grad,  is now the owner and prides himself on offering "sit and fit" service. He will make sure you find a shoe that suits the needs of your lifestyle and the shape of your feet.

Arthur's is open Monday-Saturday from 11:00 am- 4:30pm. They will also arrange to meet you other times if these hours are not convenient. Now, that is service! Originally, we took this photo to show a friend all of the color options for the Arcopedico shoe which  is amazingly comfortable and looks very stylish when worn. Stan was right. Once you wear a pair, you will want another, in a different color. With 14 colors to choose from, there are plenty of options! 

Patricia Bowden: Chalk Paint Stockist Extraordinaire

Today's photo features Patricia Bowden at 3 Paint Girls, at 2920 Martinsville Road (near Wild Birds, Unlimited and Arthur's Fine Shoes). Patricia is one of the stockists of Chalk Paint, Annie Sloane's line of paint. Annie Sloane takes great care to ensure that Chalk Paint and her vast line of products are top quality and that stores and stockiest know how to use the products that they sell. Spend a few minutes with Patricia and you will get all kinds of ideas about how you can give an old piece of furniture new life with a pop of color (or colors). 3 Paint Girls opened in April and they have not had a grand opening; their business opened just as things were shutting down due to the pandemic. Instead, they have had to rely on a quiet, soft opening; mostly word of mouth of customers.

If you follow Annie Sloane on social media, you know that her paint can cover just about everything. If you want to use it out side, there is lacquer to seal it. If you want to paint fine details, there are small brushes to do so. If you need a little hand holding to walk you through the steps, 3 Paint Girls is the kind of place you want to seek out. From masks to hand sanitizer to social distancing, they will take every measure to help keep you safe. Patricia is so committed to her customers, on Saturday, she agreed to stay open past business hours to accommodate a customer driving in from Virginia who needed a specific color of paint. Only Chalk Paint would do! That is a good testimonial for customer loyalty and the store's commitment to its customers. Happy Monday! Happy home projects!

Contact information: 336-663-8005. or  www.3paintgirls.com

 

 

Elaka Treats

Last Friday, Elaka Treats was set up in front of Just Be at the southwest corner of Elm and McGee streets. The flavorful frozen treats were so refreshing. If you like flavors like cardamom and rose, these treats are perfect for you. People sampled Elaka's ice cream before and after strolling through the Just Be shop of hand-crafted and fare-trade items. It is so meaningful to take the time to get to know these proprietors and to shop local. Elaka is often set up at the People's Market on Thursday evenings in Glenwood. Here is the website for Elaka Treats, if you want to learn more about their cream, milk, and fruit based products. Their green apple, cumin, cardamom, and vanilla bean ice cream sound yummy! 

Downtown Greensboro will again make an effort to do special things today. We're not sure what all will be happing, but as far as we know, they will continue to create a pedestrian area on part of Elm Street. The fun of weekends is the serendipity of what comes along as we get out and explore our environment. Be safe, and be grateful that we live in such a beautiful city with so many creative people.

George Floyd Mural On West McGee

Today's photo is of West McGee Street, in front of MCoul's Public House and another view of the LFG/JP Building in the background. A recent addition to the area is the mural of George Floyd. The quote says "Daddy changed the world" and is attributed to Gianna Floyd. This art keeps the memory of Floyd alive and adds a bold pop of color on the side street, tucked between General Greene and Natty Greene's Brewhouse. The only artist's tag we saw was to the left, "[heart emoji] TGZ".

If you are feeling well and able to distance, consider heading down to Elm Street this afternoon. There will be plenty of opportunities to eat outside and to visit the nearby shops that are working so hard to keep their stores and merchandise clean and tidy. Hats off to this family; they seemed to be walking quite a distance downtown. We don't know who they are or where they ended up going, but they were making great time, and they add great visual interest to this little slice of life of photo of downtown Greensboro.

Have a great weekend, regardless of what you decide to do.

Furnitureland Truck Out Making a Delivery

The world's largest furniture store is located right here in Guilford County. The physical location of Furnitureland Sough is actually in the Jamestown/High Point area but furniture is such a part of the local economy, Greensboro can claim it, too. Today's photo features a delivery truck at the light where Hobbs Road intersects Westridge. How wonderful to know people are getting new furniture. It is always so exciting to get a new piece of furniture. The decision can be so difficult, but once made, the purchase signals a new beginning. Perhaps a family has ordered a new study station since the first 9 weeks of school will be at home. Perhaps someone got furniture that makes working at home easier. Maybe there is some new, comfortable den furniture. If you've ever been to Furnitureland South, you know the possibilities are endless. If you have never been there, put it on your to-do list. They are currently open and taking every precaution to keep clients safe. People come from all over the world to shop for furniture here and we have the store in our backyard!

That truck is such a pretty color and the new graphics are catchy. We should also note that the driver was driving safely and obeying all rules of the road. If the back of the truck is up-to-date, they are hiring drivers.