Greensboro Daily Photo

Boxcar Pizza at Boxcar Bar + Arcade

Ten years ago in 2011, when we interviewed Greensboro entrepreneur,  Dennis Quaintance, we talked about "small" being the new "big".  After years of biggie sizes, smaller glasses, plates, and portions have gained popularity. Today's post is one such example. Boxcar Pizza is a tiny space, specifically boxcar-sized, in the South Elm/Lewis Street area. This outdoor pizza kitchen is the perfect place to get some hot food quickly, whether you are in one of the South Elm establishments or just out walking. It is a way to eat without having to go inside an establishment. You can, however, eat inside the Boxcar Bar & Arcade. It serves as the kitchen for the bar and arcade.

This outdoor pizza kitchen serves Neapolitan style pizza with traditional toppings. It also serves unique toppings like bison sausage and pickles. Savory and sweet soft pretzels are available, too. The boxcar option has been popular with people skating at the adjacent pop-up ice rink. On the day we were on site, the Boxcar employee (in the window) was so busy, we didn't interrupt for an interview.  Boxcar is a unique addition to the downtown Greensboro landscape. See the hours, menu, and more, here.

Free Food Pantry

Food insecurity is a big issue in Greensboro. There are, however, several organizations committed to helping people have access to food. One such initiative is the Free Food Pantry at the corner of Haywood and McCormick Streets. This location is between the UNCG buildings on Gate City Boulevard and the Glenwood neighborhood. All of those big buildings in the background belong to UNCG. The above free-standing food pantry resembles the free libraries. This yellow one looks like a giant block of cheese!  Supplying and using the box is the honor system. People donating only put food in the pantry (hence the box of toys at the side); people taking only take what they need and keep it nice. Yesterday when we visited, it was filled with plenty of bread, spaghetti-O's, and chick peas. There were a few other items like powdered milk and a couple cans of green beans. 

There are several other sources of free food and meals in Greensboro. If you use these services, likely you know who is serving where and on what days. If you know someone in need of food, or you are in a position to help, here is a list of organizations getting food to those in need. As the saying goes, it takes a village and Greensboro is a pretty awesome village. Happy Wednesday!

Liberty Oak Restaurant and Bar

Liberty Oak Restaurant and Bar at 100 West Washington Street is a Greensboro institution. It was located in Irving Park for about 20 years and now, has been in their current location downtown for over 20 years. They are one of those restaurants that can feel as comfortable as the "Cheers" bar for those who are regulars. They are very original and special in their offerings and were on the front end of the bistro revolution in Greensboro. Also ahead of a trend,  Liberty Oak has been buying and showing local Greensboro art for decades now. Local artist Denise Landi recalls their showing and purchasing her art in the 1980s.

The above photo features their new signage out in front of their side entrance at the Vernon Building. That building was originally erected in 1883 and, as pointed out on their website, is the oldest building remaining in the Old Greensborough Historic District. Somehow, Liberty Oak just seems to belong here. Here is their fabulous menu, in case you are interested in dining indoors, outdoors, or placing a to-go order. Happy Wednesday!

Deep Roots Market Co-Op

Deep Roots Market is a co-op is a full-service grocery store, located downtown at 600 North Euguene street, just around the corner of Joymongers. Deep Roots started in the 1960s as a vegetarian buying club at Guilford College. In the mid 1970s, they moved to a storefront on Spring Garden Street, between the access ramp to Wendover and Merritt Drive. Since 2013, they have been in the downtown location. Anyone can shop at Deep Roots, but you get a discount and access to the big specials if you are a member.

There is a community room in the front of the store and, when gatherings are safe, great events happen there. If you are downtown, possibly at a brewery that doesn't sell food, on a bike ride and in need of a snack, or,  just interested purchasing great food and being part of a caring community, please visit Deep Roots. They have been providing the Greensboro community with organic, bulk, and locally sourced food before the big, corporate whole-food markets were in the area. Have you been? If not, consider stopping by when you are in need of groceries. Happy Thursday!

Church Fundraisers

Many churches are selling Christmas trees, wreathes, and greenery as an end-of-year fundraiser. Morehead United Methodist Church has opted to set up a Dewey's Holiday Store. The church, located at 3214Horse Pen Creek Road, has the store open M-F from 10-6 and Saturdays from 10-5pm. The last day for the store is December 21st. It has been a difficult year for religious institutions. If you like to purchase baked goods this time of year, consider purchasing from a non-profit like a church or school group. The Dewey's sale at Morehead UMC will help the church a lot.

The fundraiser is not held on Sundays, but church is. Informal worship takes place at 9am; small groups 10am; traditional worship is at 11am. At one point, services were being held outside on the edge of the church property. If you elect to go today, take your mask and be flexible. Have a great day today, whether you are in Greensboro or reading from elsewhere!

 

View from Lewis Street

Today's photo is a bit whimsical. It is the view of the back alley area, behind the 6oo block of South Elm Street, as seen from Lewis Street. If you are out walking through Greensboro, or any city, it is fun to look at the places that aren't usually in the public eye. As you can see here, there used to be a Wade's Dry Cleaning. As our grandparents would say, "Before your time...". So often, when we post a photo of a sign from yesteryear, someone contacts us to let us know about their relatives, the people who owned the now-forgotten establishment. So, if there are any Wades reading, or anyone who worked for the Wades, we'd love to hear from you. The bottom two-thirds of the photo is the wavy artwork on the wall of the Bearded Goat, an establishment that bills itself as a "classy, artistic, dive bar"; hence, the artwork. 

As we all struggle to remain healthy during this COVID-19 era, please know there are business along Elm Street doing everything they can to provide safe, contactless shopping experiences. Often, you can call ahead and have things ready to pick up curbside. In the meantime, if you are out walking, stop and find a view you have never seen before. Point A to Point B doesn't always need to be a straight line! Happy Saturday.

Rise & Grind Coffee

The Rise and Grind Mobile Coffee Pod was set up at the Made 4 Market Arts and Crafts Show this past Sunday. They were set up outside on the Yanceyville East Lindsay Street side of the Farmers Curb Market. Rise and Grind is known for their specialty coffees and hot chocolates. While they are based out of High Point, they attend many events in Greensboro, too.

Madeline and Robert Tomasic are the entrepreneurs behind this coffee venture. The red trailer has such a snappy look and the specialty drinks are really good, too. Maybe they will be at the arts & craft market on Sunday, December 6th. This will be a really big event at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market. We're betting they'll bring back their holiday spices, syrups, and flavors. Peppermint is a favorite! If you like to buy local, businesses like Rise and Grind are here to help!

Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market has been serving up fresh produce since 1874. Located on Yanceyville Street across from the old War Memorial Stadium, the curb market is a place for farmers to sell their fresh produce and other edibles. It has also been a place for people to go to enjoy each other. You can talk directly to the farmers and learn from them. You can find vendors who specialize in items you like and arrange to have items ready for you at each market. Sometimes there is entertainment; sometimes themed-events. Today's photo features a view from the Lindsay Street Side, a lone shopper seated, long after the market had closed for the day.

The COVID era has changed the protocols for the market; masks; controlled entrance point; an earlier entry for the community's most vulnerable, more outside. The good produce and direct interaction with farmers keeps people returning week after week. Now is the time for cold weather vegetables, cabbage, greens, collards, turnips. If you want meats for the holidays, you might want to make plans soon. This upcoming Sunday 11/15/2020, the market will host a holiday arts and crafts event, Make 4 Market.

Got Persimmons? Craving Persimmons?

So many local businesses are selling local food products. It is not common to to see a sign advertising honey, local blends of tea and coffee, and, in the above case, persimmons. Persimmons are one of the great seasonal foods of fall. These Asian persimmons, bigger than the domestic persimmons, are available at Golden Antiques. Get them fast as the season is almost over. 

Golden Antiques is located on 220 in Summerfield. They have a little bit of everything, from antiques, to Nik-naks to arts and crafts, to COVID make to..... PERSIMMONS! Happy Friday and get out there and explore, if you can do it safely. Also, it is First Friday, which means things should be lively on Elm Street downtown.

The Bodega on Greene!

Greensboro has a bodega. Is you have grown up in New York City, you quite possibly had your favorite bodega. Bodegas are small grocery stores, often in neighborhoods with lots of Spanish speakers. Kids grow up with the bodega owners looking out for them. Lin-Manuel Miranda (of Hamilton Fame) has a new movie, "In the Heights" in which bodega culture is featured. Greensboro's bodega is located on Greene Street, just across from the Carolina Theatre and squarely between the Biltmore Hotel on Washington St. and the Hampton Inn on McGee Street. This idea of the bodega is to have food, snacks, and unanticipated items that people might need before seeing a performance or while staying in a hotel-- aspirin, needle and thread, breath mints- at very reasonable prices.

Todd Olson and Daniel Leonard, both entrepreneurs and owners of other food and drink businesses, opened the Bodega on February 19th, just before COVID hit. They had to close until July, but are open again. They are in the process of opening a sandwich shop inside the bodega. They already have an outdoor seating area, just waiting for performances to get in full swing at the Carolina Theatre so they can fill their seating area with theatre-going guests. They will even dim the lights for those who rush over during intermission so that customers can get back to the performance on time. If you are downtown, stop in and say hello to Todd and Daniel. If they don't have your go-to item, chances are, they'll start stocking it. Just need a quick cup of coffee with a little personal interaction, this long/skinny store is your place on South Greene!

Mexican Independence Day: September 16th

Yesterday, Greensboro's Mexican restaurants exuded a celebratory spirit. September 16th is a big day: Independence Day in Mexico and Mexican-Americans celebrate it, too. The above photo is a night shot of of La Bamba Mexican Restaurant on State Street. La Bamba opened on State Street in 1989 and continues today as a family-owned restaurant. Over the years, they have expanded and are now able to host large groups. La Bamba has lunch specials, house specialties, kids meals, and vegetarian meals; something for everybody. Their loyalty program is quite popular with patrons.

Mexico Restaurant on West Market Street opened in 1988, and La Bamba a year later. Since then, as the Mexican-American population of Greensboro grew in the 1990's more Mexican restaurants have opened and flourished here. There is something nostalgic about going to restaurants that have been around for over 30 years. We're betting some of the "Viva México" spirit will continue into the weekend.

 

The Old Mill of Guilford

The Old Mill of Guilford is such a fabulous piece of history dating back to 1767. It has gone through many changes and a few different owners over the past 253 years. Isn't that amazing that we have the history of this water-powered, grist mill dating back that many years. Truly, it is a point of pride for the community, providing mighty fine milled products: grits, corn meal, pancake mix, oatmeal, breakfast cereal, other grains, and many other products that can be ordered online. 

It is located in in northwest Guilford County, on Highway 68, near Oak Ridge.* The grinding process has remained the same for 200 years. Electricity to run the modern machinery is generated by the waterwheel. The wheel itself is 24' and rotates at a speed of 4.6 RPM. If you want to support a local business and purchase healthy natural products, order from the Old Mill of Guilford. If you are local, give them a visit. At the moment, it is not possible to go inside, but you can pick up products from the front door. They are open daily from 9-5, including Sunday. Needless to say, it is a great place to take photos.

* See their well documented history, HERE.

Crooked Tail Cat Cafe

The Crooked Tail Cat Cafe has been open for almost three years now. It was the the first one in North Carolina. (See earlier 2017 photo, here). It is located at 604 South Elm Street, across the street from Mellow Mushroom. While the goal is to get the cats adopted, it is also a place for them to roam and learn to socialize with each other, as well as with humans. The above kitty was the only one hanging out in the window the other day. It was as if he knew he needed to maintain a good social distance.

If you are interested, you can book a time slot online, here.

At the beginning of the year, Guilford County approved 12.5 million dollars for a new animal shelter on Guilford College Road. It will accommodate up to 324 dogs and 250 cats. That is a lot to take in that at any given time, there could be over 500 pets surrendered or abandoned that need homes. The Crooked Tail Cat Cafe is doing their part to try to find homes for cats. Working together, the people of Guilford County are making great strides in improving the quality of life for animals awaiting homes.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Watermelon Milkshake Time

The first week of August has come and gone and this is the last month that Cook Out will offer a watermelon milkshake. The above photos features a Cook Out patron sparked across Battleground Avenue enjoying a watermelon milkshake. You can see the drive through Cook Out store in the background, across the street. If you like milkshakes and watermelon, the combination is unbeatable and tastes of summer. There are very few woods we don't have access to year round; so, in a way, it is special to have a food item with limited availability. We do want to mention that we always upgrade to an extra serving of watermelon.

Did you know that Cookout was started in Greensboro? The first one was opened in 1989 on Randleman Road. The chain has expanded significantly and in 2012, they opened their 100th store, As of 2018, there were 250 Cook Out restaurants in over 100 cities, mostly throughout the southeast. Founder Morris Reaves owns the company and his son Jeremy is the CEO. It is a popular food option and seems to be doing well, especially this summer with so many sit-down restaurants operating at limited capacity. 

Happy Friday and let us know if you try a watermelon shake.

Farmers Market at Providence Farm

Today, from 10am-1pm, Providence Farm will be holding their Farmers Market. It is located at 2569 Huffine Mill Road. Darryl and Joy Cobb, who live at the farm have a variety of products from local farmers, bakers, and crafters; including everything from eggs to goat cheese, to bread, and even bison meat. They have product menus at the gate and work very hard to keep you COVID safe. The farm has been in the Cobb family for over 200 years, but this is the first year Darryl and Joy have undertaken selling products to the public. Joy recently retired from teaching in the public schools and is able to dedicate more time to tending to all of the critters. They have horses, sheep, chickens, pigs, turkeys, and working dogs. Some of the animals, like the donkeys, are rescues; some have a home there until they can find homes (the potbellied pigs); some, like Mr. and Mrs. Tom Turkey have become pets and come running as the owners approach. 

If you have a chance, drive to McLeansville today and support this local business. Likely, Darryl will greet at the gate playing banjo music. If you love history, this website will tell you the history of Providence Farm, dating back to the  1700s, way before Greensboro became a town! The above photo features the gambrel roof barn, not the corner of the property where the food is sold. However, we just couldn't resist photographing the playful chickens. If you are asked to wait a few minutes to shop, ask Darryl to pick you a tune; the keys of A and D are especially popular with old-time musicians! Happy Saturday!

 

See, here for more information.

Edible Radish Pods and the Joys of Gardening

Summer has been heating up in Greensboro and we're experiencing temperatures in the 90s for consecutive days, with no rain in sight. Under these conditions, plants are trying to go to seed. Our basil, mint, and radishes are all flowering and trying to make seed pods. The above photo features radish seed pods. See the long pointy green pods and the purple flowers? Those are growing from the radishes that, underground, are long and lean and practically nonexistent. (Many are lamenting this hasn't been the best year for radishes).  Well, this summer for us, those pods have been nature's gift. We've discovered they are crunchy, spicy, and radish flavored. All radish pods are edible and some varieties arevgrown specifically for their pods.

For anyone who is looking for something to do in these lazy days of summer, don a mask and head to the farmers market and ask lots of questions. If you have a neighbor who is gardening, spend time with them learning about gardening. Perhaps there is a community garden in your neighborhood. North Carolina A&T University has several programs and initiatives related to sustainable agriculture. There is a little farmer in all of our family histories. Now is a good time to learn about these old-time ways. Happy Thursday! See you in the garden!

Peaches and Cream at Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

Phillips Farm Peaches and Cream, based out of Wadesboro, North Carolina, had a lovely stand at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Saturday. This five-generation farm has all kinds of produce, but is especially known for their "Peaches and Cream" stand with peaches and ice cream- especially peach ice cream. July is the key month that North Carolinians seek out peaches and peach ice cream, and we are in the heart of the season.

The above farmers market, Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, is located on Yanceyville Street, across from War Memorial Stadium, now sets up outside. This is an effort to keep shoppers and vendors safe. The hours are from 7-11 am on Saturday and from 8-10 am on Wednesday. It is so nice to get to know the vendors and to get fresh produce. Did you know that freshly picked lettuce can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator? Peaches are usually meant to eat within the week. When you eat local food, you help these small farms and help reduce your carbon footprint. Plus, you get a little taste of summer. 

Chandler Foods, Inc.

During out urban exploring of Greensboro yesterday, we stumbled upon Chandler Foods, Inc. Located at 2727 Immanuel Road, Chandler Foods has been bringing barbecue, chili, and kettle products to Greensboro (and beyond) since 1955. Sixty-five years ago, John and Edith Chandler developed a barbecue recipe and, as you likely know, the people of Greensboro, High Point, and all of North Carolina, love their BBQ. Chandler Foods has expanded their products, and their building over the years. They now have distributors all along the east coast and into the midwest, extending to Michigan and Texas.

The reflection of the clouds in the window is especially beautiful, as is the landscaping. Next time you are on Gate City Boulevard, near Florida Street, head over and check out Chandler Foods. According to their website, they are involved in the community by supporting Greensboro Urban Ministry and they give scholarships through Future Business Leaders of America. How wonderful that a Greensboro business is doing so well and that it continues to remain in Greensboro!

Peach Season in NC

It is peach season in North Carolina. Every summer from June - September, with July being peak, some type of peach is available in North Carolina. While they are grown south of Greensboro, in the Sandhills, we have access to great peaches at a great price. The above photo features the peach display at the Harris Teeter at Friendly Center. The beautiful display is front row and center when you enter the building. And, just look at those peach-colored balloons.

Common peach varieties in North Carolina are Biscoe, Candor, Carolina Belle, Derby, and Norman. According to the NC State extension agency, North Carolina is the 7th top peach producer nationally (reference). California, South Carolina, Georgia, and New Jersey are the top four producers of peaches. If you are in search of North Carolina peaches in Greensboro, you can find them at the local farmers markets and several grocery stores. If you want a day trip: Here is a map of places to buy NC peaches throughout the state. In the meantime, the 99¢ a pound peaches at Harris Teeter were very tasty. We did, however, forget to verify whether or not they were NC peaches. Don your best peach colored attire and enjoy the hunt! Happy July!

Got Cake?

The Class of 2020, throughout Greensboro, their parents, teachers, and administrators have done a beautiful job of helping their respective graduates feel special and celebrate their graduation, in spite of being in the middle of a pandemic. Today's photo features the cooler at Delicious, the bakery located at the corner of Pisgah Church Road and Lawndale.It is filled with lots of special cakes.

The cake in the middle is for a Western Guilford High graduate, the graduation cake to the left is for an individual student. Cakes always have a way of making people feel special and the ones at Delicious are especially tasty. His bakery was homegrown in Greensboro. Remember back in 2010, when it was just getting started and located on Battleground Avenue? (see here). Now, 10 years later, it has moved to a larger location and appears to be thriving. When it is safe for them to allow people to eat in, and for the ladies to resume their mahjong games, business will be truly great. In the meantime, they'll simply continue to have your DELICIOUS orders ready when you get there!

Urban Gardening on Oak St in Glenwood

Here is an example of urban gardening at its finest. This home is located on Oak Street in the Glenwood neighborhood and just south of Gate City Boulevard. While many people have their gardens in the backyard, this one is in the front for maximum sun exposure. The terraced plots get a lot of sun during the day and are reaping crops and flowers for the owners. Imagine the conversations that happen as people walk by and get updates while the owners are gardening. We'll have to stop back by and see what is growing along the half-oval trellises.

Also notice the tin roof, on a rainy night it must be super cozy to hear the sounds of the raindrops. You can tell that a lot of love has gone into making this house a home. Happy Saturday! For those who are grading, including the above family, may your crops be bountiful!

Gibsonville, City of Roses, City of Maple View Creamery

Gibsonville, known as the City of Roses, is a community just east of Greensboro on the border of Alamance County. The above photo shows people this past weekend, trying to social distance while enjoying an ice cream from Maple View's County Line Creamery Company. You can see the ice cream shop, in the background, to the left of the tree. This Main Street favorite has a very interesting history leading back to Maine.*

The Maple View Farm is firmly committed to dairy farming and land conservation. One hundred eighty seven of the 400 acres of the farm have been granted to the Triangle Land Conservancy. This designation means that the property will remain for agricultural and open purposes. Everyone involved in the farm, from the land and dairy cows to the end products, is firmly committed to making practices as sustainable and good for the animals as possible. Read the link about the farm, and purchase an ice cream next time you are in the Gibsonville area. Current flavors include, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, butter pecan, honey toasted almond, double chocolate, coffee, cookies and cream, cookie dough, banana, Carolina crunch, and mint chocolate chip. What is your favorite?

 

* read more here.

Picnic at the Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market

This past Saturday, the Farmers Market on Sandy Ridge was very busy.The market is named for former state senator and Guilford County commissioner, Bob Shaw. Shaw was a a strong supporter of the farmers market. (Read more, here).

Even though we had masks, we decided to avoid the crowds and simply walk the perimeter of the market. One feature we discovered was a bank of picnic tables between the Moose Cafe and the pavilion. There was a couple picnicking, but there were still several tables, providing plenty of options to eat and keep your distance. 

Even though the Moose Cafe isn't open, there are plenty of food options throughout the market. Alternatively, you could pack a picnic lunch, and head to the market to eat. It is nice to find a way to be among people, while maintaining distance. Look how beautiful the trees are, and they provide plenty of shade for the area. This is yet another example of the beauty of Greensboro.

Have a great week!

Little Free Library and Mini Food Pantry at College Place UMC

Religious communities are more than people and buildings. They are the sense of community and good deeds done, the mitzvah. The little free library is one such good deed, where you take a book and, leave one- optionally. The little free library began in Hudson, Wisconsin in 2009* and spread quickly to other communities, including Greensboro. Currently, there are over 100,000 little free libraries in over 100 countries. The little free food pantry, a completely different initiative, started in 2016. As seen in the above photo, both are available at the corner of Tate and Spring Garden Street at College Place United Methodist Church. 

According to the cornerstone of the church, College Place UMC was erected in 1919, just about the time of the flu pandemic of 1918. Tucked between Greensboro College and UNCG, this church has been doing good deeds, especially for students and staff, for over a century. While two little boxes don't solve all of Greensboro's food insecurities and need for good books in every home, this kind gesture, indeed, helps nourish the body, mind, and heart. It looks like both boxes could use a little restocking. If you get a chance, drive by and leave a book and a grab-and-go snack or two. Especially popular are vienna sausages, cans of tuna, cans of chicken, and cans of fruit cocktail with a pop top lid. Let us all pause and think of a good deed we can do for our respective communities, in Greensboro and beyond.

 

* read more about the little free library, here.and the little free food pantry, here.

Blueberries. Blueberries, Blueberries!

Planting edibles gives us beauty and food and they grow well in Greensboro. As we quarantine in place, it is fun to watch the blueberries as they morph from blossoms, to green berries, to blue berries, ripe and ready to pick. Not only the berries, but the mid level height, make blueberry bushes a dream come true for birds. We've got about another month before it is blueberry season. There are a few blueberry farms in Greensboro and Guilford County.

Seeing these blueberries reminds us that Betty Cone, perhaps Greensboro's greatest civic servant, has a blueberry farm. Betty stepped down from her orchestrating of the Festival of Lights and the Fun Fourth Festival to work at Cone's Folly, the family's blueberry farm in Pender County. That was about four years ago. We need to check in with Betty to see if she's got her blueberry jelly marketed yet.*

Happy Tuesday, and remember, plant edibles!

*If you want to read about Betty Cone's journey to growing blueberries read Mary Burritt's article in the Greensboro News & Record from 2016, here.

 

Super G Mart

Super G Mart is an international grocery store on West Market Street. It is the largest in North Carolina and offers selections of foods and spices that can be hard to find in most grocery stores.

They provide a wide array of foods for different many ethnic groups. You can find food and spices from virtually every continent (well, maybe not Antartica).  We went yesterday to purchase essentials and the shelves were well stocked.  A wide variety of chicken, beans, rice, and every kind of pasta and noodle you can imagine were on the shelves. Employees were helpful and used gloves and masks at the checkout counter, and hand sanitizer was available for in-store use.

If you need staples for your pantry and absolutely cannot remain in quarantine because you need food, consider shopping at Super G Mart, if you don't already. You may even want to purchase something that you have never tried before and expand your international cooking skills while you are spending more time at home.

HICAPS, Winston-Salem, and Cheesecakes by Alex

Great things continue to happen on Trade Street in Winston-Salem. You may ask what a street in the next county over has to do with Greensboro. Well, the answer is, a lot! Since 2002, Alex Amoroso has been baking cheesecakes at Cheesecakes by Alex on Elm Street. His business continues to grow as does his lineup of cheesecakes. He now has 24 varieties of cheesecake. Alex, a Western High School graduate, is expanding his business to Winston-Salem. HICAPS, headquartered in Greensboro,  has the contract for the Winston project. They also helped Alex when the Greensboro location expanded in 2015 (see here).

HICAPS, a full-service project management company, was established in 1984 by Dan Hood. He and his family have been an integral part of the Greensboro community for over thirty years. HICAPS has worked on many exciting projects, including the renovation of the Piedmont Triad International Airport. Whether it is a public project or a private endeavor, HICAPS has a reputation for meticulously minding every detail. Soon, if you are in Winston, eating cheesecake on Trade street, you can know the community has Greensboro to thank for the experience- from concept to completion. Congratulations Alex and HICAPS!

Common Grounds Coffee Shop

Common Grounds Coffee Shop on South Elam Avenue in Lindley Park is one of those local, goo-to spaces when you want to get some work done and get out of the house at the same time. They also have a lot of local, live music. They are known for their specialty coffee drinks with creative names. They also offer a few sweet snacks.

If you are out today, head over to the corner of Elam and Walker and enjoy the vibe. Start your day at the Corner Market and then head over for a cup of coffee. Saturdays can be so much fun in Greensboro. Note the calendar on the wall at Common Ground. At least stop by and see what you might want to attend. Happy Saturday! Happy February 29th. It is Leap Year!!!!!!!!

MACHETE Food Experience Goes Brick and Mortar

MACHETE  for the last few years has been  a series of private,  dinner  party feasts, held  in Tal and Nicole Blevins'  home. The  multi-course, globally-inspired  meals are getting  rave reviews. This  metropolitan, underground  dinner concept  is about to go brick-and-mortar.  The above photo shows a painter  preparing the facade  of the building for MACHETE. Formerly, the  space  housed  Crafted: The Art  of Street Food.

Many of the  people  involved in this venture  are under 30 years old  and already have received  considerable experience and accolades. How wonderful  when  people figure out their passions early in life and  then  begin  their dream careers.  As  for MACHETE,  it will  add so  much to  the northeast quadrant of the downtown food  scene. Soon,  we will be craving food  combinations we didn't even know existed!

Read a fabulous  and detailed review about MACHETE, here, in Yes!  Weekly.

Deep Roots Co-Op Grocery Store

Deep  Roots Co-op  has been on Eugene  Street for a few years now,  having relocated from Spring Garden Street. The  downtown store is so  nice and they have a  hot  bar. If you are downtown and need  a healthy,  quick  meal or  just a snack (and nice  clean bathrooms), stop here.  You don't have to  be a member to  shop at Deep Roots, and the uncharge for non-members is only  5%.

Deep  Roots also holds many interesting community events  in their community  room in  the front of the store. Also, if you notice in the above photo, there were vendors  set up  out  front this  past Saturday.  While the  large corporate options for healthy food are nice, nothing  beats a local,  community-owned option.  Deep  Roots  feels  "old-school"  in a way that is comfortable and inviting. Shop there  a few times and it will start to feel like the Cheers-bar of  grocery stores.  Happy Tuesday!

Thomas Gourmet Foods and Yummy Sauces

Thomas  Gourmet Foods is located at 4500  Green  Point  Drive  on  West Market  Street, near Gallimore Dairy Road. They  were established in 1971,  known for  making one special  sauce. This original  flavor enhances  flavor  when used on  just about any  savory food. Now, Thomas  boasts having  over 20  sauces.

Mr.  and Mrs.  Thomas married in the mid-1930s and went on  to  have  six  sons, requiring a  considerable amount of food to  be cooked daily in  the Thomas  household. Next time you are looking for sauces, consider trying  one from Thomas, the ultimate in keeping your purchases local.  Keep  your eye  out  for  one of these  beautifully-decorated trucks out on the road! Happy Friday; happy exploring. Please enjoy your weekend  and  start thinking about how  you can serve and give back on  Monday,  for the Martin  Luther  King, Jr.  holiday.

Night Sky

Once we  accept the darkness  of winter  and the long  nights, they can actually take on a beautiful aura. Winter nights  are cozy when spent  in  the warmth of family and friends. The above photo features a recent night  sky over  South Holden  Road.  In the upper right hand corner, you can see  a crescent moon with a planet shining  brightly above it.  

Tonight is Saturday night and Greensboro will have plenty of options for entertainment. One  fun  event will be the live music of  Jakobs Ferry  Stragglers at Little Brother Brewing downtown Greensboro- at the corner of McGee and  South Elm. This  group hails  from West Virginia,Pennsylvania, and Maryland and, if you like spending time downtown as  well  as live music, this is a great option. Besides,  while last night  was  a full moon, if it is not too cloudy tonight, you should  be  able to enjoy  your  evening dancing by  the light of the almost-full  moon!  Happy Saturday!

Embur Fire Fusion

The above photo features the scene in the front window of the restaurant, Embur Fire Fusion, located 107 Smyres Place. The food is cooked Peruvian style with a brick oven for making Italian style pizza. Their specialty is chaufa, a Peruvian chicken dish with vegetables and rice. The green and yellow sauces they serve with their food are tasty and unique for the Greensboro area. The purple wall above defines the bar area at the center of the room.

Smyres Place is located just off Friendly Avenue, between where Southern Lights and Hams were located years ago. This is the time of year where friends meet up for the holidays. Arriving at Embur and seeing that wall of purple light somehow balances the darkness of Greensboro winter. The taste of warm, arroz chaufa with chicken or steak goes well with a "chicha morada" a Peruvian purple corn beverage. 

With First Friday tonight downtown Greensboro, the holiday parade tomorrow, and so many other events on this December weekend, we hope you get downtown and also have a chance to try out a new place or two... Embur, perhaps.

Communal Dining

Yesterday, the CBS Sunday Morning Show featured a segment on redefining dining where malls are redesigning empty space into dining destinations. Often, in these spaces, people who don't know each other sit together. The above photo features the chef cooking at Sapporo Fantasy Japanese Steak and Seafood House.

Sapporo, located on North Battleground Avenue in the same plaza as EarthFare, has been open for at least a couple of decades. They have seating people the communal dining format long before it was trending. Usually 8-10 people are seated around the hibachi grill and the chef comes in and performs his culinary magic for the whole table. By the end of the meal, chances are everyone at the table enjoyed the evening. Also, it is very likely someone is having a birthday. The crew will come out and sing for you.

Even though we don't have a destination food hall yet, it is nice to have places like Sapporo where eating together makes people more inclined to enjoy the experience and talk, rather than being on their phones. As they say in Japanese, before eating a meal, Itadakimasu!

Trader Joe's Opens

Trader Joe's has been trying to open a store in the Greensboro market for several years now. Yesterday, that goal became a reality and the above photo shows the hustle and bustle at the Brassfield store on Battleground Avenue. Business was steady all day. The whole event felt a little like Black Friday shopping as customers pushed their carts around finding their TJ favorites and looking for some pumpkin spice flavored items. The staff was exuberant, as were the customers. The police at the entrance were ensuring that people were able to cross the street safely.

As hard as Trader Joe's worked to open a store near Friendly Center, at the end of the day, it seems like a good thing to spread the wealth and open on North Battleground. The Brassfield Shopping Center was busier today than it has been in a very long time, which was a good thing! From the cut flowers as you enter the store to the rows and rows of specialty items, everything is masterfully displayed. TJ knows their demographic. Go to their website, here.

Welcome!

Trader Joe's Grocey Store is Coming to Brassfield!

The first Trader Joe's grocery store opened in Pasadena California in 1967. Fast forward fifty-two years and Greensboro is getting its first Trader Joe's. The company has been trying to find a space in Greensboro for a few years. You may remember that they were trying to build a store near Friendly Center. At last they have found a space in Brassfield Shopping Center.

Trader Joe's is known for its food and drink selections from around the world. People in Greensboro are no longer going to have to drive to Winston-Salem for fall leaf tortilla chips, cinnamon bun spread, Ube ice cream, outside-in stuffed gnocchi, broccoli & kale pizza, and more! Brass field Cinema has the best price in town. Brassfield has struggled with occupancy since Phar-Mor Drug Store closed nearly 20 years ago. Trader Joe's should be just the right store for the plaza. Before you know it, people can shop bargains at Stein-Mart, buy specialty groceries at Trader Joe's and take in a movie, all without moving the car. How fun!

Farmers' Market Day

Happy Saturday! It is a great day to head to one of Greensboro's many farmers markets to purchase produce and interest with great people who are very connected to the land and eating local. The above photo was taken at the Sandy Ridge Farmers ' Market out by the interstate. The stand is filled with items from Burton Farms of Davie County NC. If you go to the market, you will find many great options and you will be helping someone who is local. Have a great weekend. For most, this is considered the last weekend of summer. Time to put away bathing suits and white shoes and start bracing yourself for a flood of pumpkin spice flavored foods and beverages-- in town and at the farmers' market as well.

Food Truck Festival Street Scene

Today, another #DGSO scene of the August Food Truck Festival, held this past Sunday. Yesterday, we featured founder/organizer Shari Kumiega. Today, we show the Market Street side of the festival, as it was winding down, but when the sky was such a spectacular shade of blue. The yellow truck on the right served soft-serve ice cream. The red truck was 454 Grill, based out of Raleigh. Formerly a SnapOn tool truck, the 454 Grill serves up great food and gets high ratings.

To the left, out of sight, is a row of event tables where people of all walks of life gathered. If you are following the findings about the surprising benefits of talking to strangers (BBC article here), you can imagine how easy it was to strike up conversations with people during this event. People struck up conversations with others waiting in the same line, with others sitting at the same table, and with those who had the same breed of dog. Super popular at Sunday's festival was the Japanese hunting dog, the shiba inu. The next downtown event that will bring together food trucks and people from all walks of life is the North Carolina Folk Festival, September 6-8.

Downtown Greensboro Food Truck Festival

On Sunday, the Food Truck Festival was held in downtown Greensboro. The weather was perfect for spending time going from truck to truck sampling foods to fit all palates; from vegan to gluten free to meat-lover specials and everything in between. The community owes the festival to Shari Kumiega, photographed on the left above.

Shari organized the first festival in 2012. It was held on Spring Garden Street with fifteen food trucks participating. The festival has grown to a twice-yearly event (April and August) with 60 trucks participating. Shari, who moved to the Greensboro area from Massachusetts 9 1/2 years ago, came to Polo Farms to ride and train horses, and to judge horse shows. The Food Truck Festival began as a community building effort that she did almost on a whim. Today, Shari has moved from the farm and has built a business out of organizing food truck festivals throughout the region. Next up are events in Winston-Salem, Danville, and Burlington. Before you know it, it will be time for the April event in downtown Greensboro. If you get a chance, stop at the booth at the corner of Greene and Market Streets, meet Shari, and thank her for starting this wonderful community event. #waytogoShari, #DGSO!

O. Henry Hotel & Green Valley Grill

The O. Henry Hotel and Green Valley Grill, established in 1998, were both busy last night. The evening air was hot and balmy. The restaurant and bar were full of people out celebrating the weekend. Shortly before 9:00 p.m., the rain fell, and the wind was blowing rather fiercely. Fortunately, at the hotel and restaurant, the power didn't go out. For those only eating, it was a good place to wait out the storm. While all the guests were warm and cozy enjoying the evening, the outdoor areas of the property, including this courtyard, were hauntingly empty during the downpour.

Temperatures dropped to 63 degrees by early this morning and today will be significantly cooler. Enjoy your Saturday, and know that once the sun sets around 8:00 p.m. tonight, it could possibly rain again. When one is able to enjoy the rain from a dry, safe place, the views are hauntingly beautiful.