Greensboro Daily Photo

A Sunny Afternoon Downtown on Elm

Today, we share a slice of life on the 200 block of South Elm Street. The couple on the right is headed towards the 100 block.  Yesterday, the inside reception area of the Lincoln Financial Group building was featured on GDP. Today, the LFG building is peeking out above the tree, as if it is watching over the city. Also in the photo is the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. The barriers are up because part of the street is blocked off to accommodate the added outdoor seating for restaurants. The covered area the couple is walking under what was in previous decades the Ellis-Stone/Thalhimers Building. Soon, the leaves on the trees will change; however, for now, they are evidence of just how green Greensboro is.

If you get a chance, head downtown on this nice, fall day. Also, the Liberty Antiques Festival will be happening today. If you want a smaller, more intimate outdoor event, head to Providence Farm in eastern Guilford County this afternoon. Starting at 3:30, they will have the Zinc Kings playing acoustic instruments while DZ Butts will be selling BBQ and Bull City will be on hand for libations. We don't remember exactly what time we took this photo on Thursday, but we do know- thanks to the LPG building-  that it was 68° outside!

Lincoln Financial Group

Yesterday afternoon was so lovely, we had to take a walk downtown. In all the years we've featuring Greensboro and admiring the Jefferson Standard, Jefferson Pilot, Lincoln Financial Group building, we've never stepped foot inside. Yesterday, we made it inside and saw the beautiful foyer. To the left is another entrance/exit. To the right are all the turnstiles that only those who have a right be there can enter.We spent a few minutes in the foyer, admiring its beauty. It got us thinking of all the money that has cycled through Greensboro here, as well as all of the executives who have made their fortunes and who became prominent citizens by working in the insurance industry.

According to their website, "Lincoln Financial Group provides resources and solutions that help empower Americans to take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism."  The company started in 1905 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and got permission from Abraham Lincoln's son to use his father's name and likeness (reference and more information). The photo was taken in the part of the building that was added in 1990.  Julian Price built the older building in the complex to be his company's headquarters- Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company. He paid for the building in full because he didn't believe in debt (more history here). Fortunately, much is documented about the two buildings that comprise this complex, Greensboro's iconic skyscrapers. We would love to get a tour of the building and see Greensboro from the top floor. Yesterday, we were one step closer.

STOP!

Today's photo is of the Wal-Mart parking lot on North Battleground. This store is not as busy, or hectic,  as some of the others around town. There is a kudzu lot between Wal-Mart and the Big Lots Plaza. If you time it right, as you leave the store, you have a fabulous view of sunset. In the above photo, we'd missed the actual sunset, but we still saw that magical glow that  lingers a few minutes after the sun has dipped below the horizon. Part of the fun of photography is finding a way to freeze a little beauty, a slice of life, in a frame. What does "STOP" look like upside down? do's? dots? At any rate, looking at STOP from this orientation slows us down. 

Today, we just had a little parking lot fun. We hope you are having a great day and that when you can't stop and smell the roses, you can stop and maybe catch a sunset. From this orientation, it looks like the Wal-mart is surrounded by woods, which is part of the beauty of Greensboro. Let's work hard to keep it green!

Happy Tuesday!

The Day the Cheerwine Van Came to Town

Cheerwine was created in Salisbury, NC, in nearby Rowan County, in 1917. Cheerwine set up at the 2021 North Carolina Folk Festival, offering free samples of regular and sugar-free Cheerwine. Their booth wasn't swamped, but people consistently wandered by for a sample. They were also selling cans of the unique cherry flavored beverage. It is always fun during special events when there are give-aways. Cheerwine has been very innovative with product development and marketing in the 2000s. There is Cheerwine ice cream, Cheerwine punch, and Cheerwine Krispy Kreme doughnuts. 

While Greensboro can't claim Cheerwine, just a few miles from this booth, we have our own flavor company. Mother Murphy is a food flavoring business that was established in in1946. For 75 years, those scents from very secret recipes have been wafting through Greensboro. Mother Murphy boasts a flavor library of of more than 60,000 flavors. Their motto is "If you can imagine it, we can create it."  Salisbury has Cheerwine and New Bern has Pepsi; we challenge you to order some special flavor from Mother Murphy and create the next soda sensation. Then, you can set up at an upcoming festival and we can snap a photo and boast that your soft drink was created right here in Greensboro, North Carolina! 

For those who were around in the Boar & Castle Days, you may remember the Green Drink. Hmmmm......

Happy Wednesday; happy innovating!

Bringing Closure to the Folk Festival 2021

And so another North Carolina Folk Festival is in the books. It was such a lovely weekend to have a festival. The footprint for the festival was smaller this year than it had been in previous years; however, there were many great options on the different stages and it was very easy to walk from one stage to the next. If you are willing to walk, the parking lot set up on the southwest corner of Gate City Boulevard and South Elm Street, is a great option. It is free and it is far enough away from downtown events that you don't get stuck in traffic. The above photo shows the crowd at the Old Courthouse Stage on West Market Street. The prominent, iconic Lincoln Financial building, with the time, temperature, and multicolored lights served as a beacon, guiding us to two of the stages. There was another stage at Greene and Commerce, and then another at LeBauer Park. On Saturday, the 9/11 ceremony took place on a stage at the corner of MLK Drive and South Elm Street. There were also performances on that stage. 

Greensboro is so lucky to host the North Carolina Folk Festival and we cannot take that responsibility lightly. We all need to do our best to promote it and get the word out to all corners of North Carolina, and beyond. Noticeably absent this year was the parking lot behind the News & Record Building. It is a little sad to know that the paper is no longer published in Greensboro and the presses are silent. Regardless, for three days and two nights, all of the Folk Festival staff, city employees, volunteers, musicians, Greensboro merchants, venders, and attendees brought to life, a very special event. Indeed, it was magical. A heartfelt thank you to all involved. And if you missed it, mark your calendar for next year.  It looks like the dates will be September 16-18, 2022. If that is incorrect, please let us know.

I Love Greensboro

Driving or walk along West Market Street, not too far from the intersection with Spring Garden/Muirs Chapel, and you will see the above sign, "I Love Greensboro." This building at 4609 West Market Street used to house the Open Space Café Theatre. Now, it has the four businesses listed above: A tattoo parlor, beauty salon, pet grooming, and a clothing and custom t-shirt store. It looks like they may have room for one more business. This strip center may look small, but actually they have 26 spaces for off street parking. It was built in 1954 and has 76 feet of frontage on West Market. 

The other side of the building has a map of North Carolina, and there are several other murals surrounding the building. The murals and sayings, specifically "I Love Greensboro" are what got us to notice the building in the first case. It is always fun when a lime green car drives into view the minute you are taking a photo. Happy Wednesday and, remember to LOVE Greensboro!

Greensboro Velo Club

The Greensboro Velo Club held a Swap Meet in the parking lot of Cycles de ORO yesterday from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. It was a nice day for it. Cycles de ORO, located at 701 A Hill Street and right beside the greenway. The event benefitted the Cancer Research Institute. Private sellers brought their used bicycles and related goods, everything from bicycles built for two to clothing and tools. Also, there was a display of classic and exotic bicycles, including one from the late 1800s with wooden rims! The above photo shows some of the bikes that were part of the exhibit. The owner, Paul, is at the entrance to the store, coming out with what appears to be signage explaining about the bikes on display. 

The Greensboro Velo Club was established in 1975. The club hosts events and races. They are an active club that provides great camaraderie, great association with other cyclists. It doesn't matter what level of expertise and commitment you have to cycling, there is something for everyone in the club. They also help you find trails and places to ride that match your level of expertise and interests. At yesterday's swap meet, they sense of community was evident. If you want to keep up with opportunities for joining cycling events, see this calendar on the Cycles de ORO website.

Downtown's Very Own Dynamite Vault

Downtown Greensboro, south of the railroad tracks, has always had a special character, and somewhat different from Greensboro north of the tracks. Jim Schlosser reminded us that there wasn't an underpass, as an option to get around a passing train, until 1927. In the early 20th century, you either had to plan your trips over the tracks between trains, or be content to wait it out. Part of the special character of South Elm Street was Southside Hardware, in the 500 block. Southside hardware opened in 1902 and remained in business for 93 years.

It was said you could find literally anything you needed at Southside Hardware. One such item was dynamite,. The owners of Southside didn't want to store dynamite in their store. To be safe, they built a dynamite vault and stored it outside. The above photo shows the brick dynamite vault, now a dormant host to ferns.  Over the years the Southside Hardware customers dwindled. So much of their customer base no longer shopped at this downtown store.*  Unfortunately, Southside couldn't compete with the big, suburban box hardware stores and their doors closed in 1995.

Ironically, the dynamite was never an issue, but in 1936, a tornado swept through south Elm Street and blew off the third floor of the hardware store- and they never added it back on. The funny thing about the dynamite vault today is that it sits right behind a dozen large City of Greensboro garbage cans. Were dynamite to explode, garbage would be strewn from South Elm to Gate City Boulevard and beyond! However, we've been assured there is no dynamite in the vault! It is so fun finding these relics from yesteryear in Greensboro. We featured the ghost sign of Southside Hardware  on Greensboro Daily Photo in 2018.  After reading Jim Schlosser's article below, we have learned even more of the history of Southside Hardware! Happy Wednesday! Happy exploring. If you want to see the vault, it is down the alley from Hudson Hill and the sign that says Coe Grocery.

*Read Jim Schlosser's article from 1995, here.

Burbon Bowl Fun

The Burbon Bown opened earlier this summer and it has so much character. The above photo features the 6-lane bowling alley in the back of the building. The outdoor seating covers a city lot! There is an extensive bar and also seating for meals. It is possible to order snacks in the bowling area and there are comfortable couches to sit on while waiting for others to take their turn. This venue fits with the changing profile of the South 500 and 600 block of Elm Street. There is a game arcade, several new restaurants, and lots of retail space for rent at 616 South Elm Street. 

One of the goals for the property that now houses the Burbon Bowl at 531 South Elm Street was to find a business that would attract college students to downtown. Bowling might be just the trick! The crowd last night was older than college, but then college students are just getting back to town and seem so excited to actually be back on campus that they are probably content to hang around the dorm and student union. Not to fear, they'll soon venture out to South Elm. Look at how cute those bowling balls are. They look like pool balls. Another cute feature, the bathroom doors look like office doors taken from an old high school. You have two options "Mr. Mill's class Room 34, or Mrs. Bell's class Room 22!

Greensboro History Museum

 

Yesterday was a beautiful day in downtown Greensboro, albeit 91+ degrees!  The above photo is of the Greensboro History Museum, located at 130 Summit Avenue. However, this side actually faces the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. While this building is now the history museum, as you can see from the historic marker on the left, during the Civil War, it served as a Confederate Hospital, receiving wounded soldiers from the battle of Bentonville. Even before serving as a confederate hospital, it had been built as the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro. The above view features an almost identical orientation of the photo found on p. 49 of Gale Hicks Fripp's book "Greensboro Volume II Neighborhoods (Arcadia Publishing, 1998). 

In her book, Fripp explains that in 1892, The First Presbyterian congregation completed this sanctuary, the third iteration of the church. The style is Romanesque Revival.  The dormer windows to the right remain intact from the late 1800s; however, the upper portion of the tower, formerly pointed, is missing. This sanctuary is the oldest part of the complex. Other features of the property include Mary Lynn Richardson Park, a cemetery, and the Smith Memorial Building. If you were hoping for a church service, since the late 1920s, the First Presbyterian Church has been located on North Elm Street in Fisher Park. If you have not visited the Greensboro History Museum, you owe it to yourself to do so. You can learn so much about the history of Greensboro, and the exhibits are breathtakingly curated. The current (temporary) exhibit on the third floor, Pieces of Now, features murals, masks, community stories and conversations centered around the Black Lives Matter Movement and the COVID Epidemic. Perhaps you can schedule a visit during the upcoming North Carolina Folk Festival, September 10- 12.

The museum open today from 2:00 pm- 5:00 pm. Fortunately, there is no interest fee- although donations are always appreciated! 

Happy Sunday!

Dr Shine

Do you know anyone whose name matches their profession? We once knew a man who worked in a greenhouse and his name was Mr. Plant. The above person, who shines shoes professionally, is Dr. Shine. We don't know if that is his birth name or if it is a nickname, but shine he does. His Facebook page informs us that he comes from a long line of shiners. Shoes sparkle when he is finished with them. His personality shines if you talk to him while he is shining your shoes. Mr. Shine's business is called "First and Ten" and is located at 104 N. Westgate Drive in Greensboro. However, the above photo was taken at the 600 block of South Elm Street on First Friday. He came downtown to be part of the festivities and to help gain visibility for his business.If you want a shine, the store is open on Saturdays from 10-1pm. It is closed on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday through Friday, the store is open from 9:30- 5:30. It is so nice when careers from previous centuries are still around.

Between the equipment Mr. Shine uses and the monochromatic photo, this seen looks like it could date from a century ago. Hats off to Mr. Shine for being so positive and for taking so much pride in his work. If you need a shoeshine, head over and see Mr. Shine, and be sure to get there early.  One o'clock is quitting time!  Happy Saturday.

U Haul on Gate City

This week, we've been looking at street scenes in Greensboro. Today, we go back to "Tate + Gate", and are across the street from the future facility that UNCG is will build at the intersection. The U-Haul building is located across the street from the Industries of the Blind. It is probably no accident that U-Haul chose this location. As university students head back to UNCG and NCA&T next week, U-Haul will probably see an increase in business. Students who live off campus, and new faculty members for that matter, probably rely on U-Haul to get them to and from their apartments/houses.

One thing we that is fun to do at U Haul is to look at which states are advertised on their trucks. The one you can barely see in the left corner advertises Nebraska. On the day we were there, we saw Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alaska, and Virginia; however, we couldn't find one on the lot for North Carolina. This would be a fun end-of-summer activity with children, to make a list of states and see how many they could check off the list and even try to photograph. U-Haul's "Venture Across America and Canada" SuperGraphics program began in 1997 and for the last 24 years, it has been a hit with adults and children alike. See here if you want to learn more about the SuperGraphics program of the different states. Can you guess what North Carolina's super graphic is? After you've guessed, click here, to see it. We're wondering if UNCG's Millennial Campus Initiative will impact this corner of Tate + Gate. We predict many more changes for the area.

Happy Wednesday!

Breakout: Team Building Fun for the Middle College at UNCG

Today's photo features the staff at the Middle College at University of North Carolina Greensboro (MCUNCG)  at the Breakout Games- Greensboro Escape Rooms. MCUNCG started back to school this week and Principal Keisha Brown, front row center, arranged the Breakout Games experience for her teachers and staff. Three teams of 5-6 participants went into different rooms and had an hour to escape. The goals were to strengthen relationships between staff members, to practice working together for a common goal, and to solve complex problems with a time constraint. The exercise helped build empathy for how students often feel when they are having trouble finding a solution, and reminded teams how much can be accomplished when people cooperate. What a fabulous way to start the school year!

Escape or breakout rooms started in 2004 as a video game in Japan. By 2007, a Japanese company created the tangible escape room experience. This immersive experience came to the United States in 2012 (read more history, here). Escape rooms are examples of the "third place" experiences, a place for people to gather and do something together beyond the home and work setting. They continue to gain popularity and evolve in complexity.

By the end of August, all GCS schools will have eased back into the classroom. Here's to a great school year for everyone.  Hats off to Ms. Brown for creating this meaningful opportunity for her staff. By the way, all three teams escaped within the allotted time, and, for the record, Ms. Brown's team escaped first!

The Selfie Spot

A new business to sweep the nation is the selfie salon or selfie museum as they are sometimes known. In 2020, the Rich Girls Museum opened at 4000 Spring Garden Street. It has been well received and is widely popular. Today's photo features the selfie museum, The Selfie Spot,  at 320B South Elm Street. It is a place where you can go to take polished photos in a highly stylized room. You may recall that Old Photo Specialists used to be in this space. They did some creative things with photos- from restoring old photos to taking new photos and making them look old. Old Photo Specialists did all the work. In this new model, the venues (The Selfie Spot, Rich Girls Museum, and Selfie Fanatic) stage the room, but it is up to the client to dress for the occasion and shoot the creative shots. The Selfie Spot had a soft opening this past Wednesday. If you like to take photos or put together Tok Tok videos, he colorful vignettes of The Selfie Spot will be a lot of fun for you.

These selfie places reflect the growing trend to have creative "third places". Unlike home (first place) and work (second place), third places are places where you have no obligation to be. Third places are spaces where you can have meaningful experiences with family, friends, or alone. What are your favorite third places in Greensboro? The library, your house of worship? a coffee house? a bowling alley? There are so many third places in downtown Greensboro. The Selfie Spot may be the new kid on the block, but we're betting it will become an old friend to many very, very soon.

By the way, if you are looking for Old Photo Specialists, they are now located at 7713 Summerfield Road in Summerfield. Happy Tuesday and do take care of yourself-ie!

The Well Rooted Farm

Today, we're sharing another photo of Saturday's Corner Market. It is an important community resource, worth sharing a second day. As mentioned yesterday, the market has moved from the corner of Elam and Market to West Market Street. The new location, in the parking lot of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, appears to be a great change. The Well Rooted Farm is located in Madison, NC, faithfully set sup at the Corner Market.  They regularly posts on their Facebook page and they have been advertising the new location.

As you can see from the above photo, The Well Rooted Farm has lovely bouquets of flowers and lots of yummy, fresh vegetables. They are especially known for their bouquets. Just look how lovely those flowers are.  The farmers at Well Rooted are members of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, a key floriculture organization. Saturday, Well Rooted had a corner space and it was one of the first seen when entering from Kensington Road. 

We hope your week is off to a great start. This is the first week of August. First Friday is this week and the Corner Market will be back on Saturday, both opportunities to have fun outdoors!

Augustino Gusto Bakery: Inside the European Bakery

We had such a great response to yesterday's post of the exterior of Augustino Gusto Bakery, we thought we'd add in interview. The bakery is small, but they pack so much goodness into the small space. It is hard to fathom how they bake so many different items. They make everything from scratch and bake it in house. We'd love to see their grocery list! The bakery is located at 2508 New Garden Road East, behind the BP station and just north of the Greensboro Science Center. Augustino Gusto has only been open since March 2020, but in the last year and four months they have amassed quite a following. Remember, they are only open on Wednesdays from 9:30 am- 5:00 pm, but the good news is that's tomorrow.

If you cannot make it out to the bakery, they also set up at the Greensboro Farmers Market on Yanceyville.

Augustino Gusto: European Artisan Bakery

Augustino Gusto Bakery is located at 2805 New Garden Road East, right behind the BP Station Perhaps because they are only open two days a week (Wed. and Sat.), but they are extremely busy when open. The above photo shows the line at 11:00 am on Saturday. And by 11:00 am, they had sold out of almond croissant, kalamata olive bread, sauerkraut rolls, and more. On Saturday, we arrived at 9:05 not realizing that they didn't open until 9:30. There was already a couple waiting in line and, as we were leaving to run some errands, they told us not to get back too late as things sell out quickly. 

Something we noticed while waiting in line is how people talked to each other. Perhaps it is a southern trait, but people were talking as if they were old friends. The man in front of us built custom homes, used to live in Hilton Head, and has traveled extensively. The woman in front of him used to live in Savannah. So, this line was filled with people from all walks of life, but they had one thing in common. They tried this bakery and became loyal customers. While it may look like a house on the outside, on the inside, the sights and smells are exactly those of a European bakery. Saturday, they added a ricotta pie, so there is always something new and interesting to try.

Happy Monday, start planning ahead to visit Augustino Gusto Bakery on Wednesday to support a local business and to have some authentic European pastries. Two. More. Days.

The Fabulous Tomato Greeter at the Greensboro Farmers Market

Saturday is fresh produce day whether you are at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street, at the market on Sandy Ridge, or at all the farms and produce stands in between. The produce is glorious right now. The above photo is of a very articulate young woman who is a senior at Guilford College. She volunteers at the farmers market just to give back to the community. Unfortunately, we didn't get her name. Next time we see her, we will ask. She was handing out flyers of upcoming events, and encouraging people to head over to get a BLT sandwich.

Today is a good day to head out for produce. Rain is not predicted until 4:00 pm, and, if it comes, it shouldn't last long. If you like sports, the 2021 Masters Short Course National Championships are still going on at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. If you go watch, the pool is so nice, you will feel like you are at the Olympics. Whatever you decide to do, have a great day!

Schiffman's 2021

Schiffman's is currently open in Friendly Center at the former Pier 1 location.  In August, Greensboro's oldest and most established jewelry store will reopen in its original Friendly Center location. The above photo shows the exterior letters just before they were installed on Wednesday. By Wednesday afternoon, they were already in place, bringing the remodeling one step closer to completion. The store has expanded, building into the former Build-A-Bear space. The new store is rumored to be the nicest jewelry store in the southeast. They will have jewelers on site, will be able to repair Rolex watches on site, and will have amenities and events that will make it quite the upscale destination.

We stopped by yesterday and spoke to Ben, and he assured us that the downtown store will remain open as a jewelry store and as the main office. Schiffman's has been in downtown Greensboro since 1893.  In 2011, we  were fortunate to have the opportunity to feature Tony Schiffman, Jr.. Tony died in 2015 at the age of 76, suffering from Parkinson's (obituary, here). He would be so pleased to know the business is growing under the helm of his three sons. If you like fine jewelry and want to shop local, Schiffman's is a fabulous option. Let's hope they remain open for another 128+ years... in Friendly Center AND downtown!

Happy Friday. Time to get out and explore!

The Gary Maverick Band

Have you had a chance to see any live music this summer? Whether the answer is yes or no, you should consider heading over to Mac's Speed Shop tonight for a bite to eat and some fabulous entertainment by The Gary Maverick Band. If you like good, upbeat rock and roll music, you will enjoy this local group. The above photo was taken when they played at Oden Brewing last Saturday night. Saturday night was a rainy evening in Greensboro, but no rain is scheduled for today. They will be there from 7:00- 10:00 p.m. Usually, they play multiple sets with Daniel Sheffield drumming part of the time and Artimus Pyle drumming the other. Both are outstanding percussionists! Good singing, good music, and great lighting!

 

The Ever Creative Angela Cook

Today, we're featuring Angela Cook (standing) who moved to Greensboro in 1988 to attend college and has been an active community member ever since. She worked as an educator for 16 years, and, over the past 12 years, Angela has worked with her husband to build Cedar Hill Physical Therapy & Wellness Center. While she loves working at Cedar Hill, her passion is art and creativity. For a long time she has been looking for a way to work in the field of art and to hone her own artistic talent. In the above photo, she is facilitating a creativity class where participants worked on thinking positively about their artistic journeys. Angela is holding a couple of canvases with positive and uplifting words related to her personal artistic journey. 

Last December, just after her 53rd birthday, and in the height of the pandemic, Angela signed up for a class at The School at A Space for Conscious Living. The class was based on Julia Cameron's book "It's Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond." Angela says the twelve-week course was exactly what she needed to reignite her creative spark. As the end of the course drew near and not wanting the discussions to end, she asked her friends if they would be interested in reading the book. She set up a Facebook group and named it Creative Souls. The Greensboro Public Library ordered a set of the books and Angela's group has been using it over the summer.* As her group read the book and worked through the tasks, Angela found the discussions intriguing and meaningful. She came to realize that creativity is more than the production of art. Creativity can lead us to being more insightful; and empathetic; to be better problem solvers, and to do our best work. This fall, Angela will start a program to become certified as a creativity coach. Last Saturday's creative painting session was very successful; a great indication that Angela will have a great career ahead of her. And in three months, her online group has grown from six to forty five! Best of luck, Angela!

*a set of 15 is available for Greensboro book clubs to check out.

 

Lone Cross at Beef Burger

As we've mentioned earlier this week, Beef Burger closed in May and owner, Ralph Havis died on Tuesday at the age of 78. Ralph owned Beef Burger for 50 years and and managed it for ten years before buying it in 1971.*  Ralph's visitation and service are planned for Monday.  Here is his obituary. We posted another photo today, because we just realized that there is a lone cross in a booth on the east side of the lobby. We're wondering if it had been there for a while, or, if perhaps Ralph left it there as he left the building that one last time. The situation is a sad one as his daughter and wife died before he did. It really seems like this is the end of a big part of the Havis family and the end of a business that represented a big part of Lee Street's past. 

On a more positive note, imagine how proud Ralph must have felt of the business he built and all of the friends he made through Biff/Beef Burger. Indeed his was a life well lived. Somehow 1040 West Lee Street will not be the same. Here's to a happy Sunday for you. Keep your thought with family and friends of the Havis family as they say their good-bye's tomorrow. Just maybe someone should go get that cross and give it to the closest relative.

* Here is history of the store.

BLT Day at Greensboro Farmers Curb Market!

Today is BLT Sandwich Day at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street, across from War Memorial Stadium. The above vegetable photo was taken about a month ago. By now, there should be plenty of ripe tomatoes, whether you get them on the BLT, or to take home with you, or BOTH!! They usually start preparing sandwiches at about 8:30 a.m. and you know they will sell quickly. Usually, they are set up outside and there is live music at the Lawn Lindsay Street- the side of the curb market.

Even if you don't like BLTs, the market is a great place to go to get some type of fresh produce and to interact with a great group of people. Also, it is always nice to support local vendors. The BLT makers should be there preparing sandwiches until 11:00 a.m.; however, it could be cut short depending on the size of the crown. Happy Saturday! May you find something glorious to to in Greensboro.

1910 North Church Street

1910 North Church Street is a happy, standout sort of building. We captured this photo the other day when the sun was low to the horizon and the lighting was so beautiful. Normally, we try to take photos with the surrounding wires hidden; however, the wires in the above photo seem to add to the view. The yellow lines in the street add visual interest, too. This building houses: 1) Piedmont Cardiovascular, PA; 2) Medication Management, LLC; and 3) Piedmont Communities, Spay, Neuter, & Wellness Clinic. The red and pink paint immediately has us thinking about the heart and the vascular system. What a great way to have your building stand out on North Church street. It is impossible to miss.

The single-story, yellow brick building was constructed in 1968, and renovated in 2012. The red and pink part of the facade are overlays on top of the brick. If you get a chance this weekend, drive by and have a look at this playful, joyful, eye-catching place.

Happy Friday. While it isn't "First Friday", there is always something to do downtown on Friday. Hope to see you there.

Custom Industries, Inc.

Today, we're featuring Custom Industries, Inc. located 215 Aloe Road. But, before we tell you about it, let us tell you how we got there.

First, we're currently reading "27 Views of Greensboro" from the Eno Publishers' "27 Views" series. The book was published in 2015, and one of the twenty-seven pieces was by Logie Meachum (1952-2018). Logie writes about the neighborhood where he grew up and about spending time at his grandparents' house in Woodyside at Hibler and Aloe Roads. We've never featured Woodyside in the 13 1/2 years we've been publishing Greensboro Daily Photo, so a trip down West Market Street to Woodyside was long overdue. Last night, as the sun was settling, we happened upon Custom Industries, just up the road from the house where Logie's grandparents lived. Custom Industries  has been operating for more than 40 years; so, we're pretty confident Logie, one of Greensboro's great storytellers and musicians, would have passed by this reddish-yellow brick building many times. The well groomed bushes lead around to the side of the building, which is actually where the entrance is located. Custom Industries does just about anything you need done to metal. Here is the explanation of what they do, as explained, here, on the internet.

"Founded as a metal component supplier to general industry, Custom Industries is a full-service manufacturing, engineering and distribution company. It has been operational for more than 40 years. The company is a privately owned and maintains 4 plants in North Carolina. It employs more than 150 employees. The company s capabilities include horizontal and vertical computer numerical controlled milling, turning, punching and plasma cutting. It also specializes in stamping, sheet metal fabrication, welding, painting and assembly and custom packaging. Additionally, Custom Industries offers a variety of design and engineering services. It also conducts quality assurance inspections, as well as stocks replacement parts for various machines. The company supplies ceramic guides, tension discs and assemblies and break sensors." Just down over the hill from the business are a few metal buildings that look like warehouses. There is also a trailer court. We're wondering, just how much of this metal on the neighborhood buildings came from Custom Industries. 

It is always a fun day when we uncover a new neighborhood to explore and this one is extremely quiet, even though it is a stone's throw from West Market Street. Happy Wednesday!

Happy "Fourth" On the Fifth

Happy July 5th. Well, the July 4th weekend is behind us, but according to the holiday schedule for the City of Greensboro, today is the day the Independence Day holiday is officially celebrated. So, it will be a Monday that feels like an extended Sunday.  We hope you had some time this weekend to spend with family and friends and to celebrate America's independence from England.

Today, we're showing a photo of the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market from a couple of weeks ago when it was blueberry pancake day. The pancakes were prepared by Cheesecakes by Alex and they were a hit. They sold out quickly. In the above photo, Alex' son Timmothy is flipping the pancakes. You can see their van in the background. To the left, you see people enjoying the pancakes as well as music by the band that was playing that day. If you like special events, mark your calendar for Saturday, July 17th (in two weeks) when it will be the annual Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato Sandwich Day. If the pancakes are any indication, arrive early. Those events at the farmers market where you sit out on the lawn and enjoy the community are a little like the Fourth of July, right down to the yummy summer produce. Happy Monday!

Happy Sunday, Fourth of July!

Happy, glorious, Fourth of July Sunday. Today's photo was taken at the Thursday Peoples Market in Glenwood. It is held at the Glenwood branch of the Christ United Methodist Church at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Florida Street. This past Thursday was a light market day due to the Fourth of July holiday; plus, we arrived near the end of the market at around 7:00 pm. There were many tasty food options, a potter, skin care proeducts, some produce, and more. It is so nice seeing neighbors out enjoying each other and people building their small businesses. 

Christ United Methodist Church has so many wonderful services and opportunities at their Glenwood Branch. They have traditional worship on Sundays at 11 am and on Mondays at 5:30pm a  contemporary worship service followed by a community meal. The first Monday of the month, there is a "Medical Monday" in partnership with Cone Health. Additionally, AmeriCorps has an office there. Truly, this church is dynamic because it is so involved with the community.  Glenwood is said to be the most diverse neighborhood in all of North Carolina. If you get a chance, stop by for one of the services at the church or at the Peoples Market. You just may end up deciding you want to live here!

Fun Fourth 2021

The Third is the New Fourth in Greensboro. Today is the day that Fun Fourth will be celebrated downtown. It will be a little different without vendors; however, the community has made a real effort to provide a fun time for everyone. There will be a variety of events throughout the day with the actual Fun Fourth beginning at 4:00 p.m.

The above photo was taken from inside the fireworks tent in the Wal-Mart parking lot on North Battleground Avenue. People were buying personal fireworks, which are only legal in North Carolina for the Fourth of July. Just beyond the TNT fireworks tent the Jamaica Coast Catering had their Taste of the Tropics food truck set up and people were lined up to order their tasty food. This photo reminds us that holidays tend to be images upon images. You have one group doing one thing; another something else. As you plan all of your fun festivities for the weekend, please know that pets and farm animals are especially stressed when fireworks go off. Tracey McCain of WFMY News has compiled this list of fireworks in the Triad area. Perhaps you could consider attending one of those events in lieu of having a personal display. No matter how big or small your holiday is, just remember how much better it is than last year. Happy 3rd/Fourth!

Seasonal Foods Like Watermelon Milkshakes!

Yesterday was opening day for watermelon milkshakes at Cook Out and according to servers, "That's all customers want!". We always try to get one on opening day, bring it to our flower garden, and enjoy it with a few slices of watermelon on the side- which is exactly what you see in the above photo. The watermelon slices are cold with a hint of ice crystals, perfect for cooling you off on a hot day like today. (We won't tell you how Mr. GDP described the weather today). Anyway, Cook Out is a local company started right here in  Greensboro in 1989. Over the last thirty-two years, Cook Out has expanded to over 100 cities and has stores in ten states; and they aren't done growing.

We are so accustomed to getting any food, anytime we want it. If something is out of season in the northern hemisphere, we ship it in from the southern. Or, in some cases, the produce is grown in a hothouse. It is refreshing to have foods and menu items that are seasonally available. Cook Out only sells watermelon shakes in July and August; so,  you only have sixty-two days to try one. Even if you don't crave watermelon milkshakes, perhaps you flock to the farmers markets for North Carolina peaches. Some varieties of peaches are already ripe and readily available. Are there any local or seasonal foods that you crave? Where do you get them in Greensboro? You will have plenty of options this weekend with the farmers markets. Also, there are Fourth of July activities in Greensboro this weekend. The Fourth of July Celebration Picnic is tomorrow from 11am-3pm at Keeley Park in McLeansville (July 3rd);  The Fun Fourth Festival on South Elm Street is also tomorrow (July 3) from 4-9 pm. Note that there are no vendors this year as Greensboro is easing back into public events, post-Covid. This will be even more reason to visit those farmers markets and find something seasonal to pack for a snack. In the meantime, we'll probably be heading for another watermelon milkshake... or two! Happy Second, Third, and Fourth of July! 

(that minute you look at your photograph and notice some of your landscaping rocks have been relocated, or might be missing)!!!!!

Little Free Library at Eclectic By Nature

Reading books from the Little Free Libraries around town is so much fun. The above library is in the middle of a lovely garden on State Street at Eclectic by Nature. As stated on the website, "Eclectic By Nature is a woman-owned store that specialized in Spirituality products." They have everything from herbal healing and Reiki to Wicca and Shamanism. The books at a Little Library often reflect the interests of the person who installed it. That pairing doesn't always happen, but you would be more likely to find a book on some type of spirituality here than the libraries in other neighborhoods.

Here is a link to the homepage of the Little Free Library with all of the details, in case you would live to install one. If you enter your zip code on the website, it will give you a list of all the libraries that have registered. You could even use this service on vacation. Wouldn't it be fun to make a list of titles of  all of the books you've taken from one of the libraries, as well as the ones you donated. We like to try to return them to the same place we got them. Also, if you ever see a person working in the yard or sitting on the porch of a private residence with one of the libraries, say hello or thank them. We have met some really nice people that way. If they are in front of a business, go inside and meet the keepers of the library. The garden at this one at Eclectic By Nature is absolutely beautiful this time of year, and, last we checked, the book selection was great!

Get Your Knife Sharpened

If you have a knife that needs to be sharpened, you can have that done while you shop at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville. The above photo features Garland McCollam, owner of Massey Creek Farms, sharpening knives. He started the service just as a way to keep busy at the Wednesday markets when times were slow. Now, he mostly sharpens knives on Saturdays while the other people sell the food products. While they come into Greensboro to work at the market, the farm is actually located in Madison, NC. This family farm sells eggs, lamb, and pork. They sell to restaurants, grocery stores, and to individuals through the farmers market.

Mr. McCollum sharpens knives the old time way with a whetstone that he waters down to create the slurry that helps with the sharpening process. Massey Creek Farms is at the farmers market so you can buy their farm products any time of the year. It is fun to watch Mr. McCollum get just the right angle on the knife to ensure that it is sharpened perfectly. Mr. Massey's stand is in the row by the bridge entrance to the market. You can start your shopping with him and then head down the row for mushrooms of every color, middle eastern food from Zatoon, a lavender bouquet, and just about anything else you might need. Have a happy Monday and round up your knives and bring them to the farmers market this Saturday!

 

Inside Fordham's Drug Store

Yesterday, we shared a photograph of the exterior of Fordham Drug Store at 514 South Elm Street. As you can see, not a lot has changed, however, the soda fountain has been removed. That used to be where you could get Coke floats and flavored sodas. It has been said that the original owner of Fordham's, Christopher Columbus Fordham, originally rejected Coke serving Coke as he was convinced it wouldn't sell.* As for that Mexican marble soda fountain, it has been moved to Lane Drug Store 2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.**

It does appear that changes are being made to the inside. It is fun to have these photos for archival purposes and when changes are made, we will have "then and now" photos. Today is Friday, always a good day to go downtown. Why don't you head downtown yourself and see what you can see? Hello weekend!

 

* see the article from Our State Magazine.

** reference and additional information, here.

Fordham Drugs at 514 South Elm Street

Every so often, we like to pass by 514 South Elm Street to check on Fordham Drug Store. It was founded in 1898, but has been closed since 2002. The architecture is in the Italianate style, so popular at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Greensboro still has many examples of this style building. The building has not changed much since it was built  123 years ago. It has the large glass windows, wooden floors, a tin ceiling, and the plaster mortar and pestle on top of the facade.*

While it has since tipped over, there is still a FOR SALE sign in the window. Given all of the history the building has in the Greensboro community, it was be so nice for it to retain as much of its original character as possible. Even the mosaic tile at the entrance says "Fordham's Drug Store." The 500 block of South Elm Street has so many history buildings. You can read more about them here. Not unlike having a CVS and a Walgreen's drug store right beside each other today, just down the street at 530 South Elm, was an O. Henry drug store. From today's photo, there is not a lot to reveal that the photo was not taken 100 years ago; perhaps the unidentified woman would have been reading a newspaper and not a cell phone and there wouldn't have been incense for sale on the street. What would you like to see this building become?

 

* Here is an article about Fordham's from 2016 in Our State Magazine.

Summer Nights 2021!

Well, temperature wise, Greensboro has been in the high 70s, heading towards the 80 this weeks. With the summer solstice, it is now staying daylight longer and the people of Greensboro seem to be looking for opportunities to stay up and outside as long as possible. The above photo was taken at Sticks & Stones Restaurant at the corner of Walker and Elam. Last night, even after 8:00 p.m., it was still daylight and people were out enjoying pizza and conversation- about the time the lightning bugs were starting to glow. In addition to the great fellowship, the clay pizza oven at Sticks and Stones does not disappoint either.

In addition to enjoying the restaurant, Greensboro residents really appreciate the community Corner Market  held in this parking lot on the weekends. This location is right at the crossroads of Sunset Hills and Lindley Park and is a part of town loved by many. The above photo was taken at about 8:00 p.m. last night; it was still daylight, and people were lingering as long as possible. When you find just the right spot, summer nights can be magical. The corner of Walker and Elam is just that space. Happy Tuesday! Happy summer!

Aldi Opening on Battleground Avenue

Remember where Earthfare was located on Battleground Avenue? It was in the plaza near Pisgah Church Road, where there is a Starbucks and a U.S. post office. Well, now, an Aldi is going in the former Earthfare space. The first Aldi store was opened in 1913, during World War I,  in Essen, Germany by Anna Albrecht and Aldi stands for Albrecht Discount. Now, there are thousands of locations around the world, and over 1,600 in the United States alone. They are one of many grocery stores in Greensboro. In the United States, Aldi is third only to Walmart and Kroger. The above store is scheduled to open by this fall. There are already three Aldi's in the Greensboro area (New Garden Road, Randleman Road, and West Gate City Boulevard).  The New Garden Road store was the third to open (in 2013) and now, eight years later, the fourth is being added.

Even if you already have your "go to" place to shop for groceries, it is nice to see the above plaza gain and anchor store. This should put it at close to full capacity. The more options people have, the more likely they are to consider a destination.  Well, it is Monday, and if you had a large Fathers Day event, or a Summer Solstice event, chances are you will need to go to the grocery store somewhere. Where do you like to shop for groceries in Greensboro? Do you have a favorite? Happy Monday; you just may run in to us shopping for groceries!

Fishbones Restaurant

Fishbones is a modern bar and grill, located at 2119 Walker Avenue between Sunset Hills and Lindley Park. It was opened by Neil Reitzel in 2000 right beside the former location of the Blind Tiger. The Blind Tiger has long since moved to Spring Garden Street, but Fishbones is still going strong at the corner of Walker and Elam for over twenty years. Over the last two decades, this part of town has seen a lot of young families move into the neighborhood and Fishbones has the ambience of a restaurant and bar for locals.

Fishbones serves a wide variety of food with seafood being among the most popular dishes- especially the fish and chips. Since Fishbones has reopened from the pandemic, they have stayed busy. We arrived around 6:00 pm one evening last week, and by 7:00 pm, all of the seats were taken. They offer indoor and outdoor seating and take out. The above photo gives you a feel for the ambience. The tin roof and wooden floor are charming. The photo also gives you an idea of the seating; indoors, the chairs are tall, outside, they are not. Here is an article from the News & Record when they first opened. Happy Tuesday. Where is your "go to" place. Is it the same as it was pre-Pandemic? 

Chez Genèse at 616 South Elm Street

Today, we're sharing another photo of our downtown excursion on Memorial today. Today's photo is of Chez Genèse at 616 South Elm Street. Chez Genèse is a French cafe that employs people with intellectual and development disabilities. They serve breakfast and lunch. Here is the menu if you would like to see the options. It is hard to believe they've already been open three years. You may remember when Charlie and Ruth held their community dinners down here. While they've move on to Missouri, the current owners try to maintain that same feeling of being with community while you are eating here. The atmosphere is relaxed, but lively at the same time. There is some seating outside in front of the café.

Monday was pretty peaceful and, if you look closely, you can see people indoors as well as outside. The two sedans market out front really add to the scene. Let's hope the restaurant remains successful for a very long time! They do so much to help out the community. Happy Wednesday!

Lewis & Elm Restaurant

The above photo shows a table of guests at the restaurant at 600 South Elm Street, now called Lewis & Elm. This is evidence that things are opening back up again. Yesterday afternoon, downtown was pretty busy, and it was not even First Friday. Lewis & Elm is the new name of the restaurant in the location that was formerly Table 16. At the new restaurant, you must be 21 to attend. They offer an extensive wine list and a few dishes to pair with the wine. The menu includes items like conch, mussels, duck foie gras, salads, and cheese dishes. The 500 and 600 blocks of South Elm are quite vibrant now, as it the Lewis Street area. This area is also referred to as Southend. We have a feeling it is going to get more and more popular over the summer. 

Across the street, the Burbon Bown was set to open at the beginning of May. Word has it they are having getting fully staffed. If you know someone who is looking for a job, not is a good dime to interview. In the meantime, we will sit back and enjoy the beauty of the above photo. Seeing people out, enjoying themselves in downtown Greensboro, is nothing short of fantastic. Happy Saturday!

Tasting Room

The Tasting Room is located at the corner of Chapman and Spring Garden Streets.  It is a neighborhood wine bar and retail shop. The above photo was taken there last weekend. This afternoon in Fancy Friday! If you are over 21 and want to learn about wines, you can do so from 4:00- 10:00 pm. Last weekend, Ghassan's food truck was on site for one of the events.

901 South Chapman formerly housed a gift shop and at one time, it looks like it might have been a pancake house. Do you remember? Since the property is commercial, it is harder to trace the history. At any rate, it was nice to see this corner of town return to its vibrant self. Across the street from the Tasting Room, where Bianca's Italian Restaurant used to be, is a taco restaurant. Freeman's Grub and Pub is across the street (the brick building in the background on the left). They are a good food option. And, if you need a good cup of coffee, Spring Garden Bakery and Coffee House is located in the next block. So, as you can see, the streets are, once again, filling with people eager to socialize! Happy weekend!

Cheesecakes By Alex

Today's photo is the mural inside the new dining room at Cheesecakes by Alex at 315 South Elm Street. It was painted by the Greensboro-based artist, Jenna Rice (@JennaRiceArt). In the mural, Jenna painted Alex on the left with son Timmothy who is also in the business. Alex opened his business downtown since 2002. Over the nearly 20 years, the menu has expanded from a few cheesecake flavors to over two dozen. There are traditional flavors, like New York style to  seasonal flavors (blueberry, pumpkin), and unique flavors like butter pecan, and bananas foster. Indeed, there is a flavor for everybody. Additionally, there are other desserts like cupcakes, cookies, macaroons and macarons. 

Alex has had his bakery downtown early on in the revival of downtown Greensboro, opening it in the same year that the Green Bean Coffee Shop opened.  If you are downtown and want something sweet, step in and treat yourself to a slice of cheesecake and say hello to Alex, Timmothy, and the rest of the crew. Happy Thursday.