Tag Archive for: #downtownhendersonnc

Downtown Henderson

The Local Skinny! Events In Downtown Henderson

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Various organizers have a lot planned for everyone in the area.

Friday, October 15 – From 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., it’s the Hispanic Heritage Festival at 200 Breckenridge Street. Dr. Alice Sallins, chairperson of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission’s Promotions Committee, said, “It will be such a great honor to have the culmination activity downtown. We are trying to bring more business but at the same time community involvement downtown.” She said she thought this was one of the key pieces that had been missing. Henderson City Councilwoman Melissa Elliott, and Founder of Gang Free where the first part of the Hispanic Heritage Festival was held, said, “We don’t want just Hispanic people to come, even though it’s their heritage, we want to celebrate them, but like Dr. Sallins said, we want other people to learn about their culture and their heritage and the love.” She said the love of the Latinx community was overwhelming and others have a lot to learn. Some 500 members of the Latinx community appeared at the earlier event at Gang Free.

Friday, October 15 – It’s the Show Shine Shag and Dine evening cruise-in. Head to downtown Henderson from 6 to 9 p.m. hosted by Southern Classic Cars on Horner Street. Be sure to check out the classic cars on display in the showroom. Enjoy the DJ on site and seeing the cars and memorabilia. Open to the public. Free. No charge.

Saturday, October 16 – The Show, Shine, Shag & Dine car show featuring hundreds of 1988 and older antique and classic cars, muscle cars, trucks and more on display along Garnett Street in historic downtown Henderson. Other displays include the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Reunion and the Corbitt Truck Show. You can also visit the Corbitt Truck Museum on Church Street. Enjoy food, vendors, and live entertainment throughout the day, including performances by Brake Tyme Band. FREE admission, open to the public.

Saturday, October 23 – The Vance County Relay for Life is sponsoring a Luminaria ceremony that is shaping up to illuminate a portion of Garnett Street with little bags of light to remember or honor lives affected by cancer. Organizers Christy Bennett, Carolyn Williams and Jeanette Brummitt are keeping it real simple. People can drive down Garnett Street to enjoy the luminaries or they can walk along the sidewalks, if they have their masks on. Bags are $10 each and can be purchased on the day of the event, but they also are available ahead of time so they can be decorated with names of loved ones before being returned and placed along with all the others. Over 700 sold so far. Luminaries sometimes need a little weight to stay in place, but Bennett and her crew have thought of that, too. They will use canned foods to anchor the paper bags, which will be donated to ACTS afterward.

Friday, October 29 – The long-observed downtown trick or treat event is planned, and Henderson Vance Downtown Development Director Tracy Madigan said, “Right now we are still on go for Friday, October 29th on Garnett Street from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. The plan at the present time is for children to go door to door dressed in their costumes.

Saturday, December 4 – The downtown Henderson Christmas parade is tentatively set, according to Sallins, for December 4. She said, “The paperwork is in, but we have to wait for final approval before I put any (registration) forms out.”

Local Author Opens Book & Gift Store in Downtown Henderson

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Angie Ellington, local author and owner of the recently opened Calico Paw Books & Gifts in downtown Henderson, was the guest of honor on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

Located at 131 S. Garnett St. across from the former Wildflower Café building, the independent book store held its grand opening on Friday, April 27. Coincidentally, grand opening activities coincided with the date for this year’s National Independent Book Store Day.

Ellington said her vision for the store was born, in part, from her desire to make book buying more of an “experience” than one would get from purchasing online from a big retailer.

“I thought it would be nice to have something downtown where people can come in, pick up a book, sit down, buy a cup of coffee and read in the store,” Ellington explained.

As for the store’s name, Ellington was inspired by her own Calico cat, Miss Callie Ellington. A canvas print of Callie even hangs in the store for those interested in seeing the business’s namesake.

Of course, the store’s main draw is its selection of affordable books. Appealing to a diverse crowd, Calico Paw carries new and discounted books for all ages in a variety of genres. In fact, Ellington said a large selection of books is currently marked down to 50% off.

While primarily a book store, Ellington is also excited about the gift items she has in stock, including Huntsboro Hemp Company’s CBD products, bath and body products, candles, coffee mugs, drink koozies and hand-crafted items made by local merchants.

Much like her own independently published books, local and “indie” authors have a special place in Ellington’s heart, and in her store.

Originally from Oxford, Ellington grew up pursuing creative endeavors and participated in local theater. After graduating from UNC-W with a degree in Elementary Education, she taught grade school in Wilmington for several years before moving back to the local area.

Two years ago, Ellington began pursuing her creative interests by writing, and later self-publishing, her first book “Christmas in Fair Bend.” Four additional books quickly followed – “Spring in Lilac Glen,” “Dancing by the Moonlight,” “Love at the Salted Caramel Café” and “Autumn at Apple Hill.”

In describing the style of her books, Ellington said she writes “cozy and sweet romances with a bit of sass.”

You’ll find Ellington’s books, along with the works of many other independent and traditionally published authors, at Calico Paw Books & Gifts.

Store hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; two Saturdays a month – times may vary.

For additional information, including store updates, Saturday hours and special events, please visit Calico Paw’s website at www.calicopawbooks.com or visit the store’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Angie Ellington in its entirety, click here.

 

 

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Downtown Food Truck Vote Has Folks Talking

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At Monday night’s meeting, with a vote of 5-3, the Henderson City Council nixed a proposal to allow food trucks to operate in a designated area of downtown Henderson.

Gavin Jackson, owner of Gavin’s Grub Hub, proposed parking and serving food from his food truck in the City-owned parking lot at the corner of Garnett and Orange streets, next to Gupton’s Sporting Goods.

Jackson’s food truck has been a regular at various events in the community as well as a fan-favorite at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. Jackson is also the former chef at the Henderson Country Club.

City Council members George Daye, Melissa Elliott and Mike Rainey represent the three votes in favor of allowing the food truck to operate downtown.

In a phone interview with WIZS, Rainey said, “You see these trucks in all other big cities. It’s a thing. It’s just a way of getting people downtown for one thing. It gives [people] another outlet to find their lunch or whatever the case may be, and it keeps them downtown. People who work downtown have a [place] to go eat; they can go anywhere they want to, but this gives them another avenue for lunch. It’s just another business trying to establish itself in the City of Henderson.”

Henderson City Council member Sara Coffey, who voted against the food truck proposal, told WIZS News by Facebook message for publication, “We were not given the complete information about the trucks. The restaurants that would be affected were not given a chance to voice their opinions. They were not given complete facts either. To me when someone comes in and buys a business and puts down roots to serve our public such as [Uncle] Lews and [Next Door] Bistro have done, I think it’s only fair they share their opinion. They are employers, taxpayers, water users, pay electric bills and have waitresses that depend on tips to feed their families. Even though I’m not against food trucks, I do believe restaurants should weigh in on their placement. I don’t want any business harmed that has invested in our city by a mobile unit that is here today, gone tomorrow without having input.”

In an article titled “While the iron is hot” written for The Daily Dispatch and republished in part, with permission, Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Director Kaine Riggan expressed his frustration with the Council’s decision:

I know all of the council members who voted “no” did so out of what they consider to be the best interest of the city they also love, but I can’t help but wonder what makes them say no to anyone who wants to open a legal business on Garnett Street.

It ain’t exactly an easy sell, folks. And businesses are moving out faster than they are moving in. Southside Office Supply left last month. Gupton’s Gun Shop is closing next month after 60 years. And another upcoming big departure is so fresh a wound that I can’t even make it public yet.

Opposing votes voiced opinions that it might hurt the other restaurants.

Rainey, longtime owner of City Tire, made a point that all the new, used tire places popping up aren’t exactly great for his business, but we can’t stop them from opening because of it.

I have been meeting with Henderson’s merchants, studying successfully revitalized downtowns and listening to advise for almost 12 months, now, and one thing is clear: While we are saying no and closing stores, neighboring towns are saying yes and reaping the revenue as a result.

This past weekend, I hosted Leon Steele, Kinston’s Downtown Development director, for a lunch on Kerr Lake and a tour of our downtown. In his town, with similar demographics to ours, he has full city and county support, revenues from a Municipal Service District tax and historic tax credit renovation projects peppering his Main Street program. In total, a $400,000 annual budget for Kinston’s downtown efforts compared to Henderson’s $52,000. I wanted to know his secret.

He credits a codes department and planners willing to find a way to make things work as the key to their success, as well as the city’s willingness to embrace change. “It takes leaders who think the downtown is important enough to start saying yes to things,” Steele said.

I think we have those leaders at the city level, we just need to work on being more aware of the speed of our process so as not to lose good leads when we get them.

Meanwhile, Jackson can park his truck in downtown Oxford or downtown Warrenton within the week.

“I can’t wait around for months for them to decide whether or not to let me run my business and pay my taxes,” Jackson said when I told him about Monday’s council decision. “It shouldn’t be this hard to get started.”

I would like to thank Mayor Ellington and the city staff for pushing the “food truck ordinance” forward very efficiently. I expect that it will make it through committee and back before the council in coming months and will most likely pass the next time. I just hope we still have a prospect on deck when it does.

Elaborating on his opinion, Jackson stated in a Facebook message to WIZS, “We pay for all kinds of permits, inspections, county and city inspections, registration on the vehicle and mobile kitchen, environmental health permit; we buy fuel and propane from local businesses, which is my source of power. We do pay property taxes on the truck and mobile kitchen and the property taxes on our home because this business allows us to live here. We plan to employ [other] people and is it not important to employ me? My family? We all work at this business.”

In a recent poll on WIZS Radio’s Facebook page, 98 percent of 358 participants voted in support of food trucks in downtown Henderson.

Please visit WIZS’ Facebook page [click here] to express your opinion on the food truck topic. You can leave your comments on the posting for this article or from yesterday’s thread. We would love to hear from those both for and against food trucks in downtown – especially from downtown restaurant owners.

The Monday, July 16 edition of Town Talk will also feature more discussion on the food truck debate. Feel free to call in at (252) 492-5594 to share your opinion.

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City to discuss offer for First National Bank Building

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The Henderson City Council’s Land Planning Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. in the Large Conference Room, City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue.  The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss an offer to purchase 213 S. Garnett Street.  The public is welcome.

Esther J. McCrackin

City Clerk – City of Henderson, NC

134 Rose Avenue

P.O. Box 1434

Henderson, NC 27536

Tel: 252-430-5705

N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center Selects Three Communities for Downtown Revitalization

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Raleigh, N.C. – The N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center selected Asheboro, Dunn and Henderson for the Center’s Downtown Associate Community program, Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today.

The towns will receive up to three years of downtown technical assistance services from the Center, beginning in September. These communities may have the opportunity to receive official Main Street designation if they successfully complete the program and demonstrate that they have met the requirements of the N.C. Main Street program within the three-year time frame.

“All North Carolina communities depend on a healthy and vibrant downtown to attract businesses small and large,” said Secretary Copeland. “This program will help Asheboro, Dunn and Henderson become even stronger candidates for new jobs and expansion.”

The Downtown Associate Community program launched in May 2015 and provides communities interested in downtown revitalization with the tools to build a sustainable organizational foundation. North Carolina communities must start with this program to become a designated N.C. Main Street community. The competitive selection process takes place every other year.

“We are excited to work with these communities and look forward to helping them strengthen their downtown revitalization efforts moving forward,” said N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center director Liz Parham. “The Downtown Associate Community program offers strategic economic development planning and organizational development that will provide long term sustainability for the community’s revitalization initiative.”

As with all programming offered by the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, the Downtown Associate Community program is based on the Four-Point Approach® methodology, a comprehensive process developed by the National Main Street Center® that focuses on organization, design, promotion and economic vitality.

For more information about N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning programs, visit www.nccommerce.com/MainStreet or contact Liz Parham, director of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, at (919) 814-4658 or lparham@nccommerce.com.

HVDDC 2nd Annual Moonlight Gala Tickets Now on Sale

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The Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission will once again host Moonlight Gala on Saturday, September 9.  Tickets for last year’s ticket holders go on sale TODAY.  You may purchase the same quantity as last year.  If you would like additional tickets, those will be available on July 14 with the general public. The cost this year is $65 and the menu is attached.  I will be happy to deliver your tickets or they may be purchased at Dataforge, 217 S. Garnett Street.

 

Thank you for your support of the HVDDC’s revitalization efforts.  I look forward to seeing each of you at this year’s gala.

 

Carolyn Powell

Executive Director

Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission

Downtown Henderson Independence Day 2017 set for Saturday July 1st

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Downtown Henderson Independence Day 2017 set for Saturday July 1st!

Parade starts at 10:00 a.m. from Rose Avenue, celebration afterwards on Breckenridge Street.

Parade Entry Forms are here: https://hendersonncdowntown.com/parade-entry/

Free general admission, and free kids activities and bounce houses!

Check out our vendor list at
https://hendersonncdowntown.com/event/independence-day-2017-celebration/

More vendors are welcome! Fill out our vendor form here: https://hendersonncdowntown.com/vendor-application/

Seeking Dancers, Bands, Performers, etc for the festivities, please contact Alice Sallins at 252-767-4579.

Henderson Vance DDC To Present Spring Fling

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The Henderson Vance Downtown Development Commission will present Spring Fling 2017 on Saturday, June 3rd. The event will take place on Breckenridge Street in front of the Perry Memorial Library from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

There will be activities for adults and children. Live Music and Dance are expected to be popular attractions.

Food Vendors and Arts & Crafts Vendors will be on site.

Vendors include: Aviator Craft Brewery, All American Gutters, It’s All About Custom Catering, Keep Collective, Lularoe Products, Tisha’s Tattoos, and others

Admission is free but vendors have their own fee list.

Interested in becoming a vendor? Check out hendersonncdowntown.com.

Henderson-Vance DDC Office to celebrate ribbon cutting tomorrow

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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The City of Henderson would like to invite you to the opening of the new Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission office at 205 North Garnett Street.

A ribbon cutting will take place on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 11:45 a.m.

The office is attached to the fire station on North Garnett Street.

The Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Mainstreet Director for NC will be attending this event.

We hope you will join us as we celebrate this opening!

Major Community Workshop Coming to Downtown Henderson

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The city of Henderson is hosting a two-day community workshop to develop a plan for using local foods to support downtown revitalization. The workshop will focus on planning for a downtown farmers market and public space, but will also explore ways to improve walkability, promote downtown, and identify next steps in developing other food-related enterprises that could support economic and community development.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), US Department of Transportation (DOT), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and Delta Regional Authority (DRA) selected Henderson for the Local Foods, Local Places technical assistance program, which will result in an action plan for strengthening our downtown through local foods.

A team of these agency partners and their consultants will join local stakeholders to conduct a workshop in Henderson on June 6th and 7th. Your participation and knowledge of the local area is needed to help make this event a success. The workshop will bring together many key stakeholders from throughout our region to develop an action plan primarily around, but not limited to, these goal areas:

  • Design a Thriving Place: Create a vision for the site of the downtown farmers market and surrounding area
  • Sustain a Thriving Market: Management and growth strategy for the downtown farmers market
  • Connect People to Downtown: Promote the place, improve walkability, and provide education and entertainment programs at the farmers market that draw in more people
  • Plan for Additional Programs that Use Food to Build Community: Identify next steps towards long term goals of a grocery store, community kitchen, and community gardens in the downtown

The workshop will include presentations on community livability and the roles that local foods play in supporting it, plus small group working sessions and discussions on the community’s vision and goals, and specific actions for reaching them. The workshop will lay out an action plan for moving forward.

  • Who: Stakeholders and community leaders such as you, local residents, and elected officials; along with representatives of EPA, USDA, DRA and contractors from Renaissance Planning.
  • What: Discussions on local foods and community livability, group work sessions, and networking that will result in an Action Plan.
  • Day 1 Evening Session: Tuesday, June 6th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Perry Memorial Library (Farm Bureau Room)
  • Day 2 Action Planning Work Sessions: Wednesday, June 7th from 9:00 AM to Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Perry Memorial Library (Farm Bureau Room)
  • Please RSVP: Contact Carolyn Powell, Director of Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission by email at carolyn.powell@hendersondowntown.com or phone at (252) 810-9785 to RSVP for the workshop.

Your expertise, experience, and enthusiasm for the community and region will help make the workshop a success. We look forward to seeing you there.

Community Meeting – June 6th, 2017
More info: https://hendersonncdowntown.com/event/local-foods-local-places-community-meeting/

Planning Session – June 7th, 2017
More Info:  https://hendersonncdowntown.com/event/local-foods-local-places-planning-session/

Other Upcoming Events:
Spring Fling:  https://hendersonncdowntown.com/event/spring-fling-2017/

Independence Day Celebration:  https://hendersonncdowntown.com/event/independence-day-2017-celebration/