If Responsible City Leadership Welcomes Private Development – You’ve Got A Hit Song On Your Hands

Where responsible city leadership welcomes private development, the results have been fantastic. By working together for ‘a yes solution’ in their dealings with private investors, downtowns are saved and economic growth is stimulated. Elizabeth City and New Bern are examples of this kind of success; revitalization at its finest. Here in Rocky Mount, it cannot … Continue reading If Responsible City Leadership Welcomes Private Development – You’ve Got A Hit Song On Your Hands →

Blanche’s Bistro Unleashes A Hornets Nest – Bringing Controversy to the New Main Street Reality

The last time I looked there were 405 comments on Concerned Citizens about the opening of Blanche's Bistro. On the right are a few lines from the announcement. This has unleashed a hornet's nest. After reading some of the comments this scheduled post may seem inconsequential compared to the scope of grievances surrounding this new … Continue reading Blanche’s Bistro Unleashes A Hornets Nest – Bringing Controversy to the New Main Street Reality →

Better Blends Juice and Smoothie Bar – I Can Tell Already It Will Be A Success

Years ago I sat under a white tent that covered the invited guests to a rehearsal dinner. Much to the dismay of those of us who were older, the toasts by so called friends turned into a roast of the groom. "I remember the night you were drunk and knocked on my door at 2:00 AM." … Continue reading Better Blends Juice and Smoothie Bar – I Can Tell Already It Will Be A Success →

Exciting News: Twenty Two Lofts on Main Street – Buildings Saved By Troy Davis

The first time I explored the alley behind Davis Furniture Company I was intrigued and excited to see some renovation had already taken place. It was quite a shock, however, to see the back of two buildings two doors down from the Davis business. Here is the picture I took that day that I have … Continue reading Exciting News: Twenty Two Lofts on Main Street – Buildings Saved By Troy Davis →

Caring About Old Buildings on Main Street: Mission Impossible – Or Is It?- Part 3

https://youtu.be/UGFylgTrdr0 The mission was always found in a phone booth, a vending machine, a parked car or other mundane locations. The tape recording that detailed “your mission, should you choose to accept it,” ended with the chilling warning that in the event of capture, all knowledge would be disavowed. With a puff of smoke, the … Continue reading Caring About Old Buildings on Main Street: Mission Impossible – Or Is It?- Part 3 →

What Do Black Architects Have To Do With Old Buildings on Main Street? – Part 2

There is part of the Rocky Mount black/white story that I don’t understand because of how and where I was raised. It is hard for me to believe that people in 2019 could have the attitude, “Why should I care about old buildings on Main Street that a bunch of white people owned while black … Continue reading What Do Black Architects Have To Do With Old Buildings on Main Street? – Part 2 →