Greensboro Daily Photo

Spring Cleaning on South Elm Street

With the warmer weather, trees are starting to blossom out, birds are chirping, forsythia is budding yellow and humans are out doing their spring cleaning. The above photo features window cleaning happening at the building that houses Scuppernong Books in the 300 block of South Elm Street. We had to chuckle upon noticing that the woman and the car to the right match the machine lifting the window cleaners to the top of the building. We love the movement in this photo.

Do you have spring cleaning rituals? We wonderful if the whole block chips in on the service at the same time. We wonder what events Scuppernong will be offering this weekend. Perhaps the lady blue wants to find out the same information. Friday and the weekend is a perfect time to get out and interact with people, AND to get a little spring cleaning done.

Happy Friday!

Yum Yum for Ice Cream and Hot Dogs!

Spring has definitely spring in Greensboro this week. trees are starting to bloom out. The above photo features pink blossoms hiding the roof of Yum Yum on Spring Garden Street. This is spring break for UNCG students and all is quiet on campus and at businesses near campus. Soon, students will return, these blossoms will be fading, and Yum Yum will be busy once again.  Yum Yum has been. Greensboro institution since 1906 when it was started by W.B. Aydelette, Sr. This ice cream and hot dog place has been a Greensboro tradition for many families. When students return to Greensboro for college events, when parents bring their children here for freshman orientation, visiting Greensboro is an important event.

As we approach spring and summer, some of the fruity flavors will start appearing on the menu. What is your favorite flavor? On their Facebook page, Yum Yum announced that mint chocolate chip is back on the menu. For many, the flavor conjures up memories of mint chocolate chip Girl Scout cookies. Yum Yum is definitely a place for making memories. It looks like more outdoor seating has been added.

Happy Thursday!

The Greensboro Skyline

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

Sherwin Williams

Today's photo features the Sherwin Williams paint center in the Dunleath neighborhood of east Greensboro and on Summit Avenue. We went into the store on a silly quest, to find out what color "Sherwin Williams" blue is. Nobody seemed to know, but we were pretty proud of our ability to come close to uncovering the color. We're pretty sure it is hyper blue. At any rate, just stopping by the store got us thinking about the company's purchasing of the Desoto Paint Plant on Howard Street- just off of Spring Garden Street. The Desoto Plant had been operating since 1959, after taking over Carolina Paint and Varnish (established in 1948), a subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck, and Company. If we're going the math correctly, it looks like Sherwin-Williams has been manufacturing paint in Greensboro since 2001.* There is also a plant on Stagecoach Trail.

It is interesting to learn about the manufacturing that is taking place in Greensboro and in North Carolina. Wondering if you buy S-W paint in Greensboro if it is made locally. Also wondering who names the pint colors. They seem to change a lot. The paint stores in Greensboro seem to be good at getting people who are great at mixing and offering suggestions (when asked).

 

*See news and record article here.

Gardner Bob's Homestead Kitchen

Since we've been in "that part of town" (Spring Garden Street between Chapman and Holden Road) this week, we thought we'd take you to one more business in the neighborhood. Today, we're at Gardner Bob's Homestead Kitchen. They are part bakery, part kombucha, pickles, and other healthy drinks. In the above photo, Sarah was making sandwiches for us. They happened to have a special going on and it was delicious. 

Gardner Bob's has been open since November 2023 and is located beside Hippo Records. The service is great and the bread and pastries are fresh. The owner, originally from Massachusetts, sells sourdough starter that has been alive for over 100 years. If you buy some, he will help you learn what to to keep it alive; same with SCOBY for kombucha. It is so wonderful to discover these local businesses around town. Stop by and check it out if you like to eat locally, sustainably,  and in a healthy way.

Happy Thursday!

Hippo Records

Every community needs a good record store. We had the opportunity to visit Hippo Records for the first time this past weekend. They are located at 2823 Spring Garden Street in the same plaza as Fentress Jewelry. If you haven't been in that part of town lately, it is worth a visit. There are some nice specialty shops there.  Hippo Records opened in 2013 and carries quite a variety of albums, from new chart toppers to used oldies-but-goodies.  According to laminate data, vinyl album sales have increased 300% over the last eight years. The younger generation is discovering that old-school sound.  In this digital era, vinyl isn't for everyone; however a sign of a thriving town is if there is something for everybody. Based on the crowd we saw Saturday, records are here to stay and this article is proof positive.

Happy Wednesday!

Fordhams Inside

Yesterday, we featured the exterior of Fordhams Cleaners. Today, we share an interior photo, at least how it looked on Saturday afternoon. 1900 Spring Garden Street just won't be the same without Fordhams. It was started in 1947 by Woodrow Fordham and managed to have a 78-year run. They did everything from clean draperies, wedding dresses and formalwear to wash and fold laundry. If you still need a good, old-fashioned dry cleaners, try Snow White. We featured them in 2009, the first year of Greensboro Daily Photo and they seem to still be going strong. (See HERE).

We've tagged this under the "then and now" category and will watch with great interest to see what this building becomes. That HVAC system looks like a giant, silver spider.

Happy Tuesday!

Fordham's Cleaners Has Left the Building

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

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

Happy Monday musings!

Daily Bread Flour

We love the Daily Bread Flour ghost sign on the building at the southwest corner of South Elm and West Gate City Boulevard. This is the area that houses the Continental Club, where there is great jazz music on Thursday nights. Also, it is the location of Greensboro's newest coffee shop, Back Stage. The coffee shop is so new, it doesn't even seem to have any social media presence. When we search it, a shop by the same name in Greenville, SC pops up. This area is known as the  Mill Entertainment Complex.

The building dates to 1912 and was renovated in 2008.  It was formerly the North State Milling Company an early 20th century industrial site.  Preservation Greensboro's Facebook page has the best explanation we've found about the history of the building. "he company was founded in 1912 and manufactured plain and self-rising cornmeal and flour, hen scratch, bran, and feed for livestock. Grain was brought to the site by truck and by rail where it was processed and held for distribution across the region. The original three-level building features a handsome corbelled brick cornice and exterior painted sign advertising Daily Bread Flour, but the interior of the building holds exceptional detailing as well. Remarkably well-preserved, these silos remain an integral part of the Mill. Recent renovations by building owner Eric Robert have exposed these silos in a way that is both historic, yet dramatically contemporary. Robert divided the tall vertical space by floor level, reusing the planks once part of the wall, as flooring. Although spaces are constructed of 100-year old wood, and conform to the dimensions of the original silos, the beautifully austere space is a minimalist setting that feels oddly futuristic."

Tonight and this weekend would be a great time to step inside and see this "oddly futuristic" look.

Happy Thursday!

Consider Taking a Class at Reconsidered Goods

Today's photo features K.D., Education and Community Outreach Associate at Reconsidered Goods. Reconsidered Goods (RG) is a creative reuse store, a sort of thrift shop for artists. They accept donations of almost anything that could  be used for a creative purpose, everything from scraps of fabric, to partial bottles of acrylic paint to broken necklaces with beads that could become a bracelet or new necklace with the imagination of an artist or crafter. The end goal is to keep as much as possible out of landfills.*  This past Sunday, K.D. (photographed above) co-lead a workshop with education team member Brianna (not photographed). The workshop involved creating patchwork quilted tote bags inspired by the Gee's Bend Quilters of Alabama. Here, K.D. is helping finish my bag as I decided to incorporate a double, interior pocket and K.D. helped make sure that the handles didn't sew through the pockets. Her patience, great smile,  and teaching style are to be commended. In the end, everyone went home with a unique, quilted bag.

K.D. was born and raised in Greensboro. After graduating from Page High School, she went on to earn a BFA from UNCG in sculpture and ceramics. She has always loved art and remembers learning to sew sitting on her mom's lap when she was a young child. She has worked at Reconsidered Goods for a year and a half and is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach at RG.  This upcoming weekend, RG is offering a two day sewing class. They will have machines, expertise, fabric, thread, scissors, pins, literally everything you need to learn to sew. It is such a fun environment to learn in. Our cohort joked that at one point, it felt a little like Project Runway with all of us trying to finish up our projects. One workshop participant drove all the way from Charlotte because they don't have a store comparable to RG. Here  is the bag I made, with a little help from K.D.

* They have a list of items they will and won't accept. For example, they will only accept clothing if it is vintage or a costume.

Back Stage Coffee Shop, Greensboro's Latest Gathering Spot

Greensboro’s newest coffee shop, Back Stage, is located next to the Continental Club, just south of Gate City Boulevard on South Elm Street. Conveniently situated near a spacious gravel parking lot, it offers ample off-street parking. Another amenity is that the shop features a large back room, available for community groups to host music performances and other events. One such event took place on Saturday;  a group gathered in the back room to discuss the contested election (Nov. 5, 2024)  between Jefferson Griffin and incumbent NC State Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs. It remains the only election with uncertified results in the United States.

 Mr. Griffin is seeking to have 60,000+ votes excluded from the count. Those whose votes were in question shared their perspectives on the circumstances leading to this situation and why they believe their votes should be counted. Regardless of political views or voting choices, on Presidents Day, it is important to appreciate the right to peaceably assemble and to have unabridged free speech. This very spacious coffee shop is a venue that will likely be used by many for music,  public dialogue, and other community events.

Valentines Day in a Few More Days

 

It is three more sleeps before Valentines Day. Do you celebrate? Are you ready? We were downtown this past weekend at Chandler's (formerly the Green Bean) and the place was really busy. It is nice to see downtown businesses doing well. Alexa was mixing specialty drinks almost as fast as people were ordering them. Lots of chocolate and some spirits were mixed, and the drinks all had cute names with a nod to love and chocolate. Espresso martinis were a big hit, as were the love and lattes.  There is lots oa artwork for sale and/or to look at. This area near the front window is so cozy and inviting

Chandler's hours may vary today depending on the weather. However, if they are open and you need a place to sit, have a great cup of coffee, and get some work done, this coffee shop is a great option.  Everybody needs a third space or two. Where are yours in Greensboro? Stay warm, and, as always, thank you for reading. We just love those arched windows on the Elm Street side of Chandler's. 

Happy Tuesday!

Resco Products Refractory Manufacture

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

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

Happy Thursday!

The Corner of Golden Gate & State Street at Twilight

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

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

Happy Wednesday!

Exploring the Southside of Greensboro

Southside at MLK Drive and Gorrell Street has many businesses open to the public. From coffee and smoothies to salons to Bump. Baby. Bliss.- a doula, counseling, ultrasound studio- Southside has an array of options. Bump.Baby.Bliss is the business featured in the foreground of today's photo. Some of these  townhomes have a living quarters upstairs and retail down below. It is possible to have work and home in the same building, be able to close the door and head upstairs, and not have to drive anywhere.

These businesses and living quarters are within walking distance to Elm Street. It is fun to stroll by explore this neighborhood.  The east side of Greensboro has seen a lot of changes  over the last decade. With the greenway, it appealing to people who like to run or bike after work without having to get in the car and drive somewhere. Come explore with us!

Happy Saturday!

At the Corner of Chapman & Spring Garden Streets

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

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

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

Friday Night In Lindley Park

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

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

Happy Saturday!

Freedom House Thrift

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

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

Happy Friday!

 

Moonrise Over Wendover Avenue

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

New Construction Along Fisher Ave. & Spring St.

To continue on the "downtown street scene" theme from yesterday's post, above is a view of the signage of the new apartment complex going up at the corner of West Fisher and North Spring Streets. For a while, this has been an underdeveloped part of town, but lately, it is experiencing a Renaissance. This is the best of all worlds; to reclaim land and put it to good use in an already-urban area and to help downtown businesses gain customers. Just beyond this two block-long complex is a string of businesses: Dog Days Boarding Grooming Day Care, Arrowhead Coffee, and Windshield Glass, to name a few.

We can imagine a boost in business for people who need a windshield replaced, a dog groomed, or a good cup of coffee, when all it entails is walking across the street. Oh, the downtown Greenway and Cycles de ORO are just a short walk in the other direction.  If you want to have a look at that part of town, we suggest starting at Arrowhead Coffee, where you can get a good cup of coffee and park and look for free.

Happy Tuesday!

A Mondrian Take on Perry's Service Center

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

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

Happy Monday!

 

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

Green Apple Garden, Brought to you by Susan, Jessica, and Mo

Susan, Jessica, and Mo are the creative force behind Green Apple Garden. Located at 1918 Bradford Street, just off State Street near Vida Pour Tea, Green Apple Garden is the entrepreneurial genius of this mother/daughter team. Their one-story house, formerly a psychologist's office, has been transformed into a greenhouse and creative art studio. The above photo was taken in the winter Garden Room; the other rooms are full of Susan's creative art projects. There are wooden architectural pieces, assembled into sculptures of cows and other critters. Susan turns old picture frames into shadow boxes and fills them with items that tell a magical story. She can take sticks and fabric  scraps and turn them into mushrooms in no time. Susan believes there is no one right way to create art, and she loves helping people gain confidence expressing their creativity.

Susan is a retired medical transcriber. Jessica is a receptionist for a veterinarian practice, where she has worked for 20+ years. She relocated to Greensboro from Florida last year, and continues to work remotely for the same veterinarian practice. Both want to create a vibrant space where community, encouragement, and creativity thrive.  For the past year, they have been working to meet compliance for the rezoning process. Once this rigorous process is complete, they plan to open as part shop and part hub for bring creative types to gather to make art and hone their artistic skills. Until they open as a shop, Susan will be offering small classes, providing lessons to help people create, and consulting about interior design.  She is open to others offering classes and  is also accepting consigners of art that fits with her creative aesthetic. Contact Susan at [email protected]

Happy Tuesday!

 

Sustainably Yours and the New State Street District

Retired teacher Michelle Japp is living her retirement dream by having started her own business, Sustainably Yours. She started in a retired school bus, which she still uses for pop ups. However, a few weeks ago, she opened her brick and mortar business in the back right corner of the business that was formerly The Saltbox,  at 2011 Golden Gate Drive at the corner of State Street. The store has been rebranded as The District, "a collective of shops, classes, and such." There are 8 small businesses in the building and Sustainably Yours is one of them. They are usually open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with each shop proprietor on site to work their respective businesses. 

This model is a low-risk way for people to start small and expand as their business dictates. It is a way for proprietors to interact with their clientele and to see the best direction for their business to grow. This collection of shops gives a real boost to State Street retail. We have always maintained that State Street is the closest street Greensboro has with a beach vibe. Starting with La Bamba and Bull City Ciderworks at the east end of the street to the now very-vibrant 400 block of State Street, down to The District and Cafe Pasta,  the State Street area just keeps getting better and better. Stop by and congratulate Michelle on her new venture. She is such an upbeat ray of sunshine!

Happy Friday!

The Legacy of the Wagoners Selling Christmas Trees

The Wagoners first got involved in trees through a 4-H project back in the 1940s. The Wagoners planted red cedars in Gibsonville to help raise money for their 16-year0old twins for college. Over the last 35 years, Greensboro residents have come to associate the name Fred and Dot Wagoner with Christmas tree lots.  The Wagoner business is now owned by Bradley Lowe who continues to use the Wagoner name. From arriving to the tree lot, under the multiple story inflatable snowman, to getting a Christmas tree wrapped and loaded in the car, the whole process of buying a live tree is meant to be a memory-maker for families. 

The above lot is located in the 1600 block of Battleground Avenue, beside Shannon Lee Furniture and the former location of McKay's Books.  You can't miss it. When we saw the lot on Friday, there were plenty of trees; however, we don't know how much longer they'll be set up. It is so much fun watching the little ones run through a tree lot. Fred died in 2011 and Dot died in 2020. * They are gone, but their legacy lives on.

Happy Monday! Happy day before Christmas Eve.

*See Dot's obituary, HERE.

33 & Elm Coffee Shop

33 & Elm Coffee Shop is located at the rear of the Industries for the Blind building on West Gate City Boulevard at Tate Street. The above photo only features a portion of the shop. It is clean, friendly, inviting, and the coffee products are very good. The staff is very nice also. Can you guess how the shop gets its name? Well, The Industries for the Blind opened 91 years ago in 1933. The original location was on Elm Street; hence, 33 & Elm. The actual Industries for the Blind in Greensboro manufactures, assembles, and distributes product in an effort to eliminate barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired. There is also a National Industries of the Blind. 

The coffee shop is located in an area that is really taking off. Oden Brewing is close. UNCG has built across the street and is putting a community based art space on the other side of Tate Street at West Gate City. The coffee shop also serves the Glenwood neighborhood. The shop will continue to grow and grow. Manager George Hoyt is such a warm and welcoming person and will remember you once you've visited a time or two. If you have a little extra time over the end of December, or you have out of town guests, consider taking them here. Oh, and if you go today, it is 1/2-price, specialty-drink Wednesday.  If you happen to be the customer behind us in line when we are there today, we'll treat you to a specialty coffee! Let's fill this space with love... and customers!

Happy Wednesday!

Bookstores, Booksellers, and Librarians

Coffee shops are such charming places to meet up with friends and downtown Greensboro has at least eight now. All take on their own unique character. However, when you add a bookstore into the mix, the charm is even greater. The above photo was taken in Scuppernong Books in the 300 Block of South Elm recently, reminding us of just how fabulous bookstores are. Scuppernong is always having special events, book club meetings, author talks and more. They also have employee picks and sales associates  make great recommendations based on customers' preferences.

Physical book reading appears to be on the rise. Some say Gen Z is bringing back reading. According to "Toner Buzz",  in 2021, young adult fiction saw a 30.7% increase in sales and 843.1 million print books were sold in the U.S. A slightly alarming statistic is that 41% of all new books sales are on Amazon. Wouldn't it be nice if we all purchased and gave books for Christmas this year.  The smell of a new book, the sound of the pages, and the ensuing conversations keeps us going back to local bookstores. We love to buy a best seller and loan it to friend after friend so they can bypass the long waitlists at at the library. However, the Greensboro Public Library network is as fine as it gets. You can buy a friend a "Friend of the Library" membership or make a donation on their behalf. this Christmas. So, buy some books locally, donate to the library, and sit and sip your coffee or tea while entering the magical world of reading. We're hoping Santa brings us that James Patterson and Matt Eversmann book called, "The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians."

Happy Friday the 13th!

Small Business Saturday at Just Be

Small business seems to have been a success in downtown Greensboro where all of the retail stores are small businesses. The above photo features Joseph Leonard of WFMY-2 News who was interviewing Kathryn Hashemi of Just Be. Just Be is a carefully curated gift shop at the corner of McGee and South Elm Street. Kathryn has owned Just Be for about six years, but the store has been going strong in that location since 2005.  The store is a perfect blend of items crafted by local artists to international, fair trade items. Jewelry, great candles, scarves, clothing, and puzzles are just a few of the items in the store. She also has quite a selection for small children. She is so personable and prides herself in knowing her regular customers and what they like. Some of us go in and ask "What's new that we need Kathryn?" and she usually quickly finds something perfect that we end up purchasing.

After Joseph was finished interviewing Kathryn, we interviewed him for Greensboro Daily Photo. Originally from Lexington, South Carolina. Joseph is a multi-media journalist with a degree from the University of South Carolina, now working for WFMY. He is so personable and interviewing him and being interviewed by him feels like talking to an old friend. Yes, he turned the tables on us for a quick interview about what we find special about shopping the small businesses. Of course we said the connection to the people who start out as proprietors and quickly become friends- like Kathryn.

Happy Tuesday! Three more sleeps until the Festival of Lights!

Hudson's Hill Has Relocated to 314 S. Elm St.!

Hudson's Hill, formerly in the 500 block of South Elm Street, in the old Coe's Grocery Building, relocated to 314 South Elm on Black Friday. After less than a week in the new location, they are already seeing increased foot traffic. This local store is known for its jeans, Greensboro shirts and sweatshirts, and leatherwork. They have jeans that still have a Greensboro connection. One of the owners, Evan Morrison, uses original machinery from closed Greensboro textile mills to weave denim for jeans. Hudson's Hill also carries Susan Ridenhour's pottery and many other products with a Greensboro connection.

The above photo features Tinker Clayton, one of the owners, and one of his employees, Jenny. We first spoke at length to Jenny because Tinker was busy setting up VHS Christmas movies in the storefront window. We guess when someone needs to patiently wait for their friend or partner to shop or get a fitting, they can sit in the window and watch old VHS tapes.

Hudson's Hill was open in the former location for 13 years. They have barely scratched the surface of filling the above space with inventory and equipment to make even more products on site. They have big plans, combined with all the talent it takes to make quality products, the old-fashioned way. This is the ultimate place to buy local and to learn about Greensboro's tradition as a mill town. It is so nice to see the Miller Furniture Store put to good use after being empty for decades. With a little arm twisting, Mr. Miller agreed to rent to Hudson's Hill. Perhaps he has been waiting all these years for just this type of tenants- people who value quality, tradition, and connection to community. Check out Hudson's Hill at the Festival of Lights this Friday.

Yes, dear readers, it is already December!  Happy Monday!

Thanksgiving 2024

Happy Thanksgiving. Today, we are thankful for family, friends, our wonderful city of Greensboro, and especially for you, dear readers.

Today's photo is of REI in the new side of Friendly Center. You may wondering why we are featuring retail, especially a chain store on Thanksgiving. Here is the story.  We were in there earlier in the week and helped by a very cheerful and capable associate, who has worked for REI since the 1990s. In the course of our conversation, he mentioned that the store would be closed on Thursday and Friday; that employees would get the two days off with pay. Corporate chooses to opt out of the Black Friday buying frenzy to give employees time to be with their families. They also encourage it to be a time to get outdoors and "camp, climb, cycle, paddle, and travel"; to do all the things they sell equipment for. We found that policy so inspiring. The policy addresses mental, physical, even spiritual health of workers; and for that, we are thankful. 

If you are an essential worker, we thank you for your service today and tomorrow. For all who are working, we hope you carve a little food and fellowship into your day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Joanne Rich Spring Garden Bakery

Today's photo features local collage artist Joanne Rich. Joanns has won numerous awards for her artwork.  Most recently, she won an award in 2024 for her post card sized collage "In My Mind's Eye." This  award came from the National Collage Society's Small Format Exhibition. Joanne, originally from New York, has lived in Barcelona, Tennessee and South Carolina.

While Joanne is an educator by training, she also spends considerable time on her artwork. If you look at her website, you can see more of her intricately detailed work. You can also purchase pieces of her work- great for holiday giving. The above photo was taken at Spring Garden Bakery where we met Joanne for a cup of coffee and to see this table in person. At the time we got together, the table top was in progress. It is now completed.

Happy Monday!

Made for the Holidays

The above photo was taken at an artists and crafters event at the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville. We are reminded that another crafters event will be held on December 4th from 11:00 am- 4:00 pm at the Greensboro Curb Market. However, if you have the opportunity, there is a fabulous market  today, at the Corner Market on West Market Street and Kensington, crafters will be there from the River Arts District in Asheville, North Carolina. There will be one of a kind apparel, accessories, and more. From the photos we've seen, the items are beautiful and so unique.

It is so important and meaningful to shop local. Every locally made gift comes with a story and with a person behind it being supported because of your purchase. With this cold weather, indeed, it's beginning to feel a lot like winter, which will be here, officially, on Saturday, December 21st.

Happy Saturday!

 

The O. Henry Hotel During a Golden Sunset

Thursday nights are pretty special at the O. Henry Hotel. In addition to great food and a bustling bar scene, Thursdays, Live Jazz is provided in the hotel lobby. The music, played from 6-9 p.m., has been a weekly tradition since 2015.  The hotel, itself, was built in 1998 making it 26 years old. The hotel itself, and the events scheduled there, make it feel like a European hotel. Afternoon tea is an example of a European tradition  at the hotel.

The above photo, taken last night during the golden hour for photography, shows a red glow of the building. the scene was intensified by the vibrant sunset and the lingering red and orange on the trees. We hope you enjoy this Friday afternoon; it is the weekend before Thanksgiving. We hope you have a chance to get out and explore the many great places of Greensboro.

Burlap Circus Quintet at Common Grounds Coffee Shop in Langley Park

Last night, at Common Grounds on Elam in Lindley Park, quite a crowd came out to support Burlap Circus, a group of five musicians. They were playing some original singer/songwriter songs  with a full band. (The drummer is hidden). They also played instrumentals. The lead singer 's voice was very strong. We didn't get her name, but she is in the middle, playing guitar in the above photo. We can't find out information about the band online, but we do know that the members are in the Popular Music & Technology Program at UNCG. This program, also known as PopTech was established in 2022. According to their website, the program helps develop students' skills as performers, singer-songwriters, producers, beat-makers, and composers with a strong emphasis on 21st century technology. It seems like it is a perfect major to prepare musicians for a career in performing.

It was nice to see many students come out and support students in their same program. Also, Common Grounds does a great job of giving musicians an opportunity to perform. While they had Burlap Circus booked for last night, Thursdays is open mic, giving many local musicians, who want to share a couple of songs, an opportunity to perform. As a community, we are lucky, Greensboro has so much live music. We're guessing Burlap Circle is a relatively new band. We do know we want to hear more music by them as they gave a great performance last night.

Happy Saturday!

LifeFit, a Mind-Body Practice & Wellness Business

Today's photo, by guest photographer Rose Fama, features a yoga session at Life FitYoga. You can tell from the photo, the atmosphere is calm and inviting and participants are engaged in the session.  LifeFit classes are offered at The Performing Arts Center (7200 Summerfield Road), in Summerfield, just north of Greensboro. LifeFit owner Mona Flynn has been leading classes for over 30 years. She has a doctoral degree in kinesiology from UNCG and is especially skilled in  helping clients determine what practices are the best for their given needs. She is credentialed to work with clients at all ability needs and all age levels. Mona is the founder and Board of Directors Chair for a 501c3, The Yoga Connection. Greensboro is lucky to have such an experienced, capable person who works tirelessly to help others.

New LifeFit classes start this week.  There are seven weekly classes and something for all ability levels. To learn more about class offerings, to register, or to talk with Mona about your specific needs, see the LifeFit website, HERE.  The first class is always free and Mona will help you determine which class is the best fit for you. 

Happy Wednesday. Namaste!

Revolution Mill on Yanceyville Street

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

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

Oh what a beautiful Saturday it will be.

Carol Poling, Thrill of the Hunt

The above photo features Carol Poling who owns "Thrill of the Hunt" Estate Sales. She is standing in the stairwell of the house at 1007 N. Elm Street where she was running the estate sale at the property all weekend. Carol was in awe of how meticulously arranged the owner had all of her many collections: Original artwork, pottery, an extensive book collection, beautiful furniture, glassware and more. This seven bedroom, four bathroom house also had a bar and ballroom- running the length of the house- on the third floor. The ballroom was used for social gatherings (likely during prohibition). Carol and her staff had to price every single item. Every. Single. Item. By Sunday, the house was almost empty and most of the people we talked to on Sunday had already attended the sale at least once.

You may remember Carol from her brick-and-mortar days. Since 2003, she has been selling vintage items and antiques in Greensboro. She first opened a store at 604 South Elm Street and then moved to a larger location at  3122 Battleground Avenue near Lowe's. Now, Carol works estate sales only. Carol has a keen sense of market value and what items will sell for in the Greensboro market. She has boundless energy. As people called her name, she ran up and down all those stairs like a teenager.

We don't think we'd seen  Carol since brick-and-mortar years. In retail, friendships get cultivated, especially when the proprietor is on site. Sometimes you don't realize how much you've missed someone, until you see them again. Yesterday, we had a great little reunion, and, as you can see from the photo, hard work has kept Carol fit and looking young!

Happy Monday. We hope you get some rest, Carol. Until the next estate sale!

Music for Jay at Oden Brewing

Yesterday, we shared a photo from the event "Live Like Jay" Day at Oden Brewing Company. Today, we're featuring a view of the music that was happening at the event. The musicians were assembled by Tim Litchfield, who works at Burkley Communities. Most of the pickers are members of the Piedmont Old Time Society. Oden Brewing hosts a lot of live music events in this area. The brewery is actually in the pinkish brick building in the background. Oden Brewing is surrounded by three houses in the process of being restored.  This photo was taken on the porch of one of them.

Oden Brewing has done so much to perk up the 800 block of West Gate City Boulevard.  The Odens are renovating 3 houses on the property. The lot between Oden and Tate Street will have an art venue belonging to UNCG. The Odens are working hard to build community and the event we featured, yesterday and today, is an example of this effort. A big thank you goes out to everyone involved in this event.

Read more about Oden Brewing HERE.

Happy Friday!

Tee Pee Rental

Old Wolf Tee Pee Rental popped up at 2505 Pisgah Church Road in September at the time of Pow Wow. We were thinking that the Tee Pees were always available. However, the display disappeared at the end of Pow Wow. The word tee pee comes from the Lakota language, meaning "they dwell". Tee pees allow people to be more nomadic. They can be assembled and disassembled quickly. Their construction makes them livable in hot and cold weather alike. Hopefully, they will be back for the next Pow Wow. Weekends are a great tie for you to get out and see what you can see

Happy Saturday!

Fall Is Pumpkin Time!

Tis fall and pumpkin season is upon up. It seems like every few years a new variety of pumpkin is trending. This year, it seems to be the striped ones. Traditionally, the first pumpkins of the season we saw were the ones at Centenary UMC on Friendly Avenue. Now that that congregation has been dissolved, the first pumpkins we've seen this year are at Fresh Market. They have a lovely display in front of both stores. The above photo was taken at the Jefferson Village store. The sky was so beautiful, we just had to capture a photo.

Unless they are already on shelves in Greensboro, pumpkins may be a little harder to come by this year. According to the NC Cooperative Extension, most of the pumpkin production in North Carolina takes place in the western counties where  disease pressure is lower (reference).  The you pick option is open for pumpkins at Rudd Farm and some of the proceeds from sales the weekend will go to Hurricane Helene relief. If you are able, consider buying from local farmers. As the weather cools, nothing says fall more than pumpkins... oh, and pumpkin spice. Speaking of fresh market, they even have pumpkin spice popcorn, "Poppy" brand from Asheville. (We only found it at the Jefferson Village location).

Happy Friday from the Great pumpkin lovers at Greensboro Daily Photo!

Brad Light, Barnes & Noble College Division

 

Brad Light, originally from Morgantown, West Virginia, is General Manager of the Barnes and Noble College Division in the Greensboro area. In the above photo, he is at the bookstore on UNCG's campus, where he has worked for 28 years. Yesterday, we had a chance to ask Brad about bookselling in the digital era. Brad explained that, over the course of his career,  the majority of requests are for materials have gone from being physical copies of books to digital materials. To address this shift, Barnes & Noble has initiated a program called "First Day Complete."  

As stated on their marketing materials,  "UNCG First Day® Complete is a course materials delivery program (rental) that lowers the cost of course materials and ensures undergraduate students have their required course materials on the first day of class." Students pay $19 per course hour to receive all of the textbooks and digital materials needed for their courses. The program has been extremely successful, with the majority of students using this option. According to Brad, the program is a great one, but it is actually more labor intensive than stacking books on shelves.

It is always a pleasure to talk to Brad. He works hard to meet the needs of the UNCG students, faculty, and staff-- and does it with a smile.

Happy Wednesday!