Greensboro Daily Photo

CTG Alley in the Middle of the 500 Block of South Elm

Today, we're featuring the alley in the middle of the 500 block of South Elm Street. It is used by the cast and crew of CTG and the gateway to the Herman and Barbara Cone Family Education and Event Center. The yellow "brick" wall is a wall of CTG donors.  CTG was founded in 1949 and has been a great community resource ever since. 

The alley was originally left here to serve as an alley for Glascock Foundry to access their foundry on Lewis Street. That business was originally founded in 1873 as Glascock Plow & Foundry. The foundry made wood and coal stoves and other cast iron items. A special thanks goes out to Great, Great Grandson Nollie W Neill, Dr. who  is a Glascock Stove historian and collector.  Most importantly, he collects stories and items from his great great grandfather's business. How wonderful that he remembers that little bit of lore about the alley on the 500 block of  South Elm Street. Do you have a family story to share about Elm Street?

 

Upper 600 Westside: One Block at a Time

To continue up the 600 block of the westside of South Elm Street, to the right of Chez Genese is Mosaic Piano Services, Artmongerz (2005), Elsewhere Living Museum, The Crooked Tail Cat Cafe (est. 2017) . Social Status Shoes, and, rounding out the block,  Lewis & Elm- a wine, cheese, beer, and seasonal fare establishment on the corner (est. 2021). 

We have special memories of Elsewhere Museum, est. 2016) , first when Sylvia Gray had a thrift shop there. She had a sign on the door that gave the hours it was likely to be open and a disclaimer that it just might not happen if something else came up. We wish we could find the exact quote. But serious, Sylvia was an inspiring woman who did an amazing job of raising her children in very tough times. Read the history of the building HERE. We love to walk past Social Status on a day a new shoe is being released or "dropped" as the young collectors would say. Triad City Beat didn't add a lot of history about this part of the 600 block, but they added great detail to Lewis Street, something we aren't covering in this Elm Street walk.

Happy Monday!

Chez Genese: One Block at a Time

This is the view of West Elm Street, just north of the Old Greensborough and Elm & Bain space on the corner. To the left is Bain Street. The business is Chez Genese a very special French inspired restaurant known for its brunch menu. Chez Genese opened in October of 2018 and seems to have gained popularity as a great meal location. We ate there last Sunday and it was well worth the 30 minute wait. While they don't have bar seating for singles, they have a communal table that seats about eight. This is a fun concept and great way to be alone, but not lonely.

At the time of the 2017 Triad City Beat article, Charlie and Ruth Jones owned the building, had PB& Java downstairs,  and were still holding their Grub Hub dinners upstairs.  Oh how we miss those dinners. They were such a special way for people of Greensboro from all walks of life to network and meet each other. If you click HERE, you can see an example of just how magical those dinners were. And, if you click HERE, you see that Tamika and Jeff who have the Black Belt Soap Company. We first met them at Grub Hub. Today, Tamika and Jeff are thriving entrepreneurs and people we are so lucky to have met. We like to sit at the communal table at Chez Genese as a not to Charlie and Ruth. They would like knowing that the get-to-know-someone-new model is still alive and well in the building.

Elm & Bain: One Block at A Time

Elm and Bain is the next building up from Old Greensborough on the west side of Elm Street. Today, it is an event center with over 11,000 square feet of space. On their website, Elm & Bain has a lovely history of the building, starting with its origin in 1919 as the Blue Bell Factory. In 1949, it was acquired by Wrangler. Next, Wrangler merged with VF Corporation and this factory became part of a multi-use commercial space. * September 2021, it launched and became known as Elm & Bain. It is so fun to drive by on the weekends and see events happening there. It is a sort of a "Gatsby" experience, observing an event overflowing with guests having a great time. The center can accommodate up to 450 guests! This definitely makes the 600 South Elm block a destination.

Happy Friday!

 

*reference and more information and photos HERE.

Downtown Greensboro One Block at a Time

We had a couple of people ask us about the entrance to the Old Greensborough at Gateway building and so, we thought we'd feature it today. We featured an overview on Monday and then a planting from the garden yesterday, so here you can see the main entrance, the one that makes it accessible to people with special mobility needs. There is no door person, making it necessary to have an access card to enter.

Since we've been  spending a lot of time downtown lately, we've been searching information on line. We came across a great article by Brian Clarey in the February 1st edition of Triad City Beat entitled,  "Downtown Greensboro: Block by Block."  We thought we'd use Brian's article as a reference for the downtown blocks in 2017 and see just how much they've changed since then.  Brian started with the South 600 block, so it makes sense for us to do so and, serendipitously, we've already featured this area twice this week. At the time of Brian's writing, Andy Zimmerman had just purchased the above building and plans for renovation were underway. Fast forward eight years later to 2025 and the property is beautiful.

We're not sure yet if we'll feature the downtown streetscape photos every day in a row. We may interject some other photos along the way, but by the end of July or early August, you will have seen the whole strip of Elm Street from Gate City Boulevard to Tanger Center, westside and eastside. Who knows, by then, there may be even more changes.

Happy Thursday!

wrestling

Last night's First Friday in downtown Greensboro was so much fun. From the drum circle in Center City Park to the gallery openings to the employees at Scuppernong books who help you find just the book you were looking for- even if you didn't exactly know what you were looking for, there was something for everyone. A downtown first was an evening of  wrestling, brought to us by FIRE STAR Pro and their training classes in Greensboro. The above match was between Springs (on the right), and JCB on the left. It was JCB's first ever match, after graduating from almost a year's worth of training. He hails from Alamance County and is still in high school. JCB is so hooked on the sport and was really excited to win his first match. His merch table looked great.

We had ringside seats and were lucky enough to sit beside Dynamite Jackson's girlfriend who was patient enough to give us some impromptu lessons on the sport. Her partner was in the 3rd match, and he won. They were both jubilant. The weekends of First Friday, the block between McGee and Washington Street, at South Elm, is open only for pedestrian traffic. Today, there are vendors set up on the space. Also, it is the 20th anniversary of Just Be and they have give aways and a special promotion. It is a fun day to explore!

Happy Saturday

Savor the Moment

We love a good urban street view, and this is of the bakery/coffee shop "Savor the Moment." located right across the street from the Cultural Arts Center and Center City Park on the southeast corner of Davie Street and Friendly Avenue. In visiting their website, we learned that for $8.99 a month, you can become a member. Membership entitles you to one free cup of hot or iced coffee a day, as well as discounts and a free crunch cheesecake a month. They are open every day but Monday,  As an example, Savor the Moment is open 25 days in June, making a daily cup of coffee cost a mere 36¢, not even factoring in other goodies. That would definitely be a great gift for someone who spent a lot of time downtown. They even have an event space available for rental.  Today, they are open from 10am-9pm. Tomorrow is First Friday and they will be open until 10pm, a perfect spot is you are heading to one of the downtown parks or the Cultural Arts Center.

Happy Almost First Friday!

 

Jurassic Park on North Battleground

June means summer fun. School will be out soon parents will be scrambling to find things to do with their children. Greensboro has many fabulous summer camp opportunities. Also, you can visit the children's museum and the science center, plan a day trip down to the zoo in Asheboro, take in a Grasshopper baseball game, and, of course, participate in summer swimming. The local swim teams are a fabulous way to keep children, age 5-18,  connected to community while getting good exercise and learning about sportsmanship. There are over community 20 swim teams and 2000+ summer swimmers*

By now, you are wondering about today's photo. Well, Jurassic Park, the era of dinosaurs millions of years ago, has arrived at the North Battleground (NoBa) area of Greensboro. You may remember that Dear Dad's Restaurant opened late last summer in a building that was originally a Waffle House. Well, the restaurant is a booming success and just keeps getting better and better. They've added a small strip of outdoor seating as way to accommodate the large, weekend brunch crowds.  Recently, the manager saw an ad for a metal dinosaur on Facebook Marketplace and bought it for the restaurant. Nestled between Dear Dad's and a BP Station, is this bright green Dino. It is anchored firmly into the ground and children love to play on it--  and, it is the perfect spot for selfies. So, when you see photos of your friends with this green dinosaur, you will know they are at Dear Dad's. Add this to your summer fun list. Head to NoBa and find Dino at the diner!

Happy planning your summer-- even if you don't have school-age children in your life!

* read more HERE.

Just Be at 20

This time on Saturday next week, Kathryn Hashemi will be in the middle of bringing even more joy to all those who walk into Just Be, downtown, at the southwest corner of South Elm Street and West McGee Streets. Saturday, June 7th is the 20th anniversary of Just Be. The store bills itself as an eclectic and inviting store for gifts with stories to tell. This lovely shop opened in 2005 when, in the early 2000's, downtown was in the beginning stages of becoming re-gentrified. The Green Bean Coffee Shop had only opened three years earlier, in 2002, and Natty Greene's in 2004.

For some background information, the ever-talented Christina Brown opened  Just Be in 2002. Ten years later, in 2012, Sarah Margaret Church bought the store. She owned it until 2019 when Kathryn purchased it from her. Kathryn had been working at Just Be as an employee and knew how much she loved the store, the customers, and the location. Kathryn was the perfect person to carry on the legacy of Christina and Sarah Margaret, and become the third owner of Just Be. If you get a chance, stop by this weekend; however, also be sure to visit on Saturday, June 7th when there will be so many surprises in store with us. Kathryn is the perfect person to keep this special downtown store thriving.  Happy birthday, Just Be. Thank you, Kathryn for curating such a lovely store and for knowing just what will be perfect for your customers.

Happy Saturday!

 

Biscuitville Delivery

Yesterday, we shared a photo of the man we observed washing windows. Today, we continue that theme. We were fascinated by the man who masterfully navigated that Biscuitville truck in the Trader Joe's parking lot on North Battleground Avenue. If you notice, there is a Biscuitville store behind the truck. Biscuitville has been going strong in North Carolina since 1966 by Maurice Jennings in Burlington. In its earliest iteration it was a bread and milk store, and then a pizza shop and finally a Biscuitville in Danville, VA.  And now, there are over 80 Biscuitville stores in North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. 

This family-owned business lost Mr. Jennings, the founder, in 2020. His son, Maurice, Jr. is now CEO of the company. The Biscuitville corporate headquarters is located in Greensboro at 1414 Yanceyville Street. Volvo Trucks of North America is also headquartered in Greensboro. Somehow, it seems so perfect to have that brand new yellow Volvo truck above is specially painted for Biscuitville- a great example of keeping it local.  Honk, if you love biscuits!

Happy Wednesday! 

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day is the holiday that reminds us that there are those who have given their life for our country. Today, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce will host a Memorial Day observance at the Carolina Field of Honor in Kernersville. Other local memorials to visit are the Guilford County Veterans Memorial in Country Park and the Greensboro Veterans Memorial at 301 North Church Street.  If you are in the Kernersville area, you might want to head to Doss' Old Fashion Ice Cream and Grill.

The above photo features Doss' at 406 North Main Street in Kernersville,  yesterday. There was quite a crowd We're hoping it will be open regular hours today 10am-10pm, as it will be the perfect place to go after the Memorial Day observance at the Field of Honor. Opened in 1985, this is the 40th anniversary year. As for the Field of Honor, it opened on May 31, 2014, so it is only 11 years old. We love the fact that Doss' is a step back in time. Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to slow down, share an ice cream together, and reflect on just how much we value family, loved ones, and those who have given their life in service to the country.

Skyline in Downtown Greensboro, NC, USA

Yesterday afternoon, downtown Greensboro was so beautiful, bathed in sunshine with billowy white clouds. We were walking around looking for what we call "serendipity photos", photos that seemingly jump out at us. The lighting and contrast on this scene caught our eye. The most obvious feature is the Jefferson Standard/Jefferson Pilot/Lincoln Financial Group buildings, with evidence that the photo was taken at precisely 3:53 p.m. Also featured prominently is the back side of Schiffman's Jewelry Store. Then, there is what Retired Greensboro Journalist Extraordinaire Jim Schlosser loves to find, a ghost sign. He would know, but we're thinking the white band, on the tall red brick building to the right, used to have "Ellis Stone" written on it.

Today is such a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning. We encourage you to head downtown and see what beautiful photos you can snap. All it takes is a cell phone camera and a little noticing.That little alley to the left has the most delicious bakery, Breakfast in Paris. That would be a great place to start. You might even meet up with us there.

Happy Saturday! 

Carolina Home Partners

Carolina Home Partners, located at 700 Battleground Avenue, is a beauty of a house. While it is an island surrounded by roads in and out of the city, it sits perched on the hill on the south side of Green Hill Cemetery.  Constructed in the 1880s, it was formerly the cottage of the gatekeeper of the cemetery. It was nearly destroyed in 1973, but was restored and has been used by various businesses over the last 50 years. The pitched roof and pointed details are fitting with the Gothic Revival style*

It is now part of the Fisher Park National Register Historic District, so, hopefully, it will be well maintained for years to come. The current tenants Carolina Home Partners, is a real estate group. We're betting they will be good stewards of this Greensboro gem. 

Happy Friday!

* Reference and read more, HERE.

Be Kind Kids on State Street

Be Kind Kids is a consignment boutique specializing in children's clothing. Located at 407 State Street and looked next to Wonderland Bookshop (for children), Be Kind Kids is part of the State Street revival. The store has been open for at least three years and they add inventory all the time. Also, if their website in any indication, Be Kind Kids, or BKK as the owners affectionately call it,  are so much more than just children't clothing.

The 400 block of State Street has added so many new shops over the last few years, starting with Eclectic by Nature and then Vida Pour Tea, two of the anchor stores in the heart of State Street. Let's hope BKK and these other businesses along State Street thrive. We always say this is the one street in Greensboro that comes closest to feeling like a street at one of the North Carolina beach communities. Also, talk a walk from Church Street to Elm Street, a little over 1/2 mile, and you will see the charm in this self-contained street. For the record, Greensboro Daily Photo is giving State Street the nickname Entrepreneurs' Row. There must be at least 30 independently owned businesses on this street.

Happy Thursday!

Sunrise Surprise on North Battleground (NoBa)

Yesterday morning was a bit foggy, which made taking a photo of the sunrise easy. The above photo was taken shortly before 7:00 am at the corner of Battleground Avenue and Horse Pen Creek. The orange glow made a great backdrop for the Sherwin-Williams blue truck driving by. The truck  may have been heading to the Sherwin-Willams store just on the other side of this intersection.  We wonder if the truck was coming from the Sherwin-Williams Greensboro Manufacturing Plant & Distribution Center at 1025 Howard Street (and behind Hops Burger Bar on Spring Garden Street.

We hope you have a beautiful weekend and that you have time to get out and celebrate our great city!

Happy Friday!

Rainy Day Wednesday

Yesterday started out overcast, but, by the end of the day, it was glorious. There were strong rains throughout the day. However, near sunset, the sun came out and seemed to be trying hard to push the rain away. Earlier in the afternoon, we were on North Elm, between Pisgah Church Road and Interstate 840 (The Urban Loop). We were leaving the dentist's office and it started to pour. We pulled into a parking lot to wait out the rain and to look around a little bit.  This is the plaza where The upscale Salvation Army Thrift Shop, Lab Corp, and a few other businesses are located.

We thought it was so sweet, this girl was running to share the umbrella with a person who was likely her mother. Fortunately, it stopped raining fairly quickly and we got back on the road to head home. It is important to remember to stop and embrace the things we cannot change. In moments of rest, we can look around and observe things that would otherwise pass us by. 

Happy Thursday!

Mythos Grill on North Battleground

This is an interior view of the new Mythos Grill at 3900 Battleground Avenue, the third in Greensboro. One is on West Market Street in the former Panera Bread Location. A second is on Battleground, on the back side of Target. The one on North Battleground, which we are branding as NoBa, is in a location near Horse Penn Creek where many restaurants have already come and gone. If the crowded parking lot and busy interior- on a Tuesday night- was any indication, this restaurant is a hit.

Slowly, this part of town is waking up. Dear Dad's (the old Waffle House) has a steady group of customers, Rody's  has a loyal customer base, especially when popular sports teams are playing. As the medical facilities and apartment complexes continue to pop up, the food and retail establishments will likely get busier. Fortunately, the NoBa Mythos has the same menu as the others. 

Happy Wednesday! See you in NoBa!

Rachel's Rose Cottage

Yesterday, we had a chance to spend time on the Guilford College Campus. Students are wrapping us the academic year and the ever-popular, 3-week session is underway.  These 3-week spring sessions are a chance for students to have focused learning experiences that aren't necessarily linked to their major. These 3-week, special sessions have been very popular with students. Some courses are held on campus and there have been some in places like Disney and Mexico.* The short-courses began in 2019, in the same year Rachel's Rose Cottage coffee shop opened.

The coffee shop was named for Rachel Barlow Taylor, a Guilford College student and former home economics teacher. Her grandson, Guilford College Trustee Fred Taylor provided the philanthropic support to convert the building to a coffee shop.**  Rachel's Cottage is so lovely and the roses are currently in full bloom. We can't wait to go back when it is open to have a cup of coffee. This building has been repurposed many times. It started out as a coal-fired power plant, was converted as the student affairs building, housed a language lab, became a storage building, was converted to a  multi-faith, campus ministry building, and, now, it is a coffee shop. Rachel's Cottage is absolutely breathtaking in its current iteration.

Happy Thursday!

• *read more about the sessions, here.
• ** reverence and more information, HERE.

Inside the Old Mill of Guilford on Highway 68 in Oak Ridge

Yesterday, we took you to the outside of the Old Mill of Guilford. Today, we're inside with Amy Klug. She and her husband Darrell have been running the mill since 2008. Over the last 16 years, they have helped the business grow, especially the online sales. Their online business soared during COVID and now, they have online sales, in house sales, and sales to retail establishments and also a table at the Yanceyville Curb Market. We saw Amy on Sunday afternoon; proof positive that a miller's work is never done. 

Amy and Darrell are selling the mill. They are ready for someone else to come in with new ideas and new energy. They acknowledge that the community has been extremely supportive. Historically, mills were gathering places where farmers gathered and talked while their grain was being ground.  The Klugs realize the importance of keeping this business strong, especially in light of the fact that it is one of the oldest grist mills in the USA. The Old Mill of Guilford  was a mill before America was a country. We are grateful for the Old Mill of Guilford and for all of the people from owners, volunteers, and customers who make this mill running smoothly. We hope their products are available for a very, very long time!

Happy Tuesday!

Old Mill of Guilford

Sunday afternoon drives are so fun around Greensboro. You can drive in any direction and see something special. We headed up Highway 68 north, just before Oak Ridge and stopped in to the Old Mill of Guilford. This grist mill is on the National Register of Historic Places. If you are local, you are likely as proud of the Old Mill as we are. It was established in 1767 and is one of the oldest continuously operating grist mills in America. The fact that the old techniques for grinding grains are as relevant today as they were 250+ years ago is nothing short of amazing.

 It is such a peaceful, step-back-in-time place to visit. And, best of all, you can purchase all of their products in the mill store on site or on line. They have over 50 products. The rice we purchased yesterday, sourced from Oriental, NC, was absolutely fabulous! Next, we're going to try the buckwheat pancake mix from there.

Happy Monday!

 

316 South Eugene St.

If online sources are correct, 316 South Eugene Street was built in 1963. It is hard to believe that 62 years ago, it was still possible to build a single story structure in downtown Greensboro. The Brown Law Building is the law office of Attorney Kent Brown and his firm. They specialize in traffic, criminal, and expungement cases. This location is so convenient to the Greensboro court house, the federal building, the police station, jail, and the municipal building. 316 South Eugene is only 1,376 square feet and on a .14 acre lot. The building last sold in 2012 for $179,200.*  

We wish we knew the original purpose of the building  and what each of the four owners have used it for. We wonder is the brick was locally sourced. Old Carolina Brick Company is still going strong in Salisbury, NC.  If you are looking for something to do today, head downtown and find a building or two that intrigue you. It is amazing what you can learn from a simple search.  As for us, we might put it on our list to head to Salisbury and see just what buildings in Greensboro have used bricks from their company.

Happy Saturday!

* information found here.

Dave's Hot Chicken Opening Soon!

All of the finishing touches have been put on Dave's Hot Chicken at 1949 Battleground Avenue.  They are ready to open for business. The official opening will be on Friday, April 25th. However, if you see the doors open today, you just may be able to go in and give it a try.  Word has it they will be doing a soft opening, just to iron the kinks out and to give employees a chance to experience the work flow. There has been a lot of talk and excitement centered around this opening. It will be fun to go in and try the chicken. Will you be ordering, no spice, lite mild, mild, medium, hot, extra hot, or reaper? Do you like krinkle fries and dipping cheese? You can't miss the store on Battleground at Cornwallis. Just look for the bright graffiti and the corrugated/krinkle fry shaped façade. And, then, there are the fire engine red chairs and tables out front.

From the pop up business in a parking lot in California, to a franchise sweeping North America, Dave's is gaining a lot of traction. It will be interesting to see how the Greensboro market will be for them. It is fun to follow a new business and get to know the people involved in bringing it to town. One of the best part is that they moved into an existing building, bringing life to this little corner near Kirkwood and Irving Park. We're betting they sell a few orders to people going to the Greensboro Elks for swim practice and meets this summer. Oh, and for sure we'll head in to admire the artwork of Splatterhaus and 

Happy Wednesday!

Former Golden Corral on Lawndale

The Golden Corral Buffet and Grill on Lawndale Avenue has been closed for over five years. It seems like more than that, but an article in the Greensboro News and Record on January 3, 2020 states that it closed after being in that location for twenty years. Many of us raised children, going to that venue. We had season-end sports gatherings there. Many church groups and families gathered there on Sundays. Children learned to take it if you touched it; to eat all you want, but to try not to waste; to not put a finger in the chocolate fountain. For two decades, the all-you-can-eat format, encouraged us to eat, and eat, and eat. The food was good and the prices reasonable.  There is still a Golden Corral on West Wendover Avenue, but the Lawndale location was super convenient for those on the east side of town.

Imagine our delight when, on Saturday, we noticed people inside working. Jubilantly, we went bouncing inside inquiring about the future tenant. The answer we got from the people inside, "eye doctors."  They noticed our bubbly excitement change to a sullen expression. We tried to recover by saying something like, "Oh well, we all need good eye care."  

We'll tag this post under "then and now," as it is yet another example of how Greensboro is changing.

Happy Monday!

Daves Hot Chicken

DAVE'S HOT CHICKEN is going into the building that formerly housed the "A Cleaner World" dry cleaners at 1951 Battleground Avenue at  West Cornwalis. The franchise is a California concept that started with a pop up restaurant in a Hollywood, CA parking lot in 2017. Fast forward eight years and there are now over 100 locations in four countries. The Greensboro store is the fourth in North Carolina.  Yesterday, we had the good fortune to meet Director of Operations( for the NC locations) Roland (left above) and Nick Smith III (right above) who is co-owner of the North Carolina stores and franchise with his wife, Nicole. DAVE'S plans a soft-opening on Wednesday, April 23rd and a GRAND opening on Friday, April 25th.

We'll feature the artwork soon. It is done by a California artist who is the only artist to decorate the DAVE's  restaurants. The designs are of the graffiti genre, and you cannot miss the store. The artwork draws you in. The artist always incorporates something local into the artwork. For the Greensboro location, it is the word "DAVE'S" , on an interior wall, written to look like the letters are made out of Wrangler denim.

We're sure the chicken will taste great, but equally impressive is the pride, joy, and enthusiasm Roland and the Smiths have for the opportunity to enter the Greensboro market. We found it heartwarming that Dave didn't want to be photographed since his wife Nicole was not on site at the time.  But, we just happened to be driving by when Roland and Dave were available to talk. We look forward to seeing everyone on a future visit. 

Happy Friday!

Strawberry Breakfast Restaurant

The Strawberry Breakfast House has recently opened at 2915 Battleground Avenue, near Longhorn Steakhouse, Kia, Salvino's and Loaded Grape. It is tucked away in a little plaza, beside Green Joe's Coffee Company, but once people find it, they are quick to return. Strawberry Breakfast is open from 7:00- 3:00 pm and specializes in breakfast foods, although other items, like salads and burgers, are available. This little restaurant is getting quite a reputation for their great breakfasts at reasonable prices. While we ordered eggs, the French toast with maple syrup looked tasty.  The dining room is very open and there is no bar seating for singles. However, they do have  seating for two and tables turn over quickly. We only had to wait about 15 minutes on a busy Saturday morning.

It is nice to this part of town become a little more lively. The parking lot was full on Saturday. Stop by and check it out for yourself.

Happy Wednesday!

Construction On Horse Pen Creek Road

The above photo is a construction site on Horse Pen Creek Road at Jessup Grove. As you can see in the background, the area was formerly woods. By 2026, the property will transform into an Atrium Health/Wake Forest University surgery and cancer center. Here is a history of Atrium Health, which has its beginnings over 80 years ago in Charlotte, NC. Here is another article that actually links Atrium to the late 1800s. 

The above Atrium Health facility will join Cone Health MedCenter Greensboro at Drawbridge Parkway, as a medical facility in the area.  As the crow flies, both facilities are just a stone's throw from Well-Spring  Retirement Community, and many relatively new communities. Horse Pen Creek is transforming before our eyes.

Happy Thursday!

Shortys Gas Station is Open for Business

The gas station/convenience store at the corner of Carlson Dairy Road and Pleasant Ridge is now open. The former owner was Shorty Wilson and the business was called Wilson's. Even though there is a new owner, they wanted to give a nod to the former owner, hence "Shorty's."  The business had belonged to Harold "Shorty" and Geneva Wilson from 1972-2022, for fifty years!

The new owners have done a nice job of renovating the interior and helping maintain that neighborhood feel. It is pretty easy for regular customers to become a known at Shorty's. The new owner is Jita Oza and we are hoping to get to know them. It has been open for about a year, but we just hadn't had a chance to drive by and get a photo. We love the old-timey look of the exterior of the building.

This photo was taken on Sunday and we were curious about the fact that a USPS truck was out delivering on Sunday. In checking, it appears that they do make deliveries of Priority Mail Express and Amazon packages on Sunday. It also depends on volume levels and deliveries mainly happen in metropolitan areas. 

Happy Monday!

Spring Cleaning on South Elm Street

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

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

Happy Friday!

Yum Yum for Ice Cream and Hot Dogs!

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

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

Happy Thursday!

The Greensboro Skyline

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

Sherwin Williams

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

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

 

*See news and record article here.

Gardner Bob's Homestead Kitchen

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

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

Happy Thursday!

Hippo Records

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

Happy Wednesday!

Fordhams Inside

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

Fordham's Cleaners Has Left the Building

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

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

Happy Monday musings!

Daily Bread Flour

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

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

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

Happy Thursday!

Consider Taking a Class at Reconsidered Goods

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

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

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

Back Stage Coffee Shop, Greensboro's Latest Gathering Spot

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

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

Valentines Day in a Few More Days

 

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

Resco Products Refractory Manufacture

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

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

Happy Thursday!