Closing of Vance Hardware is an end to an era
On the first day of Vance Hardware’s going-out-of-business sale, someone bought the key machine. “I think that hurt him worse than anything,” Willetta Vance said.
Church Street at 30
Richard Miller can’t believe the Church Street Art & Craft Show is 30 years old.
“I don’t know how it got that old, and I didn’t get any older,” he chuckled. “I can’t figure that out.”
Alongside artist Teresa Pennington, Miller founded the festival in 1983. At that time, there were very few shows of its kind in the region, if any. Whereas today there’s seemingly a festival every weekend somewhere in Western North Carolina, Church Street started as a risky idea to get visitors and local residents alike to wander that part of downtown Waynesville. This year’s event will take place on Oct. 12.
Sylva’s beloved Lulu’s under new ownership
The new owners of the iconic Lulu’s on Main restaurant in downtown Sylva are dedicated to keeping around the diner’s favorite menu items, but they’re also looking forward to adding some of their own.
Use it or lose it: Canton acts quick to spend outstanding grant money from Rural Center
The clock is ticking for Canton to spend $25,000 in remaining grant money from the N.C. Rural Center.
Curtain call: Waynesville welcomes revival of the Strand theater
When Rodney and Lorraine Conard took the keys to the shuttered Strand movie theater two years ago, the hulking shell was like a blank canvas full of promise — a tad dusty, worn and tattered, but it was loved once and surely could win Waynesville’s heart again.
Waynesville puts brakes on the slow creep of sandwich boards, for now
Pending changes to Waynesville’s sign laws could pave the way for sidewalk sandwich boards downtown, but they aren’t legal yet.
Buskers: coming soon to a street corner near you
Waynesville officials will hold a public hearing next week on an ordinance that would pave the way for street performers, known colloquially as “buskers,” to play in the town’s public spaces in hopes of making a buck or two from passersby.
Sylva sticks to zoning guns, keeps church out of downtown
Town board members said no to expanding Sylva’s zoning laws to be more inclusive for churches downtown, citing a desire to reserve the center of the city for commerce, nightlife and retail.
Wells Funeral Home brings multi-purpose event center to downtown Waynesville
A new event center in Waynesville could be just the beginning of the vitalization of Wall Street, said Wells Greeley, owner of Wells Funeral Homes and Cremation Services.
To busk or not? Waynesville ponders street performer ordinance
Street musicians are becoming a common sight in downtown Waynesville, despite a town policy that bans sidewalk performers from playing for tips.
