Greensboro Daily Photo

Friday Night In Lindley Park

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

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

Happy Saturday!

Freedom House Thrift

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

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

Happy Friday!

 

Moonrise Over Wendover Avenue

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

New Construction Along Fisher Ave. & Spring St.

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

A Mondrian Take on Perry's Service Center

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

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

Happy Monday!

 

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

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

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

 

Sustainably Yours and the New State Street District

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

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

Happy Friday!

The Legacy of the Wagoners Selling Christmas Trees

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

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

Happy Monday! Happy day before Christmas Eve.

*See Dot's obituary, HERE.

Cille & Scoe & Holiday Joy

Downtown Greensboro has become quite the place to meet up for food, spirits, coffee, and fellowship. From the little New York style pizza shop just up the street* to Cille and Scot (above), restaurants have been busy over the holiday season. The parades and Festival of Lights do a great job of bring people to the area from Tanger Center to Gate City. On the day of the Holiday Parade, the above Santa-hatted friends gathered at Calle & Scoe for a mid-day meal.

Cille and Scoe in downtown Greensboro opened on October 15, 2021. It is named for the grandparents of Chef Sean Reaves who owns the restaurant with his wife Tara. Cille and Scoe (Lucille and Roscoe) gave Sean a farm-to-table upbringing that he experienced with them.  Most of the food at the restaurant is sourced from North Carolina; as Sean and Tara remind us, not to be trendy, but to use what the earth around us is providing in a given season. Sean loves reinterpreting his grandmother's recipes, melding that good, old-fashioned flavor with a new presentation. Read more in the article from Our State magazine (here). From the wall murals to the plating of the food, the Reaves have put so much thought behind every detail of their restaurant, it is easy to see how it has thrived over the last three years. It is easy to see why all of Santa's helpers stopped by that day.

It is the last weekend before Christmas, a time of year when we speed up so we can find time to slow down. Hopefully, we can all find time for holiday joy not only in our homes, but also in some local eateries.

Happy Friday!

 

* Pizzeria L'Italiano 219 S. Elm street. There are actually 3 pizza places on Elm street the other two are Mellow Mushroom (609 S. Elm) and The Corner Slice (600 N Elm)

33 & Elm Coffee Shop

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

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

Happy Wednesday!

Bookstores, Booksellers, and Librarians

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

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

Happy Friday the 13th!

Small Business Saturday at Just Be

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanksgiving 2024

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

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

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

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Joanne Rich Spring Garden Bakery

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

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

Happy Monday!

Made for the Holidays

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

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

Happy Saturday!

 

The O. Henry Hotel During a Golden Sunset

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

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

Burlap Circus Quintet at Common Grounds Coffee Shop in Langley Park

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

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

Happy Saturday!

LifeFit, a Mind-Body Practice & Wellness Business

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

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

Happy Wednesday. Namaste!

Revolution Mill on Yanceyville Street

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

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

Oh what a beautiful Saturday it will be.

Carol Poling, Thrill of the Hunt

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

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

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

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

Music for Jay at Oden Brewing

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

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

Read more about Oden Brewing HERE.

Happy Friday!

Tee Pee Rental

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

Happy Saturday!

Fall Is Pumpkin Time!

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

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

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

Brad Light, Barnes & Noble College Division

 

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

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

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

Happy Wednesday!

Quaker Village Is About To Have a New Food Option

Quaker Village has seen changes over the years. Located on Friendly Avenue, between Guilford College Road and Dolly Madison Road, it opened in 1964, seven years after Friendly Center. For over forty years, it was doing fairly well. In 1972, a movie theatre opened, remaining open in some form until 2003. In 2010,  the center filed for bankruptcy. In 2015, a neighborhood (mini) Wal-Mart opened there. 

The above spot was the location of Boston Market, which was open in Quaker Village until 2023. Now, a Chipotle is opening in the Boston Market location. Chipotle should be a fit for the area, giving Guilford College students a fast option for a meal. As we were walking around the shopping center, we noticed that the space of the former Carolina Diner is now available. What to you think would be a good business for that spot. We love seeing existing retail space get repurposed- a great alternative to clearcutting new parcels of land. Retail stores and restaurants count on us to vote by visiting and spending. Hopefully, Quaker Village will remain strong for years to come. Keep you eye open and head to the new Chipotle and some of the other stores in Quaker Village.

Happy Wednesday!

Oscar Oglethorpe Eyewear

Earlier in the week, leaving the celebration for Justice and Mrs. Frye and heading to our car, we noticed this window at Oscar Oglethrope Eyewear at 226 South Elm Street. Seeing those eyes staring back at us in purple and burgundy caused us to reminisce about a time, decades ago. Back in the day, storefronts were the Internet and social media for a store. Grocery stores posted ads of what was on sale, what was not available. Clothing stores dressed mannequins that drew y ou in. Consumers went "window shopping." Doing window displays was a popular profession.

In the 21st century, storefronts simply don't have that same allure. But look at how the Oscar Oglethrope Eyewear window draws you in. Their windows are always so creative and change often; same with their trendy glass frames. Their inventory is constantly changing. Decorating a downtown window  seems so appropriate. As for the 200 block of South Elm Street, here is what the documentation for the "National register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination Form" has to say about the 200 block of South Elm.

"This area contains the most architectural diversity of any part of the district, Here are found the simple Italianate structures of the late 1880's, 1890's and early 1900's, as well as the Art Deco buildings of the 1920's and 1930's and the modern structures of the 1950's and 1970's. The entire area is included because all structures fit together so well to form a complete sereetscape of both sides of the street and show such a wide range of architectural styles. Most of the structures are two-stories in height, although a few do rise to three and four stories."

Happy Saturday, a perfect time to go window shopping and reflect on what you see.

Bobby Goffredo, Graffiti Artist

Bobby Goffredo is a graffiti artist from Staten Island, New York. He has been in the Jamestown/High Point area for five years. Yesterday, we saw him painting murals at Dino's Audio Video at 3116 Battleground Avenue. Bobby has been at it a few weeks, with more to go. Bobby has been painting graffiti for years,  remembering fondly riding into New York City, as a child with his dad, and being fascinated by all of the graffiti. He developed his graffiti skills in New York back when the work was not appreciated  as an art form in the same way it is today.

Bobby is a cancer survivor whose cancer is attributed to being a first responder at the Twin Towers on 911. As inspiration to himself and others, on the other side of Dino's, he has plans to paint a cancer ribbon and writing the encouraging message, "Nobody Fights Alone."  He also paints his fingernails the color the cancer awareness ribbon for a given month (see colors HERE). We hope Bobby feels at home in the Greensboro area. Maybe Bobby could teach a graffiti class at Hirsch Wellness Center, a place dedicated to bringing  art to cancer survivors and their families. In the meantime, we'll keep our eye on the building across from Balance Day Spa on Battleground Avenue as it transforms into a bright pop of color; not only advertising Dino's business, but also reminding us to live every day to the fullest.

Happy Friday!

Topgolf Greensboro

Topgolf Greensboro opened Friday, September 13, 2004. It is their fourth facility in North Carolina. Topgolf bills itself as an entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range. Food and drink are available and they encourage parties and events. As seen in the above photo, players hit from a covered area into an open green. If we counted correctly, there are 64 climate-controlled bays. People at all skill levels can play and the high-tech balls score themselves. Prices range from $28- $56 per hour per bay, depending on time and day of the week. Each bay can accommodate up to six players.  Tuesday is half-price day!

The venue is highly visible from I-40 between Guilford College and Bridford Parkway.  As we left Topgolf yesterday, we gained considerable patience waiting to turn left out of the parking lot onto Guilford College Road. We got a chuckle getting on I-40 east and noticing that exit 218-A leads to Pinehurst, making it possible to practice at Topgolf in the morning and head to Pinehurst for an afternoon tee time. Indeed, North Carolina ia a paradise for golfers. Topgolf should do well here.

Happy Monday- and start planning your 6-some for half-price Tuesday tomorrow.

Starbucks, Downtown

This Starbucks at 500 West Market Street is conveniently located across from the Bryan Y. It has off street parking and a drive through. As much as we love our indie coffee shops, the parking and drive through are great perks. The shaded, outdoor seating area is a plus. The architecture is a standout at twilight. The store was built on the lot that formerly housed a Hardee's. It has been open for about a year now. With several churches nearby, it probably gets busy on Sundays. 

Of course the pumpkin spice latte is back; however, the new kid on the block is an iced apple crisp non-dairy chai. The PSL is 21 years old this year. It is their most popular specialty beverage and probably one of the reasons we become a pumpkin spice nation in the fall. We tried to find out how many total coffee shops are in Greensboro. However, counting coffee shops around here is rather like counting churches; the number seems infinite. However, wanderlog.com shared 37. . What is your go-to place in Greensboro. As for us, we love exploring and experiencing the vibe of different places. That is a start! Maybe we can try to visit all thirty seven. 

Happy Thursday!

Along Battleground Avenue During a Storm

Greensboro had some interesting weather this weekend. The above photo was taken at 4:50 pm on Friday night. The skies darkened quickly and then came the rains. We pulled off the road at T.J. Max and walked up the hill to get a good view of the sky. We got tickled when noticing that the sign for the tattoo salon looked like a rainbow. If we couldn't have a real rainbow to photograph, this would make a good runner up. That business location on Battleground was formerly a dance studio. Strange Beauty is a place you can get your hair styled, a massage, piercings, and a tattoo all in one place.

Strange Beauty Salon and Tattoo Collective at 2835 Battleground Avenue opened in April. See the My Fox 8 interview with owner Jessica J Paul. Jessica's goal is to create an inclusive space where the magic happens. Jessica believes attitude matter. She wants customers to leave feeling like they are part of something. What started out as our wanting to watch the storm roll into Greensboro turned into learning about a new business. At one time, tattoo parlors were in an isolated part of time that did not necessarily attract the mainstream consumer. Strange Beauty is right there beside T.J. Maxx and Ross Dress for Less. That's pretty mainstream. Getting a tattoo is now pretty mainstream.

Happy Tuesday!

Elon School of Law & Union Coffee Company

Today's post is at the 200 block of West Friendly Avenue on the corner with the Elon School of Law and the Union Coffee Company. This is a perfect location for a coffee shop, because law students can sit in the coffee shop and study. Across the street if the West Market Street United Methodist Church. People can meet for coffee centered around church meetings. Just down the street is the federal building. Finally, there is a barber shop next door.  

Union Coffee Company is owned by Daniel Davidson. We need to meet this young entrepreneur who, with his wife, has his hands in other ventures in downtown Greensboro (see HERE). Additionally, he has played the cello for 25 years. When we stopped in after the food truck festival, we had great service and actually found a great cold drink. Also, there was free water available. Best of all, the employees seemed to love their job. While Daniel has owned it for only a couple of years, the shop has been open since 2019. Hopefully, the five year mark is a good indicator that a solid client base has been established.  We love the crisp, angled look of this part of Friendly Avenue.

Happy Thursday!

Garrett & Connor

Weekends are for meeting new people in Greensboro. Last Saturday, the Wyndham Golf Tournament was in full swing at Sedgefield Country Club. With all the rain, this was a challenging year for the tournament, but outdoor sports are like that. We met the two guys above at Hops Burger Bar on Spring Garden Street. They are great golf fans and had spent the day at the tournament. Garrett moved to Greensboro a few weeks ago from Hurricane, West Virginia. His high school buddy Connor came down to attend the Wyndham Tournament.  Even for those who don't consume alcohol, sitting at the bar at Hops is the best place to engage in great conversation. These two guys, recent graduate school grads, were so knowledgeable about history, politics, finance, golf, and everything about West Virginia. We were able to tell them all about Greensboro and encourage them to read Greensboro Daily Photo. 

Recently, Garrett  discovered this local burger bar and thought it would be a great place to take an out of town guest. Both ordered the special-of-the-week burger. We recommended they always get it as Hops has had a different burger every week for ten years and you never know what you are going to get. Usually they are unique, creative, tasty combinations. We need to meet their burger "mixologist."  After ten + years of being in business, that should make about 5,000 different burgers. We're wondering if they maintain a burger spreadsheet. If you see Garrett, please welcome him to Greensboro. You will get a good conversation with a smile. Hopefully, Connor will return for visits and we will run into them both. 

Off to enjoy the people and places of Greensboro, even though the weather is overcast. Maybe we'll see you.  Let's all make it a great Saturday!

Dear Dads at 3929 Battleground Avenue

If you drive on North Battleground near the intersection of Horse Pen Creek Road, you may have noticed the restaurant about to open in the  building between the BP Gas Station and Elizabeth's Pizza. It will be called "Dear Dads" and is operated by Fernando (center) and (from left to right) Veronica, Melanie, Haidi, and Katie. The space has been completely renovated inside and will serve Mexican-American food. They will be open 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The dream is to create a 3rd space where people will want to become regulars. They are considering open-mic nights and other community oriented events..

The 1827 square ft. building was constructed in 2000 as a Waffle House. The population in this part of town has increased significantly over the last 24 years and a new restaurant will be welcome addition. After chatting at length with the local families who have been working day and night to get the restaurant ready, we're convinced Dear Dads will be around for a long time. They anticipate opening August 26th, pending final inspections

Here's to a great Friday!

Jade Salon at 1209 Battleground Avenue

Yesterday, we posted about the two owners of Jade Salon, Kate and Annie. Today, we want to show you part of the festival held at the Battleground location. There were even more vendors inside the salon and behind the camera; artists, wellness vendors, and even the SPCA with friendly doggies up for adoption. This part of Greensboro, Mid-town, is still not fully occupied, but it continues to grow. Jade Salon has been there for about a year now. Parking is easy and the salon is beautiful. These little pop up markets are getting more and more popular and, if you see one, by all means stop. Vendors love to talk about their art and products. 

The day we were there, they were braiding color into hair. People were leaving with teal, pink, and purple streaks in their hair. If you are looking for a new look, stop into a salon, Jade, or if you use another salon, yours. Be adventurous. 

Seeing that food truck peeking out mid-right in the photo reminds us on August 25th from 3:00- 9:00 pm, the Greensboro Food Truck Festival will be held downtown- just down the road from Jade, at Friendly Avenue and Church Street. There will be craft vendors, too.  And then, on September 6-8, the North Carolina Folk Festival will be downtown Greensboro. We have so many opportunities to have fun in Greensboro.

Happy Tuesday!

Meet Kate & Annie of Jade Salon

Saturday, driving down Battleground Avenue at Midtown, a Summerfest was happening at Jade Salon. We had the opportunity to stop and meet the owners of this hair and beauty salon who were sponsoring the arts, crafts, and wellness festival in their parking lot . Meet Kate Greisser and  Annie Gordon. They have been friends since they were kids. Originally from Madison, NC, they attended McMichael High School in Mayodan together. Upon graduation, Kate (in the orange dress) went on to study business and Annie went on to study barbering and cosmetology.  With their combined skill sets, they decided to purchase Jade Salon and continue to build on the success and quality service the previous owners had established.  From our visit on Saturday, we saw firsthand all of the extra details Kate and Annie  provide their clients. From the minute you walk in the salon, you feel like you are among friends and at a home away from home. The atmosphere cheerful and the whole staff is friendly.

The original Jade Salon is located in Friendly Center, across from Ben and Jerry's and beside Lulu Lemon. It has been there for 18 years.  The second location is located at 1209 Battleground Avenue,  on the same side of the road as Red Cinema (a little bit closer to town). See here if you are interested in learning more about Jade Salon or booking an appointment. It is always a good day when we get to meet people in Greensboro and to know local proprietors who work so hard to bring joy to others. We left smiling- even after having done yard work all day.

Happy Monday!

 

Lavender- Expert on Haute Couture & Everything Vintage

Meet Lavender Tatum, truly an expert on everything vintage and haute couture.  The above photo was taken at the Greensboro History Museum this summer during their "Forties Flashback Family Fun Day."  Lavender, who only graduated from high school a few years ago, but is quite a timeless old-soul when it comes to knowing the history and provenance of items, especially clothing. Lavender volunteered at the history museum's Forties Flashback event not only bringing items to display, but also to help dress docents in period clothing. The above dresses are part of a collection Lavender brought to the event. Lavender meticulously restored the above beaded, silk, & tulle dress and has all of the original documentation, including the NYC designer's original drawings and the bill of sale. Knowing the provenance of the dress, a collector of NYC couture will easily value it at several thousand dollars. 

Lavender co-owns Revision Vintage, located at 313 East Market Street and also has a personal business Duck Lane Vintage. The latest item to appear in a Duck Lane Vintage Instagram story is an introduction to Glenny, a meticulously detailed 1937 Jaguar town car in perfect condition. We can't wait to hear the stories about the adventures of Glenny and where he lands. We also look forward to many years of following the adventures of Lavender who is truly a local expert and lover of the history of items made and used by humans over the decades.  In this era of living virtually, where photos, movies, games and more are housed on cell phones, it seems the younger generations don't collect anything. To find someone who appreciates and has great expertise on vintage items is special. After spending the afternoon together and getting a great interview, we failed to ask about the origin of the name- Lavender. Oh well, we'll save that question for the next interview. Revision Vintage opens at 1:00 today.  Now that the sun is shining and the rain has stopped, we just may head down there and see what's new; or old.

Happy Saturday!

 

Happy 20th Natty-Versary

Natty Greene's, in downtown Greensboro, at the corner of South Elm and East McGee, is turning twenty! Yes, it as been twenty years since they took the risk of moving into downtown and bringing their food and spirits to Hamburger Square. They were one of the early businesses to believe in the revitalization of downtown. Many other businesses followed them, some have come and gone, but Elm Street, north and south, remains strong.

The above photo features the outdoor  block party as they were just setting up to get it started yesterday evening. In spite of the menacing overcast sky, First Friday events were held. The outdoor area of Natty's has extend all the way to McGee with the addition of a pavilion where music can take place. Today, from  3:00 - 11:00 p.m., Grammy-nominated music star Brent Cobb will be performing. You can even bring your blankets and lawn chairs and stay for this performance. They've also a beer garden with a  system to more than double their beer-producing capacity on site. They are very committed, however, to remaining a family-friendly place where, with all those food choices,  drinking is optional! Natty will be "hops-ing" today!

Happy Saturday!

Relics of the Past

Relics of the past. We love finding memorabilia of items related to Greensboro. The above leather, metal-zippered, envelope pouch likely insurance policy papers. It was used at the Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company which was located in the building they built at 101 North Elm Street, at the corner of Market Street. The building was completed in 1923. Jefferson-Standard became Jefferson-Pilot and in 2006, the company was sold and became Lincoln Financial Group- what you see on the building today if you are in the area.*

In 1967, Jefferson Standard merged with Jefferson Pilot, to form Jefferson Pilot Corporation. Therefore, we are concluding that this zippered envelope can be dated between 1923 and 1967. We're hoping that someone who worked there or who had one of these can share details with us. We saw an old listing for one on eBay, but no information comes up about it.  Now, with so many transactions being online  and so few "give aways," this is a relic of the past, not unlike those zippered pouches for transporting cash to and from the bank. Do you have any Greensboro artifacts that tell stories of the people and places? Be on the lookout for them when you are out and about this weekend. Even if you don't purchase them, snap a photo. If you have something you don't want, see if the Greensboro History Museum would like it. 

See you downtown at FIRST FRIDAY tonight!

 

* See more details in the archives of the Greensboro History Museum, HERE. 

Savor the Moment

Savor the Moment is a bakery on Davie Street, right beside the Cultural Arts Center and across the street from Center City Park. It is a super convenient place to go and have a treat after visiting the Central Library on Church or any of the other spaces on this north end of town. Owner Tanya Dickens works hard to make sure that customers, indeed, savor the moment when they come in for a treat. Their signature, original treat is the Crunch Cheesecake. It is a combination of her cheesecake and strawberry crunch cake recipes and, if those flavors and textures sound good to your, it will be DELICIOUS!  Tanya's signature Crunch Cheesecake now comes in 16 flavors. Perhaps the young couple on their way into the store will order one.

Read more about Tanya and the bakery in "High Point Discovered" Magazine, HERE. You will learn that she is quite the entrepreneur and that her business has already expanded to High Point. She weathered the pandemic, which took her business in a very different direction. She has instilled the sense of entrepreneurship not only in her own children, but in the many children she mentors. In addition to growing her own businesses, her community service is to help others learn to conceptualize and launch a business. What may seem like just another bakery, is really an incubator of ideas, generosity, and yummy sweet treats. We were initially attracted to "Savor the Moment" because of the positivity in the name. "Savor the moment" is quite an expression to ponder.

How will you spend your Saturday? How will you savor the moments?