A few hours after North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper unfurled the new and slightly confusing "Safer at Home" phase two plan for reopening the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants and other impacted businesses in Alamance County began their own rollouts for how to serve customers safely in the weeks and months ahead. And it's … Continue reading Just a phase: What’s reopening and how in downtown Burlington
Downtown Burlington
Burlington Beer Works Brewery and Restaurant quietly marks first anniversary
A little more than a year ago I sat across a table from Tracy Schmidt for the first time. It was also my first time inside Burlington Beer Works Brewery and Restaurant, which was preparing to open after years of planning, fundraising and preperation. Schmidt had just returned from Raleigh with the state license to … Continue reading Burlington Beer Works Brewery and Restaurant quietly marks first anniversary
Burlington, Elon downtown food and drink operations lead during coronavirus situation
When North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper decreed Tuesday morning (March 17, 2020) that bars and restaurants statewide close for dine-in or in-house service in response to the rapidly spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) it was probably no major shock. Other governors took similar action after a weekend pre-St. Patrick's Day spree of jammed bars in major cities … Continue reading Burlington, Elon downtown food and drink operations lead during coronavirus situation
Something on tap across from Zack’s in one of downtown’s oldest buildings
When Brandon Martin looks at photographs of downtown Burlington taken in the early 1960s he likes how busy it appears. It was the hot spot in town for retail shopping and commerce. It was a hub for social life. He thinks it could be that way again. "If you look back at photos from the … Continue reading Something on tap across from Zack’s in one of downtown’s oldest buildings
Waking up a block on Spring Street in downtown Burlington
When Emily and Casey Lewis started looking in downtown Burlington for a larger space to house their successful Owl and Rabbit Gallery they were only thinking about one building. But after checking out what was available, considering their options and a vision for growth downtown they gave it a second thought, and then a third. … Continue reading Waking up a block on Spring Street in downtown Burlington
Updated: Lots of new ideas for things to do in downtown Burlington — and coming soon
Author's note: Updated again on March 13 to reflect schedule changes due to the COVID-19 situation. Latest updates in bold type. Author's Note: This post has been updated to add the event listing below of things to do during the first Fourth Friday Arts Walk scheduled for Feb. 28, 2020 in downtown Burlington. Painting, poetry, … Continue reading Updated: Lots of new ideas for things to do in downtown Burlington — and coming soon
A stay with purpose, and a bit of champagne
The first surprise upon starting a tour of the Inn at Elon the day before it officially opened was this tidbit from our guide: "When guests arrive they will be offered their choice of a glass of water or a glass of champagne," she said. Nice touch. Either choice is a win. And there were … Continue reading A stay with purpose, and a bit of champagne
The planned Burlington Food Hall gets a lead restaurant
Last summer it was announced that a food hall would be going into the former site of the Company Shops Market co-op on Front Street in downtown Burlington. Now we know what will go in it. I got a call around lunchtime today (Jan. 7, 2020) from Wellsley Robinson, president of Core Properties, the leading … Continue reading The planned Burlington Food Hall gets a lead restaurant
An out of sight change coming to Burlington’s downtown
The other night we were walking in downtown Burlington toward the Front Street Bottle Shop where a holiday gathering was scheduled. As we turned the corner of Main and Front streets, I pointed to an unsightly row of rolling trash carts on the sidewalk facing the Historic Depot from in front of the old Trollinger's … Continue reading An out of sight change coming to Burlington’s downtown
Vintage move: A store shifts sites from the mall to downtown
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
Madison's Avenue 