Greensboro Daily Photo

Brown-Gardiner in the Snow

Brown-Gardiner bills itself as "The Place to Be", an old-fashioned pharmacy and soda fountain that has served Greensboro for over 59 years. Part pharmacy, part restaurant, part social gathering place, indeed, Brown-Gardiner is an Irving Park institution. When you enter, depending on the time of day, you either smell bacon frying or that subtle medicinal scent of the pharmacies of yesteryear.

Congressman Howard Coble was known to eat here.  When in his Greensboro office, all he had to do was cross the street for lunch. It is highly likely that a lot of community input came his way over the lunch counter. While, unfortunately, Congressman Coble is no longer living, there is every indication that Brown-Gardiner will be around for a very long time. The building at 2101 North Elm Street, with its Carolina blue brick and awning, is even more prominent after a snowstorm. 

 

Westerwood Chili Cook-off

Tis' the season for Brunswick stew, barbecue, and chili. Yesterday was the chili cook-off for the Westerwood neighborhood. Held in Lake Daniel Park by the tennis courts, the Westerwood chili cook-off brought neighbors together to see who could cook the best chili and to build community through eating together.

Westerwood is a downtown neighborhood of 650 homes build around the 1920s, just (you guessed it) WEST of downtown and convenient to everything. The community is full of character, partly due to its beautiful tree lined streets and partly due to the residents who work hard to keep the neighborhood a vibrant, dynamic place to live. As people were eating chili, the Westerwood String Band played old time tunes on their fiddles, banjos, and guitars. It was a perfect fall day for eating chili, listening to live music, and socializing.

If you are looking for a way to bring your own neighborhood together, consider putting on a pot of chili or stew and start inviting. Where there is good food, there will be people. Happy Monday!

Tate Street Festival

The Tate Street Festival was held this past weekend on, you guessed it, Tate Street, just east of UNCG and west of Greensboro College. The weather was perfect and the crowds were respectable. There were booths with crafts and artesania, performers, food stands, and King Banana from Smoothie King. He was such a hardworking, happy person giving people samples of smoothies.

The Tate Street Festival began in 1973, with the primary goal of making people happy.* While the 70s saw many hippies up on the hill, this past Saturday, there were as many families with children as there were hippies. From the Ecuadorian family selling clothing and jewelry from South America to the local students selling their wares, to the person making henna tattoos,-this family friendly event was the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon, getting away from the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. As for being "happy",  it is not possible to be in a bad mood when someone in a banana costume is smiling and sharing free samples. 

 

*reference and more to read, here.

Pho Hien Vuong

Pho Hien Vuong, the fabulous Vietnamese Restaurant located at 4109 Spring Garden Street was packed, several times over, last night. With so much of Guilford County out of power, people got very creative about finding ways to get a hot meal and out of the dark. This family-owned restaurant has been a Greensboro institution since 1996. The Hien Vuong family cooks are known for recreating the flavors of southeastern Vietnam, using lots of spices, fresh vegetables, and meats, while using very little oil. The kitchen and waitstaff seemed very undaunted by the large parties of guests on a Thursday night. 

Hopefully, everyone is safe today with the power back on. With so many neighborhoods with downed power lines, flooding, and trees blocking roads, there is much work to be done. With the current situation throughout the county, it is best that children are staying put at home- or out eating warm noodles and broth with loved ones.

As ready as Greensboro was for Hurricane Florence, it seems as if Hurricane Michael took the community a little by surprise!

The O. Henry Hotel Complex

Yesterday, the O. Henry Magazine was featured on Greensboro Daily Photo. Today's feature is the O. Henry Hotel and Green Valley Grill. The above photo was taken at the bar, the transition between the hotel and the restaurant. The appointment of the restaurant as a "stand alone" venue, while attached to the hotel, makes it inviting to the public as well as to guests. The whole complex is about as close to the feel of old New York City or Europe as you can get in Greensboro.

On Thursdays at 5:30 pm,  and many Saturdays at 6:30pm, the hotel lobby fills with live jazz music and faithful, local fans who come to enjoy the performance of talented musicians. You can start the evening with cocktails in the bar, dine in the restaurant, listen to jazz music in the lobby, and have the option to spend the night in the hotel for the evening. Yes, Thursdays offer dusk to dawn fun without leaving the property.* The Thursday jazz nights are a favorite with Greensboro locals.

Truly, the O. Henry Hotel complex is complex... in a good way!**

• *read more about Jazz nights, here. 
• **consisting of many different and connected parts.

Hurricane Florence

Greensboro has been relatively spared damage from Hurricane Florence. The weather was pretty mild until last night when the rains rolled in. Those not living in the south simply can't fathom the build up and panic that comes with weather events. Most of Greensboro has been anticipating the wrath of Flo for a week now. School children persistently asked their teachers what was going to happen, especially as they saw their families dashing to the store to purchase storm supplies. 

The above photo of the Starbucks on Battleground (in the Earth Fare plaza) was taken this weekend. Starbucks was open, but not very busy. Since it was remodeled, there is a drive through, a very popular option on stormy days. Since Thursday, many retail stores had shorter hours as fewer people were out on the roads, schools were closed, and many employees didn't have child care. Local universities continue to be closed today to give students an opportunity to return to campus. Before you know it, life will be back to normal in Greensboro and we'll be anticipating snow days. It is hard to believe school children already have days to make up and, technically, it is still summer. Happy Monday!

Indian Festival 2018

August 15th was Independence Day in India and the Indian community in Greensboro celebrated it this past Saturday with a tremendous social event on Landmark Drive. The event, Experience India, was a day of music, art, dance, good food, shopping, and community building. These two young ladies were a fine example of the beautiful costumes dancers wore. We met up with them as they were walking in with their family. They were more than accommodating, explaining about the festival, their dancing, and making sure that we found our way in and felt welcome.

The event was sponsored by the India Association of the Triad, a non-sectarian, non-profit organization, established in 2002. Their main goal is to create awareness and help members maintain connections to Indian cultures and to give people a chance to share their heritage and talent. The above two ladies did so with beauty and grace.

Fishers Grille

Happy Birthday, Fishers Grille. This establishment has been a Fisher Park institution since 1989. It is the 29th birthday to a Greensboro version of the Boston "Cheers" bar. The building, located at 608 North Elm Street, was built in 1927 and, in its original iteration, was a grocery store. In 1940, it became an A&P Supermarket. Over the years, it has been Jay's Deli, a laboratory, a dentist's office, a furniture company, and an antique and consignment store. However, 608 North Elm has found the perfect tenant in Fishers because, in the 91 year history if the building, nothing has lasted as long in this location as Fishers; not nearly as long.

When you combine great service with good food, spirits, plenty of TVs to view sporting events, live music, and you locate yourself in a thriving neighborhood with neighbors who love to walk to an establishment, you have a recipe for success. The above photo is evidence of this success. Last night, live music was in full swing and there was a standing-room-only crowd to celebrate the grille's 29th! That is a long time. Think back to what YOU were doing twenty nine years ago. Yep, that is a long time. Here's to another twenty nine and to celebrating a warm neighborly place where everyone knows everybody's name.

Farmers Market: Tomato Season, For Sure

The farmers markets around Greensboro as just so much fun, we had to post another photo today. Tomatoes are in season and tables and tables of tomatoes can be found. From heirloom to more contemporary varieties, they cost about $2 a pound. There is no excuse to buy hothouse tomatoes when these homegrown varieties are brought to you straight from the field. Watermelons and peaches are still available, too. All weekend long, at the farmers market on Sandy Ridge, people are coming and going stocking up on fresh produce.

Remember, take time to talk to the farmers and vendors. You may even find out that you have mutual friends. North Carolina ranks 7th nationally in tomato production, with around 3,000 acres dedicated to tomatoes in our state. Hendersonville, NC actually holds an annual tomato festival. It is a lot different, however, than the one in Buñol, Spain. For a little humor today, if you don't know about "La Tomatina" click here and learn about this unique holiday. It is not too late to get tickets!

Baby Bolo'z Taste of Cuba Salsa

George Lopez, the REAL George Lopez as he likes to joke about himself, moved to Greensboro ten years ago from New Jersey and before that Cuba. He sets up at the Farmers Market on Sandy Ridge Road every Thursday-Sunday selling his very tasty homemade salsa. George meticulously hand chops the fresh vegetables and uses about six kinds of pepper to give his salsa a good bite, but not a burn. 

In the above photo, you see George with a customer. George is elated because this is a repeat customer, who returned, singing the praises of the salsa. George hands customers a very generous sample plate of salsa with chips, peaches, and a couple of other items to hit home the point that you can put this salsa on everything. It can be cooked it is with rice, even used as a meat marinade. The salsa is a gluten-free, vegan product. You do have to like cilantro as it is the first ingredient in the product. It also contains celery, which gives it a slightly different taste than other salsas on the market. Meeting locals like George is what makes eating local and shopping places like the farmers market a truly special experience.

Chef Chris Scalici at the Greensboro Farmers Market

Earlier this summer, Chef Chris Scalici was doing some demonstration cooking at the Greensboro Farmers Market on Yanceyville Street. Chris is a personal chef, affiliated with Artistic Cuisine Culinary Creations, Custom Catering Service. Chris does great demonstrations and cooks up great food when he is at the farmers market. The events are a win/win. Chris gets more visibility for his catering service and shoppers get to learn about eating local and the concept of market to table food.

While the farmers market is open today beginning at 7am, from 9:00 - noon, the BLT Challenge and Tomato Celebration Day will be held. If you are looking for something to do this morning and like the idea of shopping local, grab some produce bags for shopping and head out to the farmers market. While Chef Chris might not be there, you will not regret spending time with all of the great people, vendors and shoppers alike. If you have been in Greensboro for a will, you will just probably see people you know. Happy Saturday, hope to see you there!

Ghassan's Food Stand at LeBauer Park

Today, we're featuring another photo from the dance event at LeBauer Park on Sunday night. as it was getting dark and beginning to rain, people were still in line determined to get some of Ghassan's great mediterranean food before heading home. About five minutes after this photo was taken, the big white umbrellas were folded up, and the rains came. 

For the downtown parks, food options are many. Of course there is Cafe Europa, the restaurant that has been an anchor in the area before the parks were built. Another option is to bring food and have a picnic. Also, there are two food stands in the park itself, Ghassan's and Porterhouse. Although only one is featured today, both stands are identical in architecture, with a crisp, sleek, modern look. At that magical time when day turns to night, the LeBauer Park area is especially beautiful.

Happy last day of July!

Lindley Elementary Garden

Lindley Elementary School, in the heart of Lindley Park has a garden. Parents and community members help this neighborhood school grow vegetables, a life-skill that the students are likely to remember and carry into the next generation. The parents of Lindley Elementary have a stand at the Corner Market-  at the the corner of Walker and Elam. If your school wants to know more about this homegrown initiative, stop by the Lindley Elementary table on Saturday mornings to get some good ideas and great produce.

Greensboro is getting more and more "keep it local" pop ups. Often they are art related, but as in the case above, they include other purposes, like procuring locally sourced food. Often, the pop ups become well-established and regularly scheduled. To enjoy the Greensboro community this weekend, visit one of our farmers' markets. Even the local, side-of-the-road produce stands are usually staffed by people who love to talk, especially if you like to hear stores about how their gardens are growing! Here's to good eating and building community.

Jake's Diner on North Battleground

There is a new Jake's Diner on North Battleground Avenue, down the road from Wellspring and Kernodle Middle School. It is located in what was formerly the Kentucky Fried Chicken. It is getting harder and harder to find a good home-cooked breakfast and Jake's fits the bill on North Battleground, since the Waffle House, turned Jen's Diner, reincarnated as TESSA closed.

Jake's Diner North has just opened and already Saturday morning breakfasts are packed. They serve the same food at the West Wendover and South Holden locations, but, if you live in the northern part of the city, this location is very convenient. The decor and the staff alike are cheerful. If you like good-old diner food, like steak and eggs for breakfast, and you like a little diner banter between customer and wait staff, you will find Jake's a fun place for breakfast. If you eat alone, sit at the bar and you will get a lot of personal attention, and, since this is the south, you will be able to strike up a good conversation with the people sitting around you.

Picnic in the Garden

This past Saturday in the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden, a Picnic in the Garden event was held. Mostly, it was an opportunity for people to come purchase food from food trucks and sit in the gardens to eat. It was really hot on Saturday; however, there were plenty of shady places to sit to picnic. The placement of food trucks in the parking lot of the garden brings food to a place where there is none close. Therefore, the food trucks fill a need without directly competing with brick and mortar restaurants.

This casual event is another example of Greensboro's effort to encourage people to get out and take advantage of our lovely public spaces. Greensboro Beautiful has done a tremendous job of planting beautiful flowers in the 7.5 acre garden that opened in 1976 as a way to honor the 200th anniversary of the United States. The more events that are held in the garden, the more people will think of it as a destination and it is a lovely one. BaconEssence and Ghassan's were the two food trucks this weekend. The next picnics in this garden will be held on August 11th and September 8th. 

Taco Mama

Greensboro has a new restaurant, a cantina, Taco Mama. It is located in Irving Park, at the end of the plaza close to Cornwallis. It is located in what was formerly the army-navy store, 3,800 sq. ft. space. Since the space is open, it seems to extend forever. And, with the nice weather, the front windows only have screens in them, bring the outside in. The restaurant has been well received by the public and it really adds to the food options in the area.

Will Haver, the Alabama entrepreneur who opened Taco Mama, is said to pay attention to detail. He uses fresh ingredients and hires people when he finds the right person for the job- even if they aren't looking for someone at the moment. To be sure, he has a recipe that is taking the east coast by storm and Greensboro is the first city in North Carolina to have one. That's right, not Charlotte, not Raleigh; Greensboro, a fact that is, perhaps, indicative of how quickly our community is changing.

Produce Stands and the Flavors of Summer

Produce stands are a summer tradition in the South and they are plentiful in Greensboro this time of year. These side-of-the-road pop ups are a great place to stop and chat a while, unless of course vendors are super busy. By talking to the vendor, you can tell how the growing season has been, what is in season and what is not, and maybe even get some suggestions for recipes. Recently, the above stand has been at the Spears YMCA on Horse Pen Creek Road. Until this past week, they have had strawberries, but strawberries are out of season now. Blueberries and peaches are plentiful. 

The above produce was from Candor (Johnson Peaches if we remember correctly) which is located in Montgomery County. According to the 2010 census, the town of Candor only has 840 residents. However, come the third Saturday in July, which is July 21st this year, all of Candor will be celebrating the peach festival and peach EVERYTHING will be for sale. Until then, in Greensboro, we can all enjoy Candor/Sandhills peaches from the farmers markets and produce stands. Maybe we can even sneak off to Yum Yum to get some ice cream to go with those fresh peaches. By shopping locally, we are reminded that different foods have a season. Oh, the flavors of summer. 

Kona Ice Truck

Summer is upon us and shaved ice and ice cream trucks will be getting lots of business this weekend. The above photo features the Kona ice truck that was parked at the Bur Mil swimming pool the other night. The franchise prides itself on clean trucks, friendly staff, good flavors with an effort to be health conscious. Kona started with one truck in Kentucky in 2007 and is up to nearly 1,000 today. They have even started making their flavors in-house. It would be interesting for them to team up with Greensboro's Mother Murphy's Flavoring Company, in case the need a few thousand more flavors. If you want to channel the inner child in you, try the  FLAVORWAVE with a little bit of all ten flavors.

Enjoy your weekend, with or without shaved ice!

 

 

McDonald's at the Corner of Holden Road and Gate City Boulevard

McDonald's is an international chain and not something usually featured on Greensboro Daily Photo. However, the above McDonald's has been a fixture at the corner of Holden Road and Gate City Boulevard for years. When Border's Bookstore used to be in this plaza, people would combine a trip to Borders with a McDonald's visit. It is also popular with nearby Smith High School students and staff. Currently, covered in plywood and surrounded by barriers, this McDonald's looks like it is closed, but actually, the drive-through is open for business (and quite busy).

Currently, McDonald's is giving 4,000 of its stores a facelift. Changes will include more self-ordering kiosks (already big in Europe), digital ordering, home delivery, a return to dollar menu options, fresh (not previously-frozen) quarter pounder beef,  mobile order & pay and curbside pick up are some of the new features McDonald's will roll out. It will be interesting to see which ones will be picked up for the above McDonald's. We're betting that the "AYPLACE" [sic] will be bigger and better when the renovation is complete. Honk if you love Happy Meals!

Mango Chili Paleta Anyone?

If you are looking for something to do with family or friends this weekend, consider heading over to Gate City Boulevard to the Michoacana Store for a frozen fruit bars at the "heladería y paletería". Michoacan is a state in Mexico, just west of Mexico City. While most know of the area because of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, it is also well knows for frozen fruit bars, perhaps even the original home of them.

When you find this store tucked-away in Greensboro, you will not be disappointed. It is located across from the Habitat for Humanity Restore, behind the Latino Credit Union, beside K-Pop Nail Salon. La Michoacana, and the surrounding area, is like a little taste of Mexico right here in Greensboro. There is even a man selling fresh coconuts out of a shopping cart in the parking lot. The popsicles are $2.49 each and there must be at least 100 flavors, made on site. As an example, the above flavor is mango and chili pepper. It is not sweet at all, but savory, spicy and filled with real chunks of mango. The first bite tastes like real fruit and real food, not sugar. Other flavors include tamarind, kiwi strawberry, cherry, chocolate, and coconut. They do have more playful, candy flavors and some that are milk based. You could try a different flavor a day and probably have not exhausted the choices by the end of the summer. A nice option is to cut off chunks so that everyone can try more than one.

Indeed, it is time for summer fun!

LevenEleven Brewery

LEVENELEVEN is a new brew pub in town, located on 1111 Coliseum Boulevard, right across from the Coliseum. Dan Morgan opened the facility this winter and relocated his "brew shed" next door where his  loyal customers can still  purchase home brewing supplies. Dan and his employee Derrick are both accomplished, award-winning brewers, sharing their brew in three-barrel batches.

In the above photo, members of the Piedmont Od Time Society are meeting for their Thursday jam. This is a new location or the old-time musicians since Gibbs is relocating. LevenEleven bills itself as Greensboro's smallest brewery. Small is the new big!

Its Coliseum strip mall location is transforming before the city's eyes. There is a coffee shop, the brewery, a the beermaking supply store, and Adelaide's warehouse where you can find her painting furniture and repurposing items. It is always nice to see a new area around town develop an identity as a destination. By the way, the acoustics were great last night and rumor has it the porter was exceptional. Those three barrels were draining fairly quickly. 

Luther's Cafe

Luther's Cafe is attached to the kitchen at the First Lutheran Church of Greensboro. It is a place where food can be prepared and served. From meals to coffee hour, churches are well served to have a place for food, beverage, and fellowship. First Lutheran is a dynamic church with many community groups meeting here. On any given night, when the church is seemingly as quite as a church mouse, you must might find a scout troop in here assembling snack packs for a camp in. 

Believe it or not, in 2017, Jason Derose, for National Public Radio, wrote a food history and culture article entitled, Recipes for Reformation: A Menu to Mark Martin Luther. Perhaps, we should meet up at Luther's Cafe, at the corner of Friendly and Holden,  and learn more about these recipes! Happy Sunday.

Cold Gardening in Greensboro

As the world becomes more aware of sustainable practices, small-plot, home gardening is gaining more traction. The above photo features part of a cold-weather garden planted in a yard in northwest Greensboro in late March. The beauty of cold-gardening is that the plants are cold resistant, and the growing season happens before bugs overrun the garden and start eating the plants. After a month, the small garden has already produced several servings of spinach and chard. The cabbage looks healthy, indicating that it will soon produce heads. There are no signs of insects.

With winter finally behind us in Greensboro, it is not time to plant summer gardens. Please consider filling your property with as much produce as possible. Vegetables and greens look lovely planted among the flower beds. Working the dirt is good for the soul. Plus, gardening can help you get to know your neighbors. Perhaps you want to offer them a little gardening space. Perhaps you can garden and they know how to can; you both get vegetables for the winter. Perhaps you can give them some garden space in exchange for house sitting on your beach weekends. Best of all, perhaps you can share the produce when 100 tomatoes are ripe at once. Happy Wednesday! It is a good day to plan your garden.

The Corner Market in Lindley Park

The Corner Market, located at the corner of Walker Avenue and Elam in Lindley Park celebrated its 4th anniversary last Saturday. The market started with the vision of Stephen Johnson, an urban farmer who has a garden on Elam, less than a block from the market. He and another farmer, Mike Faucette and meat vendor Bobby Coltrane approached the owner of Sticks and Stones, Neil Reitzel, about using the space. Reitzel was already purchasing ingredients from these guys. The market has grown to where it is at capacity almost every Saturday. Kathy Newsom does an amazing job of coordinating vendors.*

The goal of the corner market is to feed people while building community, keeping people as close to their food source as possible. On most Saturdays, the following items are available: Meat, eggs, cheese, seafood and poultry; fresh produce; prepared foods; baked goods; and, items made by local artisans. While everyone hopes to sell their goods, and many have visions of expanding their product line, all of the vendors enjoy spending time with friends and neighbors and catching up on neighborhood news. 

Increasingly, Greensboro's options for shopping farmers markets is expanding and, especially on Saturday mornings, it is a great tradition to have with family or friends, or even alone. When you shop at a farmers market, you are never actually alone. Surely you need something fresh and local to eat today or to stock in your pantry. Happy Saturday!

*Reference and more information about the Corner Market, here.

Printworks Bistro

Printworks Bistro is a place with a lot of interesting meanings behind it. First, it is named for the Proximity Printworks Mill, a 100-year-old, now-abandoned mill located near Revolution Mill in northeast Greensboro on Fairview Street. The Printworks Bistro is located in the Proximity Hotel, just off Green Valley Road. As you can see from the above photo, the restaurant is flooded with light as it is meant to replicate the cutting room floor in the Printworks Mill. You would need a lot of light to be able to cut and sew accurately. 

The word "bistro" is believed to have derived from Russian meaning "fast". Russians in Paris would shout "bistro, bistro" wanting to get their food quickly. A place that is known to serve up food quickly has become known as a bistro. So Printworks Bistro is a place with good lighting that serves up good food, as quickly as you need it to be served. It name pays respect to Greensboro's mill history and, as feasible, they use locally sourced food. Perhaps, best of all, it is Greensboro's first restaurant to achieve LEED platinum status for its sustainable practices.

Natty Greene's at Hamburger Square

Today's photo is of Natty Greene's Pub and Brewing Company downtown on South Elm Street. The company has branched out quite a bit since this original store opened. They have expanded to Revolution Mill that is a brewery and a restaurant of locally sourced food. However, the above location has been open since 2004 when co-founders Christ Lester and Kayne Fisher took a risk on downtown Greensboro, opening the store there. At dusk, with the lights glowing, the scene is charming.

This Friday is First Friday and downtown will be lively. If you want to experience the charm of a city that still retains much of the look it had in the early part of the 20th century, mark your calendars for Friday and head to Elm Street in Greensboro. The area to the right of Natty Greene's is known as Hamburger Square. As the weather warms up, it is the perfect place to hang out with friends on a warm spring evening.

Mural at Lucky 32

Sixteen years ago, in 2002, Chip Holton painted the mural at the entrance to Lucky 32 at Westover Terrace. The above photo features an iconic scene of the Greensboro Sit-Ins, a non-violent protest at the Woolworth on Elm Street. In the mural, David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr. and Joseph McNeil are seated waiting to be served a cup of coffee at a lunch counter where the wait staff was refusing to serve them. The floor to ceiling 14' mural, along a curved wall, is full of scenes from Greensboro's history. Some of the scenes in the mural have playful twists like the square hamburger bun next to a railroad underpass, an obvious nod to Greensboro's Hamburger Square. All of the imagery features scenes from Greensboro's history.* 

The artist, Chip Holton, is from down the road in Lexington, North Carolina; however, his Greensboro influence is far-reaching. Chip produced all of the artwork in the O. Henry Hotel and the Proximity Hotel. **  His artwork can also be found in places like the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Natural History Museum in Raleigh, and Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. 

 * Reference and more information can be found in this 2002 article by Jim Schlosser, back when Jim worked at the News & Record.

** Read more about Chip Holton at his website, here.

 

Easter Saturday

The above photo features Fresh Market on New Garden Road in Jefferson Village, before Easter rush started for the day. As you can see, the chocolate bunnies are selling out quickly. In most of Greensboro's grocery stores, the smaller hams have also sold out, as have small sweet potatoes. North Carolina sweet potatoes can get as large as a ham!

Regardless of what you end up with on your table for those celebrating Easter, the important part will be fellowship and honoring the spirit of the holiday. If you have been fasting or giving up sweets for Lent, places like Fresh Market still have plenty of treats to choose from. One more day...

NCAA Fever in Greensboro

NCAA fever and games are in full swing and North Carolinians are glued to the TV. Even though Duke is the only remaining North Carolina team, Greensboro cares about basketball. The above photo was taken at Rody's, a locally-owned restaurant and sports bar. Screens throughout the restaurant were sharing several games at a time.

Rody's is located at the corner of Battleground Avenue and Horse Pen Creek Road. It was packed last night while the basketball games were on. By the end of the weekend, we will know if Duke advances to the final four. Then, before you know it, it will be time for football season, and then basketball season again.

Happy Saturday and, stay safe, if the weather turns bad.

Gibbs Hundred Brewing Company

Gibbs Hundred Brewing Company will be leaving Lewis Street and relocating to State Street. The above photo shows the State Street location, on the Church Street side of State Street, near La Bamba. The building was formerly a metal tennis facility. In the new facility, they will have more fermentation tanks and an outdoor area. This move will provide Gibbs with 2,000 more feet of indoor space. Gibbs will change the footprint to the State Street area, where the closest brewery is Natty Greene's over at Revolution Mill. While close, Natty Greene's s not close enough to be in direct competition with Gibbs. Meanwhile, back at Lewis Street, the options for the over twenty-one crowd are many.

The new Gibbs looks lovely, against the backdrop of a Carolina blue sky and some white blossoms of spring. Hopefully, Gibbs will maintain their tradition of bringing in live music and music jams. When a group, like the Piedmont Old-time Society, is in the house, that acoustic sound is just so darned conducive to sitting and sipping. Best of luck to Gibbs. State Street has the potential to be amazing for walking around and enjoying an evening out with friends.

Core Life Restaurant at the Former IHOP Lot near Irving Park

Workers are making progress on the Westover Terrace lot where IHOP was formerly housed. Charting the progress since we featured it, mid-February (here), the IHOP sign is gone, the lot has been leveled and the building is going up quickly. The new building is much closer to Green Valley and Battleground, that was the IHOP. To the right, a utility company from Colfax was also on site. 

Core Life, the restaurant going up in this site, is part of a fast growing chain of restaurants with healthy "clean" food for healthy lifestyles. Hopefully, it will be well received by the local communities, the people of Irving Park & Kirkwood, the people who work in the businesses and health care  facilities nearby. This photo was taken on Monday and we're betting there are already drastic changes. Likely, the building on this .64 acre lot will be ready soon. It is fun to drive around on the weekends to see how Greensboro is changing. Have a great weekend, however, you decide to spend it.

Cornerstone Garlic Farm

As we Celebrate Women's History month, we are struck by all of the diligent women who farm, live close to the land, and share their bounty with the community. The above photo features Natalie Foster, who owns Cornerstone Garlic Farm with her husband Steve. While they are expanding their product line, Cornerstone Garlic Farm specializes in garlic and is one of the few North Carolina farms to offer seed garlic. Natalie is busy talking to a customer at the Yanceyville Farmers' Market. She has spring onions, great powered garlic, herbs and spices. Additionally, she sells some of the most colorful eggs around.

While their farm is in Rockingham County, she travels to Greensboro faithfully every week to bring one of nature's healthiest foods to our table. Got garlic? If not, head on over to the Yanceyville Curb Market. If you are trying to live a zero-waste lifestyle, take your own contaners, especially cartons for eggs.

Bandito Bodega

Bandito Bodega, established 2016, is located at 1609 West Friendly Avenue. This Asian/Mexican flavor cuisine started as a food truck and now has a brick and mortar building. The restaurant, featured above, is tiny, seating about 17 customers. It is bright and cheerful and you don't notice how little it is once you are in there talking and enjoying the good food. After all, it has been said that tiny and local is the new "big". Bandito Bodega was filled this weekend, between people eating in and coming in to order takeout and it seems to be attracting people of all ages.

Business seems to be booming in Greensboro. Increasingly, Greensboro is getting more young entrepreneurs living their dream and opening small businesses. If you like Mexican food with a twist, you will enjoy Bandito Bodega. Happy Monday!

New York Pizza

Happy March 1st. The New York Pizza building is an interesting one. At one point, it was a gas station, and then Buffalo's, and now NY Pizza. As seen in the above photo, the metal facade reflects the setting sun, always managing to look shiny and polished. To the right, an outdoor seating area has been added on. To the side and behind the building are lovely trees already blossoming and in their full glory. They have been like this all week, which seems a little premature since there can still be ice storms in March. The blossoms are there for all to enjoy and are a sure sign of spring.

Yesterday's view of the construction at 2704 Battleground Avenue was taken from this parking lot. The road to the left is Martinsville Road. At one time, it must have lead all the way to Martinsville, Virginia. For now, it is a fast way to get from Battleground Avenue to Pisgah Church Road at Lawndale. Greensboro has many great establishments for pizza and NY Pizza is one of them.

 

Listen Speakeasy

If you like intimate music concerts, you will love Listen Speakeasy. Most of their concerts are held at Morehead Foundry, with the entrance through the bakery into Hush!, a tiny space with one way in, no windows, a diminutive stage and room for 45 people to enjoy a concert. In yesterday's gathering, Riley Baugus, James Leva, and Leo Shannon, played a sold-out concert, delighting the audience with their old-time music. They entertained the audience with banjo, fiddle, and guitar music, mixed with some harmony singing. While almost every seat in the house is a good view, as seen in the above photo, your eyes have to adjust to the effects of black light lighting.

Peg Parham books the acts and manages the ticket sales for the Sunday and Monday Listen Speakeasy concerts. Attendees can purchase food and beverages at one of the restaurants at The Foundry. Yesterday, while most people ate burgers, one man had fried chicken on an open-face pimento cheese omelet.  The options were many. Yesterday, between 45 minute sets, many people stepped into the bakery for coffee and dessert while others stepped outside to converse as the audience was populated with fellow musicians and friends. The event was as intimate as a house party. If you haven't attended one of Peg's Listen Speakeasy events, or haven't obtained a membership to Hush!, you've got two new things to add to your list of things to do in Greensboro.

Cafe Europa

Today is Valentines Day and Cape Europa would be a great place to take a loved one to dinner downtown. It has been a local favorite since it opened in 2000 and Wednesdays have traditionally been a busy night for them.  Cafe Europa, located at 200 Davie Street, has been much in the news lately. The issues is related to the amount of rent that the restaurant pays and the fact that it is about 1/3 a of what the location could rent for now. Ironically, Cafe Europa is precisely one of the reasons that that part of downtown is so successful at attracting customers.

Now that Tanger Center for Performing Arts is under construction downtown and LeBauer Park is a popular neighbor, Cafe Europa is at risk of losing its lease. On the one hand, the city is responsible to the Greensboro community and should generate as much revenue as possible. On the other hand, Cafe Europa has been a community service, of sorts, for nearly two decades. As seen in the above photo, the restaurant exudes the feel of Old Europe, full of wood and plenty of outdoor seating, perfect for people watching. What do you think should happen to the restaurant?

Lowe's Foods

Lowes Foods, like Pepsi Cola and Vicks Salve, was born in North Carolina. Lowes began with a single store in North Wilkesboro in 1954 by Jim Lowe, the same man who co-owned Lowes Home Improvement Stores.  The above photo features the store at New Garden Crossing.  Recently, many of the 71 North Carolina stores got a makeover in response to customer interest in ready-to-eat, healthy, and local foods. Their produce sections feel and look more like a farmers market than a grocery store chain. 

Lowes is known for chicken prepared on site, pantry staples, a bakery, fresh produce, and more.  This supermarket chain actively seeks out local foods to sell. If you have a produce line or packaged product, Lowes just might consider carrying it. Additionally, the New Garden Crossing store now has a coffee bar and a craft beer bar. As an added, local bonus, their check out counters are named for Greensboro roads: Fleming Road, Battleground Avenue, Horse Pen Creek Road, and Bryan Boulevard. How nice to have a little hometown touch.

Karen Archia of the People's Perk Coffee Shop

The above photo features Karen Archia, solopreneur of the People's Perk Coffee Shop. The coffee shop, located at 551 South Mendenhall Street at Spring Garden Street, opened in September of 2013. As of Dec. 2016, her business partner retired and Karen is now sole owner. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Karen moved to North Carolina 38 years ago. Her background is in communications and she was working for a non-profit when she decided to live her dream and open the coffee shop. She is also an artist and maintains her studio at the shop. 

Karen loves to feature community events at the People's Perk, as well as show the art of local artists. The mural in the photo was a collaboration with the Greensboro Mural Project. After spending a few minutes at the People's Perk, you will realize that Karen is committed to advocacy, equality, and social justice. As an example, the person, second from right in the mural is Brittany Ann Byuarim Newsome, who climbed a flagpole in South Carolina to remove the confederate flag. Karen is a bright, energetic person who is well versed on current events and issues of the day. You can engage her in lively conversation, or just sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee, a blend specially prepared for the shop. Happy Solopreneur-iversary Karen; may 2018 be your best year yet!

The Table on Elm Street

The Table on Elm is a cozy little bakery tucked in an alley beside Chakras Spa downtown. It it located in the bakery space that was first Simple Kneads and then Loaf Bakery.  Eating a warm slice of bread with a slather of butter from a local bakery is enough to make this week's bitter cold a little more tolerable. When fresh bread is baking at The Table, the aroma seems to lure customers to the counter, just like the above couple.

There is a location in Asheboro that is much bigger with a more expanded menu than The Table here in Greensboro. However, both locations are a labor of love and the owners make you feel like you are a part of their extended family. The bakers and pastry chefs make breads and sweets with a European flair that are perfect in texture and taste. Even though the Greensboro location is tiny, the sweet and savory choices are many. It is hard to decide what to purchase. Each option seems as good as the next. When the weather is warm, the outdoor seating in the alley is charming too. According to the weather report, it just might be a while before any of us are lingering at the outdoor seating. Stay warm!

Scratch Handcrafted Donuts and Fried Chicken

Tired of holiday ham and turkey? Scratch, a chicken and donuts restaurant, could be the answer. Scratch is taking Greensboro by storm. Located in Midtown, in the same complex as If It's Paper on Battleground Avenue, Scratch is an eatery with creative recipes created by Jimmy Chhay. Chhay was looking for something along the lines of chicken and waffles. His chicken is already gaining a reputation for being tasty and moist with a double-fried, tempura-like crust. Some of the donut flavors are unique to Scratch. So far, the most interesting is the graphite-gray, charcoal donut.

You can even get a sandwich with a donut as bread. See some of the donut flavors, below. 

Greensboro is really getting some creative eateries and entrepreneurs. If you have some extra time over the next few days, head out and see how Greensboro is changing.