Greensboro Daily Photo

Time to Harvest Squash in the GDP Garden 2022

Squash in growing in the the Greensboro Daily Photo yard. We planted a little late and just got our first mess to eat this week. And, oh it was yummy. In Greensboro, you can plant squash several times; however, the later you plant in the season, the worse the bugs are. According to the botanical classification, squash is a flower and in the same family as pumpkins and zucchini. When it is on our dinner table, squash is a vegetable. You should be able to get squash in all of the farmers markets this weekend. If you like to visit farms directly, here is a website that tells you which farms have U-Pick options and what they are offering at the moment (see HERE).  You can really get to know Greensboro by visiting the various farms, and farmers markets. You might want to have this southern squash casserole recipe handy in case you bring some home with you. If you want to be part of a community garden, it is a little late in the season, but places like the Keeley Community Garden (McLeansville) are great places to start. At Keeley, you can learn a lot from other gardeners. Most are generous with their knowledge, and often with their produce.

In a couple of weeks, your friends will be offering you zucchini bread! If YOU are the bearer of "all things zucchini", here is an informative segment on zucchini from Southern Living.

Happy gardening and happy last day of June!

Strawberry Celebration

Last Saturday was Strawberry Celebration Day at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market and the strawberry waffle breakfast was a big hit! The guest chef was Denzell Berry who used locally sourced products like eggs from Massey Creek Farms and Reese's sausage and bacon. While Chef Denzell was busy working the grill, working his culinary magic in the background, the servers were the ones interacting with the public. As you can see from the smiles above, they helped make the experience special and memorable. We didn't get the names of the workers as they were busy helping another customer. As you can see from the name tag though, Aliyah is on the left. Somehow all of these frontline workers managed to smile and greet the public with enthusiasm, knowing the event was for a good cause. The proceeds provided funds for the hunger relief program the farmers market uses to provide fresh food for the community. 

Even if you missed last week's event, here is a link to look for upcoming events and to sign up for the newsletter. Tomorrow is a perfect day to attend one of the three main markets (on Yanceyville, on Market Street at Kensington, and at Sandy Ridge in Colfax). Even if there aren't special events, the markets are always special. There are so many options for buying plants, produce, bakery goods, prepared foods, arts and crafts, and more. Vendors will quickly become your friends and you will find yourself having your go-to stands for your favorite items. And, just like the money raised at the Strawberry Celebration Day, money at the farmers markets helps local people bring local goodness to us.

Happy Friday!

This post goes out to loyal reader Katja Brown who saw us at the event taking photos and asked when we were planning to feature it. 

Church is Community, Fellowship, Worship, Blood Drives, and More

Morehead United Methodist Church on Horse Pen Creek Road (by the Y) is a dynamic church that has lots of events to engage the community. Recently, they held a blood drive, compete with red balloons and the drop-of-blood mascot. Tomorrow, from 5:30- 8:00, they are having a Monday Music Block Party with music by the Apple Pie String Band and Marty's BBQ Food Truck. They will continue these block parties all through May. So, if you aren't able to make it to church for a service today, or if you are interested in learning more about this church and meeting some of the people who attend, stop by one of the Monday afternoon events.

The Morehead UMC building of today was constructed in 1970. However, the congregation dates to 1888 and the property where the church is built was the site of the Piney Grove School, which Morehead UMC used as a sanctuary for 45 years. Be careful if you are on Horse Pen Creek Road as the lanes have been shifting while the road gets widened. Please In the end, all of the construction will have been worth it.

Happy Sunday; may your day be spent in a way that brings you happiness. 

Farmers Market Day

The above photo was taken at a special event last Sunday at the Greensboro Farmers' Market on Yanceyville Street. However, all of the farmers' markets today will have plants as May 1st is a perfect time to get your plants in the ground. You can head to the Greensboro Farmers' Market, the Corner Market on West Market Street beside St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, the Farmers' Market on Sandy Ridge, or any of the other farms that are offering plants. One such opportunity will be Providence Farm. Spring is such a great time to get out and meet local people with their plants, food, and crafts.

 might not have plants for sale, but they are having live music, bread and meat for purchase, and vendors out to provide you with home made products.After a two year hiatus, Leanne Pizio's arts and crafts show will return on her property on Oak Ridge Road, just a mile east or ORMA. Look for the painted truck at the road as well as a person standing there parking cars. Spring is so glorious in Greensboro. You owe it to yourself to get out and enjoy spring happenings in Greensboro!

Food Truck Festival in Downtown Greensboro Returned Yesterday!

Yesterday, over 50 food trucks descended upon downtown Greensboro, filling the streets with everything from Kona ice to vegan dishes to burritos and fried fish. Sunny weather in the 80s and the thought of great food was all that people needed to inspire them to spend time on Elm, Market, and Greene Streets. It was good to have this spring event back after the two COVID years. We estimate that the most popular food trucks had between 150-200 people waiting in line. One of the most popular trucks was the macaroni and cheese truck. The craft vendors seemed to be doing well, too.

The above photo was taken on  Greene Street with the Lincoln Financial Group building in the background. Based on yesterday's response, it seems like Greensboro could support additional food truck festivals. It was also nice to see Governmental Plaza filled with people enjoying the day. Having the event on Sunday kept it from interfering with downtown businesses. We were a little concerned as to whether or not it affected the final day of Hamilton at the Tanger Center. Perhaps people going to Tanger or coming out of the matinee had an opportunity to partake in  these delicious food options.

Happy Monday, everyone!

A Special Blend

A Special Blend is a special coffee shop located at 3900 West Market Street in the same plaza with the Art Shop and Mythos Restaurant. A Special Blend is about to celebrate their third year as a coffee shop. Their staff is comprised of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The employees show that they are able to do much more than people often assume they can. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and the coffee and pastries are delicious. As you can see from the above photo, the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and clean. You can't see it from this photo but just beyond the counter, on the left, is a community room you can rent for business meetings, book club, or any gathering that would benefit from the use of a space out of the office or away from home.

If you want to help the mission of this non-profit, please become a regular, and you will be hooked. Also, on May 14th, they will have an event as Starmont Forest Country Club at 7:00 pm to celebrate their third year in business. At the event, there will be music, a silent auction, a dessert competition, and more. You can get more information about the event at aspecialblend.org

Sage Mule Inside

The Sage Mule is a restaurant located in the northwest section of downtown Greensboro. It is near the baseball park, Deep Roots Co-op, and Joymongers. We featured the exterior recently and had a request to show the inside. It is much larger than it appears outside. They've been open since November 2019, and homemade breakfasts are their speciality. They make special cinnamon rolls. On the day we were there, they had s'mores flavored rolls! In anticipation of Easter, last week, they had a pastel, chocolate, raspberry cinnamon bun; that's a lot of adjectives and it had lots of toppings! Not all is sweet. They have savory dishes, too.  The artwork and plants inside are a nice feature; however, the best visual appeal is the presentation of the delicious food.

While the photo gives you a good idea of the interior seating, what you can't see is the "singles" bar at the window where there must be about a dozen seats for small parties or people sitting alone. Service at the bar is very fast and the wait staff is attentive. 

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

The Sage Mule

Well, it's the weekend and people are talking about the great scratch-made breakfasts and Sunday brunch at The Sage Mule. In November of 2019, the restaurant opened at 608 Battleground Avenue. It is located at the end of a strip of establishments that are becoming quite the destination. On Wednesday, when we were out walking on National Walking Day, we walked through Green Hill Cemetery and on the walk back to town, this is the view. Look how lovely this side of the restaurant is here with the Adirondack chairs, dried grasses, and rock garden. If you look to the left of the pergola, you can see signage for the Sage Mule. This view is very different from the Battleground side. It is fun to look at things from a fresh perspective, be it a situation in your life, or a very special downtown restaurant.

Happy Friday! May you find great things and restaurants to explore around town. Right now, we're trying to plan our trip to the Sage Mule and deciding between something savory or the cinny buns, which are so deliciously decadent they should be called sin-ny buns!

Northern Roots to Open on South Elm Street!

Great things are happening in the 300 block of south Elm Street. The above photo was taken at the building between 300 South Elm, where Glitters USED to be and just north of Scuppernong Books. If you have been in Greensboro since the 1990s, it is where Indigo Beads used to be, before Wenty moved her store to Pisgah Church. The store with the butcher paper on the windows will soon be Northern Roots, an antique store and coffee shop. What a great idea for a business on this block. The business is owned by a woman moving down from Ohio. Perhaps that's the reference "northern" in Northern Roots comes from.

The man in the suit is one of the people uplifting the space and getting it ready to becoming the coffee shop. The inside is painted white and fabulously clean, so ready to house a stand-out business. The company doing the work is Empire Building and Remodeling, and it looks like they are doing a fabulous job. We're not sure when the new business will open, but let's hope Northern Roots will  be in Greensboro for a very long time. Oh, and the white suit is for safety measures. When the shop opens, the guys in the white suits will have moved on to their next renovation. We can't wait to visit. Not only us, but the people on this block, are probably looking forward to this new business.

Happy Friday! Please get out and enjoy Greensboro- or whatever city happens to be your corner of the earth!

Ghassan's Fresh Mediterranean Eats

We love to find scenes in Greensboro that evoke scenes of famous artists. While waiting for our order at Ghassan's on Battleground the other night, this scene reminded us so much of an Edward Hopper painting. His scenes are never crowded or cluttered, feature a person or two, and have a lot of emphasis on geometric shapes. At least, that is what we felt as we were waiting for our food. Ghassan's features mediterranean food that is cooked fresh to order. They offer catering, take out, food trucks, eat in, grub hub; just about any way you want food, they can serve it up. We love seeing that red food truck in the window when we are there. The saturated color and contrast adds to the mood, making it very Hopper-esque.

As for the food, when you are in the mood for a wrap, sub, beef or chicken platter, great sauces and dips, Ghassan's is a great option. It has been locally owned and operated since 1975. There have been lots of successful spin offs, but they don't seem to be impacting this little taste of Lebanon, right here in Greensboro. While the flagship store (at Gate City Boulevard) closed in 2020, the other locations and the food truck continue to thrive. The Ghassan's at LeBauer Park on Davie Street seems to have been a good move for the restaurant. 

Happy Saturday, regardless of what or where you decide to eat!

The Sandlot

Saturday was such a glorious day in Greensboro. The weather felt like spring and there was every excuse to get outside. We went to the arts and crafts market at Odom Brewing. That was very nice, and we bought some jewelry from two local high school students who had a table there. As we walked around we noticed these elementary school aged children playing on the lot adjacent to Odom. While the parents were sitting at picnic tables keeping an eye on their children, the little ones played ball and were having a blast. The whole scene evoked memories of the way things used to be, back in the dark ages before cell phones, iPads, and video games. They were having a blast. The definition of a sandlot is "a piece of unoccupied land used by children for games." So, if you have children, go to Odom Brewing on West Gate City Boulevard and encourage the kids to play in the sandlot.

We're not sure how close to Odom the venue will extend, but the Tate + Gate: Hotspot for Innovation will be in this area. While it won't be a sandlot, any place that fosters innovation, art, and creativity will be a good thing. But for now, we're simply going to enjoy seeing children play in that inhibited, not-a-care-in-the-world way that only children can play!

Happy Monday!

Farm Fresh Dairy Products

Today is Farmer's Market Day again. We go between the one at Sandy Ridge and the one on Yanceyville.  The above photo was taken last weekend at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville. Featured in the photo is Mathura who runs Snow Creek Family Organics in Hanging Rock, Stokes County. Saturdays, when inventory permits, Mathura drives down to the market with his yogurt, ghee, paneer curd, and raw milk. He prides himself on how humanely he treats his animals. His grass fed cows produce a milk that many lactose intolerant people can actually drink. Like most of the vendors at the Yanceyville Farmers Curb Market, Mathura is happy to talk about his product. He makes sure that it meets your needs, before you make the purchase. The Yanceyville market has been going strong since 1874, almost 150 years!

Hope to see you stop by, today. Happy Saturday!

Vintage VW at Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

Today's photo was taken on Saturday after another weekend snow.  This vintage Volkswagen was parked outside the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street while its owners were inside shopping. The farmers market is on the east side of Greensboro, just north of NC A&T University. If you look in the background, you can see the JP/LFG building, Greensboro's iconic landmark.

If you are from North Carolina, you recognize that the car is painted Carolina blue for UNC Chapel Hill. No, that is not an original VW color, but it really fits the vintage car and its owners. We are thinking it is a 1970-ish Volkswagen square back. The VW may be small, but it looks like it could hold a lot of fresh produce. While some times of year, the farmers market is open on Wednesday, it will not be open today, you'll have to wait until Saturday. Do you think the VW will be back? Eating healthy is so addictive and the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market is a great way to do so! It has bringing us great, local food products since it was founded in 1874!

Happy Candlemas! Happy Groundhog Day! We're headed out to see if the groundhog sees his shadow. 

Spring Garden Bakery & Coffeehouse

Spring Garden Bakery & Coffeehouse has been a Greensboro institution since the 1980s. It is the oldest still-open bakery in Greensboro. The above photo features Alex, on the left, and Trent, on the right. They were working behind the counter on the day we went in for a coffee and granola bar. Those granola bars are filling, packed with nutrition and have been a staple of ours for 25 years. Also, it is one place you can be sure to get a fresh cup of coffee even at those non-peak times of day.

However, even better than the coffee and baked goods is the baristas. Alex and Trent love working at the bakery and are so knowledgeable. When we were there, Trent briefed us on the difference between macchiato, Cuban coffee, flat whites, cappuccino, and lattes. Usually we're black coffee drinkers, but sometimes, when in the presence of experts, we work on expanding our palate. Spring Garden Bakery, located on (you guessed it) Spring Garden Street is just the place to dry something different. The bakery is located at the east end of a the building that used to house Red Wing Shoes & Repair and Holliday Hardware.*

Happy Monday, stop by and meet Alex and Trent, if you get a chance- especially if you like to talk coffee. 

* (see a 2010 photo of the outside of the building HERE).

Danny's Restaurant

The eponymous Danny's Restaurant, located at 2109 New Garden Road is closed due to the passing of owner Danny Thanos, on January 11th. Danny worked almost every day of his life, since immigrating from Greece in 1938. For the last 40 years, he was in the restaurant business in Greensboro; the first 20 on Wendover Avenue and the last 20 on New Garden Road. You could not find a better, home-cooked, great-money-value breakfast in Greensboro. A classic two egg breakfast, bread, meat, potatoes or grits, and coffee or tea cost under $6. If you were a regular, you know Danny never ventured too far from the cash register, running a tight ship. He made sure people at the bar had their coffee refilled. He also insisted you sit at the bar if dining alone. His wife Maria was always nearby, cooking away in the kitchen. We always loved chatting with her when she took the corner seat at the bar to rest a minute between breakfast rushes.  

Danny loved to golf and loved family beach week over the Fourth of July. He loved the Greek Orthodox Church. He also loved his restaurant. With customers, he was very frank about his opinions and was easy to engage in conversation. Danny was one of those old-school people who could never imagine retiring. At his passing, he was 83 years old and still working full time. Danny's was the "Cheers Bar" of  New Garden Road. Even if he didn't know your name, he remembered you, what you ate,  and had a good idea how long it had been since you were in last. Let's hope someone will re-open the restaurant and keep up the good quality of the food, the good money value, and the good banter with those of us who sit at the counter.

Maria, our condolences. ο Θεός να σε ευλογεί.

Ringing in the New Year

Happy day before New Year's Eve. It isn't too late to peruse the internet and find something to do in downtown Greensboro. The above photo features South End Brewery and Kitchen. Their New Years Eve party starts at 9:30 pm tonight. They will have live music, free champagne toasting at midnight (while supplies last) and you will get to see a keg drop to bring in the new year. We don't know if they will offer a full menu tonight, but one of the really nice aspects of South End is that they offer a full food menu. It is such a great place to eat, hang out, and celebrate. The peace sign at the entrance reminds us to always keep the peace when interacting in public. Santa on the roof is another reminder that if you are not nice, Santa will know.

All of Lewis Street should be hopping tonight, including the Boxcar Bar & Arcade, right across the street from South End.  Of course other places around Greensboro will be lively, too. Whatever you decide to do, please be safe. 2022 is sure to be a good one. Happy New Year, dear readers!

Tate Street Coffee

Twas the last days of finals and all through the house, hardly a creature is stirring, not even a mouse. Actually, this is not a house, but Tate Street Coffee Shop; however, as you can see in the above photo, yesterday afternoon, this coffee shop was almost empty as many students at Greensboro College and UNCG have already left for the semester. But, you can see from the photo that the coffee shop is cozy and inviting. The shop opened in 1993 and has been going strong for almost 30 years. And while Tate Street has gone through many changes since '93, as has UNCG- in Tate Street's backyard- the coffee shop has been there for the community through thick and thin. Everybody needs a go-to "third space," and, for many, Tate Street is just that place.

If you are looking for an investment opportunity, there are a few spaces available on Tate Street, and, it seems that now just may be a good time to open a business. What do you think would be a good business for that area? Let's all head down for a cup of coffee and think about it.

Jumping Bean Coffee

This past weekend, we met up with Kevin Murray, Chief Coffee Guy, at The Jumping Bean coffee drive-through. Kevin and his family moved to Guilford County from the Bronx, NY in 2006 to be closer to family. In 2012, he opened the Jumping Bean in the parking lot on north Highway 220, where Golden Antiques & Treasures is located. This past July (2021), he relocated his business to 7200 Summerfield Road, in a lot that belongs to Greensboro Performing Arts Center. Formerly, the building was a church. Kevin says the move has been a good one. The Performing Arts facility is really taking off and the owners have lots of ideas about how to build community and best utilize their 7-acre property. In the meantime, Kevin is super happy with his little corner spot where his loyal customers have followed him and where he is cultivating a new customer base. Parents bringing their children to the performing arts building love having a place to get something to drink while they wait. On the day we visited, Kevin's  daughter Isabella was helping. As you can see in the above photo, while the business is s drive through, there is some outdoor seating. On Saturday, The Jumping Bean had extended hours given all of the activity around the Sunnyside Farms live Christmas tree station on the north end of the property.

If you're like us, you'll want to start a punch card and work on getting that 11th drink free. It is so nice to support a local, family-owned business and to see the Jumping Bean succeeding. This little corner of Summerfield, with Summerfield Farms just down the road and the nearby Greenway, is becoming quite a destination just north of Greensboro. After all that turkey and a broken sleeping routine, we just may need a double espresso! Happy Monday!

Chad's Carolina Corn

This week, we've been in search of local foods to put in gift baskets, which led us to Bestway Grocery Store on Walker Avenue. One of the items we found was Chad's Carolina Corn, gourmet popcorn. We like spicy foods and so we purchased the Jalapeño Cheddar flavor and it was very good. Chad's is a family run business, based in Greensboro,  with an office at 6900 C Citation Court in Greensboro (photographed above). We happened to be near Citation Court, which is located near the airport, off Industrial drive and just north of I-40 and Burnt Poplar Road.

At the time we were at Chadd's on Citation, nobody was in the office. At Greensboro Daily Photo, we do a lot of stopping by and dropping in. We have a lot of questions for Chad and wanted to meet the person behind this local product.  We'd love their back story to share with you and to share with people who receive Chad's Carolina Corn from us for Christmas. We'll be sure to let you know when we uncover more. In the meantime, if you want to try the popcorn for yourself, it has a wide distribution in the south (see HERE). It would be fun to sample all of the flavors. We like what we've tried so far and did not get one unpopped kernel in our bag! We think dill pickle flavor will be our next choice. Little adventures like this one are what keep Greensboro Daily Photo fun for us!

Savor the Moment

Savor the Moment Dessert and Bakery is located on the southeast corner of Friendly Avenue and Davie Street. While it is relatively new to the location, the bakers are proud to be their generation. You can dine in or take out. The location seems perfect with all of the events happening in the cultural arts center. People can meet at the bakery before and after lessons and events. They can get in out of the cold and have a warm drink while waiting for a ride. It is also across the street from Center City Park. Tomorrow is First Friday and Saturday is their Block Party from 1:00pm- 5:00 pm. They will have craft vendors, live music, lots of tasty treats, and face painting.

If you are looking for a snack downtown or a new place to visit, Savor the Moment is well worth your time. Have a good Thursday and, remember, it is the new Friday! It will be a good night to be downtown. You can also catch the Jack Stratton and Rebecca Fagg art exhibit in the Cultural Arts Center before it goes away.

The Day the Cheerwine Van Came to Town

Cheerwine was created in Salisbury, NC, in nearby Rowan County, in 1917. Cheerwine set up at the 2021 North Carolina Folk Festival, offering free samples of regular and sugar-free Cheerwine. Their booth wasn't swamped, but people consistently wandered by for a sample. They were also selling cans of the unique cherry flavored beverage. It is always fun during special events when there are give-aways. Cheerwine has been very innovative with product development and marketing in the 2000s. There is Cheerwine ice cream, Cheerwine punch, and Cheerwine Krispy Kreme doughnuts. 

While Greensboro can't claim Cheerwine, just a few miles from this booth, we have our own flavor company. Mother Murphy is a food flavoring business that was established in in1946. For 75 years, those scents from very secret recipes have been wafting through Greensboro. Mother Murphy boasts a flavor library of of more than 60,000 flavors. Their motto is "If you can imagine it, we can create it."  Salisbury has Cheerwine and New Bern has Pepsi; we challenge you to order some special flavor from Mother Murphy and create the next soda sensation. Then, you can set up at an upcoming festival and we can snap a photo and boast that your soft drink was created right here in Greensboro, North Carolina! 

For those who were around in the Boar & Castle Days, you may remember the Green Drink. Hmmmm......

Happy Wednesday; happy innovating!

Burbon Bowl Fun

The Burbon Bown opened earlier this summer and it has so much character. The above photo features the 6-lane bowling alley in the back of the building. The outdoor seating covers a city lot! There is an extensive bar and also seating for meals. It is possible to order snacks in the bowling area and there are comfortable couches to sit on while waiting for others to take their turn. This venue fits with the changing profile of the South 500 and 600 block of Elm Street. There is a game arcade, several new restaurants, and lots of retail space for rent at 616 South Elm Street. 

One of the goals for the property that now houses the Burbon Bowl at 531 South Elm Street was to find a business that would attract college students to downtown. Bowling might be just the trick! The crowd last night was older than college, but then college students are just getting back to town and seem so excited to actually be back on campus that they are probably content to hang around the dorm and student union. Not to fear, they'll soon venture out to South Elm. Look at how cute those bowling balls are. They look like pool balls. Another cute feature, the bathroom doors look like office doors taken from an old high school. You have two options "Mr. Mill's class Room 34, or Mrs. Bell's class Room 22!

The Well Rooted Farm

Today, we're sharing another photo of Saturday's Corner Market. It is an important community resource, worth sharing a second day. As mentioned yesterday, the market has moved from the corner of Elam and Market to West Market Street. The new location, in the parking lot of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, appears to be a great change. The Well Rooted Farm is located in Madison, NC, faithfully set sup at the Corner Market.  They regularly posts on their Facebook page and they have been advertising the new location.

As you can see from the above photo, The Well Rooted Farm has lovely bouquets of flowers and lots of yummy, fresh vegetables. They are especially known for their bouquets. Just look how lovely those flowers are.  The farmers at Well Rooted are members of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, a key floriculture organization. Saturday, Well Rooted had a corner space and it was one of the first seen when entering from Kensington Road. 

We hope your week is off to a great start. This is the first week of August. First Friday is this week and the Corner Market will be back on Saturday, both opportunities to have fun outdoors!

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Now Hosting the Corner Market

The Saturday morning Corner Market had long outgrown its location at Walker and Elam. Yesterday, was the inaugural day in its new location, the parking lot of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at 2105 West Market Street.  Hopefully, this relocation will be a good one not only for the market, but also for St. Andrew's. Perhaps they will be able to find tie-in events and maybe even gain more members who learn about it through the market. The aisles at the market are spacious and the parking lot even accommodates off-street parking. Also, market breakdown at the Elam/Walker location was hurried as Sticks and Stones needed their parking lot back in time to open. For being the first week on Market Street,  it was very well attended.  The aisles are wide and there is room for growth. There is also room for lines if people need to cue up for bread or produce. If they need a new name since they are no longer on "the corner", we suggest "Market on Market".

Yesterday was the farmers market, today it is church. Again, the parking lot will be full, only today with cars of congregants. St. Andrew's began in 1893 with three women founding an ecumenical Sunday school. Over the last 128 years, the church  has grown and relocated several times. They have a very informative history online (see here). If you are looking for a caring, accepting, liberal Christian church, St. Andrew's would be a great choice. Just look at how lovely and visible the church is from the parking lot. If you think the building is lovely, you should meet the members. Happy Sunday!

Augustino Gusto: European Artisan Bakery

Augustino Gusto Bakery is located at 2805 New Garden Road East, right behind the BP Station Perhaps because they are only open two days a week (Wed. and Sat.), but they are extremely busy when open. The above photo shows the line at 11:00 am on Saturday. And by 11:00 am, they had sold out of almond croissant, kalamata olive bread, sauerkraut rolls, and more. On Saturday, we arrived at 9:05 not realizing that they didn't open until 9:30. There was already a couple waiting in line and, as we were leaving to run some errands, they told us not to get back too late as things sell out quickly. 

Something we noticed while waiting in line is how people talked to each other. Perhaps it is a southern trait, but people were talking as if they were old friends. The man in front of us built custom homes, used to live in Hilton Head, and has traveled extensively. The woman in front of him used to live in Savannah. So, this line was filled with people from all walks of life, but they had one thing in common. They tried this bakery and became loyal customers. While it may look like a house on the outside, on the inside, the sights and smells are exactly those of a European bakery. Saturday, they added a ricotta pie, so there is always something new and interesting to try.

Happy Monday, start planning ahead to visit Augustino Gusto Bakery on Wednesday to support a local business and to have some authentic European pastries. Two. More. Days.

The Fabulous Tomato Greeter at the Greensboro Farmers Market

Saturday is fresh produce day whether you are at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street, at the market on Sandy Ridge, or at all the farms and produce stands in between. The produce is glorious right now. The above photo is of a very articulate young woman who is a senior at Guilford College. She volunteers at the farmers market just to give back to the community. Unfortunately, we didn't get her name. Next time we see her, we will ask. She was handing out flyers of upcoming events, and encouraging people to head over to get a BLT sandwich.

Today is a good day to head out for produce. Rain is not predicted until 4:00 pm, and, if it comes, it shouldn't last long. If you like sports, the 2021 Masters Short Course National Championships are still going on at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. If you go watch, the pool is so nice, you will feel like you are at the Olympics. Whatever you decide to do, have a great day!

The Gary Maverick Band

Have you had a chance to see any live music this summer? Whether the answer is yes or no, you should consider heading over to Mac's Speed Shop tonight for a bite to eat and some fabulous entertainment by The Gary Maverick Band. If you like good, upbeat rock and roll music, you will enjoy this local group. The above photo was taken when they played at Oden Brewing last Saturday night. Saturday night was a rainy evening in Greensboro, but no rain is scheduled for today. They will be there from 7:00- 10:00 p.m. Usually, they play multiple sets with Daniel Sheffield drumming part of the time and Artimus Pyle drumming the other. Both are outstanding percussionists! Good singing, good music, and great lighting!

 

BLT Day at Greensboro Farmers Curb Market!

Today is BLT Sandwich Day at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street, across from War Memorial Stadium. The above vegetable photo was taken about a month ago. By now, there should be plenty of ripe tomatoes, whether you get them on the BLT, or to take home with you, or BOTH!! They usually start preparing sandwiches at about 8:30 a.m. and you know they will sell quickly. Usually, they are set up outside and there is live music at the Lawn Lindsay Street- the side of the curb market.

Even if you don't like BLTs, the market is a great place to go to get some type of fresh produce and to interact with a great group of people. Also, it is always nice to support local vendors. The BLT makers should be there preparing sandwiches until 11:00 a.m.; however, it could be cut short depending on the size of the crown. Happy Saturday! May you find something glorious to to in Greensboro.

Beef Burger... Ralph Havis RIP

On Tuesday, we went to photograph what was left of Beef-Burger and experienced great nostalgia for the boiled burgers and a business that had been on West Gate City Boulevard for decades- since back when it was Lee Street. It seems like the iconic black and white checkered floors and the yellow seats had been the same forever. As you can see in the photo, the OPEN sign is no longer in the window. The mechanical car and the vending machines remain- as if time is standing still. We learned that yesterday, owner Ralph Havis, the heart and soul of Beef-Burger, has died. There were rumors of his declining health in May when the business closed. Sometimes, when an owner passes, there simply isn't anyone who is willing or  able to pour as much of their life into a business as the main proprietor. 

Ralph must have had a sense of humor, as he addressed business concerns with signage and remained open, in spite of some of the challenges of running a restaurant in a part of town where there were so many needy and suffering customers. The signs said, "If you are drunk, eat somewhere else" and "no bumming..." Also in the window are signs that say "Thank you, Greensboro!" and "Beef Burger is CLOSED PERMANENTLY. Ralph appreciates all the thoughts and prayers from customers and friends. We humbly thank you all for years of service." For those who ate here, the yellow, turquoise, and red facade, and the yellow, black, and white interior just wouldn't be the same without Ralph. Today's photo- with the interior and the reflection of the new UNCG building across the street, and the sky- speaks to the passing of time and the transitions that ensure.

Goodbye, Ralph and thank YOU for your service to Greensboro.

Happy "Fourth" On the Fifth

Happy July 5th. Well, the July 4th weekend is behind us, but according to the holiday schedule for the City of Greensboro, today is the day the Independence Day holiday is officially celebrated. So, it will be a Monday that feels like an extended Sunday.  We hope you had some time this weekend to spend with family and friends and to celebrate America's independence from England.

Today, we're showing a photo of the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market from a couple of weeks ago when it was blueberry pancake day. The pancakes were prepared by Cheesecakes by Alex and they were a hit. They sold out quickly. In the above photo, Alex' son Timmothy is flipping the pancakes. You can see their van in the background. To the left, you see people enjoying the pancakes as well as music by the band that was playing that day. If you like special events, mark your calendar for Saturday, July 17th (in two weeks) when it will be the annual Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato Sandwich Day. If the pancakes are any indication, arrive early. Those events at the farmers market where you sit out on the lawn and enjoy the community are a little like the Fourth of July, right down to the yummy summer produce. Happy Monday!

Seasonal Foods Like Watermelon Milkshakes!

Yesterday was opening day for watermelon milkshakes at Cook Out and according to servers, "That's all customers want!". We always try to get one on opening day, bring it to our flower garden, and enjoy it with a few slices of watermelon on the side- which is exactly what you see in the above photo. The watermelon slices are cold with a hint of ice crystals, perfect for cooling you off on a hot day like today. (We won't tell you how Mr. GDP described the weather today). Anyway, Cook Out is a local company started right here in  Greensboro in 1989. Over the last thirty-two years, Cook Out has expanded to over 100 cities and has stores in ten states; and they aren't done growing.

We are so accustomed to getting any food, anytime we want it. If something is out of season in the northern hemisphere, we ship it in from the southern. Or, in some cases, the produce is grown in a hothouse. It is refreshing to have foods and menu items that are seasonally available. Cook Out only sells watermelon shakes in July and August; so,  you only have sixty-two days to try one. Even if you don't crave watermelon milkshakes, perhaps you flock to the farmers markets for North Carolina peaches. Some varieties of peaches are already ripe and readily available. Are there any local or seasonal foods that you crave? Where do you get them in Greensboro? You will have plenty of options this weekend with the farmers markets. Also, there are Fourth of July activities in Greensboro this weekend. The Fourth of July Celebration Picnic is tomorrow from 11am-3pm at Keeley Park in McLeansville (July 3rd);  The Fun Fourth Festival on South Elm Street is also tomorrow (July 3) from 4-9 pm. Note that there are no vendors this year as Greensboro is easing back into public events, post-Covid. This will be even more reason to visit those farmers markets and find something seasonal to pack for a snack. In the meantime, we'll probably be heading for another watermelon milkshake... or two! Happy Second, Third, and Fourth of July! 

(that minute you look at your photograph and notice some of your landscaping rocks have been relocated, or might be missing)!!!!!

Summer Nights 2021!

Well, temperature wise, Greensboro has been in the high 70s, heading towards the 80 this weeks. With the summer solstice, it is now staying daylight longer and the people of Greensboro seem to be looking for opportunities to stay up and outside as long as possible. The above photo was taken at Sticks & Stones Restaurant at the corner of Walker and Elam. Last night, even after 8:00 p.m., it was still daylight and people were out enjoying pizza and conversation- about the time the lightning bugs were starting to glow. In addition to the great fellowship, the clay pizza oven at Sticks and Stones does not disappoint either.

In addition to enjoying the restaurant, Greensboro residents really appreciate the community Corner Market  held in this parking lot on the weekends. This location is right at the crossroads of Sunset Hills and Lindley Park and is a part of town loved by many. The above photo was taken at about 8:00 p.m. last night; it was still daylight, and people were lingering as long as possible. When you find just the right spot, summer nights can be magical. The corner of Walker and Elam is just that space. Happy Tuesday! Happy summer!

Aldi Opening on Battleground Avenue

Remember where Earthfare was located on Battleground Avenue? It was in the plaza near Pisgah Church Road, where there is a Starbucks and a U.S. post office. Well, now, an Aldi is going in the former Earthfare space. The first Aldi store was opened in 1913, during World War I,  in Essen, Germany by Anna Albrecht and Aldi stands for Albrecht Discount. Now, there are thousands of locations around the world, and over 1,600 in the United States alone. They are one of many grocery stores in Greensboro. In the United States, Aldi is third only to Walmart and Kroger. The above store is scheduled to open by this fall. There are already three Aldi's in the Greensboro area (New Garden Road, Randleman Road, and West Gate City Boulevard).  The New Garden Road store was the third to open (in 2013) and now, eight years later, the fourth is being added.

Even if you already have your "go to" place to shop for groceries, it is nice to see the above plaza gain and anchor store. This should put it at close to full capacity. The more options people have, the more likely they are to consider a destination.  Well, it is Monday, and if you had a large Fathers Day event, or a Summer Solstice event, chances are you will need to go to the grocery store somewhere. Where do you like to shop for groceries in Greensboro? Do you have a favorite? Happy Monday; you just may run in to us shopping for groceries!

Fishbones Restaurant

Fishbones is a modern bar and grill, located at 2119 Walker Avenue between Sunset Hills and Lindley Park. It was opened by Neil Reitzel in 2000 right beside the former location of the Blind Tiger. The Blind Tiger has long since moved to Spring Garden Street, but Fishbones is still going strong at the corner of Walker and Elam for over twenty years. Over the last two decades, this part of town has seen a lot of young families move into the neighborhood and Fishbones has the ambience of a restaurant and bar for locals.

Fishbones serves a wide variety of food with seafood being among the most popular dishes- especially the fish and chips. Since Fishbones has reopened from the pandemic, they have stayed busy. We arrived around 6:00 pm one evening last week, and by 7:00 pm, all of the seats were taken. They offer indoor and outdoor seating and take out. The above photo gives you a feel for the ambience. The tin roof and wooden floor are charming. The photo also gives you an idea of the seating; indoors, the chairs are tall, outside, they are not. Here is an article from the News & Record when they first opened. Happy Tuesday. Where is your "go to" place. Is it the same as it was pre-Pandemic? 

Chez Genèse at 616 South Elm Street

Today, we're sharing another photo of our downtown excursion on Memorial today. Today's photo is of Chez Genèse at 616 South Elm Street. Chez Genèse is a French cafe that employs people with intellectual and development disabilities. They serve breakfast and lunch. Here is the menu if you would like to see the options. It is hard to believe they've already been open three years. You may remember when Charlie and Ruth held their community dinners down here. While they've move on to Missouri, the current owners try to maintain that same feeling of being with community while you are eating here. The atmosphere is relaxed, but lively at the same time. There is some seating outside in front of the café.

Monday was pretty peaceful and, if you look closely, you can see people indoors as well as outside. The two sedans market out front really add to the scene. Let's hope the restaurant remains successful for a very long time! They do so much to help out the community. Happy Wednesday!

Lewis & Elm Restaurant

The above photo shows a table of guests at the restaurant at 600 South Elm Street, now called Lewis & Elm. This is evidence that things are opening back up again. Yesterday afternoon, downtown was pretty busy, and it was not even First Friday. Lewis & Elm is the new name of the restaurant in the location that was formerly Table 16. At the new restaurant, you must be 21 to attend. They offer an extensive wine list and a few dishes to pair with the wine. The menu includes items like conch, mussels, duck foie gras, salads, and cheese dishes. The 500 and 600 blocks of South Elm are quite vibrant now, as it the Lewis Street area. This area is also referred to as Southend. We have a feeling it is going to get more and more popular over the summer. 

Across the street, the Burbon Bown was set to open at the beginning of May. Word has it they are having getting fully staffed. If you know someone who is looking for a job, not is a good dime to interview. In the meantime, we will sit back and enjoy the beauty of the above photo. Seeing people out, enjoying themselves in downtown Greensboro, is nothing short of fantastic. Happy Saturday!

Tasting Room

The Tasting Room is located at the corner of Chapman and Spring Garden Streets.  It is a neighborhood wine bar and retail shop. The above photo was taken there last weekend. This afternoon in Fancy Friday! If you are over 21 and want to learn about wines, you can do so from 4:00- 10:00 pm. Last weekend, Ghassan's food truck was on site for one of the events.

901 South Chapman formerly housed a gift shop and at one time, it looks like it might have been a pancake house. Do you remember? Since the property is commercial, it is harder to trace the history. At any rate, it was nice to see this corner of town return to its vibrant self. Across the street from the Tasting Room, where Bianca's Italian Restaurant used to be, is a taco restaurant. Freeman's Grub and Pub is across the street (the brick building in the background on the left). They are a good food option. And, if you need a good cup of coffee, Spring Garden Bakery and Coffee House is located in the next block. So, as you can see, the streets are, once again, filling with people eager to socialize! Happy weekend!

Cheesecakes By Alex

Today's photo is the mural inside the new dining room at Cheesecakes by Alex at 315 South Elm Street. It was painted by the Greensboro-based artist, Jenna Rice (@JennaRiceArt). In the mural, Jenna painted Alex on the left with son Timmothy who is also in the business. Alex opened his business downtown since 2002. Over the nearly 20 years, the menu has expanded from a few cheesecake flavors to over two dozen. There are traditional flavors, like New York style to  seasonal flavors (blueberry, pumpkin), and unique flavors like butter pecan, and bananas foster. Indeed, there is a flavor for everybody. Additionally, there are other desserts like cupcakes, cookies, macaroons and macarons. 

Alex has had his bakery downtown early on in the revival of downtown Greensboro, opening it in the same year that the Green Bean Coffee Shop opened.  If you are downtown and want something sweet, step in and treat yourself to a slice of cheesecake and say hello to Alex, Timmothy, and the rest of the crew. Happy Thursday.

Events Slowly Resuming

Slowly and cautiously, events are resuming for the fully vaccinated. Last night, a few people from the Piedmont Old Time Society ventured out to play music at the Pig Pounder Brewery on Grecade Street. If all goes well, they will hold an open jam there on the first and third Thursday of the month. However, the group will not meet in Greensboro on the first Thursday in June, as so many musicians will be attending the Mt. Airy Fiddler's Convention.  Old-time music is acoustic and consists of fiddle, banjo, guitar, and bass. Occasionally, another instrument gets mixed in. The fiddle, however, is the lead instrument. Last night, there were several fiddlers and the music was great. 

Well, the weekend is upon us. May you have a great one. If you have a chance to go to Pig Pounder, and like to have interesting backdrops for photos, you will have found the perfect combination- especially at twilight. Marty Kotis' goal of having Midtown identified with murals has become a reality. The artwork looks even prettier when live music is being played. It is hard to believe that Pig Pounder has already been open seven years- since 2014!

Yum Yum Ice Cream on Spring Garden Street

Yum Yum has been a Greensboro tradition since 1906. While workers, ice-cream flavors, owners, and location have change over the last century, all of the goodness of Yum Yum has remained constant. The hand-scooped ice cream is fresh and tasty. After 100+ years, the Aydelette family has soul the business to the Lipp family and  the Lipps are making an effort to keep the ice cream shop the same. They do take credit cards now. That is a big different. Today would be a great day for an ice cream. Head on over, get some good ice cream, and make  some good memories. You can eat indoors, outside, or get your order to go!

People build so memories going to Yum Yum, especially when they are attending UNCG. One of the old, stand by flavors is Oreo cookie. Today sounds like it would be a perfect day for ice cream, at the corner of Stirling and Spring Garden Street. Happy Saturday!