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?

Brown Gardiner Drug Store

The Brown-Gardiner, located at 2101 North Elm Street, is a pharmacy and soda fountain and old-fashioned breakfast and lunch counter. It has been serving Greensboro for over 60 years. Their motto is, "The Place to Be". Indeed, it is the place to be. There have been so many good stories written about this community institution (see HERE). Back when Congressman Howard Cable was alive, his office was right across the street and he always loved the food and fellowship when he headed to the lunch counter.

The business opened in 1958 and has been in its current location (formerly a laundry mat)  since 1962. Pharmacist Robert Shearin, owner of Brown-Gardiner, her worked there since 1972.* We're not sure if that is Mr. Shearin filling prescriptions. If it is, he would be in his 80s. We wouldn't be surprised if it were him. The store has quite a loyal following and the more things stay the same, the more they like it. We were in the other day for a late breakfast and ran into a friend who owns a business on State Street. She commented that Brown-Gardiner has the best BLTs in Greensboro. That sounds like a good excuse for going back. If you have about 3 minutes, watch this YouTube video. It will help you plan your visit and have an idea of who will be there when you arrive.

Happy Friday!

 

*reference and read Jim Schlosser's article in O.Henry (2012) HERE on pp. 26-28.

Vida Pour Tea

Vida Pour Tea, located at 412 State Street, had a big birthday. This past weekend, they celebrated their 10th! Above is a photo of Sarah Chapman, the genius behind Vida Pour Tea and her artist in residence, Liz McKinnon. The photo was taken on celebration day and a quiet moment before all of the planned festivities began. Before opening the shop, Sarah started out learning about teas and mixing small batches for doulas, local businesses, and her growing following of tea drinkers. After carefully looking for a place to open a brick and mortar store, she decided on this 1940s stand-alone building on State Street. She took a chance on State Street when it was struggling to find an identity and to attract customers- in spite of being on the edge of Irving Park. Indeed, over the years, Sarah and her faithful staff have played a key role in helping with the revitalization of State Street.

Some customers come into Vida Pour Tea, knowing exactly what they want. For others, less experienced or decisive, Sarah and her staff lead them to the perfect choice.  If you want to learn more about Sarah's journey from Syracuse, New York, where she played ice hockey with the guys, to tea-mixologist in Greensboro, read this very nice article about her in Our State Magazine in 2018 ( HERE). We've been sold on this Greensboro treasure since the beginning. See our 2014 post HERE. And not to slight Liz, she has been painting walls, signs, having her art shows, and selling artwork at Vida Pour Tea since the beginning. It is easy to see how this dynamic duo has become best of friends. Liz is currently working on a calendar with a different tea maiden every month. Her watercolors are so earthy and organic, a perfect fit for the tea shop.* Stop in and see both for yourself- but not today. They are closed Sundays and Mondays.

Happy Monday!

*See a post about Liz, HERE.

Shannon Lee Furniture

Shannon Lee (above) has relocated her business, Shannon Lee Furniture & Decor, from Kernersville to Greensboro. Her warehouse is now in the former hardware store beside the former McKay's Bookstore on Battleground Avenue. She is a hardworking business person who, by chance, landed in North Carolina. Shannon is originally from Ohio, but spent much of her life in Jacksonville, FL.  In her previous career, she traveled working on international soccer events. In 2006, Shannon stopped in Mebane and a stranger noticed her NYC energy and suggest she sit and rest for a minute.  She was so struck by southern hospitality.  The kindness of people to each other in the South convinced her North Carolina would be a great place to live. By 2008, she had relocated here and hasn't looked back. She is such an interesting person In our quick interview with her, we learned she was featured on the Converse website when they featured her 30 days of wearing Converse tennis shoes. Those are the only shoes she wears and actually has 260+ pairs. We think she should set a goal of having a different pair a day for a whole year!

If you need furniture, Shannon has all-new, factory close-outs and overstocks in her showroom. Arrive at Shannon Lee Furniture with measurements because her furniture and accessories sell quickly. As proud as Shannon is of her very difficult journey to becoming a successful business owner, she is most proud of her children. Stop in and welcome her to Greensboro-  and see what color Converse Chuck's she is wearing! To be sure, we want her to stay!

Happy Saturday!

The Barbie Truck Tour Visited Friendly Center on Saturday!

On Saturday, the Barbie truck came to Friendly Center as part of the Barbie Truck Tour, making its way around the United States. It is also referred to as the Dreamhouse Living Tour, and at any given time, there are two traversing the nation. This is a growing trend to sell merchandise by limiting supply; selling in person, but in a merch van, as opposed to committing to a brick and mortar store.

Even late in the afternoon, people were lined up, excited about the opportunity to purchase hoodies ($65),  t-shirts ($29), tote bags ($35) and more! It was a lovely, but hot day while families were out shopping.  Young girls were living out their Barbie dreams as they approached the van. If you want to understand this craze, and the youth today, watch this video. The young girl who filmed the video (probably in middle school)  lives 3 hours from Kansas City and her family took her there to make purchases and to create content for her Youtube channel. Watch this video and you can appreciate the 21st century teens and tweens. Imagine needing to watch a math video for school, but REALLY wanting to watch a briefing on a retail event coming to your town. Here is a Fox 8 video clip for the tour that came to Greensboro in December. For some children, this will be a summer highlight. We smiled when the young girl suggests that Mattel bag the Barbie merch in a pink bag (a la Barbie) as opposed to that plain black bag. We're betting Mattel will listen to this young influencer.

Happy Tuesday!

Continental Club

How will you spend the weekend in Greensboro? The above photo is of a banjo player, yes, a banjo player, heading into the Continental Club on 816 South Elm Street. This is a great place fore music and dancing. The venue is located in a building that was originally "The Mill" a landmark and historical place. It is so great to see those historic buildings put to good use. It sold in 2016 and has been a hub of activity since then. If you are out this weekend, head downtown Greensboro and check out some of these historic properties that are getting a new life. The above property was originally the 1910 North State Milling Company. See a wonderful 2 minute video HERE.

Happy Saturday and happy exploring historic Greensboro.

Easy Rider! Relaxed Tuesday Ride Series

Tonight is the night for the Easy Rider! Relaxed Tuesday Ride Series. The above photo was taken last week on the delightful ride partially through UNCG, partially on the  Greenway, and partially through neighborhoods. Here is the group under the bridge,  at Spring Garden Street. Behind the bicyclists, a group was practicing yoga. It is so wonderful to see these community resources being put to good use. 

If you are interested in the ride, arrive at Cycles de ORO on Battleground and Hill Street at 6:00 pm to get registered, meet others, and have time to go into the bike shop to purchase a helmet, spare inner tube or anything else you might need to be road safe. You must partake in the 6:15 pre-ride briefing and the ride departs promptly at 6:30. It returns to Cycles for your parking convenience and to likely get an ice-cream treat from Dale, the owner of the shop.  The rides are under 10 miles and the route changes week-to-week.  This is a great way to fall in love with cycling or to participate in a ride where you actually have time to talk to people! 

Happy Tuesday and summer fun!

Chandler's Coffee on South Elm Street Is Now Open and Ready to Serve You!

341 South Elm Street has new owners. On Wednesday, July 3rd, Chandler's Coffee had a soft opening. Above is owner Alexis Chandler who took time out of her busy schedule to talk to us and welcome us to the store. She and husband, Josh have been working day and night to get the coffee shop ready to open. When we stopped in on Wednesday you never would have known it was the first day. They were packed and the crowd was intergenerational, from toddlers to teens to grandparents. The baristas were pros; there was original artwork on the walls; and it is clean and organized. As you can see from what Alexis is wearing, they already have t-shirts made.

Alexis is from Asheboro and Josh is from Greensboro. They met at UNCG, fell in love, started a family, and are now living their dream with the coffee shop. Alexis, Josh, and their staff are committed to making the store be a hub of community activity, a 3rd space for people to gather to work, socialize, get a great cup of coffee and something to eat.  They are so committed to a local, hometown sense of community, that they have installed the artwork of Peter Schroth, the original owner of the Green Bean. Katie Southard, also a previous owner, is a barista.  All signs indicate that Alexis and Josh's venture is a hit with the Greensboro community. Tonight is First Friday in downtown Greensboro. We're not sure how late they will stay open, but if they are open, go in and pick out something to drink. There are many, many options.

Happy Friday!

Reflecting on Fireworks & Starbucks... and the Fourth

Today is the last Saturday in June, which means it is almost July 4th and summer is well underway. The above photo was taken on Battleground Avenue at Edney Ridge Road in the plaza where Aldi is located. The scene got us smiling. Somehow, a fireworks tent and a new stand-alone Starbucks store seem like a strange combination. But, we all need our holiday traditions. Fourth of July and fireworks, for some; Starbucks coffee for some. Just maybe both for some... and then again, neither for both. Diversity is what keeps Greensboro interesting

Have a great Saturday and head out there and see all that you can see!

Visual and Performing Arts at the Continental Club, Downtown

Last night was hopping at the Continental Club at 816 South Elm Street. Viva Le Vox with the Tremors, among a backdrop of  artwork by Jack Stone and Frank Russell.  The guest list read like a Who's Who is Greensboro artists.  We didn't even have a chance to interview anyone because artists were having deep, meaningful conversations with each other. Above, accomplished mixed-media artist Jerry Cartwright and Frank Russell are discussing Frank's mixed media pieces. The fish hanging from the ceiling are also Frank's artwork. You may recognize them from local restaurants over the last decade. The event was billed as a vernissage- the first usage of the word we've heard in Greensboro. Let's hope vernissages are trending in Greensboro. The back room of the Continental Club is perfect for these events, and Preston Wiles was the perfect host. The almost-solstice, very full moon was an added bonus.

Today, the arts will continue to thrive with the Summer Solstice event at the Greensboro Arboretum from 2:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m.  We can't wait. See you there.

Happy Saturday!

Florayma Garcia and Kiosco Mexican Grill

Today's photo features Kiosco Mexican Grill at 3011 Spring Garden Street (established 2009 at the corner of Holden Road). The first thing you notice upon entering Kiosco is the mural painted by local artist Chip Holton. You may recognize the style from Chip's artwork at Lucky 32 and the O. Henry Hotel. The above scene is of Degollado, a small town in Jalisco, Mexico, the Kiosco owner's hometown. 

Upon arrival we were greeted like royalty by Florayma Garcia- above. We went to lunch with dear friend Alice Hill, a retired UNCG Spanish lecturer and Kiosco regular. Florayma greeted "Alicia" by name and we could tell by the enthusiastic exchange, they have become friends. Florayma knew all about the mural and the artist and pointed out Chip's other murals throughout the restaurant. Alice has been telling us about these murals for years. We are so happy to have finally seen them. Truly, Chip Holton is one of Greensboro's treasured artists. Also, the food at Kiosco is fabulous, and Florayma is a personable, exemplary employee. After meeting Florayma, we saw how,  you are a regular, she will learn your name and you can pick right up where you left off on the conversation from the last time you visited. Places, like Kiosco with good food and original art, make Greensboro a wonderful city to live in, but it is the people, like Florayma, Alice, and Chip who make Greensboro so special. 

Happy Summer Solstice!

Next Chapter Bookstore Gift Shop to Celebrate Juneteenth at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market

Yesterday, we finally had the chance to stop at Ben's Boyz Restaurant in Friendly Center. Not only do they have delicious food, they also have a bookstore and gift shop at the entrance of the restaurant. Pictured above is Sherricka Carpenter Stanley who owns Next Chapter Bookstore. Her store represents over 70 authors and several local artists. The brick and mortar restaurant started as a food truck in the space where Starbucks is now located in Friendly. They opened the restaurant in May of 2021 and then on September 18, 2021, Sherricka launched the bookstore; fulfilling a goal she had on her vision board since 2011. Sherricka came to Greensboro to attend NC A&T where she majored in math education. She taught math for 25 years but has since left the classroom and works in her bookstore. Additionally, she is a published author with two of her own books for sale at Next Chapter. One is a rhyming book about family for little children. The other is a book about Kamala Harris.

If you want a good meal or a bookstore that has books and gifts for every occasion, head to 2711 Grandview Avenue in Friendly (up by the Juice Shop). Thursdays are their late night when there is an open mike when singers, musicians, poets, spoken word artists and paint live artists gather from 5:00- 8:00 pm to showcase their talent. We're not sure what their hours will be today, though, since we know Sherricka will be at the Juneteenth SOULebration..  SOULebration is happening at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax from 11:00 am- 6:00 p.m.. The event is free and open to the public. 

Happy Juneteenth!

Look Twice Clocks

This weekend, we were eating brunch at the bar at The Sage Mule at 608 Battleground Avenue, near Green Hill Cemetery when we spotted the above clock. Actually there was one of these clocks on each beam between the north bank of windows. The clocks were made by woodcarver David M. Hinshaw.  They are called Look Twice Clocks because the hour hand it on the top and the minute hand is on the bottom. Can you tell what time it is? 

The clock in the photo is made of spalted maple with walnut plugs. The plugs represent the hour. It is wonderful to eat at a local restaurant and see local art (available for sale) on the wall. Also, we love creativity of this woodworking project. We had never seen one before. Analog clocks are going the way of cursive writing; so it takes a special person to add yet another step to reading analog time: Split hands.  If you didn't figure it out, the current time on the above clock is 9:27.

Happy Monday!

LeBauer Park: Lawn Service Kiosk

Here is another view of LeBauer Park on Thursday evening. This view is at Lawn Service by Little Brother Brewing. It is one of  two permanent kiosks at the park. It features a full-service coffee bar, beer, ciders, wine, and more. Baked goods and ice cream are also available At least in the summer, they are open Monday-Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. which means people can get their morning coffee and stop by for happy hour after work. They also sponsor the Thursday bike ride and music events. It is a good "third space," that is a place other than home and work to meet up with friends and other people who like to be outdoors.

In the background, you see the 90' sculptural net by Janet Echelman (read more in Our State Magazine HERE). According to this Jeri Rowe, LeBauer Park hosts about 450 public events and 50 concerts.  We imagine that number increases every year. If someone doesn't know where to meet a friend, they can always suggest in the center of the Echelman net, at the sit down bar at Lawn Service, on the bit letters that read LEBAUER PARK to name a few options.

Happy Saturday! Can you believe we're half way through June?

Greensboro's Four Area Codes

The above photo was taken at Design Archives in Downtown Greensboro on South Elm Street. We are always looking for items of historic interest  from Greensboro. The above cup "GUILFORD COUNTY EMPLOYEES' CREDIT UNION" (GCECU) fascinated us. We tried to research the credit union. So far, we have been unable to find a lead to this specific credit union. We'd love to know how long that credit union was in business, where the branches were located, and what replaced it. The next step was to sleuth out area codes, which change as population grows. Here is what we learned.

Area codes were first assigned in the United States in 1947. At that time, all of North Carolina was assigned area code 704. In 1954, as the population in the state grew, another zip code was added. The Greensboro area code became 919.  The 919 area code was used in Greensboro from 1954 until 1993. Therefore, GCECU, on the cup above ( in the window of Design Archives), was in existence sometime in that 38 year time period. In 1993, Greensboro's area code switched to 910 and on December 15, 1997, a mere four years later, the area code switched to 336 and so it remains to this day. So, to recap, seeing a Greensboro phone number on an item can help you date it.

704    1947- 1953

919    1954-1992

910    1993- most of 1997

336    1997- today

Since April 23, 2016, using the 10-digit phone number has been mandatory for users of the 336 area code. Maybe you didn't get out of bed this morning planning to learn about Greensboro's area codes, but now you have it. Which area codes have you had?  This post is brought to you thanks to a hard plastic cup for sale in Downtown Greensboro. 

Happy Thursday!

Bicycling near A.H. Peeler Recreation Center

Today's photo features the Relaxed Riders Bike Group that left from Cycles de ORO on Hill Street last night. This was their rest stop at A.H. Peeler Recreation Center at 1300 Sykes Avenue. This was close to the half way point to the ride. It was a fun place for a water and bathroom break, as families were there signing their children up for summer camps. Neighbors were visiting with neighbors. Children were playing, jubilant about school being out for the summer. Peeler Recreation Center was named for Abraham H Peeler son of S.A. Peeler who was pastor of St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Warnersville. Mr. A.H Peeler was principal of J.C. Price School from 1932- 1969, inspiring generations of students.* Hopefully, the children at the rec center know the positive impact of the Peeler family on the Greensboro community. 

As the bike group was leaving the Glendale Hills neighborhood, along Textile Drive and Sykes Avenue towards Bessemer, they saw many children in their front yards with bicycles. The children seemed curious about  so many adults riding bicycles through their neighborhood. At the beginning of summer, children and adults alike are hopeful of the possibilities for summer fun.

The Relaxed Riders Bike Group arrived back at Cycles de ORO, a little before dark, shop owner Dale Brown was waiting with ice cream for the cyclists.

Happy Wednesday!

 

* reference and more information, HERE.

Sears Demolition Is Well Under Way- 2024

2024 has been a year of change in Greensboro. We already showed you a photo of the razing of the News & Record building downtown. Today's photo is of demolition in progress Sears in Friendly Center at 3200 West Friendly Avenue. This is the east side with the main entrance. When it closed in 2023, the Friendly Center store was the last remaining Sears store in North Carolina. Nationally, Sears has roots dating back to 1892 (see history HERE). The year 1928 was a banner year for Sears in North Carolina when the first Sears opened in North Carolina. In that year, Sears stores opened in Greensboro, High Point, Asheville, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem- a year before the stock market crashed. In Greensboro, Sears relocated in 1934, 1940, 1948, and 1973.*

Sears remained in Friendly Center for fifty years, from 1973- 2023. In 2012, Whole Foods took over part of the Sears building in Friendly. At one point, there was discussion of renovation of the above building, but as it stands now, it looks like it may be headed for total demolition. D.H. Griffin has the contract. We are wondering how they will address the common wall, shared by Whole Foods and Sears. While we are sad to see this business close, it is always refreshing when a lot gets rebuilt, as opposed to destroying unimproved, rural land.

What Sears memories do you have? Likely it will date us, but yes, we have great memories of looking through the Sears catalog to pick out school clothes and Christmas toys. We remember going to the catalog department and picking up (and returning) items for our grandparents and parents. For many, there is some real nostalgia associated with Sears. Here's to new beginnings.

Happy Tuesday!

 

*read the timeline for Sears stores in North Carolina HERE.

More Along Eugene Street

Yesterday's post was from a photo taken while walking along Eugene Street. Today, it is the same. This is the part of Eugene across from the ballpark. In the middle, Hyatt Place is featured. It was built in 2019 and adds a modern flair to this part of town. It has 108 rooms and is known for having a sleek design and for being dog friendly.  The photo is a bit distorted as a result of the angle we used to take the picture. However, the angle does add to the emphasis on geometric shapes.

If you look closely, you can see the city's beloved Lincoln Financial Group off to the far right. There is a lot happening downtown this weekend as tomorrow is First Friday. Thursday is the new Friday, so today would be a great day to head downtown. See you there!

Natty Greene's Expansion on South Elm Street

Today's photo features the revamped outdoor eating space for Natty Greene's. The sunscreens help shield customers from the summer sun. In the back right of the sun deck, a performance stage has been built; making it much easier for musicians to plug in and perform. Is is part of the brewhouse pavilion. Here is a Fox8 article that explains the expansion in more detail and gives you an overview of the space. The new space has an elegant look and adds a nice touch to Hamburger Square.

Can you believe today is the first day of June? Traditional schools in Guilford County will be out for the summer. First Friday will be next week on June 7th. That will give you a great chance to get downtown and explore and see this patio area. Natty Greene's does not take reservations, so this new space adds seating and when musicians are playing, you have an enjoyable way to pass the time.

Happy Saturday!

At the Corner of Beaman Place & Grecade Street

Today's photo was taken in the same parking lot as the one from yesterday. This is a parking lot on the southeast corner of Beaman Place and Grecade Street in Mid-town. Beyond the lens to the left is FILTER Coffee Shop, then The Tiny Greenhouse, Then Craftroom (the pink building [artwork by Golden305]), then the Music Academy, and finally, the building with the mural is The Chop Shop Hair Company. Also, hidden back there is Jacobi-Lewis Restaurant Supply. This shows you just how diverse the area of town is becoming.

Just researching this post has us wanting to go back and visit each of these businesses. The Chop Shop Hair Company is decorated in steam punk style full of collectibles. Also, they cut hair for men and women. We didn't see the artist's name on the mural, but we bet The Chop Shop manager will know. There is so much to explore in Greensboro and we're out to see as much as possible this summer. Don't forget the inaugural "World Promenade" on Sunday, June 2nd at the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden from 1:00- 5:00 p.m.. It is a rebranding of the Parisian Promenade, but it will be another spectacular Greensboro Beautiful event.

Happy Last Day of May!

FILTER Coffee

Filter Coffee opened in Mid-town in January of this year. It is located in the space beside The Tiny Greenhouse, a space that had been vacant for quite a while. 1333 Beaman Place is now hopping at 7:00 am.  Co-owners Paris and J'mihyia Whitsett bill their establishment as a "groundbreaking establishment where coffee meets hookah."*

FILTER has extended coffee shop hours: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. to 6. p.m.;  Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The photo above was taken through the back door after closing. Between the "C" and "ff" of the word "coffee" is downtown Greensboro. FLITER has windows on three of four sides, forming something of a glass house. The space us huge, and very conducive to spending time socially as well as having a nice space to get work done. Having a full-service, black-female-owned  coffee shop is yet another step forward for the Mid-town area. Read the article below for even more details.

Happy Thursday!

 

* see article HERE.

 

 

Summer Fun at Friendly Center

Today, we're sharing another scene from Friendly Center. The photo was taken at dusk, between Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Harris Teeter. While it is hard to see people, there were actually several people hanging out there. Barely visible are two people playing corn hole. Just beyond the low wall by the left-most column, several teens (or young adults) were sitting picnic-style and engaged in meaningful conversation. We were struck by the fact that they seemed to be enjoying each other, as opposed to using their phones.

It is nice to find safe spaces for fellowship and good, clean fun. This little spot in Friendly Center appears to be just such space. "New" Friendly Center has been around since 2006. They are already undergoing some work with cones and tape on the side not too far from the above scene. Can you believe it has been 18 years? Let's hope Friendly Center remains vibrant and a place people feel comfortable. So far, so good!

Happy Wednesday!

Eclectic by Nature (Formerly, My Secret Garden)

The other day we were walking along Bradford Street heading toward State Street, looked up and saw the above view. It is the house at 414 State Street which houses the business, Eclectic by Nature. It is a woman-owned store that specializes in spirituality products and gift items. If you want crystals, incense, journals, oils, candles, and more, this is your place to go. It is a house full of items and special events. There is always something on the event calendar. 

Not only is the shop beautiful, but the grounds are inspiring, as you can see from the photo above. They way the light shines on the redbud tree leave and the flag is so pretty. Had we panned out in the photo you would see wildflowers, a gate of lovers' locks and more,  all coming together in such a beautiful way. There is even a free little library in the front yard. We like this store, but are also nostalgic for the plant and yard ornament/statuary shop that used to be in this house. It was called My Secret Garden. These locally owned business are so fun to visit, especially in the summer.  If you want to read more about State Street, read this great "Yes! Weekly" article (see HERE).

Happy Tuesday!

News & Record, Going But Not Forgotten

The weekend started with acclaimed author and journalist, James McBride praising the fine journalism in Greensboro. The weekend ended with our heading over to see what was left of the Greensboro News & Record Building on East Market Street. The front of the building is still intact, but demolition is well under way on the back side. You can still see office space from this back view. Demolition should be finished by the end of the summer. While the newspaper traces its roots back to the late 1800s, the above building was completed in 1976. After 48 years, with the diminished state of print journalism in the digital era, no longer needed were the above in-person think tank and printing presses. D.H. Griffin began demolition on 4/22/24. They are the local company that played a major role in clean up after the 911 tragedy in New York City. 

While on site, we noticed pieces of steel I-beams, chunks of bricks and cement, and many interesting metal pieces (e.g., several small metal doors that looked like facades of safes). After resuming our walk along South Elm Street, we visited Sculptor Jim Gallucci's 9/11 Sculpture Project on at the South 500 block of Elm. It is crafted from beams that D.H. Griffin brought back from NYC. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a sculpture commemorating 130 years of noteworthy journalism in Greensboro. The I-beams are still there and could be figured into a sculpture. As we were leaving, we noticed a piece of the Sunday comics in the rubble. It was on that thick paper and the color was intact. Sometimes you don't realize what you miss until it is gone. We look forward to seeing what becomes of the space.

Happy Monday!

All Pets Considered

All Pets Considered is a great local business. It has been in Greensboro for 32 years- since 1992. They have pet foods and supplies, as well as pet-themed gifts. Located at 2614 Battleground Avenue, on the south side of Cone Boulevard, All Pets Considered is easy to spot when that bright pink van is parked out front. As you can see from the van, they offer delivery service. They cater to cats and dogs, offering professional pet grooming and the option to shop online. See their website HERE.

There is a second location of All Pets Considered (APC)  at 5004 High Point Road. We encourage to shop local. Local vendors do so much for the local economy. On Saturday, APC hosted a fundraiser for Red Dog Farms. We hope it was successful. We'll try to catch the next one.

Happy Monday!