First Friday Events in Downtown Greensboro for June 7, 2019

It's a new month—time for another First Friday, a downtown Greensboro tradition featuring live music, art happenings, and special events. The current forecast for this coming Friday evening is low 70s, with a possibly of isolated showers later (after 8pm). Looks like great temperatures for walking around; maybe have a light jacket handy. If things get wet, you can always pop into one of the many venues that are set on entertaining you for the evening!

This month's events and locations:

Aspen Boutique – 227 S. Elm Street (across from Triad Stage) will be featuring beach-scene necklaces handmade by Huntersville, NC artist Rosa Muro, and singer and guitarist Ben Singer will be at the boutique playing live. Come sip some wine, listen, and browse, and while you're there, ask about the upcoming yoga class on Saturday, June 15^th . https://www.facebook.com/AspenGSO/

beerthirty Crafts on Tap – 505 N. Greene Street (between Smith and Paisley) – will feature live music from 7pm-10pm by Bruce Drake and Brooke Johnson, known as Starstruck Acoustic Duo. They are a local band who play all over the Triad and perform hits from Tom Petty, Pink, Adele, Little Big Town, The Outfield, Kelly Clarkson, Fleetwood Mac and many more! Also the bottle cap artwork of house artist Mike Valle of ReCaps will be on display and for sale, as well as pieces by local artists Laurie Mendenhall and Helen Palmenteri. https://www.facebook.com/beerthirtygso/

Center for Visual Arts (CVA) –200 N. Davie Street will hold its annual 100 for 100 fundraiser from 6-9pm. This year, CVA's annual art fundraiser will feature one-of-a-kind artworks created by notable local artists Hillary Clement, John Gall, Cindy Hawkes, Jack Stratton, Jasmine Best, Krystal Hart, Nancy Radtke, Amy Gordon, and many others. Every piece is 10"x10" and costs only $100. The event is free to attend and will feature special entertainment by dancers, the Moving Canvas interactive art display, and more.

Elsewhere – 606 S. Elm Street (near intersection with Lewis St) – It's Pride month, and Elsewhere is hosting a celebration of Pride and the 50^th anniversary of Stonewall. The Living Museum will showcase and screen selected works by past LGBTQIA+ residents. Suggested admission $5.

GreenHill Gallery – 200 N. Davie Street (in the Greensboro Cultural Center, across from CVA, above) Walk-through tour of “Bliss”, Kristen Baumlier-Faber’s installation on salty, sweet and fatty foods, from 6:00-6:30pm, live music by classically trained guitarist, Stephanie Arcos, from 6:30-7:30, and at 7:30, Art Alliance instructors will share about their mini-exhibition "Influence," on view in GreenHill's shop. Suggested donation for entry. Cash bar available. More info at www.GreenHillNC.org/SWEET

Greensboro Children's Museum - (across from the Main Library) - Climb on XXL Neptune Climbers, build forts in Imagination Station and more at the Greensboro Children's Museum for just $3 per person from 5:00- 8:00pm. Kona Ice of Greensboro will be at the Museum selling sweet treats!

Greensboro Downtown Yoga - 219 Summit Avenue (between E Lindsay and N Church, next to former location of the Flat Iron) will host a First Friday Fundraiser to benefit Jan's Animal Rescue! Brittany Carty will lead this fun and relaxing Friday evening yoga class for beginners and seasoned yogis alike. To get a spot in the class, you can donate ANY amount you choose; all proceeds will go to Jan's Animal Rescue in Greensboro! Jan's Animal Rescue "helps dogs and cats go from life-threatening situations to a loving home" in the Greensboro area. https://www.jansanimalrescue.org/

Oscar Oglethorpe - 226 S. Elm Street (next to Triad Stage and across from Aspen, above) will partner with Reconsidered Goods to host a fun and free DIY workshop for all ages. Participate from 5pm-8pm on First Friday to learn how to make super cute felt succulents, either to take home or to become part of a permanent display in the store. Materials as well as snacks and drinks will be provided; just bring your creativity!

Preyer Brewing - 600 Battleground Avenue (next to Crafted: The Art of Street Food and across from Deep Roots Market) will host First Friday Jazz, featuring Wally West, Kevin Timmons, and Will "MoBetta" Ledbetter. In addition, Western Guilford High School Jazz Ensemble will be having a CD release party! They'll have CDs for sale as a fundraising effort for the music program at WGHS, and musicians from the WGHS Stinger Jazz Ensemble will be performing in several small configurations during the evening. Admission is free.

Downtown Greensboro is happening, and even moreso on First Fridays, so bring your family and friends for a fun-filled evening of food, spirits, creativity, and entertainment this Friday, June 7^th!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Image from Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/brushes-painter-work-shop-bowl-3129361/

Greensboro’s 9th Annual Run 4 the Greenway a Smashing Success with "Go Green" Theme

Held this year on Saturday, October 27^th at Morehead Park on the Downtown Greenway, the Run 4 the Greenway event featured both a one-mile-long costumed walk/run and “doggie jog” and a four-mile-long road race, with routes that wound around downtown Greensboro, past water stations and cheering crowds, to Morehead Park, where an awards ceremony followed. There was also a costume contest, with prizes for the best adult, kid, and dog costumes, to add to the fun! It all culminated in a big party, with music, entertainment, kid’s activities, and food. There was even a beer garden available for the adult guests.

This year’s theme was ‘Go Green’sboro, incorporating environmentally-friendly features. One of the corporate sponsors was Unifi Manufacturing, Inc., a company headquartered in Greensboro that recycles plastic bottles into polyester yarn called REPREVE (more info on REPREVE here: https://repreve.com/ ). It can be used to make all sorts of things, including the t-shirts that were given to runners and volunteers for the event. Each shirt contained five water bottles’ worth of recycled PET plastic, and was wonderfully soft and comfy, with a great design and colors, as you can see from the picture. Unifi also provided a big green recycling bin where people could exchange their water bottles for environmentally-friendly, reusable stainless steel straws provided by Brooks Pierce, a local law firm. Everyone was getting in on the green action!

The Greenway is a planned four-mile loop of pedestrian and biking trails around downtown Greensboro that features public art and some nice green spaces for people to enjoy while getting some fresh air and exercise. It is partially completed, and recently a new section opened along Bragg Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Five Points, where Freeman Mill Road meets Gate City Blvd. The trail continues through Morehead Park up to Spring Garden Street. There is also a section open in the northern part of the loop, along Smith, Eugene, and Fisher Streets between Spring and Greene Streets, around LoFi Park. 

Laura Lorenz, Downtown Greenway Assistant & Campaign Manager and Run 4 the Greenway Race Director, reported that with over 250 runners, walkers, and party-goers, it was a great event, and she is looking forward to next year's event, which will feature new race routes and a new location. Looks like we're keepin' it fresh as well as keepin' it green! Here is the link for the Greenway project website: http://downtowngreenway.org/

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Photograph provided courtesy of Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. 

Apps that Help People Get Around in Greensboro

Three smartphone applications, or apps, make getting around Greensboro easier than ever!

For drivers, there is Parkmobile, an app that is now being accepted by downtown meters and at three city-owned surface parking lots. Download the app for your Android, iPhone, or Windows phone, follow instructions for setting up payment method, and then you can simply use the app wherever you see the green Parkmobile sign on the meter or nearby the pay point. Learn more at www.greensboro-nc.gov/Parkmobile

For riders, you can use the Transloc app to get real-time information on GTA (Greensboro Transit Authority) and HEAT (Higher Education Area Transit) buses. Transloc will let you see the estimated arrival time of your bus. For more information, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/BusTracker

You've also probably seen the nifty new yellow-and-green LimeBikes zipping around town or hanging out on handy street corners. These are rental bikes that are easy to pick up and go simply by using the LimeBike app. Great for short trips around town with no having to buy or maintain a bike of your own. Great exercise and good for the environment, too! Find out how it works at https://www.limebike.com/#lime

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Smartphone image from Pixabay https://pixabay.com/en/iphone-smartphone-apps-apple-inc-410311/

Downtown Greensboro First Friday Events for June 3rd

GreenHill arts center, 200 North Davie Street (near the corner of Davie and Friendly Ave), celebrates First Friday from 6-9pm, featuring a performance by gospel singer Mary D. Williams from 6:30-7:30. Also at GreenHill this month is the exhibition Influence, a collaboration with Art Alliance Greensboro, featuring ceramics, sculpture and works in 2D by a dozen Art Alliance instructors. The First Friday celebration will also serve as the opening for the Influence exhibit, which runs through the end of June. Cash bar. Admission is free, but donations gratefully accepted. 

The International Civil Rights Center & Museum, 134 South Elm Street (in the historic Woolworth Building) celebrates June as Black Music Appreciation month with a live performance by Smooth Grooves, and will also host a silent auction for the ICRCM Annual Golf Classic. Admission to this event is free to the public.

Chakras Spa and Salon will host its First Friday event with drinks and refreshments art by Sarah McClinton, and music by Kim Kennedy & Mandy Brooke. Chakras is offering a 15% discount at any spa or salon services scheduled by event attendees. See my feature article on Chakras Spa and Salon here:  http://whatsgoodingreensboro.blogspot.com/2014/12/chakras-spa-is-delight-for-senses-and.html

Elements Gallery, 526 S. Elm Street, an artists' cooperative gallery, will feature a fifth-anniversary celebration on First Friday with a wine-tasting, food, and live music among a display of member artists' work, featuring pottery, jewelry, and other handicrafts. 

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Image from Pixabay https://pixabay.com/en/music-jam-guitar-lady-girl-844869/

Greensboro's Next "First Friday" is October 2

First Friday has been a tradition in downtown Greensboro for quite a few years, now, but for visitors and new residents who haven't gotten the memo yet, this is the memo: Join downtown businesses as they put on an "open house", featuring even more special specials, more active activities, and more chill chillin', as you walk around, enjoying the party atmosphere. Typical for First Fridays: sidewalk sales, street musicians, gallery shows, special readings and performances.

There will be many participants, as always, but check out the following special events:

• The International Civil Rights Center & Museum at 134 South Elm Street will feature College Night from 6p - 8p, with free admission and performances by students from local colleges

 

• Urban Grinders at 116 N Elm Street will feature "Sprayday", an art exhibit by Tony Waldron, a Durham-based artist and UNCG grad who creates his works with "street" materials such as spray paint and markers

• Greenhill at 200 N Davie Street, is featuring music by local band Raving Knaves, playing rock and roll with a 50s-style, Chuck Berry influence. Band will play from 630p - 730p; free admission (cash bar)

• co//ab at 229 N Greene Street will be giving tours and answering questions about the space from 530p - 8p. Find out what coworking is all about!

• Chakras Spa at 229 S Elm Street will have an art show and competition featuring original art created on skateboard decks. With music by Winston Salem's DJ SK and food and drink by Castle Catering, this sounds like quite the party! Free admission, 730p - 10p

• Just Be at 352 S Elm will host Russian textile artist Aida Brodt for a meet-and-greet from 6p-9p, showcasing Brodt's work for sale in the store

Also happening on First Friday this coming Friday, October 2, will be jazz at The Worx, art and exploration at Elsewhere, reggae at VybzNation, and much more. Come party downtown Greensboro and join in the fun! 

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Image is my own photo of Chakras Spa. Read my article about Chakras here  http://whatsgoodingreensboro.blogspot.com/2014/12/chakras-spa-is-delight-for-senses-and.html

Greensboro Downtown Residents' Association Will Hold the 2015 Sip-n-Stroll on April 11th

The 2015 Sip-n-Stroll is a tour of Greensboro's finest downtown establishments serving wine and craft beers. Strollers will enjoy tastings of beer and wine, and many participating venues will be featuring drink and appetizer specials, as well. The Sip-n-Stroll will take place from 1-5pm on Saturday, April 11th, after which Strollers will enjoy a concert from 5-7pm at The Railyard featuring a performance by Empty Pocket. 

Tickets are $30 until March 28th, $35 from March 29th to April 10th and $40 on April 11th. Ticket price includes a souvenir event tasting glass, two tastings of wine/beer from each participating location and admission to the after concert at The Railyard. Tickets for the 2015 Sip-n-Stroll can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-sip-n-stroll-a-downtown-greensboro-craft-beer-wine-experience-tickets-15867034728 .

Among the participants in the 2015 Sip-n-Stroll are Scuppernong Books (click here for more info), The Pour House, The Worx, Spice Cantina, Crafted! The Art of the Taco (click here for more info), Gibb's Hundred, Mellow Mushroom, Liberty Oak, Beer Co., Zeto Wines, Cafe Europa, Stumble Stilskins, and more.

So come to downtown Greensboro for a fun stroll, some fine food and drink, and some entertainment on a spring afternoon / evening. It's a great way to celebrate! 

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Sip-n-Stroll logo used with permission. 

Crafted! The Art of the Taco, is Not a Mexican Restaurant. But Oh, What it Is!

Crafted! is located at 219-A South Elm Street (near the intersection with February One, across from Inferno nightclub). Open 11am - 2pm Monday, 11am - 10pm Tuesday through Saturday; and 11am – 3pm Sunday.


I had the great pleasure of visiting downtown Greensboro's very own Crafted! and meeting and speaking with co-owners Rhonda Fuller and her daughter, Kristina Fuller. Rhonda, vivacious and bubbly, socializes easily with customers and handles the business side of things, and Kristina, full of knowledge and expertise about food, is the culinary wizard behind the amazing menu. They emphasize that Crafted! is not a Mexican restaurant, but a restaurant that features “globally-inspired creations, housed conveniently in a tortilla shell.” Kristina is a big advocate for the tortilla, deeming it to be a more or less perfect container for all kinds of great food.

Of course, even though Crafted! is well-known for its fantastic tacos, whimsically named after hipster gear (the Fedora, Bow Tie and Messenger are as de rigeur to eat as they are to wear, now!), there is so much more available on the menu: The restaurant features mouth-watering burgers, such as the immensely popular One and Only, a beef burger topped with aged white cheddar pimento cheese, bacon and caramelized onions, and such cool appetizers as the Stuffed Avocado and the Mason of Bacon, a mason jar full of sliced applewood bacon with salted caramel, cracked pepper and spicy chocolate that often ends up as dessert selection, as well! The food is complimented by selections from the bar—best-sellers include the bacon bloody mary, the jalapeno margarita, and the orange-ginger margarita, which sounds amazing.

Although tacos like the Fixie and the Big Truck are perennial faves at Crafted!, Kristina also recommends the Oxford, which contains fried chicken, spaghetti squash slaw and spicy Asian mustard. I personally enjoyed the Bow Tie, a fried fish taco with roasted corn and poblano salsa, sweet chipotle aioli and honey mustard, garnished with fresh cilantro. The fragrance of the fresh cilantro, the crisp snap of the sweet corn and the crunchy, flavorful fish were an incredibly delicious combination of sweet and savory tastes, and although I am fairly sensitive to spicy food, Scots-Irish gal that I am, the heat from this was only a whisper, just enough to add personality. I washed my meal down with a Diet Pepsi, which was served charmingly in a mason jar.

The whole restaurant is charming, really—the colorful walls and funky artwork, including recycled-materials sculpture, the upbeat music and friendly atmosphere all combine to make it an awesome place for hanging out, maybe after a show at Triad Stage or a mani-pedi at Chakras. And don't forget Sunday brunch! Downtown Greensboro is really waking up on weekends, these days and a great way to kick off a day of shopping and gallery-hopping downtown is to stop in at Crafted! for Sunday brunch. The menu differs from their regular offerings and can be viewed here http://craftedtheartofthetaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Crafted-Brunch.pdf. What better excuse to try a bacon bloody mary? Crafted! is a great place for everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions, as the menu was created to be hypo-allergenic (no nuts in anything), vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, and even offers gluten-free options. Kristina says that 85% of the menu can be made vegan, and it still offers plenty of savory meat substitutes and proteins, like seitan, tofu and falafel.

I was excited to hear that, in February, Rhonda and Kristina plan to expand Crafted! to another location, across from Deep Roots Market in the old Steele and Vaughn building. In addition to the restaurant, there will be a brewery, and there will be more open space and much more seating (about one and a half times as much, including outdoor seating) at the new location. They will also have an area that can be reserved for private parties as well as regular restaurant patrons. Speaking of private parties I'll bet you didn't know that Crafted! offers catering, as well, so if you want their fantastic food at your wedding, graduation party or business meeting, they can bring it to you, and even set it up and serve it. They offer a range of selections, from a simple-yet-tasty taco bar to a more “designer” menu, fully-customized to your needs.

Above all, the gospel at Crafted! is quality, freshness, and great taste. The kitchen staff arrives early in the morning to begin prep work for the 11am opening. All the food is freshly prepared from fresh ingredients, the choicest-quality meats are braised overnight for tenderness and infusion of flavor, and all of this passion for quality shines through in the food, from the appetizing presentation and delicious fragrance to the burst of flavor in every delicious bite. All of this comes at a very reasonable price, so stop in to Greensboro's finest taco joint and have some of the yummiest food around. Tell them Ali sent ya!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Cheesecakes by Alex Serves Up Happiness

Cheesecakes by Alex is located at 315 S, Elm Street (just south of Washington Street, across from Blu Martini and Scuppernong Books). Hours are Tuesday & Wednesday 7:30am – 9pm, Thursday & Friday 7:30am – 11pm, Saturday 9am – 11pm, and Sunday 10am – 9pm.


Alex R. Amoroso, Jr. loves what he does. You can tell by the way he delightedly greets guests, schmoozing and joking with the regulars, and by the sparkle in his eye when he talks about his business, the eponymous Cheesecakes by Alex. From a hobby pursued at home to a booth at the Greensboro Farmer's Curb Market on Yanceyville Street to an honest-to-goodness bakery cafe that has become a Greensboro institution with its cheerful awning, gorgeous brick patio with al fresco seating and its fabulously long hours (I have been known to crave cheesecake at 10pm, and I'll bet you have, too). With the bustle of activity at the counter, the smells of pastries and fresh-brewed coffee wafting through the air and Frank Sinatra on the sound system, this place feels like your favorite hangout in New York City, except—lucky you!—it's right here in Greensboro.

As one could guess, Cheesecakes by Alex offers specialty cheesecakes in a wide variety of flavors (they currently offer 20 different flavors, and Mother Murphy's Extracts makes custom flavors just for them), but the store is also a genuine patisserie, with pastries such as muffins, eclairs, and traditional scones (moist, biscuit-looking treats, not those horribly dry triangles you find at other places). Also popular are the layer cakes, sold whole or by the slice, and there is a large menu of specialty coffees, as well as a selection of other beverages. Even the cheesecakes themselves come with various options: Alex offers sugar-free cheesecake, sweetened with xylitol (although xylitol is perfectly safe for humans, please don't share with your canine companion, as it can be harmful to dogs). In addition, Cheesecakes by Alex also makes gluten-free cheesecake. See? There's no reason to miss out on the goodness!

Cheesecakes by Alex was established at the former location of Simple Kneads in December of 2002 as a natural outgrowth of Alex's very popular booth at the Farmer's Curb Market, which he supplied by baking his treats at home. But now that he has a commercial baker's kitchen, he can serve the needs of more cheesecake-craving, scone-munching customers. However, business is so good that another expansion is in the works, planned for Spring of next year, which will physically expand the current location into the building next door. Not only will this provide more seating, including a banquet room for private parties, it will also allow Alex to increase his product line. Currently, Cheesecakes by Alex offers homemade bread only at the Farmer's Curb Market (try the sourdough, a fan favorite), but the expansion of the kitchen facility will enable the bakery to produce fresh bread on location. In addition, Alex anticipates being open seven days a week at the new location, for those of us who slink wistfully by the place on Mondays.

Cheesecakes by Alex is in full swing for the holidays, with special new seasonal treats: Currently available is an egg nog cheesecake and a bourbon butter pecan cheesecake, and Alex is developing a pineapple sage layer cake, coming soon. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that in addition to being a wonderful bakery cafe, Cheesecakes by Alex can also provide made-to-order baked goods for private parties and events (they will work with your caterer and will even deliver your order to the location). They also ship nationwide, so if Great Aunt Sheila in Idaho needs her cheesecake fix, some yumminess from Cheesecakes by Alex could be a great Christmas present—order soon!

I loved the ambiance of this shop. The sales area is open to the kitchen, so one can watch the staff busy at work while waiting on line, and the indoor dining room is filled with wonderful original artwork. It was a little cold during my visit for outdoor seating, but the lovely and spacious brick patio with its charming Mediterranean feel looks like a great place to sit and visit with friends over a post-shopping scone or late-night dessert. It's no wonder that Alex loves his work, because he is in the business of making people happy, and he is doing a smashing job.

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Chakras Spa is a Delight for the Senses and a Business with Heart

Chakras Spa is located in downtown Greensboro at 229 S. Elm Street ( across from Triad Stage, near the intersection with Washington Street). Hours: 8:30am – 5pm Monday, 8:30am – 8pm Tuesday through Friday, and 8:30a - 5pm Saturday; Currently, extended holiday hours for Saturday and Sunday are 8:30am – 8pm Saturday and 12pm – 5pm Sunday.

Simply walking into Chakras Spa is an amazing sensory experience. The eyes are drawn immediately to the striking, twenty-plus-foot sculptured waterfall fountain that dominates the main floor, but casting a look around, there are plenty of other visual delights to take in, from attractive product displays, stylish furnishings, and colorful, yet tasteful, Christmas decorations to the building itself, a beautiful old Greensboro classic that has been painstakingly appointed under the aegis of owner Timothy Smith. The soaring ceilings, hardwood floors and artfully-exposed brick lend an air of elegance and style.

But the treats are not all for your eyes: The ears delight at the burbling splash of the fountain and perk up at the kicky, alterna-pop music playing (think She Wants Revenge, Passion Pit, The Bird and the Bee). Delicious fragrances waft through the air, spicy and redolent of green florals; definitely not the chemical smells that permeate some salons. But Chakras Spa is so much more than a hair and nail salon. Chakras is a full-service spa, offering massage therapy, facials, wraps, and other skin treatment, hydrotherapy, and aromatherapy, as well as a full range of beauty treatments, from hair and nails to waxing and professional makeup consultation and application. Chakras doesn't limit these beauty treatments just to women, either; it is the only spa to offer a Brazilian wax for men, and men are also welcome to visit for a makeup consultation, whether they be transgendered and in transition to female, or just want to learn how to enhance their appearance with cosmetics, either for play or for daily wear.


I spoke with Operations Manager David Simthong and owner Timothy Smith about the products and services available at Chakras, as well as a bit of the history and the community relationships that the spa has built (the other Operations Manager, who was off at the time, is Rachel Harvell). Chakras has been at its current location since 2000, but was born of a salon on State Street named Panache. When the original owner of that salon passed away, it was inherited by then-manager Sheila Paquette, who moved it to the Elm Street location. In 2011, she sold it to Timothy Smith. Timothy, who went to school in Paris, brings insider knowledge of the top-quality European products that many Americans have yet to discover—until they step into Chakras, that is. In addition, Chakras has a generous charitable spirit, working with organizations like earlier.org to raise awareness and promote early testing; Chakras also works with cancer patients to help them cope with the skin and hair changes brought on by chemotherapy, and the salon donates complementary haircuts to the women of Delancey Street every year. Timothy mentioned that he is open to the idea of hosting a cancer support group at Chakras, so if you are an organizer of such a group, you should touch base, and you should find him quite receptive.

I was treated to a full tour of Chakras, and it's truly an enjoyable place, from the large, airy salon on the first floor to the more hushed, tranquil atmosphere of the second floor, which is lushly furnished with antiques and currently hosting myriad beautiful holiday decorations. The second floor features the spa services, and I was particularly impressed with the hydrotherapy room, the couples massage area, and “The Nest”, a comfy window seat piled with pillows where clients fresh from their massages or skin treatments can curl up in a fluffy robe, sip some tea and read a magazine or gaze out over Elm Street. There is also a parking lot for the spa located behind the building (off Davie Street), so it's not necessary to fight the crowds for a primo spot on Elm Street.

The most popular service at Chakras Spa is the “Go Deep” massage, a deep-tissue massage that relaxes and refreshes, but another service that  is recommended highly is the Rossiter stretching technique, a two-person stretching session conducted by senior massage therapist Scott Hunt. David and Timothy both offered testimonials to its effectiveness in alleviating long-term discomfort and giving a feeling of rejuvenation. All of the massage therapists at Chakras Spa are fully licensed and have many years of experience—a minimum of ten years' experience is required before Chakras will even consider accepting an application for a massage therapist position. The hair stylists at the salon are highly trained, as well, studying with master stylist Oribé in New York, as well as training with House of Bumble. The Oribé and Bumble+Bumble product lines are carried at Chakras, as well as the popular Aveda line.

In light of all this luxury and pampering, you might think that getting a salon or spa service at Chakras is only for the wealthy few, but there are some services that are very affordable. Hair services start as low as $30 for a cut or $55 for color, and there are options for 30-minute massages as well as for hour-long sessions. There are new lower prices on manicures and pedicures, including an “express service”. Of course, spa treatments are always a welcome gift for those special loved ones who could use a bit of pampering, and with the holiday season upon us, it's nice to have an oasis of relaxation to step into. Timothy says to look for some special developments coming soon in the new year, and keep Chakras in mind after the holidays, as well—when First Fridays start back up again in the spring, join your friends at Chakras for live music, food and wine. Sounds divine!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Full of Charm and Warmth, Scuppernong Books on Elm Street Builds a Sense of Community

Scuppernong Books is located at 304 South Elm Street (just south of the intersection with Washington Street). Open 10am - 9pm Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; 10am – 10pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; and 12pm – 6pm Sunday.

The ambience at Scuppernong is wonderfully inviting. I stepped out of a cold, dreary morning into a warm, convivial atmosphere, appointed with attractive displays, festive décor, upbeat music, and smiling faces. Those would be the faces of store owners Brian Lampkin and Kira Larson, as well as some happy customers who were enjoying noshing at Scuppernong's food and wine bar and chatting on the comfy couches at the rear of the store. Everywhere you look, there is something interesting going on, from the decoupaged cafe tables to the striking original art on the walls (a new artist's work is featured each month, and yes, it's for sale).

Scuppernong Books opened in its current location on Elm Street in Greensboro on December 21^st, 2013. It is that very rare creature these days, an independent book store, but it is much more than that: An “eclectic literary bookstore”, as Brian puts it, Scuppernong is a seller of new books, from national best-sellers to books by local authors; a purveyor of fine comestibles, from organic coffee and tea and wine by the glass to hearty homemade sandwiches and sides (Brian gave me a menu, and I'm drooling over items such as the Smoked Gouda and Apple Sandwich and the Tomato Basil Salad); and a good place to find periodicals, reading glasses and other accessories, cards and notebooks. Everything a dedicated bibliophile might want, basically.

A best-selling item at Scuppernong Books is children's books. You might think a bookstore with a wine bar would cater to literary snobs who sip and read in a rarefied atmosphere, but think again; Scuppernong welcomes all, and is known for being kid-friendly, with story time every Tuesday morning, as well as other events that will appeal to children. The popularity of the kids' section is a given, but Brian suggests you also take time to check out the extensive poetry section, built with dedication and discernment by Kira. Scuppernong also hosts poetry events, as well. You may discover a new literary treasure!

Something people might be surprised to learn about Scuppernong Books is how “big city” this shop feels—not in that oh-so-happening urban-sophisticate way, but in the way that most large cities, like New York, Chicago, and Charleston, have some eclectic shops that are far more than just shops and more like social centers, with something going on all the time. Scuppernong captures that kind of cool-slash-boho vibe: trendy but not pretentious, smart but not snooty. Brian says that he has heard many new customers remark about how surprised they are that a place like this exists in Greensboro.

 Every month is packed full of events, from book signings and presentations to musical evenings, book club meetings, and Wit & Spark Trivia Night. Notable upcoming events include the Festival of Lights on December 5th, featuring “A Percussive Christmas” with marimba player Nathan Daughtrey and Friends, an afternoon with Marietta McCarthy, author of The Philosopher's Table, at 2 pm on December 7^th, and on December 22^nd at 6:30 pm, Scuppernong hosts Music Monday, featuring the Jazz Nomads.

Scuppernong offers memberships that entitle members to:

10% off new books;
20% off Scuppernong best-selling hardback books;
10% off coffee drinks;
periodic members-only specials; and
“an annual members-only party with tuba accompaniment”.

Sounds intriguing! If you are fond of tuba music or just like saving money on books and coffee, these memberships are available for $20 annually, or $100 for a lifetime membership.

If you haven't yet visited Scuppernong Books, be prepared to be delighted. Just a glance at the store's Facebook page speaks volumes about the great relationship they have built with their dedicated customers (one might easily call them “fans”), and Brian can't say enough about his enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, who truly enjoy what they do. Scuppernong is busily gearing up for the holidays, so stop in and discover this local gem. You'll be glad you did!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!


All photos (c) Ali McCartney

The Streetlights on Elm Street Have a Split Personality!

We locals can tell you that even though Wendover and Battleground Avenues, Holden Road, Gate City Boulevard and Market Street are definitely power players on the commercial thoroughfare scene, the real "Main Street, USA" of downtown Greensboro is Elm Street. It extends all the way from I-85 to Lake Jeanette, where it gets spun into oblivion by a traffic circle that magically turns it into Bass Chapel Road (with a side of Lake Jeanette Road), but the section that runs through downtown is the main drag (sorry, Davie, Friendly and Eugene--you know it's true!)

Fairly recently, new streetlights were installed  in the "shopping district" of Greensboro (I'm gonna say "fairly" because I noticed them last year and I think they were pretty new, and I am unwilling to pester the nice folks at the Streetlight Department to demand details). These nicely compliment all the cool little stores and restaurants that are enjoying a resurgence of popularity. These lights have a charming, decorative feel, especially when their hanging planters are attached and full of flowers, thus:

See how nicely that goes with the old brick building behind it?

Now, if you go a few blocks up the street--north of Market, say--you will be in the "business district", where there are a preponderance of banks, attorney's offices and suchlike. There, you will find the "serious" streetlights:

They aren't plain, but they certainly aren't "quaint"! They have a much more architectural feel.

At first I thought it was a little weird, like changing horses in midstream, that the streetlights on Elm Street suddenly changed "personalities". But now, I think it's just part of our charm, here in Greensboro!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!


Images are my own. They were taken with a prehistoric cellphone out my car window as I was driving, and they are just barely sufficient to illustrate this story. Thank you!

Downtown Greensboro, North Carolina, is Really Happening!

Get to Know the New Hot Spots Downtown

Wow, Greensboro's downtown sure has changed since I moved here! It used to be a few restaurants struggling amidst stuffy old used bookstores and secondhand shops. Most of the downtown "life" occurred during the day, when people were at work in all the office buildings and the few restaurants that existed mainly to serve them were open for lunch, but once 5 o'clock rolled around, the sidewalks basically got rolled up as folks drove back out to their suburban homes. Oh sure, there were a few interesting things, like Triad Stage and Carolina Theater, and a couple of neat little places like Thousands o' Prints and the yarn store, but there weren't a lot of reasons to hang around.

Cue the development blitz! Buildings were renovated into condos, and with people actually living downtown, there was a built-in customer base. More places started opening. More galleries! More stores! A good half-dozen actual nightclubs opened, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants. They finally finished restoring the old Woolworth store--the historical one, where the Greensboro Four, black college students from local A&T University, led a "sit-in" at the Woolworth lunch counter, which was segregated at the time--and turned it into the International Civil Rights Museum, thus adding to our downtown museum count, which also includes, among others, the Children's Museum, Blandwood Mansion, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum at UNCG (see my review of that here). We even have a spa downtown! And a bakery! 

All this has happened over the last decade or so, but in just the past couple of years, the momentum for new places seems to be growing--so many cool little boho stores, galleries and restaurants have opened on South Elm Street, I can barely keep track, and even more are coming. If you haven't visited downtown Greensboro in a while, you should come back and check it out. We'll keep the sidewalks unrolled for you! 

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Nighttime cityscape by Turboknowledge, from Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Greensboro_City_Scape.jpg