Greensboro Daily Photo

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!

Eggstravaganza in Downtown Greensboro!

Today is the day for the Downtown Greensboro Truliant Eggstravaganza. There are hidden eggs and prizes throughout downtown. Participating businesses have eggs hidden in their establishment and if you find one and show a picture of the egg at the register, you'll receive an egg with a prize. The event is happening today and tomorrow. Read HERE for more details. In the above photo, Lauren and Allen of Healthy Boro Fitness and Nutrition Shop were toting bags of eggs to their juice and smoothie shop, Healthy Boro is located at 106 Paisley Street, just north of the Marriott. 

For the last four years, Lauren and Allen have been providing customers with nutritional liquid meals and more. They are such an upbeat, positive couple. Spend a few minutes around them and you will feel the positive energy of this husband and wife team. Stop by their store tomorrow and hunt for an Easter egg and you just may win one of the big prizes. Lauren and Allen carried these large bags of Easter eggs all the way from 536 South Elm Street to their shop on Paisley. That is a pretty long walk! Healthy Boro is not open on Saturday, so, if you want to earn one of those eggs, see them today. Some businesses are participating on Friday and Saturday. We had to laugh because we spotted Lauren and Allen when we were at the corner of McGee and South Elm. By the time we ran to catch up with them, they were already in front of Scuppernong Book Sellers! Meeting them was well worth the run. Happy Friday!

Butterfly Effect 2022

 

The Butterfly Effect is a beautiful arts and crafts venue at 3319 Sandy Ridge Road near the Farmer's Market.  We had the chance to visit in 2020, just before the pandemic shut everything down. This past Saturday, we stopped by to say hello to owner, Helene Avraham-Katz, and of course to shop a little. The shop is as cute as ever and well stocked with items by over 50 vendors. This past Saturday, she held a special event with even more vendors who set up for the day. Featured in the above photo are (from left to right), Yahav, Lisa (with Daisy, a dog she is fostering), Helene, Leah, and Heather. You can tell by the smiles, the shop is a joyous place to be.

Helene has beat pancreatic cancer twice and approaches every day with happiness and optimism. On the right of the counter, you can see the memoir she wrote about her life and journey back to health. The title is "The Butterfly Effect."  Helene is a very open person and after spending a few minutes in her store, you will start to feel like family. You will sense the ripple of energy characteristic of the butterfly effect. Today, we learned that twenty one years ago, Helene and her family immigrated to the USA from South Africa, as opposed to going to Australia because it was easier to bring  dogs into the United States. For Australia, themdogs would have had to quarantine for six months. Australia's loss has been a big gain for Greensboro!

Currently, the store is making T-shirts in support of Ukraine. They are $15 for  regular t-shirts and $18 for wicking shirts. To the right of Heather, you can see the front of the shirts, with the sunflower. On the back, they say "Peace for Ukraine". All profits will be given to the UNICEF Organization to help children in Ukraine. Please support this organization that is centered on building community, locally and internationally.

 

See the 2020 GDP post HERE.

The Sage Mule

Well, it's the weekend and people are talking about the great scratch-made breakfasts and Sunday brunch at The Sage Mule. In November of 2019, the restaurant opened at 608 Battleground Avenue. It is located at the end of a strip of establishments that are becoming quite the destination. On Wednesday, when we were out walking on National Walking Day, we walked through Green Hill Cemetery and on the walk back to town, this is the view. Look how lovely this side of the restaurant is here with the Adirondack chairs, dried grasses, and rock garden. If you look to the left of the pergola, you can see signage for the Sage Mule. This view is very different from the Battleground side. It is fun to look at things from a fresh perspective, be it a situation in your life, or a very special downtown restaurant.

Happy Friday! May you find great things and restaurants to explore around town. Right now, we're trying to plan our trip to the Sage Mule and deciding between something savory or the cinny buns, which are so deliciously decadent they should be called sin-ny buns!

Joymongers and the Ambience Downtown Yesterday

Yesterday was a glorious spring day, with the temperature soaring to 80, and downtown was teeming with people excited to be outside. The above photo was taken in front of Joymongers at 576 North Eugene Street at the tiny LoFi Park. This little slice of joy is a favorite of people who like outdoor activities. We're not sure of the name of the woman leading the exercise session here, but it was wonderful. She is the woman with the red balloon was explaining to the group that having something in your hands, regardless of how light, helps engage the core muscles. Participants seemed to be enjoying the session. If you know about this session, please let us know. Obviously, it was planned as people arrived with equipment and wearing exercise clothes.

It was so nice yesterday, people were out running and walking their dogs. The first Wednesday in April is National Walking Day*, so if you were out walking yesterday you participated in this national event. We were walking and, as we were returning, we noticed the Lincoln Financial Group building in the background. It is always fun to feature a slice of what was known as the "JP Building" in our downtown photos.

Happy Thursday!

*if you read this article about National Walking Day, you will learn some really interesting facts like tennis shoes wear out after 500 miles and that people walk 65,000 miles in their lifetime. These aren't Greensboro-specific statistics, but if you walk a lot, you will find them interesting.

Furniture Market in Full Swing

Down the road in High Point, Furniture Market is in full swing. Even for those without special entry badges, there is plenty to see just walking around downtown. Market is a time to feel really proud of the furniture industry in Guilford County. It is the largest trade show in the world for the furnishings industry. The whole community pulls together to make the experience special and productive for people buying and showing. 

The above photo was taken outside of the Eichholtz showroom. Eichholtz, a Dutch company, has had a showroom on Hamilton Street since fall 2019. This stately building has 30 ft. windows and reflecting pools out front. Inside, it is 20,000 feet of furniture, lighting, and modern design. The above view gives a feel of the elegance of market. While the event is in High Point, not Greensboro, the excitement spills over into Greensboro. With over 75,000 people attending market, motel rooms fill and restaurants are booked.  To be sure, the venues really sparkles on sunny days! 

Happy Tuesday!

It's Prom Time for Guilford County Schools!

It's prom time for Greensboro and Guilford County high schools, and this year promises to feel like life back to normal. No masks needed. The expenses of prom can be great; however, there are ways to keep costs down. Above, you see a sampling of the prom dresses available at the Goodwill Store on Lawndale Avenue near Harris Teeter and Target. They have at least 1,000 dresses available, organized by color. The collection has been closely curated and the dresses all look good-as-new. This Goodwill is located on the edge of the Irving Park neighborhood; where residents are in the position do donate generously.

Prices range from $9.99 to $99, depending on brand and style. They also have sparkly, shiny high heel shoes, ranging in price from $6.99 to $19.99. If you are in the position to sponsor a high schooler in financial need, consider bringing them here and treating them to prom attire. Yesterday afternoon, there were so many young shoppers having a blast selecting prom dresses. Standing in the aisle, we overheard, "You would look great in this dress." "I love this dress, but it is not my size." "Bree would look great in this dress." It is so heartwarming to see young people happy and having fun- just like old times.

How wonderful that it is cool to buy used. It is better for the environment and better for the pocketbook.

Happy Saturday!

Utility Line Construction Services

Utility Line Construction Services, ULCS, has been on Walker Avenue for at least a couple of weeks working on the Duke Power Lines. We're not sure what they are doing, but it appears to be a major job involving the actual lines, and doesn't appear to involve cutting trees. It is fun to watch the workers as they move around in the buckets. Of course you have to be careful and keep your distance, but, if you had "truck-obsessed" little ones, they would delight in seeing this set up. The above crew is stationed in the 1700 block of Walker Avenue between UNCG and Lindley Park. You have to allow a little extra time to navigate as the road is closed. However, everyone wants their power to be fully functioning, so a little detour once in a while is a small price to pay to have power!

It is Friday and, while it is not First Friday, there will be plenty to do in Greensboro. Remember the new policy is in effect where you can walk along the "Downtown Greensboro Social District" with cups of wine, beer, or mixed drinks from a bar or restaurant within the district. To date, the merchants we've talked to are reacting favorable. Of course, be sure not to drink and drive. Have a great weekend. If you missed St. Patrick's Day last night, maybe someone will have a cup of green brew left for you!

Ghassan's Fresh Mediterranean Eats

We love to find scenes in Greensboro that evoke scenes of famous artists. While waiting for our order at Ghassan's on Battleground the other night, this scene reminded us so much of an Edward Hopper painting. His scenes are never crowded or cluttered, feature a person or two, and have a lot of emphasis on geometric shapes. At least, that is what we felt as we were waiting for our food. Ghassan's features mediterranean food that is cooked fresh to order. They offer catering, take out, food trucks, eat in, grub hub; just about any way you want food, they can serve it up. We love seeing that red food truck in the window when we are there. The saturated color and contrast adds to the mood, making it very Hopper-esque.

As for the food, when you are in the mood for a wrap, sub, beef or chicken platter, great sauces and dips, Ghassan's is a great option. It has been locally owned and operated since 1975. There have been lots of successful spin offs, but they don't seem to be impacting this little taste of Lebanon, right here in Greensboro. While the flagship store (at Gate City Boulevard) closed in 2020, the other locations and the food truck continue to thrive. The Ghassan's at LeBauer Park on Davie Street seems to have been a good move for the restaurant. 

Happy Saturday, regardless of what or where you decide to eat!

Hellebores In Full Bloom

Hellebores, also known as Lenten roses and  Christmas roses are not actually related to roses. They are a herbaceous, flowering perennial. Hellebores love and do well in cold weather. They are always one of the first flowers to bloom in the dead of winter. We acquired ours from a persona friend, plus a few from the Greensboro Farmers Market on Yanceyville Street. Once established, they are known for being hardy. 

Local Gardner, Janice Nicholson is known as the Hellebore Lady. She runs Gethsemane Gardens Nursery, just north of Greensboro on Highway 150. The nursery was started on a farm that formerly produced tobacco. While hellebores aren't always available, when they are, Janice brings them to the farmers market. We really like this deep, reddish purple of our plants; however, there are so many varieties, it would be fun to grow more. Speaking of growing, it is almost March and it is getting to be time to think about gardening.

Happy Thursday!

Spring is Just Around the Corner

If you were out driving on the north end of Glenwood on Haywood Street, behind the Kaplan Center for Wellness, you would have seen this landscaping crew hard at work. In this day and age, the internet if full of people complaining about others. Our post today is something along the lines of "caught being good"! As we drove by, we noticed everyone on the crew was working quickly and efficiently as a team. We stopped to ask if they were mulching or making major changes; they let us know they were mulching. We drove by their truck to and saw that this crew was truck 23 of Bland Landscaping Company. 

Bland is a full service landscaping company established in 1976. They serve the whole Piedmont area and the Costal Carolinas. Bland doesn't appear to have an office in Greensboro, but they service the area and have some big accounts here and we can see why. Whether you are going to do your own yard work, or if you are going to hire a landscaping company, today's photo reminds us it is time to start scheduling the work

Happy Wednesday!

Almost Valentine's Day

It is almost valentines day and we're head over heels in love with all of the Valentine's Day window displays around town. The above window is at the Green Bean Coffee House at 341 South Elm Street. The window decorations are so cute and we like the store name in the middle window, a graphic that is a great marketing tool. The Green Bean has been a Greensboro institution since 2002; that's twenty years of good coffee and good times. 

If you are looking for something to do today for an early Valentine's Day celebration, consider going to one of the farmers markets, and later one of the brew pubs. Almost all of them are offering something extra special this weekend. To be sure, we'll be heaving to the Full Circle Market at Oden Brewing today from 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm. There will be artists and vendors at their 2nd Saturday market. It doesn't look like the Green Bean is hosting any special events today, but they are always opening to having events if you are looking for a venue.

Have a great Saturday and don't forget to tell those special people in your life that you love them- everyday, but especially on Saturday.

Fiber Space

There is a new kid on the block in downtown Greensboro, Fiber Space at 227 South Elm Street. We got a little chuckle, because, at first glance, we thought that Fiber Space was "fiber" as in yarn and wool. Remember, Gate City Yarns is only a few doors down at 231 South Elm! Actually, Fiber Space is not a yarn store or knitting space. It is a downtown workspace for people who are starting up businesses or who people who need work space away from home. Fiber Space is a black, veteran, female-owned cowering flex space. With the "Baked Downtown" bakery right beside Fiber Space, you can work your heart away in this comfortable space and head out for a croissant break, almost without leaving the building!

You may recognize this cozy space as for years it has been a clothing a store, for a good while, it was Anne Marie, and they Michelle's. If you are interested, check out the membership plans at Fiber Space. They range from $50- $100 a month. You can also get drop-in day passes. Fiber Space will also host special events. Join them tomorrow for the "Ain't No Love Spades Tournament" tomorrow night at 7:00 pm. 

Happy Friday!

Abba Design

In 2020, in the height of the pandemic, we featured the designers at Abba Design because they installed a lovely wall of live flowers in front of Wesley Long Hospital on Friendly Avenue. Tuesday, we were out doing a little urban walking and passed by their studio at 700 North Eugene Street. The outside of the studio is decorated so beautifully for Valentines Day. The designers at Abba plan and coordinate florals for weddings, offer subscription services for florals, and will provide you with lovely holiday decorating. They also handle corporate and price accounts. While we haven't booked anything for Valentines Day, as we were walking by, we just had to stop and admire the display on site. Every table had a bouquet of flowers on it. The fact that the late afternoon was sunny created dramatic shadows and made the red flowers and decorations simply pop.

So many of the stores in downtown Greensboro have displays for Valentines Day. Even if Abba is already booked for the holiday,  is never too late to do a little something for the special people in your life. You should even consider treating yourself to a floral subscription service.

Happy Wednesday!

Liquid Nitrogen

Have you ever driven behind a truck full of liquid nitrogen? It is so interesting. That black sign below the green one reads, "venting of vapor is normal during operation." We're sure people have called on more than one occasion saying that a truck was "smoking." If you look at the street signs on the left, you can see that the vehicle was at the corner of Josephine Boyd and Oakland Avenue. The truck was quite large and the driver masterfully made that left turn. It took a while, but he did it. Airgas uses cryogenic storage dewars (vacuum flasks) to transport very cold liquid gasses.

Here is a link to learn about all of the uses for nitrogen. Sometimes while out driving, it is easy to hyper focus on getting from Point A to Point B; however, when you stop and observe just what vehicles are around you and what they are doing, it is really interesting. We've never seen an Airgas truck before, but then maybe we've just never noticed. According to the internet, there is a store on East Market Street. Since this large truck was turning onto Oakland between UNCG and the railroad tracks, we're betting they were filling an order for UNCG. Actually, just possibly, it was turning because it would not fit under the underpass over Josephine Boyd. At any rate, it was interesting waiting behind the truck that looked like it was vaping!

Happy Tuesday.

Syngenta, U.S. Headquarters on Swing Road

Have you ever noticed the Syngenta building out by I_40 in west Greensboro. The campus, with mature trees, and Building F (photographed above) that reflects the sky, especially at sunset. Syngenta was formed in 2000 with the merger of Novartis and AstraZenica, both agrichemical businesses. In 2015, they were acquired by China National Chemical Corporation. In 2020, Syngenta Group was formed, a conglomeration of Syngenta, Adama, and SinoChem. Syngenta and all of the other producers of agricultural chemicals that have been folded into Chem-China, are China's biggest foreign acquisitions.

While the Syngenta headquarters is in Switzerland, Greensboro is home to the U.S. Headquarters which is located on Swing Road. We're betting that with all of the agri-business courses and STEM majors at N.C. A.&T. University in Greensboro, there is tremendous opportunity for local students to work at Syngenta locally, and also abroad. As we drove around the area, we realized the Cooper's Ale House relocated right across the street. Syngenta employees can walk across the street and get a great meal without having to get in their cars!

Have a great Monday!

Street Scene along McGee and South Elm Street

Last time we were downtown shopping at Just Be (corner of McGee and South Elm Street), we looked out the window and this scene just struck us a memorable view of winter. And, since the groundhog saw his shadow yesterday, we guess we should brace ourselves for 6 more weeks of winter.* Something about the festive wind chimes, the snow, that brand new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and the lights from the Green Bean Coffee House all came together for an instant and made a beautiful scene. If you look at Greensboro Daily Photo regularly, you know that yesterday's vehicle was Carolina blue. Perhaps it is only fitting that today we feature one that is closer to Duke blue!

Enjoy your Thursday and, if you get a chance, head downtown and enjoy the shops and restaurants. If you get a chance, wash your car. There has been a lot of salt on the road. Maybe the rain today will help with the salt!

 

*By the way, regardless of what the groundhog did and didn't see, February 2nd is precisely six weeks away from the spring equinox.

Spring Garden Bakery & Coffeehouse

Spring Garden Bakery & Coffeehouse has been a Greensboro institution since the 1980s. It is the oldest still-open bakery in Greensboro. The above photo features Alex, on the left, and Trent, on the right. They were working behind the counter on the day we went in for a coffee and granola bar. Those granola bars are filling, packed with nutrition and have been a staple of ours for 25 years. Also, it is one place you can be sure to get a fresh cup of coffee even at those non-peak times of day.

However, even better than the coffee and baked goods is the baristas. Alex and Trent love working at the bakery and are so knowledgeable. When we were there, Trent briefed us on the difference between macchiato, Cuban coffee, flat whites, cappuccino, and lattes. Usually we're black coffee drinkers, but sometimes, when in the presence of experts, we work on expanding our palate. Spring Garden Bakery, located on (you guessed it) Spring Garden Street is just the place to dry something different. The bakery is located at the east end of a the building that used to house Red Wing Shoes & Repair and Holliday Hardware.*

Happy Monday, stop by and meet Alex and Trent, if you get a chance- especially if you like to talk coffee. 

* (see a 2010 photo of the outside of the building HERE).

Artistic Motion Dance School of Arts and Preparatory Academy

Today, we conclude the photo shoot at Prescott Street with the rear view of the building where Artistic Motion Dance School of Arts and Preparatory Academy is housed. While the address is 800 West Smith Street, the building is right across the street from the house we featured yesterday and next door to the office building featured on Monday. The decoration of the back of the building is brilliant advertising. Smith Street is one way and if you take the street into town, you cannot possibly miss this building. If you notice, the sheet between the slivers of windows is made from giant vinyl banners. The part at the end of the building and between buildings is paint that matches the colors of the banner perfectly. The lines for the parking spaces accentuate the geometry of the building. 

Artistic Motion was founded in 2000. According to their website, they have an internationally acclaimed faculty with dancers from Russia, Georgia (the country), The Dominican Republic, England, and from many prestigious dance programs throughout the United States. They offer classes from ages 3-adulthood. The studio is conveniently located and there is plenty of parking. Perhaps the greatest news about Artistic Motion is that it is currently in partnership with Triad International Ballet, a new professional ballet company set to begin their first season in 2022! If you have ever seen a performance from dancers at Artistic Motion, you know the talent and precision of the dancers.

 Happy Wednesday! May we all find the beauty in the people and places of Greensboro. May we all have the positive outlook and commitment to perfection of artists in motion!

1007 Battleground Avenue Between Prescott and Hill Streets

For those of you who used to eat at the Mexico Restaurant at 1007 Battleground Avenue between Prescott and Hill Street, this is the building that has replaced it. As you can see, this building will be office space, available this summer. It is conveniently located at the Downtown Greenway. The people who work here will be able to bike on their lunch breaks, head to Cycles D'Oro to get new bike gear or plan rides over lunch. For the active person, this office building  is a great location!  This building represents the trend for the north and north western end of downtown to attract new, multi-floor structures. 

It is always fun to see buildings in process and this one is very colorful now. Over the next few weeks, it will look very different. We would like to suggest that the offices in this building all get together and have weekly Taco Tuesdays in memory of all the great tacos served on site in the previous couple of decades. They could even have a "Spanish-only" lunch chat; at least one such group had their conversation group meet here.  Change can be really good for a city; but, it is also nice to keep a record of what preceded the change. For our readers who like our urban walking suggestions, if you get a chance, go walk Prescott Street (between Smith and Battleground), you will see everything from a dance studio, to construction materials, to personal residences, and now, this brand new office building. The other side of the building is closer to Hill Street. This photo was taken from the Prescott Street side.

Happy Monday!

Gilley Small Engine Service

Giley Small Engine Service is a small business off of the northern end of Guilford County and Southern end of Rockingham County. Their address is specifically listed as Stokesdale. If you drive up 220 north, just south of Highway 158 on Spotswood Circle, just east of Highway 73. If you are out driving around, it is fun to seek out these old-time mom and pop businesses. Gilley is one of those places where the owner does most of the work. If you need your chainsaw or lawnmower repaired, chipper shredder or pressure washer, this would be a good place to take your small engine . It is getting harder and harder to find places that make repairs. Sometimes, it is almost easier to buy something new than to repair.

If the weather holds out this weekend, it is fun to drive around town, but it is also fun to drive 10-15 miles in any direction of the city and explore a little. We hope the weather holds out so we can can get out and explore some more places this weekend. Happy Friday and stay warm!

Danny's Restaurant

The eponymous Danny's Restaurant, located at 2109 New Garden Road is closed due to the passing of owner Danny Thanos, on January 11th. Danny worked almost every day of his life, since immigrating from Greece in 1938. For the last 40 years, he was in the restaurant business in Greensboro; the first 20 on Wendover Avenue and the last 20 on New Garden Road. You could not find a better, home-cooked, great-money-value breakfast in Greensboro. A classic two egg breakfast, bread, meat, potatoes or grits, and coffee or tea cost under $6. If you were a regular, you know Danny never ventured too far from the cash register, running a tight ship. He made sure people at the bar had their coffee refilled. He also insisted you sit at the bar if dining alone. His wife Maria was always nearby, cooking away in the kitchen. We always loved chatting with her when she took the corner seat at the bar to rest a minute between breakfast rushes.  

Danny loved to golf and loved family beach week over the Fourth of July. He loved the Greek Orthodox Church. He also loved his restaurant. With customers, he was very frank about his opinions and was easy to engage in conversation. Danny was one of those old-school people who could never imagine retiring. At his passing, he was 83 years old and still working full time. Danny's was the "Cheers Bar" of  New Garden Road. Even if he didn't know your name, he remembered you, what you ate,  and had a good idea how long it had been since you were in last. Let's hope someone will re-open the restaurant and keep up the good quality of the food, the good money value, and the good banter with those of us who sit at the counter.

Maria, our condolences. ο Θεός να σε ευλογεί.

Snow is Lingering and Getting Cleared

While it didn't snow yesterday, workers were busy clearing it up in parking lots and on streets. The above pile of snow was one of many in the shopping center on Lawndale Avenue. As you can see, it got warm enough yesterday for the parking lot to melt; however, after sunset, the temperature quickly dropped to freezing and by sunrise had dropped to 23°F. The main roads have been cleared, but the side streets are still bad. Efforts will be made to get the streets cleared today. Also, garbage pick up is pushed back by another day as efforts continue to clear the streets. Forecasters are predicting that we could get some more snow on Friday.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation clears snow "based on connectivity, traffic volume, trucking routes, and importance to hospitals."* They do not remove snow from driveways or sidewalks. Homeowners are expected to address these issues in front of their houses. In the meantime, small children are all out making snowmen and getting in the first sled rides of the season. Do you have a special sled riding spot in your neighborhood? Happy Tuesday and if you must go out, please try to stay on main roads and go in the middle of the day when roads are warmest.

*reference and additional information, here. The top priority is interstates and four lane divided highways. 

Snow, What are your Storm Foods?

Do you think by this time tomrrow we will have snow? Yesterday, everyone in line at the Walmart Supercenter on West Elmsley Street south of Greensboro thought so. When we went in the store about 4pm, the self-checkout line was backed up almost to the back of the store. Fortunately, the line moved rather quickly. Most people were just picking up a few items. We were behind a worker who was buying something to drink and a snack, either after work or during break. We wish we'd thought to buy it for him and thank him for being there. Workers were filling shelves about as fast as customers were emptying them. If you notice the worker's vest, above the Wal mart sun, it says "6 bottles recycled to make this vest." In front of the employee, was a woman who bought a large pack of corn tortillas and three gallons of milk. We all have our "go to" comfort storm foods. What are yours.

The Elmsley Wal mart Supercenter is one of the newest in the Greensboro area. It is large, clean and (normally) well stocked. Sometimes you can find random things there that other stores don't carry- like 25 pound bags of rabbit pellets. It is located between South Elm-Eugene Street and Randleman Road and driving out the back exit to Randleman Road, we took Florida Street to Josephine Boyd to Spring Garden and made it to Reconsidered Goods- almost at West Market Street- to drop off a donation in a little over 15 minutes. One of the perks of knowing Greensboro well it getting from Point A to Point B and avoiding the busiest streets. 

Happy Saturday! Hopefully, we won't need to hunker down!