The Restaurant Scene on Monday

Mondays have a way of slipping up on me, showing me something that might surprise or really reinforce an idea that had been cooking along over the weekend. Today was no different as we entered the month of August.

At lunch, I was feeling a bit under the weather and decided on Ginger Chicken at Joe's Place. That has an almost medicinal impact on me, and usually it makes me feel better right away. It worked well, again, but I would have felt better anyway at the solid business for lunch at Joe's. Some folks might not want to wait a few extra minutes, but when I'm in an Uptown restaurantI'm glad to see strong business that might challenge the kitchen and slow me down just a bit.

Then at 5:30 I passed the corner of Washington and Warren to see that Chris & Nancy Canoutas, along with a good team of servers and cooks, had completed their work and the OPEN banner was hanging aloft. Ah, another interesting eatery in Uptown Shelby. I drove on to the Post Office and came back to the Square at about 6:15.

Within just 45 minutes the new NEWT'S (A modern burger joint) had completely filled and there was a wait. Chris had told me he hoped to open informally on Monday if all went well, but I think the whole crew was pleasantly surprised at the strong crowd and the obviouis good feelings. Service was courteous and prompt, especially for an opening night. The tables were comfortable and customers ranged over about 70 years, extended families to friends, from the Royster family who have redeveloped the corner shop, City Manager Rick Howell and Finance Director Ted Phillips after a City Council meeting, and plentyof folks who seemed to instantly feel at home.

Just two years ago we were down to just over half the number of restaurants and cafes we have today. I remember two or three people saying something along the lines of "Uptown might have about all the restaurants we can handle." I didn't believe it then and I'm even more convinced now that Uptown Shelby has a host of opportunities for quality food, good service and a friendly atmosphere. Sure, there would be a point where the market is full. But we're nowhere near that. Customers are coming from all around Cleveland County as well as Shelby's own neighborhoods. We also know that neighbors are coming in from Rutherford and Lincoln Counties, from Gaffney and other spots to the south of the state line.

One of the great side benefits of a strong restaurant trade in Uptown Shelby is that our city now has a nice night life in it's central business district. Restaurants have begun to offer live musical entertainment on a regular basis. Special menu items and value-priced specials also attract families, after-work groups, Ladies Night, Shag Night dancers, and all sorts of patrons who might have had few options just a few months ago.

Well, full restaurants on Mondays, visitors and locals alike smiling and clamoring for tables, along with more cars parked in Uptown Shelby. It's the sound and aroma of progress, and it's all approachable and easy to enjoy. Come out and join in the excitement.

I say! I say! Did I hear you say Livermush?

Hard to conjure up Foghorn Leghorn here in text at 9 a.m., this is one of our very distinctive events and food traditions here in Shelby. Livermush. Come to town on October 23rd, at historic Court Square, and either sample a southern foodway that you've never heard of, or rekindle old memories if it is something you grew up with.





Livermush has been written about in Our State, Southern Living, and The Charlotte Observer. Heck, there have even been classic odes and haiku poetry written about livermush. It's been the subject of Andrew Zimmern's Bizzarre Food's series in an episode examinging the traditional foods of the Southern Appalachians.



There's plenty of festivities and music as well. Check out the Art of Sound Festival staged around Uptown Shelby by the Cleveland County Arts Festival October 21-23. Check www.ccartscouncil.org/artofsound for a full lineup and schedule of performances.

Lankmark In Uptown Shelby

Yesterday the City Council approved the landmarking of historic Mason Square in Uptown Shelby. The historic building was constructed as the Shelby Masonic Temple, between a formal groundbreaking in 1924 and its completion in 1925. It sits on a prominent corner of the historic Court Square at the intersection of East Warren and South Washington Streets.

It was Shelby's tallest building, at four stories, and has served as home to a number of commercial enterprises in addition to meeting the needs of the Masons for a meeting and assembly hall until 1984. It featured the first electric elevator in town.

Most notably, the building features Egyptian Revival architectural style, with a number of distinctive carvings on the building's surface, as well as columns flanking the Washington Street entrance.

Officially landmarked buildings have certain protections that are key to maintaining the character of an historic commercial or residential district such as Uptown Shelby. In fact the building is already listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was listed as a contributing structure in the Central Shelby District of the National Register of Historic Districts. The designations provide distinction and honor, but also carry requirement to ensure that the exterior remains stable and is not changed to remove the historic character.

There are two more local historic landmarks on Historic Court Square in Uptown: The Old Court House itself (which will be transformed into The Earl Scruggs Center: Songs & Story of the Carolina Piedmont in 2011), and the original City Hall & Fire Station at 5 East Marion Street. Uptown's other historic landmark building is the Old Shelby Suppy Building on North Lafayette Street, between First Baptist Church and Ascension Lutheran Church.

Next time you are walking around Uptown Shelby, take a few minutes to look up at the pretty unique carvings and columns. There are very few buildings in the United States with this type of detailing, and only one other in North Carolina. Celebrate the uniqueness of Mason Square and our historic buildings in Uptown Shelby.

A new milepost

Well, we've completed our organizaiton's summer series of free outdoor concerts and inexpensive movies for kids and families. I have popped one barge load of popcorn, even stressed the popper enough that we had to arrange for electrical repairs after last night. And now we seem to have finally gotten some weather that we can live with. Wow.

Juliette Lewis comes to town to rock the Don Gibson tomorrow night. That should cause a few graves to shift in Sunset Cemetery. I'm hoping that there's not an abrupt shut-off in fun at the end of the concert. As I said to one local leadership type the other day: We need some anarchy and spontaneity for a change. It's a healthy part of a good mix behind a successful community.

Month's end, another big round to go

Yes, we finally outlived July and the record breaking heat. Given the misery it caused, I think we all behaved fairly well and didn't let the stress break down our social skills . I am coming to realize that my seasonal affect disorder (SAD) may be at its worst in Dog Days. There are 11 more days left to wallow in the discomfort of the ancient astrological cycle. Hopefully the end of Dog Days will bring rain and moderate temperatures so we can get down to working on group projects without worrying that our colleagues are going to die on us.

Much to be done! Head 'em up, move em out!

Friday Afternoon

Don't worry, it's too hot for musings or thoughts! Just enough energy for reactions, I guess.

Yesterday the local thermometers were reading 99 and 100 mid-afternoon. We held our movie night at the Gibson and I know folks were happy that we no longer have these events later at night in an asphalt parking lot! Somewhere in the neighborhood of 125 + children and adults enjoyed the cool temps and the flick in the evening. 75 kids came to the morning matinee from day care centers around Shelby.

From the smiles or direct comments from parents, I know people appreciate the chance to get their children out for a cool evening of distraction at a low cost. I popped at least 15 of those packs of oil and popcorn as well. Wow.

Unless the heat breaks up I'm staying inside and working this weekend.

Now, where was I?

Wow, it's not that I haven't been doing much or even writing about it. Just not here.

It's hot as the blazes all over the region, so about the only good reason to go outside is to water things to keep them from perishing.

Things are bubbling along here in Uptown. The latest three new businesses to open are perking along. We're going to have to see some property rehabbed or redeveloped if much else is going to come on-board. But I do have faith that some will go through the fixing up stage soon.

Stay cool out there!