Treasures on Main Set to Open Thursday

Downtown Lincolnton's newest addition, Treasures on Main, is scheduled to officially open its doors this Thursday, February 26, at 10:00 a.m.

Located at 119 East Main Street, Treasures on Main is a unique shopping experience offering home accessories, depression glass, antiques, antique furniture, local arts and crafts, and pottery, to name a few.

Booth rental and consignment spaces are still available; if interested see Paul or Jennifer Byrd at the shop.

Financial Fitness Fair Brings Options for Consumers

Local financial experts will be fielding questions at the Financial Fitness Fair on March 5th. In response to economic uncertainty, NC Cooperative Extension Service is organizing this event to connect the public with financial service providers and agencies that provide support during challenging economic times.

“Anyone who wants to do more with their money should come,” says Leigh Guth, Cooperative Extension agent. “Many people are rethinking their investment and savings strategies, while others are trying to prepare for unemployment.”

Experts will also be talking about foreclosure prevention and how to get youth started on a healthy financial path in addition to investment strategies in today’s market.

Financial information booths will be open from 2:00pm until 8:00pm at the James Warren Citizen Center, 115 West Main Street in downtown Lincolnton. Exhibitors include banks, investment advisors, insurance companies, mortgage brokers, county agencies, and financial and family counselors.

Educational seminars will occur hourly and include:
3pm Energy Conservation for the Home Jim Burke, Extension
Stress Management Vickie Johnson, Pathways
4pm Small Business Survival Brad Rivers, Gaston College
Reverse Mortgage Jeff Creed, Wells Fargo
5pm Pulse of the Market Jody Rhyne, Rhyne Financial
6pm Savvy Shopping Melinda Houser, Extension
Building a Financial Home Chris Rhyne, Rhyne Financial
Insurance Basics Neil Rhyne, Watson Insurance
7pm Money Matters for Youth Tammy Scruggs, 5/3 Bank
Foreclosure Prevention Cher Lineberger – mortgage broker
Scott Schneider – Consumer Credit Counseling

The Financial Fitness Fair is free and open to the public and sponsored by NC Cooperative Extension, Lincoln County Partnership for Health, and Senior Health Information Program (SHIIP). For an updated schedule or more information check http://lincoln.ces.ncsu.edu . For more information, contact Leigh Guth, North Carolina Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent, at (704) 736-8461.

"The Price is Right for Fighting Child Abuse" This Friday

The Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse (LCCACA) will be holding its 3rd Annual "The Price is Right for Fighting Child Abuse" at the James W. Warren Citizens Center, 115 West Main Street, on Saturday February 28.

Mike Milholland's alter-ego, Mob Marker, will host the event. In addition to classic The Price is Right games, fabulous prizes and the Showcase Showdown, the event will also feature a 50/50 drawing and other entertainment. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. but doors open at 5:30 p.m. Come early for dinner in the upstairs cafe, pre-show entertainment and a silent auction and stay late for a live auction after the show.

Tickes are $10 and can be purchased from Nationwide Insurance, Caremor Family Pharmacy, WoodMill Winery, Carolina Furniture Mart, Miller Sherrill Blake Eagle CPA PA, or by calling Kathy Davis at (704) 740-8313 or Karen Cook at (704) 736-1155.

Proceeds from the event will benefit LCCACA. For more information, call (704) 736-8456 or email imape4kids@charterinternet.com.

Buddy Collins Honored as Main Street Champion

(L to R): Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Collins, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleveland Simpson. Photo by Garry E. Hodges.


On Thursday, January 29, 2009, Buddy Collins was honored as a 2008 Main Street Champion at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards Dinner in Statesville, NC. Collins was selected for this special recognition by the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton and the North Carolina Main Street Center in appreciation of his exceptional contributions to the downtown revitalization process. Along with Champions from 35 other communities, he received a certificate commemorating his designation, presented by NC Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleveland Simpson, Main Street Assistant Coordinator Teresa Watts, and Office of Urban Development Director Liz Parham.

"Main Street Champions are the people who take on the early tasks, the pioneers who go where others often fear to tread, who step forward when others are stepping back, who make the tough calls and those risky investments. They embody the term 'community leader,' and they do this because they love their communities. There would be no Main Street successes without Main Street Champions," said Parham.

In nominating Collins for the honor, DDA testified to his volunteer efforts and leadership in the organization, having served as 2007 Chair of the Economic Restructuring Work Group and 2008 Chair of the Board of Directors. Collins' extensive volunteer record includes his work as Barbeque Coordinator of the Lincolnton Hog Happenin', help with events including the Main Street Gala and SWAT Team projects, and the organization of his signature event, the VIP Fish Fry. Main Street is a downtown revitalization program for smaller towns based on economic development within the context of historic preservation.

The North Carolina Main Street Program, which provides technical assistance to its communities, is part of the Office of Urban Development in the Department of Commerce's Division of Community Assistance.

DDA of Lincolnton Receives Three NC Main Street Awards

(L to R): Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Collins, Brinson, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleveland Simpson. Photo by Garry E. Hodges.

The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton has been honored with three 2008 Main Street Awards from the North Carolina Main Street Center. The awards were presented at the Annual North Carolina Main Street Awards Dinner, held in Statesville, NC on January 29, 2009. Awards were presented in 13 categories representing each area of the Main Street Four Point Approach: Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring, and Promotion. Buddy Collins Past-Chair of DDA and Main Street Champion, and Lynn Brinson, Business & Community Development Assistant, accepted the awards for Best Innovation, Best Downtown Special Event and Best Promotional Item: Graphics on behalf of the organization. NC Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleveland Simpson, Main Street Assistant Coordinator Teresa Watts and Office of Urban Development Director Liz Parham presented the awards.

"High-tech Hobnobbing: Downtown Lincolnton's Social Networking Initiative" was recognized with the award for Best Innovation. The project involved creating profiles on various social networking sites, including Facebook (visit Hog Happenin' on Facebook here), MySpace, and BikerOrNot.com; posting to Craigslist; establishing a Downtown Development blog, and creating "Video Business Highlights" of downtown businesses that are hosted on YouTube. A unique aspect of the project is that each facet was managed by a different DDA volunteer or staffperson.

DDA also received the Best Downtown Special Event recognition for "Independents Days: Celebrating Downtown Lincolnton's Locally Owned Independent Businesses." The event was held July 1-14, 2008 and included the "Shop Local Challenge" that encouraged citizens to shop locally first and keep track of items that were not available for purchase in downtown, and the "Find Your Independents Scavenger Hunt" in which participants searched for unique items that could be purchased in downtown's locally owned businesses. Businesses participating in the scavenger hunt donated prizes that were awarded to a participant whose completed game card was drawn at random.

In promoting the 2008 Lincolnton Hog Happenin', DDA introduced a new concept in promotional items with a pocket-sized flyer measuring slightly larger than a business card. The flyer contained information about the event in a convenient distribution size, which proved useful as event organizers and volunteers handed out thousands of the cards at barbeque and motorcycle events across the southeast. Conceptualized and designed by DDA, this "Hog Happenin' Pocket Promoter" was recognized by the NC Main Street Program as Best Promotional Item: Graphics.

"Communities across the state have had great success restoring their downtown business districts to their former prominence as a center of economic, social and cultural activity," said Crisco. "The NC Department of Commerce provides technical assistance, but it is the local community that leads this transformation, and those that have excelled at this important endeavor deserve to be recognized."

DDA's recent recognitions are nothing new for the organization. It received the Best Downtown Special Event award in 2002 for Hog Happenin' and again in 2005 for Upstairs Downtown: RS Reinhardt Loft, as well as the award for Best Economic Development Incentive Plan with the City of Lincolnton for the Substantial Building Rehabilitation Grant.

Ferguson Wins Dream Date

Jamie Ferguson was selected as winner of the 2009 Downtown Dream Date at a random drawing held Wednesday, February 11.

Each year, the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton organizes the retail promotion with the assistance of downtown businesses who donate gifts to be awarded to the winner. The contest is open for everyone 18 and older and can be entered at most downtown businesses.

Ferguson entered the drawing at Hi-Lites. This year's prize package included Valentine's Day dinner for two at Court Street Grille, a bouquet of flowers from Drum's Florist & Gifts, and gifts from the following businesses: 36th Street Bakery, Café & Catering; Belk of Lincolnton; Color Me Pretty; Dancer's Edge Dance Studio; Fatz Café; Fausto Coffee Shop; Good Neighbor Shop; Heavenly Paws Grooming; Hi-Lites; House of Trophies & Engraving/Classic Art & Framing; Kate McCall; Lighthouse Christian Book Store; Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio/Studio 220 Salon & Spa; Personal Artist Studio; Rising Sun Pottery; Stroup's Jewelers; Tindall's Professional Photography; Touch of Class Salon; and Tres Chic & The Shoppes on Main.

Above: Becky Sain, Manager of Hi-Lites
of Lincolnton, with Downtown
Dream Date winner Jamie Ferguson
Right: Ferguson with her Downtown
Dream Date prizes

Valentine's Deals at Downtown Restaurants

Still trying to decide where to take that special someone for Valentine's Day? Why not bring him or her to downtown Lincolnton for a special dinner at a couple of Lincolnton's most popular dinner spots. Court Street Grille and 36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering will be offering special Valentine's Day dinners this Saturday.

Court Street Grille will offer a romantic evening in its lower dining room which will include a basket of warm baked bread with infused olive oils for dipping, followed by a fresh, crispy salad topped with your favorite dressing. For your entree, you will have the choice of Prime Rib with roasted vegetables or Salmon topped with Feta cheese and a tangy island salsa with roasted vegetables on the side. Your evening will conclude with a decadent dessert for two. This romantic dinner is offered at $59.99, and reservations can be made by calling (704) 732-3242. The main dining room will be available for a more casual dinner on a fist come first served basis.

36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering will also host a Valentine's Day dinner for two or more at its Court Square location. For $79 per couple (not including tax and gratuity), you will receive a mixed green garden salad; choice of Prime Rib with red bliss or Salmon with wild rice, julienned squash, fresh baked bread and beverage; chocolate-dipped strawberries and cheese cake for dessert; and your choice of a bottle of Cabernet, Merlot, or Chardonnay. The dinner is available by reservation only and seatings will be at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. For more information, or to make a reservation, call (704) 735-1117.

Neighborhood Tours - North Cedar Street

The Lincoln County Historical Association (LCHA) staff will begin leading neighborhood tours on Saturday, April 11, 2009, with North Cedar Street as its first location. Guides will discuss architectural styles and distinct architectural features while providing associative history on each building. The tour will begin at the Lincoln Cultural Center at 10:00 am and end at the intersection of North Cedar Street and Dixon Street. LCHA is implementing this program because so many people have requested it. Please plan to meet at the Lincoln Cultural Center with your walking shoes and questions. The tour will be rescheduled if inclement weather dictates. Contact LCHA at (704) 748-9090 or at lcmh@bellsouth.net with any questions you may have.

Auction This Saturday

Looking for something “different” to do in downtown this weekend? Auctioneer Mike Milholland may have just the ticket with a personal property auction to be held at the former location of Lincoln Athletics, 111 East Main Street.

Items to be auctioned include furniture, local memorabilia, a 1950’s Lionel train set in original boxes, and paintings by local artists. A more comprehensive listing (and photos) of available items can be found by clicking here, or at auctionzip.com .

The auction will be held this Saturday, February 7th, at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 704-634-2397.