If you talk to longtime Burlington residents, the beginning of decline of its once thriving downtown began in the 1960s as the migration from urban centers to the suburbs hit its peak and shopping Meccas were constructed to meet this new demand for proximity and convenience. Sears, Belk (then Belk-Beck) and Woolworth were the most … Continue reading Vintage move: A store shifts sites from the mall to downtown
Downtown Burlington
Creating a healthy heartbeat in downtown Burlington
The heart of any city beats in its downtown. It’s the central point that historically ties all parts of a city to local government, commerce, churches, libraries, public services, transportation and information. So a strong heartbeat downtown is essential to the lifeblood of a thriving city. Ensuring a healthy heartbeat in downtown Burlington is the … Continue reading Creating a healthy heartbeat in downtown Burlington
Elon University meets Downtown B-Town
For the past few years Elon University has stepped up its efforts to be a bigger presence in Alamance County and specifically its nearby neighbor -- Burlington. I first noticed it six or so years ago when Dr. Connie Book was then an associate provost at Elon. She reached out to the newspaper where I … Continue reading Elon University meets Downtown B-Town
Murals can visually define a downtown. Denver is one example (photo galleries)
As artist Mauricio Ramirez wraps up his mural in downtown Burlington today -- and let's just say it's a dynamic and stunning achievement visible behind Bella's House on display for Webb Avenue traffic -- I thought it might be a good idea to look at how a mural can help define a downtown area as … Continue reading Murals can visually define a downtown. Denver is one example (photo galleries)
An emerging symbol for transformation in downtown Burlington
Mauricio Ramirez got his first taste of good ol' North Carolina humidity on Thursday. It was just about the hottest September day I can remember -- 97 degrees with humidity registering at about the same number. It was the very definition of "sweltering." For Ramirez, the Chicago-born and based artist selected to create the first … Continue reading An emerging symbol for transformation in downtown Burlington
Public displays of art coming to downtown Burlington
People driving on Webb Avenue past downtown Burlington next week will likely notice something different. Along the back of Bella's House, a consignment furniture store that faces Front Street, an artist will begin crafting a new piece of public art that will the beginning of a three-mural project for downtown. Chicago artist Mauricio Ramirez was … Continue reading Public displays of art coming to downtown Burlington
There’s a new chef in town: Hiring Kyle Wilkerson a coup for Burlington Beer Works
UPDATED, Feb. 17, 2020: Kyle Wilkerson and Burlington Beer Works parted company in late January. --- Kyle Wilkerson got his first look at kitchen operations for Burlington Beer Works on June 25. At the time he was interviewing for the position of executive chef, which would become open in July. Wilkerson, one of the top … Continue reading There’s a new chef in town: Hiring Kyle Wilkerson a coup for Burlington Beer Works
Burlington Food Hall the next piece in downtown puzzle
Minutes after hearing the surprise announcement on June 28 that a food hall would be the next occupant of the vacant Company Shops Market in downtown Burlington, I had a couple of questions. The first was answered by a story I found in Forbes magazine about the emergence of food halls across the nation. The … Continue reading Burlington Food Hall the next piece in downtown puzzle
Satisfying my longtime curiosity about the old May Hosiery Mill, uh, May Hosiery Lofts
I have always had some curiosity about the old May Hosiery Mill in downtown Burlington. During my first nine years working across the street from it at the Burlington Times-News it was still a functioning operation. It was joined to another building across Morehead Street with an overhead connection between the two buildings with Kayser-Roth … Continue reading Satisfying my longtime curiosity about the old May Hosiery Mill, uh, May Hosiery Lofts
Now we know what’s coming to the old Company Shops Market
a little more than a year ago I wrote about the sad demise of Company Shops Market, a grocery co-op that opened with great promise in May of 2011. The market was seen as an anchor for Burlington's then-struggling downtown and a symbol of hope for a bright future filled with locally produced food and … Continue reading Now we know what’s coming to the old Company Shops Market
