Greensboro Daily Photo

Farmers Market, Plus Small Business Saturday

The above photo features the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceville Street. It was taken a few weeks ago and we had a ball buying a few of every single apple Leonard Orchards brought to the farmers market. We went home and rated them from favorite (honey crisp) to least favorite (Granny Smith) and everything in-between! We hope they are still there today and we have another chance to purchase apples! We hope to stop by and visit our friend Annette and buy another pair of earrings; and then over to purchase some handmade paper journals from our friend Suzanne. 

Remember, today is Small Business Saturday when we are all encouraged to buy from local businesses. It doesn't get much more local than a local farmers market! Of course there are downtown shops, State Street shops, and local shops throughout Greensboro. Nothing beats building a relationship with a local proprietor. It is the Cheers-bar phenomenon of the local business community. Became a repeat customer and they will know your name! Here is a photo of Kathryn at Just Be. She works tirelessly to bring local and fair trade to her shop in the 300 block of South Elm Street. Her nearby neighbor, Design Archives, is a collection of small businesses under one roof. Here is a photo of Design Archives from when we featured it ten years ago. 

Black Friday, Greensboro Style!

If you celebrate Christmas, want to get a jumpstart on your shopping, and love crowds, today is your day to shop! Fox 8 published a list of when local shops and and retail centers open (see HERE). The above photo is the window display at Anthropologie in Friendly Center. They always have creative artists designing their window fronts and displays inside. Friendly Center opened in August of 1957 and has probably been entertaining Black Friday crowds in its 65 year history. While you are at Friendly Center, you can swing by the Sunset Hills neighborhood and check on the progress of the Christmas lights high in the trees. 

If you want to try to do something different, the Greensboro Badminton Club meets from 1:30- 3:30 at Leonard Recreation Center today. Players are really nice and welcoming. You may need to bring your own racket, though. Another option is to visit the Greensboro Science Center; however, it closes at 4:00 pm because they are in their Winter Wonderlights Season. To experience that great new Greensboro tradition, you will likely have to pre-purchase tickets. Perhaps best Greensboro tradition of all, is the Really, Really Free Market in Glenwood, where people bring items to give away. There is no limit and there is no requirement to donate to receive. This is a great way for people in need to pick up nice items for the family. Yet, even those who don't need, but want, are welcome, too. It is located at 1417 Glenwood Avenue at the corner of Florida Street. It is a great opportunity to donate items if you want to simplify your life a little.

Happy Black Friday! If you are a local retailer, may your sales be brisk and good luck on Small Business Saturday, tomorrow.

NCA&T Homecoming

(Working with typepad to get photos to post. Sorry for the glitch. I'm hoping 5,000 photos aren't gone). This is homecoming week for North Carolina A&T State University. It has been dubbed the Greatest Homecoming on Earth and it is easy to see why. People come from all over the United States to celebrate their university with other graduates. Greensboro is crowded, in a good way. Hotels are booked, restaurants are full, many establishments have parking-lot, standing-room-only space; indeed, the festivities have begun.

The above event was taking place on Friday night at 816 South Elm Street, at the old flour mill downtown, either at the Continental Club or Vault 816, or both! People were waiting patiently in line, talking to friends who were already inside, taking selfies, and talking to people around them. When you graduate from the same university, especially one that you love, there is a camaraderie and a bond that lasts a lifetime. We didn't stick around long, as we were just passing by, but we bet if we were there long enough, we would heard a wave of "Aggie Pride" chants. Here's to good fun and a great day of football and fellowship.

Happy Saturday!

Old Mill of Guilford

Today's photo is an exterior view of the Old Mill of Guilford on Highway 68. It is a fabulous piece of local history to visit year-round, but especially on a warm, fall day. We had out of town guests visiting and the first things they want to do when visiting Greensboro is eat barbecue and head to the Old Mill to purchase grits and meal for making cornbread. (yellow and white for both). They crave this little taste of home. One of the guests is a welder and he struck up a conversation with Amy, one of the owners. She explained that the 24-foot wheel no longer provides power because there are so many holes is the pipe, the water can't build up enough pressure to turn the wheel. We learned it would take anywhere from $75,000 to $300,000 to repair it, depending on whether the repair was a liner sleeve or replacement pipe. Our guest happened to be a welder and would love to be involved in the restoration, if only he lived closer. He was surprised at the thinness of the gauge of the current pipe and would want to opt for a thicker gauge.

On Monday, we shared a wish for someone to deliver a giant moving skeleton to the owner of the Halloween house at 2304 Gracewood Drive. Today, we're wishing someone would spearhead the replacement of the pipe at 1340 NC-68. When you see projects get done, like the Ai Church down the road, you realize the impact restoration has on the beauty of a community. The mill dates back to 1767, over 40 years before Greensboro was a city. You would think, as a community (a county, a state), we could make restoration happen.* Maybe we should start an "invest in our community" page on Greensboro Daily Photo. Surely, replacing the pipe at the Old Mill, so they don't have to resort to grinding grain electrically, would be something special for our community! As you can see, welders, the welding is a straight line, until you reach that bend at the top.

Happy Wednesday!

* read more about the mill, here.

FLAT IRON

The FLAT IRON at 221 Summit Avenue downtown Greensboro is located in a building that was constructed for A.W. Kaplan in 1922. It is located at the convergence of Summit Avenue and Lindsay Street. Originally, it was a four-unit apartment building. Charles Hartman was the architect. He had recently arrived in Greensboro from New York City, which explains the NYC vibe.* It was built 100 years after its NYC counterpart.** The FLAT IRON is known for creative shows and original music. 

This photo was taken on Thursday night when the Tanger Center was filled with people waiting to hear Venus Williams speak. Also, the LeBauer Park food stations were going open. However, just a block away, the FLAT IRON was open, a little island of music and tradition. Dusty Keene refurbished and reopened what formerly had a reputation of being a "dive bar." Stop by, listen to some great music, and play a round of pool. It is part of downtown north Greensboro (NOGSOO) fun! We're wondering if that sporty red car was headed there!

Happy Saturday!

*reference = pocketsights.com

** see another article here.

Fall Stroll Along Elm Street

What do you do to relax? We love to stroll along Elm Street. We love to check in on a few businesses, see what conversations we can engage in, and engage in some serendipitous fun. Yesterday afternoon was an especially great time to be walking around. The air was crisp; sweater weather. Just Be has a fresh shipment of fair trade mittens and headbands. Design Archives has vintage sweaters and flannel out; Scuppernong has great books suggested. Jerusalem Market on Elm has great middle eastern food. These are only a few of the great stops downtown. Most of all, we love walking out of a store and, the very second before the eyes adjust, holding up the camera and snapping a photo. This is the shot we got yesterday in the south 300 block at Hamburger Square.

Downtown has some nice trees that are still holding on to their leaves. Have a stoll and see what you can uncover. Take a few photos for a memory. Have a great Thursday.

Old Mill of Guilford

We went to the Old Mill of Guilford to purchase corn meal this past weekend and took a great photo of the exterior. However, the photo is almost exactly of one we took in 2020 (see HERE). Therefore, we decided to share one of the interior details. Above, is one of the rack of stamps used to label bags of ground grains. You can read some of the stamps, cornmeal and sweet potato pancake to name a couple. The mill has been a Greensboro institution since the 1700s. We are so lucky that this grist mill is still around and still grinding grains the old fashioned way, with stone and water. How nostalgic to be using rubber stamps in this era where so much is digital.

One thing that has changed from the last time we purchased cornmeal from there is that there is no longer a plastic interior bag.- one less piece of waste! The people who wait on you are still friendly and efficient. We forgot to ask, but we're hoping they are using Gate City Rubber Stamp Company, located at 316 South Greene Street, for their stamps. Yelp dates this stamp company back to 1956, a mere infant as far as the Old Mill is concerned, but the match of old stamps and an old mill is a great combination. We're thinking a trip to the stamp store is in order. More sleuthing is in order.

Happy Tuesday!

Suds and Duds

Suds and Duds, located at the corner of Walker Avenue and Elam, has been a Greensboro institution since 1980. The building formerly housed a drug store, Elam Drug Store, until Bill Wardle bought it and converted it into a coin-operated laundry mat and bar. Monday-Friday, the laundry mat opens at 2pm; Saturday and Sunday at noon. Closing time ranges from 10pm on Sunday to midnight and 2:00 am on other nights; perfect hours for college students. If you want something to drink, they have a bar inside. If you want something to eat, there are plenty of options around while the clothes are in the washing machine or dryer. To play a game of pool or darts, the bartender can help you get set up.

As we were leaving this weekend, the two women in the above photo were walking by. They may have been part of the religious group on the corner. The clothing of the women lend a stark contrast to the outfits of the Halloween characters trapped in the Suds & Duds window. Yet, the ladies'  blue and green outfits match the window decoration backdrop, as well as the blue car in the green grass. This was a fun scene, we happened upon by chance. Lindley Park is a perfect place to walk on a warm fall day. You never know what will catch your eye. Also, it is one of those neighborhoods that goes all out for Halloween. Even the laundry mat decorates!

Happy Monday!

The Fresh Market Reminds Us It Is Pumpkin and Mum Time!

It is pumpkin and mum season. The above photo features some of the fall options available at The Fresh Market. The Fresh Market has been helping us herald in the seasons since Ray and Beverly Berry founded it in Greensboro in 1982. If you've been inside, you will notice their efforts to make the market feel open just like a European market. The first store opened on Lawndale Drive. The above store is located on New Garden Road in the same plaza where Target is located. Today, there are 160 locations in 22 states, with the original blueprint of a butcher shop and flower shop inside.* In May of 2022, the Winston Salem Journal wrote an article on the $676 million dollar offer of the South American retailer Cencosud made for 67% ownership of the company. Regardless of changes, let's hope the corporate headquarters remains in Greensboro.

If you are out today, don't forget to purchase your pumpkins and mums. It is only 16 more days until Halloween. If you don't get by The Fresh Market, there should be plenty of churches selling pumpkins by now. We're headed out to have a look! Have a great weekend!

 

*reference and read more about their history HERE.

Berico formerly Berry Coal Company

Berico has been a Greensboro business for nearly 100 years. Owned by the Berry family, originally, the business was on West Lee Street, which is now Gate City Boulevard. Next, they moved to Bragg Street, and they have been on East Bessemer Avenue since 1950. They have a large heating and air business. However, what got us to the store was the fact that they recertify propane tanks. At the front of the parking lot, they have this vintage coal truck from their original location. How fun to see what vehicles used to look like, but also to see the old address and to see a four digit phone number. There is so much history in that vehicle. As the need for coal fell out of fashion, Berry Coal became Berico.

Berico has a nice "about us" page on their website where there is also a 30 second YouTube video. It would be so wonderful if all businesses documented and shared their history, especially the local ones. So much changes and documentation matters. If you are out on East Bessemer stop by and checkout this little piece of history. Earlier in the year, they were even giving out calendars!

Happy Thursday!

Brad Caviness

Last night during First Friday in downtown Greensboro Brad Caviness was working diligently on one of the jars he and his brother, Bryan, create together. The two have been working on this specific sculpture for three month. Brad made the jar, Bryan carved the temple and pillars, Brad is working on the details of filing down the columns. Just look at his focus and the placement of his hands. The piece is backlit, making the inside of the jar glow and the temple stand out. The Caviness brothers are inspired by archaeology, especially historic structures from great civilizations. Part of the jar is chipped away because this structure has suffered destruction. It was a temple in Palmyra, Syria, destroyed by the Islamic State in 2015. How wonderful these structures live on in the work of Brad and Bryan.

This dynamic sibling duo is represented in Greensboro by Ambleside Gallery.  Gallery owner, Jackson Mayshark, saw the talent of these two sculptors and knew their sculptures would be a good fit for the art and artists he represents at the gallery. Ambleside is located at 528 South Elm Street. This is the first time we noticed Brad working on a piece in the window of Ambleside. How wonderful to have had the opportunity to watch him work. This is an example of the serendipity of what you will see when walking the length of Elm Street- especially on First Friday. If you want to get lost in the ancient ruins of Brad & Bryan online, head to bcclayart.com and have a look; in person, to Ambleside. We're betting you'll be wowed!

Happy Monday, dear readers.

Downtown Decorations

It is beginning to look a lot like Halloween in downtown Greensboro. Especially from the 500 block of South Elm Street  to Bain Street, downtown is very colorful. The above window is the decoration of Terra Blue, a store that sells spiritual gifts, beads and findings, bath salts, coffee, and more. Allen and Sarah McDavid opened a shop in 1999 in a neighborhood and then moved to the above location downtown. Their shop, over 20 years old, is in a building that used to be shared with the Browsery, in the building owned by Ben Matthews.* Terra Blue was very creative during the Pandemic, setting up shop outside in the entranceway of the store. Now, they have in inventory in both sides of the building and their window displays just keep getting better and better.

Last night was First Friday, the weather was nice and there were plenty of galleries, shops, bars, and restaurants open for everyone's enjoyment. The cultural arts center featured an art exhibit. The downtown parks had people in them; in Center City Park for the Drum Circle and LeBauer Park for Salsa dancing. The moon was not quite full, but it was bright, illuminating everything in its path. The serendipity of strolling on Elm Street on a night with so many places open is delightful. As we were taking this picture, a boy about 4 years walked by and started talking to us. His mom reminded him that he just can't talk to even?ryone. Persistend, he asked "Who are you?" What would you say if a four year old stranger asked you that question. Then, we stopped to watch Brian Caviness sculpting at Ambleside Gallery and then headed back up the other side of the street. The evening was very relaxing!

Happy Saturday! Head out and make some memories.

 

* read Yes Weekly article about Ben and the Browsery, here.

Kelly McGough

Last night, at Hops Burger Bar on Lawndale, we met up with Kelly McGough (Grimsley, Class of 1976). Kelly was back in town clearing out a storage unit, the last of the Greensboro goods, now that his mom lives with him in Boston, MA. The McGough family moved to Greensboro in 1969, setting up house on Redwine Drive. As of 2021, after 52 years, none of Kelly's family resides in Greensboro and it has been a long time since Kelly has lived here. After high school, he went to UNC Chapel Hill, majoring in geography. While he loved his major, Kelly has made a career in a very different field. He sells financial software to venture capital and private equity firms.

Let's hope we can entice Kelly to continue to come to town once in a while. He loves playing golf, road trips,  and driving around seeing all of his former haunts and catching up on how Greensboro has changed. If you know Kelly, invite him down for a round of golf. Last month, Kelly became a grandfather. Congratulations, Kelly, you will make a fabulous grandpa. We're betting Kelly has a plan to nudge his grandson in the direction of UNC Chapel Hill. Here's to his new venture as a grandpa and his keeping old friends- like us!

Perry Calhoun Sr. and Jr. at The Shoe Market

The above photo features Perry Calhoun and his son, Perry, Jr.  at The Shoe Market at 4624  West Market Street. We had a chance to talk to them yesterday during the annual Labor Day sale. With the rain and the cooler temperature yesterday, Labor Day, indeed, felt like the end of summer. While the rain may have kept some home, The Shoe Market was busy and Mr. Calhoun (Senior) had nothing but great things to say about his sales staff as they masterfully helped customers. Three of his employees left their positions as traveling reps for the opportunity to work at The Shoe Market. One employee, who used to sell cars, is now happily selling shoes because the income potential is impressive. Some of the sales staff have been with the store for over twenty years.  This independent shoe store consistently gets rated in the top three in the industry, based on ratings by secret shoppers, whom Mr. Perry, Sr.  has yet to catch. He credits his high industry ratings to the sales staff. It is nice to go to a retail store where the sales staff really know the product.  The high quality shoes they carry is also a plus. As an example, Mr. Perry mentioned the SAS brand. Made in San Antonio, SAS has 88 sizes for women and 116 sizes for men. From slim to narrow,  medium to wide, double wide, and triple wide, you can get the exact size to fit your foot.

Mr. Perry, Sr. majored in business at the University of Alabama, worked elsewhere and came to Greensboro in 1992 to open The Shoe Market. His son, Perry, Jr. was first in the U.S.Army, and then attended school in New York to learn make orthotics, and is now working alongside his dad. They have built quite a business out of helping people stand, walk, and run in comfort. If you have been in Greensboro for a while, you know about the Greensboro tassel loafer and HERE is a 1996 article from the Greensboro News & Record about the great length Mr. Perry, Sr. went to to replicate the shoe when the Nettleton Shoe Company went out of business. Next time we're in the store, we going to check and see if they still sell that loafer, and maybe even buy a pair!

Happy Tuesday! 

Spring Garden Bakery- Fabulous Third Space

Third spaces, those spaces where we sometimes seek refuge, serve as a great option when a little break is needed from home and work. Spring Garden Bakery, on Spring Garden Street is one such space. The other day, we walked in through the back door and just loved the ambience in this view. The muted colors; two people talking; and, in person, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods. We have been eating their granola bars for twenty years now.

Reconsidered Goods- Happy 6th Anniversary!!!

The above photo features the indefatigable Paige and Benny, working the second checkout counter at Reconsidered Goods (RG) this past Saturday. The "HELP" had gives you a little clue of how busy they were. To celebrate the 6th anniversary, RG had a 50% off everything sale. The store was almost as busy as a retail business on Black Friday. RG is a creative reuse store. They work hard to keep things out of landfills and into the hands of people who can give old items a new life. They are part art supply store and part heavily-curated thrift store. As an example, they only take vintage clothing or clothing that could be used in theater or as a costume. If they don't think they can sell it, they don't accept it, or send it on to the Goodwill Store. As an example of creativity, in their section filled with the color green, they strung a 6 foot row of wine bottle corks that they had painted green. What a great idea. You could use old corks in the same way that beaded curtains were used in the 1960s; only you don't have to think "wine" if they are painted. But we digress! To be sure the creative types were out en masse. As fast as boxes and carts of treasures were being taken out the front door, volunteers and employees were restocking shelves. Please consider donating your art supplies, nicknacks, small pieces of furniture, art you are tired of, and other items to Reconsidered Goods. 

Happy 6th anniversary to Reconsidered Goods. And thank you to everyone who worked and made this past Saturday a fun shopping experience! Wondering what will Year 7 bring!

Brooks Global Studies Elementary School

The above photo features the land on which the new Brooks Global Studies Elementary School will be built. This location is between Starmount Presbyterian Church, The Greensboro Arboretum, and Holden Road. Specifically, the border streets are Tryon, Ashland, and Parkwood. The current location of Brooks Global is at the north edge of the Grimsley High School campus. The new location is on land already owned by GCS and was the site of the former Craven School. Craven School was built in 1955 and had fallen in disrepair since the 1990s when it was no longer used. In 2011 the school board voted to demolish it and the 7.7 acre site is now ready for new beginnings. The only remnants of the former school are this small, circular driveway and some cement steps.

Brooks Global has a fantastic reputation and the lottery numbers of students seeking admission to this magnet school are large. The new Brooks will have the same fabulous international theme, but will be state of the art and mindful of sustainable practices. GCS has hired HICAPS/C2 to manage the implementation of the project.*

For many Guilford County School (GCS)  students, today is the first day of school. By now, just about everyone (if not all) should be back in school. Please remember to drive 25 in school zones and stop for school busses picking up students. Oh, and remember to bring your charged Cromebooks and positive attitudes! May all students try their hardest and have the best year of school yet.

Happy Monday! Happy first day of school!

*Reference and additional information HERE. Se also, HERE.

Carolina Theatre

The Carolina Theatre, at 310 South Greene Street downtown, is once again active with booking events lately. This theatre has been Greensboro's crowned jewel since 1927, almost 100 years since it opened. Thanks to restoration, repairs, and maintenance over the years, this theatre is as beautiful on the inside is as it is on the outside. As you see on the marquee, donors are an important part of sustaining the theatre. In the 2018-2019 season, just before the pandemic, they had over 100,000 people attend events. With other performing arts venues in Greensboro, especially the Tanger Center, The Carolina Theatre has a lot of competition. The management knows its audience and the type of events that will be popular here. We enjoy the old movies they feature on the big screen!

The Carolina Theatre has seen a lot of growth in the neighborhood around it. The new Hampton Inn is just down the street. And then, there is the bodega across the street where you grab a quick snack before heading in to see a performance. We took this photo from the entrance to The Bodega as the afternoon sun was backlighting the theatre. Tonight is Jokez and Jam at 8:00 pm. If you need a good laugh, this might be the event for you! Regardless, you will find something great to do downtown.

Happy Saturday!

Here is a link to the Carolina Theatre's upcoming events.

Sunday Afternoon at Double Oaks

The Double Oaks B&B at 204 North Mendenhall Street dates to 1909. It was built for Harden Thomas Martin who was a native of Rockingham County,  the next county north of Guilford. The home was first opened as a bead and breakfast in 1998 by Win and Ann Milan. In 2016, James and Amanda Keith purchased the property and they have been working very hard to not only have it be a bed and breakfast, but to also be a venue for activities that bring in the community. The Keiths host events and also make it possible for community members to host events. The above photo features the Sunday afternoon old-time music group during String Band Sunday (from 4-7 pm). On Wednesday evenings they have jazz- Wine Wednesday.

If you know old-time music, you know that the fiddler calls the tunes and pretty much sets the pace for the jam. The above fiddler, Christen Blanton Mack is part of the Zinc Kings. They will be one of the featured bands at the North Carolina Folk Festival in Greensboro (September 9-11). Head to the folk festival to hear Christen fiddle. Or, stop by Double Oaks on Sunday afternoons to hear her fiddling and, maybe even play a tune with her. Savory tacos with homemade tortilla shells are available on Sunday afternoons. We are so lucky that in Greensboro, so many of these local venues offer special events- music, arts and crafts events, food trucks, and more. They say Thursday is the new Friday. Head out and find some fun! A new adventure is only a google search away!

East Cone Boulevard & Damien Mitchell's Mural

This past weekend, we were out driving on East Cone Boulevard and, of course, the murals caught out eye. The above photo was taken at the plaza with a Roses Discount Store, hence the roses on the facade to the left. It is located at 1421 East Cone, near Twain Road and the O. Henry Oaks neighborhood. Also, out this way is Joe Davis Park at 1410 19th Street very near East Cone and Ceasar Street. The mural has lots of hashtag messages and, if the upper left name is correct, the mural is by Damien Mitchell. He has been painting murals for ten years and is based out of New York City. If you notice at the bottom, it is also tagged as a Kotis Street Art mural. If you want to know more about Greensboro's murals, you can find a lot on that link.

Also of interest in the above photo are the newspaper boxes, which makes wonder if they generate any revenue. We also like the way the white sedan is parked there, waiting, all white and unembellished, sharing the center focal point with the bright yellow smiley balloon.

Well, Thursday is the new Friday. May you find something fabulous to do this weekend in Greensboro!

A Legacy of Leadership

The Center for Creative Leadership, founded in 1970,  is a wealth of Greensboro history. First of all, it was started by the family that created Vicks VapoRub, the Richardsons. On the middle shelf on the right is a gold jar of the salve, the billionth, yes billionth, jar. This product was selling well, even during the Great Depression. If you see the monitor in the bottom center of the photo, there is a very informative presentation about the history of the Richardson family, the history of the Vicks VapoRub product, and how that ties into the founding of the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL).

Lunsford Richardson (1854- 1919) is the pharmacist who created a salve to relieve symptoms of a common cold. The menthol that went into the salve was a drug from Japan. Lunsford's son, Henry Smith Richardson Sr. (1885- 1972), worked in the family business. As a quote in the presentation explains, H. Smith Richardson "began researching what separates a successful organization from one that fails. He devoted his time to developing ways to identify, evaluate, train and advance future leaders, and established the Smith Richardson Foundation in 1935."  H. Smith Richardson Jr. (1920- 1999) continued the work of his father and grandfather. Smith Richardson Jr. "was instrumental in creating the Center for Creative Leadership, an institute that trains executives, military officers and politicians in business and government. Mr. Richardson was chairman of the center's board from 1972 until 1994.*

The CCL, a global leader in leadership training, is located right here, between Bur-Mil Park/Owl's Roost and Hamburg Mill Road on North Battleground (Highway 220). Just think, it all has its roots in the work of the pharmacist who created the Vicks products. In the short hour we were at CCL, it was fascinating to hear the conversations related to the Richardson families companies and products. One person, who seemed to be very knowledgeable, talked about a garden that they had growing plants that could be used for medicinal purposes. If it has not been done already, getting oral histories of people who have first-hand information about the Vicks factory and some of the stories that only people who worked at the factory would know. As for the CCL, they have many books about leadership and much of the work they are doing today.

 

*Reference and more information in New York Times article from 1999. See HERE.

 

 

304 North Greene Street on a Chiaroscuro Sort of Day

Today's photo features the alley between the downtown Marriott Hotel at 304 North Greene Street and the parking lot beside it. Straight ahead in the photo is a view of 348 North Elm Street, a single-story, flat-roofed building near Tanger Center. We don't tend to think of Greensboro as an angular city full of bold, geometric shapes. However, this photo, in black and white, really emphasizes the angles in the scene. The stripes on the pavement, the squares near the top of the N. Elm Street building, and the sunny/shaded (chiaroscuro) section on the pavement all come together to add drama to the view. Sometimes the negative space, between buildings, can be as interesting as the buildings themselves.

We want to get back downtown and photograph the inside of the Marriott. It was built in 1985, underwent a big renovation in 2008, and then, a multi-million dollar renovation in 2020. We haven't stayed there since the 2020 renovation and, given that it was happening during COVID times, we're not even sure that it is completely finished. With the Tanger Center and all of the new construction in the north end of town, the Marriott is certainly in a prime location. The last time we ate breakfast at the Sage Mule, on Battleground Avenue, we sat next to a woman who had walked from the Marriott.

The sun can be so harsh when taking photos; however, it you don't fight it, but play around with the lighting, the results can be interesting. Consider heading downtown and getting a few photos yourself- in black and white, or color! Happy Monday! 

WFMY News 2

WFMY News 2 is located at 1615  Phillips Avenue. It has been a landmark on Phillips Avenue since 1949. While the building looks fairly nondescript on the outside, once inside, it it clear you are in a news studio. It is a whole separate world in there; fitted with sets, lighting, computers, cameras, and everything to interview, write, and deliver the news. This facility was actually the site of the first live television broadcast in North Carolina in 1949 and the second television station in the state.* The first was in Charlotte. Their coverage extends between Charlotte and Raleigh. They broadcast 38 hours of locally produced newscasts each week; six hours a day during the week, three hours on Saturday and five on Sunday. The station has gone through several changes, from ownership, to programming, to transitioning from analog to digital, to staff, and more. But one thing has remained constant. They are at Phillips Avenue, just north of town.

On the day we were there, mid-day, so was the CINTAS Uniform Apparel truck and the Pepsi delivery truck. It is hard to imagine all of the deliveries and day to day services it takes to get the news produced and on the air, and all it takes to have a good quality of life for the staff. In watching WFMY, you get the feeling that the newscasters enjoy each other and have fun on the set. In 2015, we had a chance go inside the studio and Eric Chilton took a few minutes to chat with us, right before he had to go back on the air. We also had the pleasure of interviewing Lee Kinard back in 2011. He had a 43-year career at WFMY.  In this day and age as so much news transitions from print to digital, and it is getting harder to read news specific to Greensboro, WFMY is there to make sure the local voices are heard. Thank you to each and every person involved in bringing us the news.

 

* WFMY-TV: Wikipedia, (visited July 20, 2022)

Mapping Out Fun Fourth... Beginning at the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel

Last night, all was quiet in downtown Greensboro, on the eve of the Fourth of July. We were walking along Washington Street, in front of the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel. Today, the Biltmore Hotel will be in the middle of all of the Fun Fourth Activities. As of 5:00 am this morning, Elm Street will be blocked off and all cars must be off the street or they will be towed. The Fun Fourth will be fabulous this year. HERE is a list of all the activities for today. It will start with the Freedom Run, the Triad's longest running race tradition. The 10K starts at 7:30 am and the rest of the races at 8:00 am at 211 North Davie Street. If you are not running, you are encouraged to stand along the route and cheer people on (even if you don't know then). Freedom Fest this year is broken off into 4 zones, with activities going from 12noon- 6:00 pm. The zones are primarily from Tanger Center & LeBauer Park in the north to Lewis Street in the south &  between Greene and Davie Streets. The Fun Fourth committee made a real effort to see that each zone has vendors, music, attractions, food, and plenty to do. We are hoping to roller skate in Zone 2.

The Biltmore is between Zone 2 and 3. The simple bunting looks so elegant; it is the kind of decoration that you might have found when the building was constructed in 1895. Looking at the facade of the Biltmore, it is as if one has stepped back in time over 100 years ago. Yet, step into the hotel and everything you need for the 21st century is at your fingertips.*  This is the reason Greensboro is such a great city. We honor the past, especially in architecture; value traditions; and come together to to enjoy each other, on events like Fun Fourth. None of this could be done without a strong business community, good leadership, and a passel of great volunteers. As a grand finale, tonight, there is a Greensboro Grasshoppers game at 6:30 pm and fireworks at First National Bank Field after the game. Regardless of how you spend your time today, have a great day!

* If you follow Greensboro Daily Photo, you already know that we featured the Biltmore 13 years ago, the first year of Greensboro Daily Photo. As you can see from this photo, the awning has changed and the word "Greensboro" has been added to the name, likely to avoid confusion with the Vanderbilt's Biltmore in Asheville. 

SE Systems

It is so fun to shop at locally owned businesses. Recently, we went to SE Systems to purchase some equipment for making music. The business was founded in 1973 (as Sound Engineering Systems). They are located at 2605 Phoenix Drive. This location is not too far from the Coliseum which is very convenient when big acts come to town to perform and they have a lighting issue or need a piece of equipment. They also offer video and staging services. With all of the live music happening in Greensboro over the summer, you never know what kind of equipment performers will need.

SE's prices are very competitive with online stores and you have an actual person to help you with your entertainment needs. Given the extra hours of light, summer is such a good time to drive around Greensboro and find new sights, sounds, and businesses.

Cadillac Service Garage

The Cadillac Service Garage is an event venue at 304 East Market Street in downtown Greensboro. The building was built as a Cadillac dealership in 1921. From high ceilings to checkered floors and everything in between, so much detail remains from the design 100 years ago. There were a lot of years this building sat empty. Then there were the years it housed Design Archives, between the time Kit had her store on Tate Street and now in the 300 block of South Elm Street. How wonderful that the vintage feel of the building rings true loud and clear. Instead ov covering the brick walls, they are celebrated.

The event space accommodates up to 225 guests and there is outdoor space as well as indoor. The day we walked by last week, some of the signage was still visible for Meredith Murray and Dylan Cunningham's wedding on June 18th. How fun to see the place tidied up, but with some remnants of a super special event. We love the Cadillac Service Garage because it expands the footprint to downtown Greensboro east of Church Street. If you get a chance, drive by and have a peek inside. You will see echoes of 1921 blended with conveniences of 2022!

Happy Monday! Happy exploring east Greensboro! The changes are many.

Happy First Day of Summer; Time for a Visit to Berico Fuels, Inc

Happy first day of summer. With warmer weather, additional hours of light, and many students out of school, people will be cooking on outdoor grills and in their campers. Many of these outdoor activities require portable propane gas.  After 12 years, tanks must be re-certified in order to get them refilled with with propane. The US Department of Transportation requires this recertification, since tanks are often on the highways. The above photo features a customer taking a 30 pound propane tank for recertification to Berico Fuels, Inc.

Berico, owned by the Berry family, has been a Greensboro institution since the 1920s. They got their start on West Lee Street, and then on Bragg Street, at first selling coal. Since 1950, they are located at 2200 East Bessemer Avenue. Berico's motto is "Always Dependable."  Bessemer Avenue has long been a hub of businesses activity in Greensboro since before nearby Wendover Ave even existed.  Interestingly, once you get your tank re-certified, Berico sends you to McKnight Hardware, also on East Bessemer since 1950, to get the propane. 

Happy first day of summer. After today, the days start getting shorter.

(If you want to learn more about Berico, read Jim Schlosser's News & Record article from 2005. See HERE.)

Reconsidered Goods, Hello Summer 2022!

Today's photo features Erin Stratford Owens (left) and Tamra Hunt. Erin is the executive director of Reconsidered Goods (RG)  and Tamra is the education program director. Reconsidered Goods is a thrift store for artists and creative types. It is a place where you can find everything from used canvases (to paint over), to pieces of art you want in your house (as is), to items that help you get your creative juices flowing.  In the photo, Erin and Tamra are standing inside the Maker Space in the back right corner of the store. This is the first time for a maker space to be open in the new facility at 4118 Spring Garden Street. On Friday and Saturday afternoons, for a small fee, you can come and create in this space with access to all of the supplies in the designated space. For those few hours a week, RG can become a home-away-from-home studio for your creativity. There is also a Sunday Crafternoon.

Follow RG on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with all of the events, times, dates, prices and other details. Now that Tamra has been hired, RG has been able to reinstate summer camps, too. Both Erin and Tamra have backgrounds that make them a natural fit for their respective positions. Both have grown up in Greensboro, with Erin graduating from Page High School and Tamra from Smith. For their careers, both moved away for a while, Erin to NYC and Tamra to Tennessee. Both moved back to Greensboro only to find it even more creative and art-filled than when they left. Both seem to have landed at RG at the right time, and both have a vision to make RG return to the creative space customers came to love, pre-pandemic. Here's to new beginnings and great opportunities to be creative.

RG is also looking for volunteers and they even have some paid positions available. Imagine yourself HERE!

The Gardens at Gray Gables

The above photo features Sip and Paint Night at The Gardens at Gray Gables, located at 4105 Oak Ridge Road in Summerfield, just north of Greensboro. Every Wednesday, the venue offers live music and an opportunity for friends to gather. If you are a member, entrance is free. If you are not, the entrance fee is only $2. Last week, Colin Cutler performed. This week, from 6:30- 9:30, singer-songwriter Mike Coia is scheduled to perform.

The photo above gives you an idea of the venue. Guests are under a giant tent and with a brick patio. It is pretty easy to fit 6-8 people at a table. If you are local, chances are you will see someone you know there. If you are not local, chances are you will have made some new friends by the end of the night. According to their website, Gray Gables was established in 1898 by Mr. Henry Clay of Britain. The Britain's loved their home and played a significant role in the Summerfield community. In 2001, the Jenks family bought the property and have restored the home and surrounding land to its original glory, upgrading it and making it perfect for everything from evenings to listen to music with friends to having weddings. 

There are just so many fun things to do in the Greensboro/Guilford County area. We hope you enjoy exploring as much as we do.

Alcohol is sold at Gray Gables, so you must purchase it on site; but if you want food, you need to bring it in. Dogs on leashes are permitted. 

Revolution Mill on a Clear, Spring Night

Revolution Mill, the historic cotton mill complex on Yanceyville Road, is so beautiful at night. The above photo was taken at the entrance beside Cugino Forno Pizzeria, a pizzeria that was recently rated one of the top 100 in the world. It is the closest pizza to pizza in Italy that we have tasted in the United States. Eating pizza in the mill hall is do much fun. The long picnic tables are conducive to sharing with customers you don't know initially, but have the chance to leave as friends.

The two smoke stacks in the background tower high above the mill and the lighting at night is dramatic. In the foreground it the water tower that was formerly painted red. Now white, it stands out so much more. The textile mill, built at the beginning of the 20th century, is a multi-use complex today with everything from apartments to office space to restaurants to event space to more. Every time we go there, we see something new. The whole building takes on a different character by day and by night; both equally dramatic!

Happy Wednesday, a good day to go explore Revolution Mill.

The Many Faces of McConnell Road

Based on yesterday's post, we had questions about the exact location of Doodad Farm. It is very near the location in the above photo, about a mile west. McConnell Road is one of those areas in Guilford County undergoing great change. New meets old; industrial meets country. Front right, you see a crumbling building that has seen better days. If you look to the left, you see the giant, warehouses; the new Coca Cola Consolidated Bottling Company, Vistar Distribution Center, and O'Reilly Auto Parts Distribution Center. Doodad Farm is a cozy property with a two story country house, renovated outbuildings, and land that doesn't hint at the industrial property just beyond the trees. It is hard to belief something so idyllic is located just beyond the warehouses. Also, if it is your first time there, it is hard to believe that when you blink, you will be at a farm.

On down the road from this scene is McConnell Road Baptist Church and some very nice, small country homes. On Sunday evening, church was meeting, people were on their porches and in their yards making sure their property looked all neat and tidy. We always have to be ready for change. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the above structure.

Happy Tuesday!

Kontoor Wrangler

Three years ago, on May 23, 2019, Wrangler and Lee became part of the publicly traded Kontoor Brands, Inc. Above, is the corporate world headquarters on North Elm Street. They also have a headquarters in Belgium and Hong Kong. While Wrangler is a top seller in the American jean market, the Lee line is the biggest denim brand in China- and to think this is all based out of Greensboro. It would be nice to have a "know your city" tour for elementary school students with this building and company being one of the stops. When we were there the other day, the sky was so beautiful, the wind was blowing, making the American and North Carolina flags fly high. The whole scene was just so majestic.

The above building was built in 1994 and has a beautifully visible presence on the north end of town, on the front end of the growth here. Now, with the Tanger Center, the baseball stadium, Joymongers, LeBauer Park and all of the other venues surrounding it, downtown truly stretches all the way from Smith Street to West Gate City Boulevard. According to their website, Kontoor is committed to sourcing and and manufacturing their apparel responsibly and sustainably.

We hope you have a great weekend. If you get a chance, have a walk along the above headquarters and its environs. It is fun to know our city.

Kontoor Brands, Inc.

Kontoor Brands is the company that now owns Lee and Wrangler Jeans. Their head office is in Greensboro and they employ about 15,000 people. Their iconic rounded building is just down the street from the one you see today. However, they own the above building at 444 North Elm Street and its surrounding 1.44 acre lot. This building was built in 1969 and it is some pretty interesting architecture. When we posted on this building in 2011, Preston Earle* shared that "the building was built to house a regional branch of the federal agency that oversaw savings and loan banks." Eventually First Home Federal S&L took over the building. When buildings, as unique as the one above, are built, it is hard to imagine them for anything beyond their original purpose. 

This building really takes on a different character when the sun is out. It always looks like an extraterrestrial structure; however, on a sunny day like we had recently, the building looks really inviting. We wonder what they are using it for. Do you know?

Happy Wednesday!

*Preston Earle died in Greensboro in 2012. We really miss Preston's comments, as we love it when the community gets involved in helping us learn about our city.

Deep River Flower Farm

On Saturday, at the Corner Market,* we met the very talented organic flower farmer Nicole Rosenberger of Deep River Flower Farm. Nicole and her husband live in a house on the Deep River in Franklinville, NC, about 40 minutes south of Greensboro. For just over a month now, Nicole has been coming to Greensboro to sell her flowers and her very carefully constructed turkey wing brooms. While the flowers are of nature's making, the brooms are carefully crafted and knotted by Nicole. Nicole, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, majored in anthropology. While she attended college in Towson, Maryland, she also had the opportunity to attend Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC. We're betting this love of flowers and organic farmer was fostered in Warren Wilson College (WWC). We forgot to ask Nicole if she worked on the farm, garden or landscape crew at Warren Wilson and perhaps honed her flower growing skills at WWC.

Nicole grows most of her flowers from seed on her quarter acre farm on the Deep River. We're so glad she makes the trip to Greensboro to sell her flowers and brooms. Please stop by and support Nicole, and the other vendors at the Corner Market, and other local markets in Greensboro. We just may make Nicole's tent a weekly stop on our farmers market jaunts and bring a little of the outdoors in. Here is an article about Nicole from the Chatham News & Record.

Happy Monday! Take time to stop to smell the roses, sweet pea, lilies, lavender, and just about every flower but, perhaps not the marigolds!

 

*the farmers market at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church parking lot on West Market at Kensington.

Street Scene on South Elm Street

Today's photo is of South Elm and Lewis Streets, at the intersection between the 500 and 600 block. If you've been in this end of town lately, you've probably notices the Lee Wrangler mural on the side of the Lee Wrangler shop. Kontoor Brands opened this shop in the summer of 2021. This is a common area for block and music parties and it has really started attracting crowds with all of the businesses here. Seeing the woman on the right with her jeans made us realize that this mural would be a great place for a photo shoot. The blue, black, and brick colors are easy to work with, too. Finally, if traffic is light, those lines and angles on the street add a lot of visual interest. It is so easy to find inspiration downtown.

Tomorrow is First Friday in downtown Greensboro. Here is a list of a lot of the activities for the evening. There will be plenty to do all the way from the north end of Elm Street, around Tanger Center (including in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street) all the way to South Elm and Gate City Boulevard. Start making plans, put on your best walking shoes, plan a few activities, and let serendipity take over from there. Happy Thursday, which is said to be the new Friday!

Elm & Bain

This photo, taken last week, is a new downtown Greensboro event and meeting space. It is the last business on the southwest corner of Elm Street, just north of Gate City Boulevard.  Formerly, it was the Blue Bell Plant. Just beyond the above building is the building that forms an "L" with it and says above the top, "Old Greensborough Gateway Center." As an example of the kinds of events they host is the May 11th fundraiser for the North Carolina Folk Festival. Is is called "Fold A'Fare" and is a culinary event offering samplings of global foods created by chefs in Greensboro. Tickets can be purchased at ncfolkfestival.com/folkafare. Even if you don't get tickets for that event, there will be plenty more to choose from. You could even host your own event there. How wonderful to have another event space in the community.

We love the old times look of the black and white photo, but you can tell by the cars that it is a current photo Happy Tuesday!

Farmers Market Day

The above photo was taken at a special event last Sunday at the Greensboro Farmers' Market on Yanceyville Street. However, all of the farmers' markets today will have plants as May 1st is a perfect time to get your plants in the ground. You can head to the Greensboro Farmers' Market, the Corner Market on West Market Street beside St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, the Farmers' Market on Sandy Ridge, or any of the other farms that are offering plants. One such opportunity will be Providence Farm. Spring is such a great time to get out and meet local people with their plants, food, and crafts.

 might not have plants for sale, but they are having live music, bread and meat for purchase, and vendors out to provide you with home made products.After a two year hiatus, Leanne Pizio's arts and crafts show will return on her property on Oak Ridge Road, just a mile east or ORMA. Look for the painted truck at the road as well as a person standing there parking cars. Spring is so glorious in Greensboro. You owe it to yourself to get out and enjoy spring happenings in Greensboro!

Photo Shoot on Lewis & Elm

Lewis and Elm has become a fun part of town. Lewis and Elm is both a business and a crossroad. The business has light appetizers, wine, cheese, and often live entertainment. Bourbon Bowl is in the area, a place to buy Wrangler jeans, Elsewhere Museum, Boxcar Bar and Arcade, and so much more. This is a part of town where you can go and hang out and have plenty of social activity. In the above photo, a graduate has chosen this location for some graduation photos. This is such an exciting time of year. By the end of the first week of May, university graduations begin and at the end of May, the high schools start their graduation ceremonies. 

Do you have a special place in Greensboro to take ceremonial photos? Many people like to use the murals or graffiti as a backdrop. To anchor the photo in Greensboro, or at the school, signage with the name of the school is always a good bet. Another idea is with one of the pairs of fiberglass jeans since in the mid-20th century, Greensboro was the denim capital of the world. The Bog Garden and Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden are prom photo favorites. It can be nice to have a natural setting so the background doesn't detract from the people in the photo. If you can find a place that holds a special memory or is linked to your career choice, those can make fun photos. Perhaps it was the lighting (bright, but not harsh sun) or the plain gray wall that attracted the graduate to the space. At any rate, this trending corner of town is much busier once the sun sets. 

If you have a graduating senior in your life, may you find the perfect spot to capture those photos. Location! Location! Location! Happy Thursday.

A Special Blend

A Special Blend is a special coffee shop located at 3900 West Market Street in the same plaza with the Art Shop and Mythos Restaurant. A Special Blend is about to celebrate their third year as a coffee shop. Their staff is comprised of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The employees show that they are able to do much more than people often assume they can. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and the coffee and pastries are delicious. As you can see from the above photo, the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and clean. You can't see it from this photo but just beyond the counter, on the left, is a community room you can rent for business meetings, book club, or any gathering that would benefit from the use of a space out of the office or away from home.

If you want to help the mission of this non-profit, please become a regular, and you will be hooked. Also, on May 14th, they will have an event as Starmont Forest Country Club at 7:00 pm to celebrate their third year in business. At the event, there will be music, a silent auction, a dessert competition, and more. You can get more information about the event at aspecialblend.org

Sage Mule Inside

The Sage Mule is a restaurant located in the northwest section of downtown Greensboro. It is near the baseball park, Deep Roots Co-op, and Joymongers. We featured the exterior recently and had a request to show the inside. It is much larger than it appears outside. They've been open since November 2019, and homemade breakfasts are their speciality. They make special cinnamon rolls. On the day we were there, they had s'mores flavored rolls! In anticipation of Easter, last week, they had a pastel, chocolate, raspberry cinnamon bun; that's a lot of adjectives and it had lots of toppings! Not all is sweet. They have savory dishes, too.  The artwork and plants inside are a nice feature; however, the best visual appeal is the presentation of the delicious food.

While the photo gives you a good idea of the interior seating, what you can't see is the "singles" bar at the window where there must be about a dozen seats for small parties or people sitting alone. Service at the bar is very fast and the wait staff is attentive. 

Happy Tuesday, everyone!