Greensboro Daily Photo

Jakes Diner on South Elm Street

It has been a while since we've featured Jakes diner. We first featured Jake's in 2011 at the Wendover Avenue location (see HERE). We've wanted to get to the downtown location and, yesterday, we finally had that chance. The above photo features the most recent, Jake's, located at 611 South Elm Street. It is celebrating its one year anniversary. We visited yesterday at breakfast. The breakfast food is fabulous as is the service. As you can tell from this photo of Chris, the wait staff is happy and works hard to make sure you have a great dining experience. The downtown location is to South Elm Street what the Cheers Bar is to Boston. Chris says on the weekends, customers who sit at the bar all know each other and have the best time together. He told us that the the cooks have been there for a long time and he was very complimentary of their cooking skills and their loyalty to the restaurant. Chris himself has roots to the restaurant and the owners that go back almost a decade.

It is getting harder and harder to find a good, home-cooked breakfast. If you are looking for one and want service with a smile, head to Jake's. If you are dining alone, nothing beats eating at the counter. Those leather seats are super comfortable!

Happy Saturday! 

Now on North Battleground at Old Battleground: Mavis Tires and Brakes

 

North Battleground, at Horse Pen Creek and Old Battleground, now has a Harris Teeter Gas Station, an O'Reilly Auto Parts Store, and the above Mavis Tires and Brakes. These properties are located in the area that housed Laddie and Duke's Family Grille.* Laddie and Duke's was an Irish Pub themed establishment with a lot of atmosphere, right down to a cozy stone fireplace. Laddie and Duke's was open from about 1996- to 2008. In Irish Pub fashion, it was one of those places that seemed like it would be anchored on that corner forever. It is a new day on North Battleground Avenue with many shops offering auto parts and tires. And now, there are many more food choices in town, in Mid-Town, and the east side is showing growth. Friendly Center, and Wendover Avenue remain popular destinations for dining out. 

Do you have a go to restaurant? What do you look for in an eating establishment? Given the above photo, we should also ask, how do you decide where to purchase tires? The above branch of Mavis opened this year. However, the company was founded in 1972 by the Sober family and now has about 1,200 stores throughout the northeast USA.**

Today's post has us thinking of then and now and in the future. We're wondering what another decade will bring to Greensboro. What are your predictions?

Have a great Thursday!

*If you are interested in a little Greensboro nostalgia, read here for a News & Record article about Laddie and Duke's from 1996, about the time they opened. They even mention menu items.

** reference and more information here.

Tate Street

Tate Street Coffee has been a Greensboro institution since 1993. It is one of those coffee shops that stays full of students and faculty. It is a great 3rd space- a home away from home and office. The artwork on the walls is engaging, the staff knows the regulars well, and people are usually willing to engage in conversation. At the academic year approaches the end of the semester, the coffee shop crowd will shift a bit. To the right of Tate Street Coffee is Boba House. In March, it closed permanently, ending a 20 year run of a Vietnamese/Thai, vegan/vegetarian restaurant. They were serving boba tea with tapioca pearls long before the boba tea craze. Let's hope something with character and good food moves into their location.

If you are on Tate Street this evening, you will have at least two opportunities for events. "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical will be playing in the Brown Building at 402 Tate, and Tim Warfield will be performing in the UNCG Auditorium at 408 Tate. Since the semester is ending, many event options are related to students' final projects. The Lalla Essaydi photos will be in the Weatherspoon Art Museum for about another month. If you arrive at the Weatherspoon during the day, you will have the option to grab a cup of coffee from the Borough Coffee Cart. To be sure, there is so much to choose from along Tate Street.

Happy Friday!

Nostalgic Display in Design Archives

What, if anything, do you collect? Nostalgia can be a big factor. Some people like iconic designs like the above display at Design Archives, a consignment shop for handmade and vintage items, located in the 300 block of South Elm Street. The store attracts quite a crowd, especially  on weekends when people come downtown to eat and spend time with friends. When we were in Design Archives recently a young couple (perhaps early 30s) was perusing the booths and stopped to look at the above items. One commented that his grandmother had a phone just like the red one. And the conversation continued about other items they'd seen in their childhood. 

Meanwhile, there were other young shoppers trying on vintage clothing, looking for sweatshirts with just the right slogan, and perusing vintage record albums. Even if you don't collect anything, vintage stores are a way of connecting with the past and helping us realize just how much society has changed. The younger generations cannot fathom a time when conversations were tethered by a phone cord. Displays like the one above are such great conversation starters. If you had to write a short story based on the things you see in the above photo, imagine the possibilities. Other spots that evoke other times are Elsewhere Museum in the 600 block of South Elm Street, and Reconsidered Goods, located on Spring Garden Street behind the Food Lion on Market Street. We hope you had a good weekend, with some time set aside to nurture your creativity.

Happy Monday!

Robert Linville's PRECISION GOLF SCHOOL

Robert Linville has been a golf instructor for over 35 years. He is nationally recognized and respected as one of the top instructors. As a golfer, his roots run deep in Greensboro. In 1976- 1980, he was an All-American at Guilford College. He co-founded Precision Golf School, with Rodney Morrow, in 1989. At first, it was located in a strip-mall off of Friendly Avenue. The school now has five locations, and the one above is at Bur-Mil Park.* Bur-Mil Park is a great place to learn to golf, not only because of the instruction available there, but also because there is a driving range. They also have an 18-hole golf course.

Mr. Linville was also co-head pro at Forest Oaks Country club and he coached the Greensboro College Pride to much recognition, several seasons as top finishers, and an NCAA Division III Championship in 2000. In the above photo, both the man instructing (facing the camera) and his student were concentrating on the lesson, as we looked on. The view from behind the camera was filled with people hitting buckets of balls practicing their teeing off. Greensboro is a fantastic golf city with green fees at all price points. If you want to get back into golf, Bur-Mil is open to the public and does not disappoint.

Happy Thursday!

 

* reference and more information HERE.

Luxe Soulfood & Cocktails

Luxe Soulfood and Cocktails is located at 403 North Elm Street in the building where Ganache was located for years. Luxe opened in October of 2020, which was about a year before Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. Luxe is one of the places contributing to the "Uptown" section of Greensboro and, specifically, North Elm Street. Here is a copy of the Soulfood Sunday brunch menu. While the meats look tasty, it is the sides that make Luxe a standout for good, home-cooked food. Mac and cheese, yams, potato salad, collards, cabbage, rice and gravy and more are examples of the offerings. Over the last three and a half years, Luxe has worked hard to maintain their upscale vibe, to the extent that they have a strict dress code. The Luxe family works hard to keep their customers satisfied.

On the day we walked by, there was a glare from the sun. It was that teal Polaris Slingshot, parked out in front, that caught our eye. We haven't had a chance to eat there yet, but after looking at that menu, we plan to try to get in soon.  We love a good brunch, but Sunday brunch looks quite crowded. It is heartwarming to see these Covid/post-Covid businesses that appear to be thriving. Their hours are Tuesday-Thursday from 11:30a.m.- 5:00 p.m; Friday from 11:30 a.m.= 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon- 7:00 pm. So it is not (yet) a late-night eatery.

Happy Wednesday!

WFMY News 2

A few weeks ago, we were on the east side of Greensboro, just east of Highway 29 and drove past WFMY News 2. It was a cold and rainy day and we took this photo without getting out of the car.  Seeing the building reminded us of what a great resource our local news channels are. Especially now that so few people are reading the newspaper, we are relying on the news stations for local news. We had a chance to go inside in 2015 (see HERE) . We have to chuckle at our comment that this is an "unimposing square building on Phillips Avenue." We also had the good fortune to interview Lee Kinard who started at WFMY in 1956 and worked there for 43 years (see HERE).  He was such an amazing community resource and founded one of the early morning shows on TV (The Good Morning Show).

The exterior of the building looks so unimposing, but when you go inside, it is feels like a magical, alternate reality. We hope you get inside sometime- and for good reasons. WFMY launched its first live show on August 18, 1949 and will turn 75 this year. You may have heard about the big birthday celebration and they're looking for people in the community to celebrate who are turning 75. We'll have to look through out interviews and see if there is anyone we've interviewed to suggest for the "Turning 75" segment. Are you?

Happy Thursday!

A Boy and His Dog

When we were out exploring northeast Greensboro this weekend, we stopped by The Lusk Center, Caregiving Education Center. Located at 2501 Summit Avenue, the center is a palliative and hospice care collective. They specialize for tailoring care plans to meet the needs of their clients. End of life care is never easy, but it helps to have people listening to patients and caregivers. In front of the building is the sweetest statue. The Boy and His Dog, donated by Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., was created by Lloyd Le Blanc and Judith Holmes Dreary. This husband and wife duo have created many sculptures together. There is something bittersweet about the boy walking towards hospice and palliative care with the little doggie walking faithfully behind. The sculptors really captured mood and emotion. It reminds us of the statue of O. Henry's dog "Pete" downtown, across from Tanger Center. If you are on North summit, stop by and have a look at the statue.

ITG Brands

Sometimes, driving around Greensboro looking for something to post on Greensboro Daily Photo feels like sleuthing. We were driving on Green Valley Road on a recent afternoon when the sun was low to the horizon and the cement and glass building above was shining brightly. We stopped to have a look and there was no sign of what happens in that building. We did notice the sign on the entrance said "ITG Brands".  Returning home, we were able to research and learn that it stands for Imperial Tobacco Group. In 2015, Lorillard was one of four cigarette brands that divested to Imperial Tobacco Group. Lorillard, a tobacco company that was established in 1875, was sold to Reynolds in 2015. ITG has absorbed so much North Carolina, and Greensboro, tobacco history and it is now located at 714 Green Valley Road.

On the day we visited recently, the building looked almost empty. According to Triad Business Journal, ITG Brands is selling the building. Their headquarters will take over the top floors of a nearby building (reference). What will become of 714? According to City Data records, the building was constructed in 1996 (reference). It seems older than 28 years old. We wonder what will move in. The location is convenient and there is plenty of parking. What do you think it should become? It would be so much fun to have an apartment in that round part.

Happy Thursday!

 

2412 Battleground Avenue

Driving down Battleground Avenue yesterday, we did an about face and pulled into the Office Depot Parking lot to investigate the new construction at 2412 Battleground Avenue. This property has been many things over the years. This address needs a personal archivist to document all of the iterations of the space. Our earliest recollection is that 2412 Battleground was a bank. Then, in 2003, Bardy's Jewelry left Friendly Center to relocate here. After Bardy's, about 4 years later, Mythos Grill moved into the space. Mythos was at 2412 Battleground for about 13 years, before moving to across Battleground near Biscuitville in 2020. According to the Business Journals (8/4/2023), the above structure will become the new State Street Jewelers. The owners of State Street Jewelers, Michael and Amanda Wilson have owned the property since 2021 as their business is outgrowing their currently location (reference). Now we're wondering what will move into their location on State Street. As for 2412 Battleground, let's hope it is a booming success for State Street Jewelers. It is interesting that they completely tore down the old building and, as you can see, they are building from the ground up. We can't wait to see what the new store looks like inside (and outside, too).

Happy Wednesday!

Transform GSO

Yesterday's post featured cross-country walker Holden Ringer. Today, we're featuring the venue where Holden made his presentation and answered our seemingly endless stream of questions. We met at Transform GSO, an event space at 111 West Lewis Street. This downtown co- working space dates back to 2014 when Andy Zimmerman and Ken Causey opened it as HQ Greensboro. In 2020, the space was rebranded as Transform GSO and has expanded to a location next door at 111 Bain Street. These spaces are transformative in that they bring community together and help entrepreneurs and start ups and early stage companies. The space, available to members 24/7,  looked so different on Sunday night, that, at first, we didn't realize that this was the space Maria Johnson interviewed us (actually Mrs. GDP) about Greensboro Daily Photo in 2018 for the O. Henry Magazine.* Fast forward six years later and Greensboro Daily Photo, O.Henry Magazine, and Transform GSO are all three still thriving.

The meeting with Holden brought together many people in the community, most having a connection related to biking and passionate about making Greensboro as biking and pedestrian friendly as possible. In addition to meeting this very inspiring young man, Holden Ringer, we realized that people from every decade of life from teens to age 70+ gathered in a space where we all felt comfortable. This event was a prime example of the extent to which Transform GSO is a catalyst for the good things that are happening in Downtown Greensboro. We encourage you to book a tour of this space (see HERE). There are many options for membership, startomgwotj a $20 day pass. As the Sunday night event was coming to a close, we just stood back for a minute feeling so proud about the sense of community that comes about in shared spaces. Transform GSO for the win!

Happy Tuesday, dear readers.

 

* read the article HERE.

Happy Valentines Day

What are your plans for Valentine's Day this year? Such is the question being asked in the window of the Biltmore Hotel at 111 West Washington Street. According to its website, the Biltmore Hotel is Greensboro's oldest hotel. The hotel has a lot of provenance and, fortunately, the history of the hotel and all of the functions it has served during the many iterations. Fortunately the stories and documentation are available online (HERE). It has been under new ownership since 2007 and the new owner works hard to keep the hotel upscale, but cozy.

The photo represents a fun window display put up for Valentine's Day. We discovered it while downtown recently looking for festive window displays for February 14th. We didn't get to ask about the Valentine's Day package, but we do intend to try to stay there at some point. And yes, we would like to be a part of the conversation at the Biltmore Hotel. It is the only independently owned and operated boutique hotel in downtown Greensboro. The Biltmore has been part of the revival of downtown and for that, we are grateful!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Window Displays on Elm Street

Do you love to window shop? Some cities are knows for window displays, especially NYC. Downtown Greensboro, on Elm Street, some stores consistently have inspiring window displays Oscar Oglethorpe Optometry (OOO), on 226 South Elm Street, is one such place.The above photo features their current window display. The eyes play with the theme of what happens inside the store. The hearts are a nod to Valentine's Day. The pops of pink brighten up an otherwise gray winter day. The multi- talented Rafa, an Oscar Oglethorpe employee, designed the window.

Oscar Oglethorpe is located in the Ellis Stone building, which was constructed in 1949. It was a locally-owned department store back when downtown department stores were all the rage across America. Its style is modernist and it was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This building is a fine example of downtown Greensboro's efforts to maintain the integrity of the look of Elm Street of yesteryear, while updating interiors to keep stores relevant to the expectations of shoppers. When the lighting is right, this OOO building makes a backdrop for a photo shoot. The above pair just happened to walk into view as we were photographing the facade. Head downtown and have a look for yourself.

Happy Saturday!

300 Block of South Elm Street

As we head into the weekend, you will surely see us around town taking photos. The above photo features the 300 block of South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro. This is one of our favorite sections. We love getting a cup of coffee from the Green Bean and sitting there mapping out our weekend plans. It isn't First Friday, but there will still be plenty to do. We love buildings/businesses that date when they were established. The Green Bean says "Est 2002" and Natty Greene's says "Eat. 2004." We're not so sure we would have guessed that the Green Bean pre-dates Natty's by two years.

Also, we remember when Grey's Tavern was an art supply store; however, we don't remember when Grey's was established (they need an "Est. 19XX sign). The Grey family has a lot of property along Elm Street, and are a prominent family. We don't know if they still own the tavern, but are glad they still have their name on it. We've been around long enough to know Sylvia Grey, who owned the building that now houses Elsewhere Museum. Thoughts of her work ethic and determination  put a smile on our face, every time we walk past Grey's tavern or Elsewhere. 

Have a happy weekend. Have you noticed hours and minutes of daylight are increasing?

Happy Friday! Happy exploring.

Forge- Dear Greensboro

The Forge is a dream "3rd Space" downtown. If you need a break from. your home or work, or especially if you have a home office, you can go to The Forge and create something. Or, you can sit in the co-working space and be inspired by those around you. We love this view from the corner of Gate City Boulevard and Eugene Street. It can be hard to find signage with our city written on it, but here we see The Forge sign to the right of the door and "DEAR GREENSBORO" above the door. Of course those signs were created at The Forge.

The Forge bills itself as a gym for makers and haven for "inventors, students, entrepreneurs, artisans, trade professionals, tinkerers, and hobbyists."  There are options for monthly or annual subscriptions. You gain access to tools, equipment, and workspace. You can even take classes. You must demonstrate competence with using a tool to be able to use it. Members are very generous with their knowledge. The Forge Makerspace is at 219 West Lewis Street. This non-profit had its beginnings in 2012 when the founders would meet in coffee shops. Finally, by 2013, they found the above space and have literally turned this little corner of Greensboro from unnoticed to a great space to hang out, create, and collaborate. Do you have a 3rd space? Do you need one?

Happy Wednesday!

Mebanesville Performed at Common Grounds

Live music warms the soul and last Saturday night's performance of Mebanesville at Common Ground Coffee Shop at 602 South Elam was no exception. It was a cold and rainy night, but the band brought cheer to customers and staff alike. Mebanesville members like to say the band has been living locally while exploring music globally since 2000. Their diverse sound is described as Transatlantic rhythm and roots. The above photo features Iryna Tkachenko whose musical talents include bowed psaltery, mandolin, melodica, ukulele, vocals, and xylophone; Peggy Boswell (back row) pennywhistles; Jane Davis, violin and vocals; Sherry White Lea, bodhran, djembe, hand percussion, harmonica, and vocals; David Thompson (back row) bass; and Larry Vellani, banjo, bass, guitar, mandolin, and vocals. Mebanesville performs at many venues and for community organizations, mostly in the Piedmont, but is always open to new adventures. 

The Elam location of Common Grounds has been open since 2013. They open daily at 7:00 am. Check their website for closing times, but the earliest they ever close is on Monday and Tuesday when they close at 9:00 pm. It is nice to know where to find late-night coffee shop and even nicer when live music is happening- such is the case often at Common Grounds. The combination of good coffee and music is heavenly. A heartfelt thanks to all involved on Saturday, with a special shout out to Sasha, the extraordinary barista, Catherine Thompson who was running sound, and all the Mebanesville friends and family who came out. Two of the band members, David Thompson and Jane Davis are from Greensboro, the others live between here and Mebane.

Happy Tuesday!

 

Eclectic by Nature

Today's photo features a mural on the back of the Eclectic by Nature shop. The business is located in a stand-alone house on State Street, right beside Vida-Pour-Tea. Owned by Pavane Taylor, it is a shop that specializes in spirituality products. The mural in the above photo sets the tone for the kinds of items you will see when entering the shop. There are prayer flags in the background; the sun, moon, a candle, crystals, and nature in the foreground. For many, these are alternative religions, very different from the God and Christ based religions. However, there are many different types of spirituality present int eh Greensboro community. For those seeking spirituality more related to the elements and nature, this is one of the few go-to places in the area. They should be open today from 11:00 am- 6:00 pm.

Here is a photo we took of the front of the building nine years ago, back in March 2015 when we had snow in Greensboro. The building is so nicely curated inside and out.

Happy Sunday!

Sheila Duell Sings at Jazz Night at the O. Henry Hotel

Last night was Jazz Night at the O. Henry Hotel. People gathered in the lobby to dine and hear great live music. In addition to the weekly band, Dave Fox (piano), Neil Clegg (flute, saxophone), and Matt Kendrick (bass).  Henry Burns (not pictured) was playing with the group, and Sheila Duell was singing in English and French. It has been four years since Greensboro had an opportunity to hear Sheila sing at the O. Henry, and the audience welcomed her back with open arms. The two different parties we sat near both came to hear Sheila sing. 

Sheila has a B.A. in Theatre & Drama and French from the University of Indiana. She has been trained in acting at the Sorbonne in Paris, France.  In addition to her talent performing musically, she is accomplished in T'ai Chi, actually having trained in China.* In addition to hearing great music tonight, we had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life in the audience. Especially when Sheila Duell was singing in French, it felt a little like being in Europe. As we were leaving, it started to drizzle and the doorman walked us to the car with an umbrella. What an all-around lovely evening. Jazz happens at the O.Henry every Thursday from 6:00- 9:00 p.m. It will leave you in a good mood for the weekend

Happy Friday!

* Reference and more information HERE.

Saint Jacques French Restaurant at The Burke Manor Inn in Gibsonville

The Saint Jacques French Restaurant is located in the Burke Manor Inn on Buck Street in Greensboro. While a twenty minute drive from Greensboro, this restaurant is one of the finer dining experiences near Greensboro. John Batchelor said it best in a 2011 review for the Greensboro  News and Record, "Food at Saint Jacques exquisite, but at a cost." The restaurant, located in an elegant home that has been converted to an inn and restaurant, The home was built in 1906 for Ceasar Cone. Several Generations of the Burke family lived there and then it became an inn in 1999.*

It has both indoor and outdoor seating. If you like French food with complex sauces and multiple courses, you will love Saint Jacques. Right now, Chef Lacassagne is gearing up for the prix fixe Valentine's Day Dinner, as well as some summer food tours to France.

The above photo is of a dining rooms not in use when we were there. As you can see, there is ample space between tables. They offer service to special events and even offer cooking classes. The food ranges fro the heavier, meat dishes like Filet Mignon "Michou" and Roasted Lamb to lighter fare, like Salmon Exotique and Old World Warm Goat Cheese Salad. In addition to expertly prepared food, Saint Jacques has great waiters. All around eating at Saint Jacques is a step back in time where you can linger and enjoy fine dining in an atmosphere that takes you back to the first half of the 20th century.

Happy Saturday!

*reference and more information published in  Maria Johnson's 2021 article in Our State Magazine (see HERE).

Fresh Market Headquarters

The Fresh Market Corporate Headquarters is located at 300 North Greene Street, downtown Greensboro, in the Wells Fargo Tower. This is where employment opportunities are made available, customer service is located, and where the of the managing as the company takes place. According to the Business Journals, the Wells Fargo building sold in December 2021 for 30 million dollars. It is a 21 story class-A building and was built in 1990. It looks like the exterior in granite. To be sure is is well maintained and an attractive office building.

According to this article in 2019, the Fresh Market consolidated their office space here and expanded in Greensboro, investing over 5 million dollars, and  adding 53 jobs. The company began as a single store here and it now has 160 stores in 22 states.  A retail group based in Chile owns 67% of Fresh Market (read more here). We're betting this arrangement is a win/win because when it is winter in the United States, it is summer in Chile, making it very convenient to get good produce in winter. 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Common Grounds Downtown

Downtown Common Grounds at 631 South Elm Street will celebrate its one year anniversary within the month. Since opening last February, they have opened their outdoor seating space and installed this metal owl sculpture. It was made specifically for the coffee shop. If you look closely, you can see the letters COMMON GROUNDS are attached to the metal arch at the front. We wish we knew who the artist is, but didn't seem a name posted anywhere. If you know, please let us know. We should have gone in and asked when we were downtown, on our urban walk, snapping photos this week.

Downtown Common Grounds has started featuring a lot of live music. It is one of many coffee shops to open downtown over the last few years and it makes a great place to work on work, read, or socialize. Their specialty drinks are named after famous actors. Who could resist a Marilyn Monroe or a Marlon Brando? Today would be a great day to head to downtown Greensboro and visit any of the coffee (or retail) shops.  Remember, the free hop-on trolley is still running. You can traverse Elm Street in no timw

Happy Saturday!

Night Sky Over Battleground Plaza

The above photo was taken from the northern point of Battleground Plaza at 3726 North Battleground Avenue. It was taken on December 20th when the parking lot was full. However, we were struck by the beauty of the early night sky and the white dots above. It could be that some of those dots could be planes heading into and out of the airport. The building in the middle of the photo is a Chick-Fil-A, one with a drive through and lobby that stay quite busy. For 23 years, this Chick-Fil-A was located at Brassfield. For a year now, it has been in the above location. The building is larger and the drive through is double wide. There simply wouldn't have been space to expand the old location. 

In this retail space, there are stores of all sizes, from the Big Lots with just under 30,000 square feet to several storefronts with just over 1,000 square feet. With Guilford Courthouse National Military Park just east of this plaza, it is surrounded by greenery. Above all, we love the view of the western sky from this vantage point.

Happy Tuesday!

New Construction on Battleground Avenue: FourStore Storage

The above new construction is located at the intersection of Maryland Drive and Battleground Avenue, at the southwest corner of the Target at Lawndale Crossing. This 90,750 square foot structure is being built on the 1.25 acre lot that has been empty for a good while. Formerly, it had been Andy's Mart. The new facility will be a storage unit, easily accessible to the Kirkwood and Irving Park neighborhoods.* One hint that this will be a storage unit is the fact that there are minimal (if any) windows. It is scheduled to open March 2024.

Noteworthy to us is the fact that the construction crew was working on New Year's Day, the day this photo was taken. As much woodland as being developed in the Piedmont these days, this facility is an example of fill in; space that already has businesses and office space all around it. Formerly, this was an empty cement lot. According to the Winston-Salem Journal, it sold for $2.35 million. Just behind this storage unit is the former Golden Corral Restaurant, a space that remains unoccupied. Hopefully someone has plans for that prime piece of real estate.

Happy Wednesday!

 

*reference and more information HERE.

Closing Out 2023 with Mebanesville and One Last Cup of Coffee

As is only natural, the end of the calendar year is a good time to reflect on the previous year and anticipate the new. Throughout 2023 on Greensboro Daily Photo, we have shared many changes in the Greensboro community and the surrounding area of Guilford County. Today's post takes us to Gibsonville, on the Guilford/Alamance County line. Saturday, December 23rd, was the final day of the coffee shop, The Guilded Bean. This coffee shop was a very fun place to hang out and to purchase great coffee on East Main Street in Gibsonville. It may even have been the eastern-most coffee shop in Guilford County. 

Above, the band Mebanesville is seen performing on the afternoon of the last day. This performance was especially significant, because Mebanesville also played on the opening day a few years ago. Mebanesville is so named because the members are located in or near the town of Mebane and practice in Mebane a lot. The musicians in the photo are Larry Vellani on guitar and vocals; Sherry Lea, percussion; Peggy Boswell, penny whistle; David Thompson, bass. They played and sang a lot of holiday tunes and even had a small band of pre-schoolers join them near the end. The band performed in an alcove between the Guilded Bean and Wade Jewelers. It is bittersweet to have a coffee shop close. Hopefully, another one will open to fill the void. Coffee shops have a way of bringing people together, creating a meaningful "third space", and attracting great music talent like Mebanesville. Mebanesville is known for its world music from the Mediterranean basin, the British Isles, Ukraine, and beyond. 

Happy Friday!

 

122 North Elm Street Self Help Building

The Self-Help building at 122 North Elm Street is a 10-story office building that offers space solely to nonprofit agencies. In mid-December, when we were walking by, we noticed that renovation is taking place on the ground floor. This is the space that formerly housed the Junior League's thrift shop, Bargain Box. The Bargain Box is now located on Mill Street and since they vacated the above space on Elm, it has been empty. In 2019, there was discussion about Action Greensboro moving into the Self-Help building. Possibly, they are the ones preparing the space.

Action Greensboro was formed in 2001 to bring together local charitable foundations and business, higher education, and local government. Downtown, they were instrumental in bringing Center City Park to fruition, as well as the Downtown Greenway and Union Square. On their website, Action Greensboro now lists their address as 122 North Elm Street, Suite 110, which sounds like this space. We'll have to head downtown and see if, indeed, Action Greensboro is here. We like the way you can see the men working through the glass and also see the reflection of the space outside. 

Happy Thursday!

Greensboro's Skyline & Local Gas Price

We love this view, driving into town from east Greensboro On East Market Street. Beside the Exxon sign, you can see the JP building, now the Lincoln Financial Group. Also, the Exxon gas prices are visible and $2.99 on December 23rd. According to the gas price information on AAA's website, the highest average gas price recorded for Greensboro for regular gas was $4.61 a gallon on 6/13/22. So, a year and a half later, the price is down $1.62 a gallon. It will be interesting to monitor prices over the next year.

Soon, we will feature other views of this part of town, which has changed a lot since the addition of Bailey Village across the street from the Exxon Station. Of course, just east of here, one street back is the beginning of the North Carolina A&T University campus. This is probably a "go to" gas station for university students and staff. What is the gas station you frequent? There are so many options in Greensboro now, from the big box stores, to grocery stores with loyalty programs to the ubiquitous Sheetz.

Happy Tuesday, that feels like a Monday. We hope you have a great week!

Shopping at Friendly Center- View from the back of the line at Anthropologie

With 5 shopping days left before Christmas, retail in Greensboro seems to be steady. The parking lot at Friendly Center is busy and foot traffic seems brisk. The above photo was taken at Anthropologie- located in the "new" side of the shopping center. Pink and glittery seem to be popular with shoppers. The original Friendly Center opened in 1957 and it has done a good job over the last 66 years of staying relevant to shoppers. Part of the key is the variety of stores. There is everything from a bookstore to jewelry stores to a drug store, a post office, pet store, clothing stores, and more. 

In 2006, the new side of Friendly Center opened, bringing the largest Harris Teeter in all of North Carolina, an Apple Store, Anthropologie, and more.* Even if you don't NEED anything, it is fun to get out and be part of the crowd this time of year. And, there is the tradition of stopping and getting a photo with the waving Santa, and heading a couple blocks away to Sunset Hills to drive through the streets to see the decorations. If you drive through Sunset Hills, consider swinging by the Harris Teeter and getting some food to consider donating to the food bank collection site at the corner of Ridgeway and Madison.

Happy Wednesday!

 

*read the Wikipedia entry on Friendly Center HERE.

Melrose Coffee + Wine Bar

Melrose Coffee and Wine Bar bills itself as California inspired. Melrose is a family-owned and operated business and the owners and employees are from California. The establishment has echoes of the upscale coffee shops that can be found on Melrose Avenue in Los Angles, where you can get everything from a black cup of coffee to specialty tea drinks like matcha late with rose and lavender syrup to cocktails and wine.

While the entrance to the coffee shop is on Church Street, technically, the address is 245 East Friendly Avenue. See this GDP post from 12/26/22 when the idea for the coffee shop was in the early stages. The building, constructed in 1924, says "Fruit and Produce" on the front as the building was originally the W.I. Anderson Wholesale Produce Company.* How wonderful that the building gets repurposed with an infusion of great energy with owners and employees who are really vested in bring coffee and a place for gathering east of Elm Street. East Greensboro has been adding growing over the last few years. As NC A&T expands and more people move downtown, this growth is much needed. This weekend would be a great night to go and check out Melrose. Their Friday and Saturday hours are from 8:00 am- 5:00 pm and from 8:00 pm- 1:00 am!

Happy Friday!

 

*thank you to our reader Victoria Tate for sharing that information last year.

Hudson Hill 527 South Elm Street, Formerly Coe Grocery

This is one of our favorite photos from The Festival of Lights. South Elm street looks so lovely with families milling about and stores open with colorful lights framing the scene. Then there is Santa peeking out of a second story window, where so much magic happens at Hudson Hill- lively conversations, plan making for future businesses, ideas about recapturing some of Greensboro textile history. Hope for the future grows when you realize that many of the people sewing leather and denim are young- as in between 25 and 40.

As seen on the signage on the side of the building, the Hudson Hill Building was formerly Coe Grocery and seed (See 2016 photo HERE).

Ice Skating in Downtown Greensboro

For ice skating in Greensboro, you have two choices. For outdoor skating, Piedmont Winterfest is your best bet. It is located between LeBauer Park and Center City Park. Skaters of all abilities are welcome. It will be there until December 28th, at which time, just like Frosty the Snowman, it will "melt". An indoor option for skating is the Ice House, located between Bridford Parkway and West Wendover Avenue. The Greensboro Ice House opened in the fall of 1997. It is hard to believe it has been there for 26 years. The Greensboro Ice House does it all, from giving lessons to serving as a venue for birthday parties to having ice for hockey games, figure skating, and more. Historically, Greensboro has been more of a roller skating town than an ice skating one; however, these two venues are a great way to get children acclimated to the sport. As you can see in the above photo, children around our there trying their hardest. See you on the rink!

Happy Friday! 

Western Sky on Spring Garden Street

Twilight is so magical and this week, we have been blessed with clear views of the full moon. The above photo is the stretch of businesses between Pomona and West Market Street on Spring Garden. There are many new businesses in this area, including many Asian restaurants with delicious food. The restaurant in the rightmost section of this photo is Little Ari's Japanese Kitchen (4129 Spring Garden Street). It is a fun, special little spot that opened in 2018. For a great description on food options and more information about Little Ari's, read this Triad City Beat article.. Also, not far from here is Pho Hien Vuong (4109 Spring Garden Street). This family-owned restaurant has been open since 1996. 

If you've made it through all of these days encouraging people to shop for the holidays, consider adding one more item to your December traditions: Trying out locally owned restaurants. And, of course if you are in this part of town, take your glass to recycle at Reconsidered Goods, drop off a donation, and shop a little. 

Happy Wednesday! 

Gate City Pharmacy at Friendly Center

All was calm at Friendly Center yesterday. Likely, Black Friday, it will be filled with shoppers. The waving Santa should be there on Black Friday, waving and bringing joy to shoppers. The above photo features the view from the door at Gate City Pharmacy in the original part of Friendly Center. This family-owned pharmacy opened in the late 1960s and have been building their loyal customer base since then. Gate City is known for its customer service and the ease with which you can talk to a pharmacist. A very nice article was written about Gate City in "Our State Magazine" ten years ago (see here). For only having 3,500 square feet of retail space, they sure pack a lot into the store. And in spite of being sizably smaller that an chain pharmacy, they always seem to have just what you need.

 

Gray Gardens- Arts and Crafts Show

We have entered the season of arts and crafts pop ups, church bazaars, and local shows, giving local entrepreneurs a chance to sell directly to the public. The above photo was one such event, held yesterday, a Holiday Market at the Gray Gardens venue in Summerfield. There were over 40 vendors, the Hummingbird Food Truck, and Jim Mayberry singing and playing acoustic guitar. The food truck was very popular, vendors seemed to be popular with the crowd, and Jim's repertoire was impressive. Additionally, weather was perfect- sunny and in the mid 60. The above photo features the large tent on the property,  known as The Gardens at Gray Gables where a wide array of events are held.  This property is located just a few miles north of the northern limits of Greensboro. 

Opportunities to purchase Christmas gifts and items for holiday decorating are everywhere. A Greensboro favorite, The Craftsmen's Christmas Classic will be held Thanksgiving weekend in the Greensboro Coliseum. This marks the 50th year of the show. Also, Saturday is Small Business Saturday. So, make your list, check it twice and, pace yourself.

Happy Monday!

 

Friends- Guilford College Style

Saturday is a perfect day for friends. Last Saturday, four friends gathered at Scuppernong Books to spend time together. Madison Burkhardt, Jillian Southworth, Brownie Southworth, and Laura Mae Allen were roommates at Guilford College. Madison majored in biology, Jillian in psychology, Brownie in geology, and Laura Mae in history and education. In spite of their diversity in interests, they found more in common than differences. They got along so well, Jillian and Brownie married and all four remain lifelong friends.

When asked what they loved about Guilford College, the response was the sense of community fostered at the college and the fact that the professors really care about students. What a great testimonial to the learning environment at Guilford College. It is heartwarming to see people gather in downtown Greensboro, celebrating their friendships and reminiscing over their college experiences. Scuppernong Books is one of many perfect places to spend time together in Greensboro. Call a friend and head downtown. As for the above four, may their friendships continue to deepen and may they always find time for each other. Something we love about Greensboro Daily Photo is all of the great people we meet.

Happy Saturday!

Lao Restaurant

Hiding behind the yellow leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree is Lao Restaurant and Bar. This is the location that formerly housed Crafted Art of the Taco (219-A South Elm Street). It is located between Blue Denim and Pizzeria Italiano, both very good restaurants. The space occupied by Lao is long and skinny; especially cozy this time of year when we want to be inside and in the company of others. It reminds us of independent restaurants in New York City- where street-front space is at a premium.

The owners are Laotian American and  also have the Simply Thai restaurants in Jamestown and Elon. Laotian food is similar to Thai food as the countries share a border. Sticky rice and chili paste dipping sauce are two popular items on the menu. They have large and small plates and a variety of meat and vegetarian options. You can pick you spice level mild/medium/hot. We're wondering if "Lao hot" is as spicy as "Thai hot."  Wouldn't it be fun to eat at at every restaurant in downtown Greensboro. We just might head down there today!

Happy Thursday!

Yokai, Formely Custom Care Dry Cleaners

501 North Greene Street at Paisley Street has a very new profile. Formerly, this lot was the home of Custom Care Dry Cleaners. Now, it is Yokai, They serve ramen, Korean fried chicken, small plates with an Asian flair (like edamame, rice cakes, and savory waffles). They also have an extensive cocktail and beer menu. With the Tanger Center and all of the new downtown housing options, people have been wanting more restaurant options in the north end of downtown Greensboro. There is indoor and outdoor seating. It is owned by Tal Blevins who also owns Machete Restaurant downtown. The owner had a chance to get to know what Greensboro restaurant aficionados like in a restaurant before opening Yokai. 

This izakaya-inspired establishment looks nice by day, but with pops of neon lighting, Yokai looks especially inviting at night. Izakaya is the Japanese version of what the Spaniards call tapas. The goal it to be able to drink and nibble at the same time. The food serves as a point of conversation. Yokai celebrated its grand opening on September 12th. It has already been open a month! Walk by and have a look, or even try it out if you are downtown for the Veteran's Day Parade today. 

Happy Veterans Day!

Greensboro's Skyline- A View from Southside

This view of the Greensboro skyline was taken from Southside, just south of the train tracks. It captures many of the 20th century buildings that come closest to being skyscrapers. At the time it was built in 1923, the Lincoln Financial Group (LFG) building, originally the Jefferson Standard Building, was the tallest building between Atlanta and Washington, D.C.. The Jefferson-Pilot building, just to the left and two stories taller (with the green roof and time and temperature), was added in 1990. Now, the whole complex is part of LFG. 

We love to hike the city and see our grand skyscraper from as many different angles as possible. We even have a tag for it, see the JP Building. We first featured in Year 1 of GDP on October 13, 2009. If you attend the Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 11th, it will begin at noon at the corner of Lindsay and North Elm Street, very near the JP/LFG building Let us know your favorite place to view this building. We are still hoping to get an invitation to watch sunrise or sunset from the top! Do you have a connection for us?

Happy Thursday!. 

State Street Fall Festival

Every time we walk on State Street, it evokes a feeling of beach communities. With many new businesses opening in the 400 block, young adults, especially those with small children, are spending time on State Street. Eclectic by Nature and Vida pour Tea are two businesses that have helped with this rejuvenation of the street. Now, there is a bicycle shop, a coffee shop, a children's consignment store, a bookstore, and more. The above photo features, Sweet Tea Studio, which is in the building that formerly housed the Saltbox.* If you peek to the left, you see the Sustainability Yours, a mobile boutique that pops up at many special events.

Saturday's event involved the coordination of all the local business owners on State Street. When merchants work together, great things can happen. Tomorrow is First Friday in downtown Greensboro. You will have another event to fill your evening with people, art, good food, and entertainment. Oh, and get ready for all of the NC A&T homecoming festivities.

Happy Thursday!

 

*(We still miss the large candles, seasonal decorations, and the handmade lighting that made the Saltbox so special).

SpringHill Suites at Congdon Yards

While we focus on Greensboro at Greensboro Daily Photo, we often drive around the county seeing changes elsewhere. Yesterday, we were in High Point and got to see all of the great construction around Congdon Yards, in the vicinity of the baseball stadium. The above photo features the groundbreaking of a new hotel, SpringHill Suites by Marriott. A 128-room hotel will be built at 121 Virginia Place. There is a 100+year old building on the site that has been gutted, but the exterior of the structure will remain and with an additional part, extending out from the building. This project is proof positive of the revitalization of downtown High Point. New restaurants, and art museum, a coffee and workspace, and so much more can be found in this area. 

The above photo features the actual groundbreaking ceremony is process, with shovels and hard hats to the right of the photo. If you haven't been to High Point lately, now that market has come and gone last week, this would be a great time to drive around and see all of the growth.

Happy Thursday!

Carriage House Antiques at Golden Gate Shopping Center

We happened to be in the neighborhood around Golden Gate Shopping Center recently and had the chance to stop into Carriage House Antiques. The plaza is conveniently located between the Irving Park neighborhood and Revolution Mill. Golden Gate opened in 1961, four years after Friendly Center, and has seen many changes over the years. Carriage House Antiques has been a go-to place in that part of town for high-end antiques and original works of art. It is clean, well organized, with a helpful staff. The merchandise changes frequently and it is fun to go in and see what is new. They also have a little bit of jewelry and a lot of small decorative objects. 

The potted geraniums at the door make such a bright and cheerful welcome. They look so healthy and are still blooming in October. You can tell by the conversations happening in the store, it is the kind of place where people get to know each other quickly, as well as check in on each other. Lampshades plus, formerly known as Hyalin Lamps (featured here in 2020) is located inside. So, if you need a lampshade, with expertise in picking it out, this is a great place!

It is the weekend! May it be filled with good food and fellowship, whether you are in Greensboro or elsewhere. Happy Friday!