Greensboro Daily Photo

Yum Yum for Ice Cream and Hot Dogs!

Spring has definitely spring in Greensboro this week. trees are starting to bloom out. The above photo features pink blossoms hiding the roof of Yum Yum on Spring Garden Street. This is spring break for UNCG students and all is quiet on campus and at businesses near campus. Soon, students will return, these blossoms will be fading, and Yum Yum will be busy once again.  Yum Yum has been. Greensboro institution since 1906 when it was started by W.B. Aydelette, Sr. This ice cream and hot dog place has been a Greensboro tradition for many families. When students return to Greensboro for college events, when parents bring their children here for freshman orientation, visiting Greensboro is an important event.

As we approach spring and summer, some of the fruity flavors will start appearing on the menu. What is your favorite flavor? On their Facebook page, Yum Yum announced that mint chocolate chip is back on the menu. For many, the flavor conjures up memories of mint chocolate chip Girl Scout cookies. Yum Yum is definitely a place for making memories. It looks like more outdoor seating has been added.

Happy Thursday!

got Sourdough?

This is not an exclusively Greensboro story as much as it is a "slice of life" story. Do you make sourdough bread? Are you the keeper of sourdough starter? The above sourdough starter is one that we are babysitting in our Greensboro home. There are two jars because the mother jar was outgrowing her jar. We made pancakes and bread and then split it, so we could have some when the owner returns. The mother culture came from Europe over 160 years ago; yes, it predates the American Civil War!  That put us under a lot of pressure to not kill something that has thrived since the time of President Lincoln. 

To bring the story back around to Greensboro, we recently learned that Gardner Bob's Homestead Kitchen on Spring Garden Street sells starter for those who are ready to take the leap. Their starter has been active for over 100 years. If you are looking for a good business to start, consider this idea. In Ørestad, Denmark, they have a Sourdough Hotel. Yes, if you are going on vacation, you can take your starter to them and they will keep it going for you (see HERE)!  For about $44 a week, they keep your starter healthy, maintain the temperature at 20ºC, and rehabilitate it- if needed. They also offer pickup by cargo bike! If you have a starter dough story story, please share it with us. Even better, let's meet up and break bread together.

Happy Wednesday!

Farmers Market & International Women's Day

Today is farmers market day in Greensboro. The most widely known markets are the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville; the Corner Market on West Market; and the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market on Sandy Ridge Road. All three are great and have a very different character. The above photo was at the Yanceyville market recently. Shoppers were heading back to their cars on a rainy day. It is supposed to be sunny all day today, so you shouldn't need an umbrella. There will be lots of women selling their produce, food, and arts and crafts. Stop by and have a chat with the vendors- especially since they'll be working on International Women's Day! 

Have a great Saturday! It is almost spring.

Gardner Bob's Homestead Kitchen

Since we've been in "that part of town" (Spring Garden Street between Chapman and Holden Road) this week, we thought we'd take you to one more business in the neighborhood. Today, we're at Gardner Bob's Homestead Kitchen. They are part bakery, part kombucha, pickles, and other healthy drinks. In the above photo, Sarah was making sandwiches for us. They happened to have a special going on and it was delicious. 

Gardner Bob's has been open since November 2023 and is located beside Hippo Records. The service is great and the bread and pastries are fresh. The owner, originally from Massachusetts, sells sourdough starter that has been alive for over 100 years. If you buy some, he will help you learn what to to keep it alive; same with SCOBY for kombucha. It is so wonderful to discover these local businesses around town. Stop by and check it out if you like to eat locally, sustainably,  and in a healthy way.

Happy Thursday!

Night Street Scene Around Town

Greensboro readers, if we didn't tell you where this photo was taken, would you know? If you know.... you know.

We love this night scene, the way the tree, that we never notice, is dormant, just waiting to leaf out. The fence adds a rural look. The TEXAS road house would look like a house, were it not for the neon. Such is the view for those in the drive-thru at Cook-out, on the right side of the building, near Maxie Bs. We only noticed it because we were waiting for our milkshake. We cropped the photo because to the right is a mattress store which diminishes the allusion of happening upon this place driving around rural Texas. 

The first TEXAS road house dates to 1993 in Indiana. The above location of the chain opened about 12 years ago. It is hard to believe it has been open that long. It is hard to believe how much Battleground Avenue has changed. To be sure, there are plenty of food options in this part of town. 

Happy Thursday... some say it is the new Friday.

Valentines Day in a Few More Days

 

It is three more sleeps before Valentines Day. Do you celebrate? Are you ready? We were downtown this past weekend at Chandler's (formerly the Green Bean) and the place was really busy. It is nice to see downtown businesses doing well. Alexa was mixing specialty drinks almost as fast as people were ordering them. Lots of chocolate and some spirits were mixed, and the drinks all had cute names with a nod to love and chocolate. Espresso martinis were a big hit, as were the love and lattes.  There is lots oa artwork for sale and/or to look at. This area near the front window is so cozy and inviting

Chandler's hours may vary today depending on the weather. However, if they are open and you need a place to sit, have a great cup of coffee, and get some work done, this coffee shop is a great option.  Everybody needs a third space or two. Where are yours in Greensboro? Stay warm, and, as always, thank you for reading. We just love those arched windows on the Elm Street side of Chandler's. 

Happy Tuesday!

Chip Holton Painting in Real Time at Lucky 32

Last night, we had the good fortune to watch Chip Holton painting at Lucky 32, while Jessica Mashburn and Evan Olson played live music and sang. Consistently, at least a couple or two were dancing to the beat of the music and the strokes of the paint brush. Chip has a lot of artwork at Lucky 32, including the column at the entrance that features scenes of the Greensboro community. Chip is a Lexington, NC based artist, but he does a lot of work in Greensboro. *  He is a second generation artist and artist-in-residence at the O. Henry Hotel.  If you ever get a chance to watch Chip paint, we highly recommend it. He paints quickly and accurately. Last night, we saw him referring to his phone a few times; however, his sense of what to add to a painting in inspiring.

If you ever want something to do on a Wednesday night, head to Lucky 32. Hearing live music and watching Chip paint and people dance, combined with great food and service, is a good way to celebrate the middle of the week. We were hoping to interview Chip, but he was so focused on painting, there was no way we wanted to interrupt him. Wednesday nights at Lucky 32 is a great way to keep it local!

Happy Thursday! 

 

* read more about Chip Holton, HERE.

At the Corner of Chapman & Spring Garden Streets

This little building at the corner of Chapman and Spring Garden Streets has undergone many changes over the last 13 years. From 1993- 2012, it was Bianca's, a little Italian restaurant with big flavor. It first opened in 1993 and Chef Lisa Carmella was known for altering the menu weekly. Perhaps naively, we thought it would remain Bianca's forever. The exterior was white with blue shutters and a circular, blue awning over the door.

When driving by the other day, we noticed the building was for rent with a sign indicating that it was "turn key" ready for a restaurant. It would seem that with Freeman's Pub, The Tasting Room, and other places to eat and drink nearby, this space has great potential. Also, UNCG and the Coliseum complex are right down the road. What kind of business/restaurant do you think would work well there? It looks like a wonderful opportunity for some young entrepreneur. For now,  with this frigid winter air keeping people home, it looks rather desolate. However, there are times when this corner is hopping. We have eaten there and then walked down Chapman Street to an event at the Coliseum. We would love to see a new life for this space and will follow this corner with great interest. 

Happy Wednesday and please stay warm. This has been a cold January in Greensboro. Temperatures are predicted to be between 13 and 28 today.

Cille & Scoe & Holiday Joy

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

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

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

Happy Friday!

 

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

Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

There will only be one more Greensboro Farmers Curb Market before Christmas. If you need last minute gifts, flowers, or food, the farmers market on Yanceyville is a wonderful option. As you can see from the above photo, the poinsettias  they had last week were looking lovely. The market will be open from 8:00- 12:00 noon on Saturday.

The market was founded by the City of Greensboro in 1874, making it 150 years young. It has been rather crowded lately, which is good for business. 

Happy Thursday!

33 & Elm Coffee Shop

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

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

Happy Wednesday!

Candle Tea at First Moravian Church of Greensboro

Today's photo features the December Candle Tea of the  First Moravian Church of Greensboro. We love the muted colors and practicality of of the garments.  According to their website, Moravians are the oldest continuously practicing Protestant denomination in the world today. The above church is located at 304 South Elam Avenue. They have a congregation of members from many religious background. While the congregation is small in size, their outreach supports many programs in the community (see HERE).  Their special gift to the Greensboro community (open to everyone), the Candle Tea event has been a Greensboro tradition since 1962. It is a way not only for the Moravians to give back to the community, but for people to learn more about the religion, see the sanctuary, learn about the old traditions like making candles and displaying a Christmas Putz. The Putz is an elaborate rendition of the Biblical scene of Jesus' birth. We will feature it next Sunday, the last before Christmas.

The origin of the Moravian religion dates back to 1457 in Bohemia sixty years before Martin Luther began his reformation. It started about 100 miles east of Prague and by 1557 had grown to branches in Bohemia, Moravia, and Poland. The earlier name for the religion was Unitas Fratum (Unity of Brothers). Moravians arrived in North Carolina in 1753 with construction of Salem in 1766.  One-hundred forty-two years later, in 1908, the First Moravian Church was established in Greensboro. The Candle Tea is one of those events that heralds the Christmas season in Greensboro. We go every year.

Happy Sunday!

Joanne Rich Spring Garden Bakery

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

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

Happy Monday!

The Annual Westerwood Chili Cook-Off

Yesterday afternoon, the Westerwood neighborhood held their annual Chili Cook-Off in Lake Daniel Park. Neighbors cooked chili in one of the following categories: Mild, Medium, Hot, Vegetarian, and Youth. Those who didn't make chili brought cornbread, dessert, and coleslaw. Strong neighborhood associations help keep neighborhoods nice and property values strong. Westerwood does so much as a community. Recently, they held the Art and Sole Art Sale with Westerwood artists opening their studios to the community at large.

The chili cook off is a chance to bring chairs and tablecloths to the park and spend time with neighbors. All throughout the event, people were playing volleyball in the background and the Westerwood String Band was playing music near the cook-off tables. The band's genre is acoustic, old-time music with Carol Thompson organizing the group. While the group entertained the crowd with their cheerful tunes in the Key of D, Carol danced on her board with cornmeal helps dancers glide across the wood. By 6:00 pm, all were full, the sun was getting low to the horizon, and it was time to head home to get ready for school and work. Every neighborhood would benefit from an event like this one.

Happy Monday!

Quaker Village Is About To Have a New Food Option

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

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

Happy Wednesday!

Depot Stage at the North Carolina Folk Festival

The North Carolina Folk Festival is in full swing and last night the weather was perfect. In the above photo, Holler Choir, a group from Asheville is performing. This group of young musicians puts a creative spin on Appalachian music with songs titles like, "Carolina Moon" and "Hamlet Blues." The tent was full last night, with a few seats remaining, here and there. This tent is set up in the parking lot of the train depot at Washington and Church Streets, a convenient location  for anyone coming in from other cities by train. The train depot, truly a step back in time, had more foot traffic and got more visibility than it had in a long time. The Depot Stage has several food trucks around it, making it possible to eat and listen at the same time.

The Depot Stage and Elm Street Stage (a couple blocks to the west) are the two southernmost stages, a footprint that encourages people to visit the many businesses on or near the 300 block of South Elm. The northernmost stage, the Wyndham Stage, is located at the corner of Church Street and Summit Avenue, just past the Children's Museum; Summit Avenue to Washington Street are your east/west borders. Church Street, between Washington and Friendly Avenue, is filled with marketplace vendors. Jewelry, skins care products, and some very creative clothing were among the booths we saw. We saw so many people we know last night, but are still surprised at the number of locals who have never been in the ten years of the festival. 

Happy Saturday! Hope to see you strolling along Elm and Church Streets. Our t.wn is at its best this weekend!

Center City Park with the Fryes

Greensboro has two parks downtown: Center City Park (west. 2006)  and LeBauer Park (est 2016). Above is a photo from Center City Park, located at the corner of Friendly, Davie, and Elm. It was taken during the food truck festival. The unidentified couple above were enjoying refreshing fruit juices on this very hot day. They were resting at the statue of  Justice Henry and Shirley T. Frye. Both Fries are impactful community members. Mrs. Frye, ever the dedicated community volunteer, integrated Greensboro segregated YMCAs in the 1970s. Henry Frye was the first African-American chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. 

We sat in Center City Park for a good while watching people at the Frye sculpture and how they interacted with it. Many people had their picture taken beside the Fryes. One young teen stood up on the statue, standing beside them. We had mixed feeling about climbing on the statue, but the pride on his face gave us a spark of hope that he aspires to become the great community member, just like the Fryes. Center City Park, on the day of the food truck festival, was everything a city park should be. People were milling about, resting and enjoying their food; children were playing as parents watched from a distance.  Seeing everyone enjoying the afternoon and interacting would have made the Fryes proud of their community. 

Happy Saturday!

Dear Dads at 3929 Battleground Avenue

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

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

Here's to a great Friday!

Happy 20th Natty-Versary

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

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

Happy Saturday!

Savor the Moment

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

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

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

Brown Gardiner Drug Store

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

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

Happy Friday!

 

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

Vida Pour Tea

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

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

Happy Monday!

*See a post about Liz, HERE.

Continental Club

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

Happy Saturday and happy exploring historic Greensboro.

Colin Cutler and Hot Pepper Jam

This past Saturday night, Colin Cutler and his band, Hot Pepper Jam, played at Joymongers on Saturday night. The weather was warm and, when the photo was taken, many people were still outside. However, as the evening progressed, the crowd grew and more people came inside.  

As stated on his website, Colin is a "wide-ranging performer whose musical roots draw from the breadth of American folk music...".  Colin's diverse life experiences- from growing up in the Pentecost religion to serving in the Army to performing and traveling around the USA and abroad- have contributed to the diversity in his music.  Perusing his website, you will learn that he is also well-read and writes poetry and stories while on the road. Colin is lead vocalist and plays guitar, banjo, and harmonica. On Saturday, he played everything from a Patsy Cline cover to his own, danceable music. He also makes a tasty hot pepper jam!

If you get a chance to hear Colin and the band play, do so. He is a Greensboro performer who plays at Merlefest, Shakori Hills, the Susquehanna Folk Festival, and the North Carolina Folk Festival- to name a few places.  His next performance is at the  Asheboro Summer Concert Series on July 12th and at Four Saints Brewing in Asheboro on July 13th. So, you'll have to head about 40 miles south to hear him next week.

Joymongers keeps a pretty busy schedule of live music, so you have plenty of options in Greensboro, too (see HERE). Summer is the perfect time to call up a friend or two and head out to support the area's live musicians.

Happy Monday!

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

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

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

Happy Friday!

Florayma Garcia and Kiosco Mexican Grill

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

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

Happy Summer Solstice!

LeBauer Park: Lawn Service Kiosk

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

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

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

Natty Greene's Expansion on South Elm Street

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

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

Happy Saturday!

FILTER Coffee

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

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

Happy Thursday!

 

* see article HERE.

 

 

Mother's Day 2024

Happy Mother's Day 2024. Yesterday, we were out looking for something in Greensboro to photograph for Mother's Day. When driving past Fresh Market on Lawndale, we saw this very creative sign that said "MOM" with metal letters and flowers. It was so beautiful, a standout even from the road. The display must have been effective, because so many people were inside purchasing flowers. According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, about 75% of the cut flowers the USA, today, originate in Colombia and the industry has been growing since 1962.  Indeed, there were lots of bouquets of Colombian flowers flying out the door of Fresh Market- especially roses.

We have lots of wonderful florists in Greensboro, but by this morning, grocery stores are the best bet for getting cut flowers and home improvement stores for flowers to plant. Places like the Arboretum, Tanger Bicentennial Gardens, and Gateway Gardens are your best bet for taking photos with flowers. And then, there is always the above display that would be perfect for a photo with MOM.

Happy Sunday!

 

Luxe Soulfood & Cocktails

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

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

Happy Wednesday!

the corner FARMERS MARKET

This past weekend at the corner FARMERS MARKET, we finally met up with Kathy Newsom who is the manager of the corner market. As a result of the role she plays in the corner market it, indeed, seems as if she knows everyone. And, from the above photo, you can see she greets everyone with a smile. Kathy's involvement with the corner market dates back to its early beginnings in 2013 in the old location at Sticks and Stones parking lot at the corner of Walker and Elam. She was home schooling her children and wanted them to learn what adults do, including being community-oriented. At first, her own children would make artwork at the market, inspiring others with colorful signs with inspirational words like "HOPE" on them. As Kathy tells it, she was an around the market and so involved that they asked her to be manager. She helped with the transition to the current location, the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church parking lot. With the relocation, parking has become much easier and the market has been able to expand. Plus, Thile they were happy to accommodate, Sticks and Stones has their parking lot back.

Kathy loves being involved with community and we have known of her since her involvement with "Knit the Bridge," where, in 2015 Lindley Park friends and neighbors gathered to knit the Walker Avenue bridge over Wendover Avenue. Kathy reminds us of just how much we can do as individuals to build community. See her every Saturday at the corner FARMERS MARKET. If you are looking a way to become more involved with community in Greensboro, we bet Kathy will have ideas for you. We are so glad to finally be featuring her

Happy Saturday!

"Souper" Bowl Sunday at St. Andrew's

Today is Super Bowl Sunday, which means it is the last day to order soup from Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church. Church members will cook to bring you four different soup options. For $13 per quart, you can order corn chowder with bacon, Italian turkey sausage with white beans and spinach, West African sweet potato peanut, and hearty tomato bisque.  You must order ahead of time- specifically by today. Soup pick up will take place on March 16th and 23rd at the Corner Market from 8:00 am- 12:00 noon, and at the St. Andrew's Parrish Hall on March 17th and 24th from 11:15 am- 12:15 pm.  See details and order HERE at the Good Soup for Good link. This is the official name for the fundraiser. St. Andrew's does so much good for the community, including feeding the hungry. The congregation sponsored an Afghani family and they continue to help the family get established in Greensboro. 

If you follow the link, you will also see details for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner held at St. Andrew's on Tuesday, February 13th. Tickets are $7 for individuals and $15 for a family ticket. The above photo features Fran (left) and Virginia, members of the congregation who were at the Corner Market yesterday taking orders for the soup fundraiser. How wonderful that the Corner Market is able to use the parking lot of St. Andrew's for their Saturday Market (weekly), and St. Andrew's can set up there, when needed. If you buy soup regularly from the Corner Market, likely it is from John Drees. John is a well-respected local chef in Greensboro, and he volunteered to help the church prepare the soup batches for this fundraiser, in their certified kitchen. What a heartwarming story. Thank you John. Which soup will you be ordering? They all sound so delicious.

Happy Sunday! Happy Souper Bowl.

300 Block of South Elm Street

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

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

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

Happy Friday! Happy exploring.

Mebanesville Performed at Common Grounds

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

 

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

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

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

Happy Friday!

* Reference and more information HERE.

Saint Jacques French Restaurant at The Burke Manor Inn in Gibsonville

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

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

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

Happy Saturday!

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

Fresh Market Headquarters

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

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

Happy Wednesday!

 

Melrose Coffee + Wine Bar

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

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

Happy Friday!

 

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

Lao Restaurant

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

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

Happy Thursday!