Greensboro Daily Photo

A Pretty Little Alley Just Off South Elm Street

This alley is a little taste of Europe right here off of South Elm Street. The combination of the bricks, plants, benches, lights, gates, and those fabulous awnings make this space so cozy. Those features, combined with the fact that the alley is narrow and off the beaten path, really contribute to the feel of Europe. The alley is located between a bakery, spa, and clothing store, and just north of Washington Street. The names of these businesses and the owners may have changed over the past decade, but great products and services continue to be available. During these times, we need to be a little more careful;  in many cases we need to call ahead for products and services. But, how wonderful to start the day with a fresh cup of coffee and warm pastry. You can even sit on the benches in the alley. Here is another view from a couple of years ago when streets were busier. Here is a view, looking the other way, eleven years ago!

Today is First Friday, and Elm Street will not be as busy as usual, but some businesses will be open and the window shopping and art admiring are fun activities. If you like selfies, there are some great backgrounds Whatever you decide to do today, we hope that you have a nice day. If you are staying in town for the Fourth of July, by now you know that Fun Fourth is cancelled. However, with a little effort, we can all make a day, or a holiday feel special. Greensboro is such a lovely community.

McKay's Books: View from Behind the Building

Reading a good book is such a good way to spend time over the summer. McKay's Used Books, formerly Edward McKay's, is open from 10 am- 8pm. If you do not want to come in, they are offering themed bundles curbside. How fun! Wonder what they would say if you were really creative in your request. The Battleground Avenue location offers over 10,000 sq. feet filled with books, DVDs, books on tape, video games, action figures, and more. Their Facebook page is a lot of fun.

This vista from Mill Street just seemed to jump out at us. The stark, almost-monochromatic layers are eye catching; the organic, golden-green grass, the black and white angular buildings, and the sunny blue sky all stack up to providing a scene that would be hard to guess is Greensboro. If we ever published a book about Greensboro, this one would make the cut!

Greensboro: 1045 West Market Street Is Now 1015 West Market Street

Today's post is prompted by the above post card of the Manor Motel. The motel was located at 1045 West Market Street, across from the State Employees Credit Union at Tate Street. According to the post card, Manor Motel was a quiet and restful room with TV, telephone, tile baths, room controlled air-conditioning, heat, and a swimming and wading pool. It was owned and managed by Mr. and Mrs. S.T. Dickinson. Mrs. Dickinson was a teacher in the Greensboro City Schools and at Smith High School when Smith High opened.

On p. 105 of her book "Greensboro," Gayle Hicks Fripp, writes and provides photos that reveal the Manor Motel was demolished by D.H. Griffin to be replaced with a new location for the Central Y, a change that was not without resistance by the local College Hill Community. Construction, by the W.H. Weaver Company, would have happened in the late 60s-early 70s.

The top photo shows the building on now the former Manor Motel site. The Central YMCA became the Royce Reynolds Family Student Life Center, the westernmost building on the campus of Greensboro College. Royce and Jane Reynolds donated $2 million dollars to Greensboro College, where Royce Reynolds was also chairman of the board of trustees. 

So, what was an elegant mansion just west of downtown Greensboro, became a motel, which was replaced by a YMCA, which became a student life center at Greensboro College. When 1045 West Market Street was demolished, the current building on the lot is now 1015, the last property on that side of the 1000 block. Those who are lifelong residents of Greensboro, and are senior citizens, may remember the Dickinsons, the Manor Motel, the Central Y, and the opening of the Reynolds Student Life Center. For us, putting the pieces together involved much sleuthing. We found a vintage postcard, searched the Fripp book on Greensboro, and talked to a long-retired educator who knew of Mrs. Dickinson. Our friend called a retired Smith High School teacher, who called a friend who remembered Ms. Dickinson in the early years of Smith High School (circa 1963). It is so easy for this information to slip away from us and so special when people document and share the stories of their community.

Clark, Farm, Lawn, and Garden

If you ever drive on North Summit Avenue, you've likely seen the Clark, Farm, Lawn, & Garden building. Located at 4210 Summit, the building stretches for what appears to be a city block. Clark opened in 1945, making it 75 years old. Summertime is the time to do yard work and Clark is one of those places that can help you with any type of equipment you would need to make your lawn and garden beautiful. They also service the equipment as needed, too.

It is so wonderful to know this locally owned business has been in Greensboro for over seven decades, especially with all of the national chains competing in the industry. Clark is the type of place that enjoys hearing how well your tomatoes are doing this year, how you are keeping deer from eating your hostas, and how much land you decided to farm. Heck, they probably even enjoy hearing about those fish you caught off the pier on your last trip to the beach. Let's hope Clark is here for another 75 years! Next time you need a piece of equipment, consider buying local. You have nothing to lose by giving them a visit.

Just think, the sun will set at 8:40pm tonight; there is lots of daylight for doing yard work.

Thornless Blackberries @ Butler Lighting

This beautiful thornless blackberry bush is located in front of Butler Lighting on North Church Street in Greensboro. This is such a fine example of planting edibles. The bushes line the sidewalk as you approach the main entrance to the lighting store. The bushes have examples of blackberries at every stage of development from blossoms to ripe blackberries. The more edibles we plant, the happier the birds and other wildlife will be, and, humans can also share the bounty. On the overcast rainy day, the bushes were such a bright welcome

We should also add, that when we went inside the store, we were greeted by lighting professionals who helped talk us through all of the lighting variables from type of bulb to the way a certain fixture emits light in a room or on an exterior wall. In this era when it is so popular to order everything online, sometimes you just can't beat working, in person, with professionals. Butler Lighting has the Church Street showroom and also one on Highway 68, near I-40. We're wondering if the larger showroom on 68 also has thornless blackberry bushes growing! Have you ever considered planting them?

Happy Wednesday! If you are out exploring Greensboro, let us know what you discover!

SHENANIGANS on State Street

In Greensboro, State Street is the closest thing we have to a "beach street". It is such a cute walkable part of town, a bridge between the mill villages of yesteryear and Irving Park. The above photo features Shenanigans, a gift store in the heart of the area. The OPEN sign is something of a metaphor for restarting, as businesses slowly find ways to adjust to Phase 2 openings and with continued physical distancing.

In this photo, the unidentified mother, with child in arm, is the only hint of movement on the street. However, were we to turn around, you would see people out enjoying a cup of tea at Vida Pour Tea and, across the street,  people at Wonderland Bookshop perusing the delightful book options for children. Perhaps the mom is headed that way. If you want that cozy feeling of being at the beach, take a stroll along State Street.

500 Block of South Elm Street

The 500 block of South Elm Street in Greensboro has so much color and history. The above photo shows a group of people talking in front of Hudson's Hill at 527 South Elm. At one time, the two story, red brick building was the original Coe Grocery. The blue storefront behind the red truck is the second, former Coe Grocery, and now the Gate City Candy Company.

There is so much history in downtown Greensboro. It is nice as the businesses change that in many cases the building facades remain the same. The sign of a healthy, happy city is when people are out mingling together. It is really easy to meet people when strolling along Elm Street. With all of the artwork covering the storefronts, people are flowing to the area to take photos. The artwork is so lovely and the messages are powerful. The painted sign on the side of the building harkens back to the beginning of the last century. The sign on the front of 527 reflects the pulse of the previous century. 

We hope your day is lovely and full of joy!

Westin Hotel South Elm

The Westin is building a hotel on South Elm Street. The above photo features construction on the Davie Street side of the project. To help orient, you can see the Lincoln Financial Corporation building in the background, as well as the long-faded sign for the Ellis-Stone Department Store- built in 1949.

Clearing the lot and working out the details has been a tremendous undertaking but the hotel is finally coming to fruition. This Westin is one of three new hotels being built downtown. Westins are known for combining wellness and hospitality to hotel guests. With the Tanger Center for the Performing arts nearby, having more lodging will make it possible for people to attend performances, dine, exercise, and get a good night's sleep without having to drive. The hotel will help in the revitalization of downtown Greensboro. If you have time, drive by and see for yourself.

McLeod Belting Company

It is so fun to explore Greensboro and find new places. The above business McLeod Belting Company is located at 910 Scott Avenue between Spring Garden Street and Oakland Avenue. Notice in the background the former Rolane Factory. The white building would be easy to drive by without noticing it. However, the Kelly green awnings and font really stand out.

According to their website, the company makes belts for transmissions, conveyors, and processing. The company has been around for 90 years and in this site for approximately 16. They have technicians on call 24/7 and have locations in Virginia and Georgia. Belts are the kind of product that you may never think about if your business doesn't use one. But, if you do need one, having a place you can count on, 24/7 is important. It would be fun to see inside the factory. If you need an industrial belt, now you know where to go! Happy Tuesday.

Exploring Summerfield, formerly Bruce's Crossroads.

Exploring Greensboro and the surrounding communities of Guilford County is something fun to do on the weekend. The above photo features the inside of the old Gordon Hardware Store at the Crossroads of Upper Summerfield. The building is one of the historically significant buildings in the National Register of Historic Places district. Most of the buildings in this area date back to the 19th century. Summerfield, formerly Bruce's Crossroads has been a community since 1768.

When 220 North was built in 1952, travelers no longer needed to cross through Summerfield and many businesses, including Gordon Hardware, closed. After nearly 70 years since being a hardware store, the interior still has strong bones, including beautiful hardwood floors. Even the plaster remains is good condition. With so much growth in Summerfield, hopefully the building will be reincarnated as something special.

Have a great weekend. We hope you find something fun to do. After all, in less than 48 hours it will be June!

Read more about the history of Summerfield here.

Floral Installation at Cone Health

Floral designer Lewis Miller has taken NYC by storm with his flash floral installations!*  As you can see in the above photo, Greensboro received its own impromptu, floral installation this past week. Tonya Anderson, owner and passionate designer at ABBA Designs, created the above installation. She said, after seeing Miller's creations, she knew she wanted to design one for Greensboro. Tonya made the arrangement to thank healthcare workers and to simply spark joy during this difficult time. Truly, the act was one of generosity and giving back to the community as Tonya didn't even put up signage to show that the flowers were from her shop.  ABBA is that beautiful little shop, a sort of oasis in the 700 block of Eugene street, not too far from Deep Roots Market.

Together with her assistant, Carrie Little, the duo worked their design magic. They spread 300 roses- that's 25 dozen- around the Cone Health sign at Wesley Long, on the Friendly Avenue side. If you see Tanya or Carrie, be sure to thank them for their generosity. If you need someone to design flowers for a special event, give them a call. See other examples of the ABBA aesthetic, here. Stop back tomorrow, and we'll feature Tonya herself, as seen via our Zoom call! Unfortunately, the installation is no longer there, but the memory will stay with us for a very long time.

 

*see here for some of Miller's floral installations.

 

Shops Opening Back Up

The above photo shows people waiting in line to enter the Spectrum store this past Sunday at Friendly Center. Slowly, stores are opening up. Some people are more diligent then others about wearing masks, but for the most part people were maintaining reasonable physical distance. There was also a line a couple of stores over at Pier 1 as they are going out of business. Several people were inside Barnes and Noble; one woman, purchasing a puzzle, said that was the first store she had been other than a grocery store since mid-March. Another woman was purchasing a book for her book club. 

As the weather warms up and schools come to a close, it will be interesting to see how people spend their time. People seem eager to get out and spend time together... but apart. Happy Tuesday. Happy, almost summer.

Gibsonville, City of Roses, City of Maple View Creamery

Gibsonville, known as the City of Roses, is a community just east of Greensboro on the border of Alamance County. The above photo shows people this past weekend, trying to social distance while enjoying an ice cream from Maple View's County Line Creamery Company. You can see the ice cream shop, in the background, to the left of the tree. This Main Street favorite has a very interesting history leading back to Maine.*

The Maple View Farm is firmly committed to dairy farming and land conservation. One hundred eighty seven of the 400 acres of the farm have been granted to the Triangle Land Conservancy. This designation means that the property will remain for agricultural and open purposes. Everyone involved in the farm, from the land and dairy cows to the end products, is firmly committed to making practices as sustainable and good for the animals as possible. Read the link about the farm, and purchase an ice cream next time you are in the Gibsonville area. Current flavors include, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, butter pecan, honey toasted almond, double chocolate, coffee, cookies and cream, cookie dough, banana, Carolina crunch, and mint chocolate chip. What is your favorite?

 

* read more here.

The First Baptist Church and Lincoln Financial Building

Underneath that glorious sky, two Greensboro institutions peek out at us. In the middle half of the photo, the First Baptist Church of Greensboro is featured prominently. It has been a Greensboro institution since 1859. However, the above facility in the present location was constructed in the middle of the last century.* Today, the expansive church, that does so much for the community, takes up almost a whole city block on the south edge of Westerwood at Friendly Avenue.

The Jefferson Pilot building, now part of Lincoln Financial Group, is the 20 story tower in the middle of the leftmost church building. The JP Building is the iconic beacon that blinks the time and temperature for all to see. On Greensboro Daily Photo, we like to see how many different ways we can capture the JP building and even tag it every time it is in a photo. See here for over 60 other shots, which isn't too excessive, considering we've shared over 4,000 photos of Greensboro since 2009.

If we're counting, First Baptist has been delivering services for 161 years which amounts to over 8,000 Sundays. That is a lot of spiritual guidance. To worship with them today, watch their online sermon, here.

* more church history, here.

Super G Mart

Super G Mart is an international grocery store on West Market Street. It is the largest in North Carolina and offers selections of foods and spices that can be hard to find in most grocery stores.

They provide a wide array of foods for different many ethnic groups. You can find food and spices from virtually every continent (well, maybe not Antartica).  We went yesterday to purchase essentials and the shelves were well stocked.  A wide variety of chicken, beans, rice, and every kind of pasta and noodle you can imagine were on the shelves. Employees were helpful and used gloves and masks at the checkout counter, and hand sanitizer was available for in-store use.

If you need staples for your pantry and absolutely cannot remain in quarantine because you need food, consider shopping at Super G Mart, if you don't already. You may even want to purchase something that you have never tried before and expand your international cooking skills while you are spending more time at home.

Humans of Greensboro: Gwen Frisbie-Fulton

This past weekend, we met up with Gwen Frisbee-Fulton at Vida Pour Tea. This dynamic and energetic person dedicates her professional and personal life to the well-being of others. Gwen, a UNC Chapel Hill graduate, has made a career of working in non-profits, mostly in Greensboro. Currently, she works at Down Home, a statewide advocacy organization which helps build multi-racial coalitions in rural communities.

When not busy helping others through Down Home, Gwen can be found working hand-in-hand with her middle-school-aged son addressing the needs of her beloved Glenwood neighborhood. Currently, Glenwood residents are mobilizing to help the elderly, disabled, and those who might need medicine, food, or other essentials during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gwen loves living in Glenwood because it is so ethnically and economically diverse, and she says "magical things happen in my neighborhood." As examples, there are community gardens, a community market, and neighbors who are always helping each other. Glenwood residents are deeply committed to the needs of the community. Gwen is known for putting out "all call" messages of clothes or provisions for others and, she is likely to find an abundance of what she requested on her porch within 24-hours. While it seems that Gwen does all of the giving, when you listen to her, it becomes obvious that she believes she receives even more than she gives. There are some who refer to her as the unofficial mayor of Glenwood. Thank you, Gwen for all you do and thank you for giving up a big chunk of your Saturday morning to talk with us.

Also, thank you, Sarah, for making Vita Pour Tea such a special place to gather on State Street.

HICAPS, Winston-Salem, and Cheesecakes by Alex

Great things continue to happen on Trade Street in Winston-Salem. You may ask what a street in the next county over has to do with Greensboro. Well, the answer is, a lot! Since 2002, Alex Amoroso has been baking cheesecakes at Cheesecakes by Alex on Elm Street. His business continues to grow as does his lineup of cheesecakes. He now has 24 varieties of cheesecake. Alex, a Western High School graduate, is expanding his business to Winston-Salem. HICAPS, headquartered in Greensboro,  has the contract for the Winston project. They also helped Alex when the Greensboro location expanded in 2015 (see here).

HICAPS, a full-service project management company, was established in 1984 by Dan Hood. He and his family have been an integral part of the Greensboro community for over thirty years. HICAPS has worked on many exciting projects, including the renovation of the Piedmont Triad International Airport. Whether it is a public project or a private endeavor, HICAPS has a reputation for meticulously minding every detail. Soon, if you are in Winston, eating cheesecake on Trade street, you can know the community has Greensboro to thank for the experience- from concept to completion. Congratulations Alex and HICAPS!

Common Grounds Coffee Shop

Common Grounds Coffee Shop on South Elam Avenue in Lindley Park is one of those local, goo-to spaces when you want to get some work done and get out of the house at the same time. They also have a lot of local, live music. They are known for their specialty coffee drinks with creative names. They also offer a few sweet snacks.

If you are out today, head over to the corner of Elam and Walker and enjoy the vibe. Start your day at the Corner Market and then head over for a cup of coffee. Saturdays can be so much fun in Greensboro. Note the calendar on the wall at Common Ground. At least stop by and see what you might want to attend. Happy Saturday! Happy February 29th. It is Leap Year!!!!!!!!

Mahjong in the Afternoon

Imagine how fun it would be to meet up with friends and play Mahjong in the afternoon. The above photo shows two groups playing at Delicious Bakery on Lawndale. Mahong is a tile-based game, originating in China. At first, it seems complicated; however, once you get to know the pieces and how to play, it is easy enough to socialize and enjoy while you play. Plus, if you meet somewhere like Delicious Bakery, you can play while drinking fresh coffee and eating tasty and visually appealing desserts. Delicious Bakery first opened in Greensboro, in a tiny location on Battleground Avenue across from Lowe's Home Improvement Store. While they have doubled their space, their commitment to good desserts and building community has not changed.

Happy Saturday, and don't wait for someone to ask you to join some kind of group game, organize it yourself and do the inviting. Also, the more you get out and enjoy Greensboro (or your own city, if from elsewhere), the more you will serendipitously stumble upon groups of people engaging in fine fellowship and making memories with each other. At the very least, dash out and get a cinnamon roll or floral cupcake!

Hyalyn Lamps, Shades, and Repairs

 

In Greensboro, Hyalyn has been the go-to place for lampshades and lamp refurbishing for 32 years. They are located inside Carriage House Antiques on Golden Gate Drive, near North Elm Street, Cornwallis Drive, and State Street. The above photo features Lynne Watson, whose family purchased the business in 1974. Lynne has been an integral part of the family business since graduating from college.

Lynne is holding a vintage, teal, slag-glass table radio lamp that arrived to her in a state of extreme disrepair.  It was in two pieces with frayed electrical wires, a worn out socket and switch that would have made the fire marshal panic! First, Lynne worked her magic, reconstructing the lamp to make it safe to use again. Next, she offered suggestions to the owner regarding a shade shape, color, and size that would complement the lamp. It is so nice to shop locally and to work with someone, like Lynne, who is not only personable, but also has great expertise.  If you have an antique lamp that you'd like to use, but know that it needs to be rewired, stop by and talk to Lynne. If you have used a bulb that was too hot and the inside of the lampshade is damaged, Hyalyn has a replacement. Be sure to text or call first to make sure Lynne will be available to help you. 336-545-1721. You can also check out her website at hyalynlampsandshades.com   Happy Friday!

(For our glass-loving readers, the above lamp has a tag on it that says Globe Specialty Company, Chicago, Illinois. The glass itself looks like the batches that were made by Akro Agate of Akron, OH or Houze Glass in Point Marion, PA).