Thursday, August 27, 2009

Strange Change: Dollar Coins and $2 Bills the New Symbols of Going Local

If the Downtown Development Association’s newest Go Local Lincolnton effort “Strange Change” catches on there will be a lot more dollar coins and $2 bills in circulation locally. DDA wants Lincolnton residents to show their support of locally owned businesses by using dollar coins and $2 bills.

“The dollar coin and $2 bill are perfect for this gesture of support,” said Brad Guth, DDA Director. “They are not in wide circulation so they are special when you get them. And now in Lincolnton they will come to symbolize support for local business.”

The ultimate purpose of this effort, as well as a series of other Go Local Lincolnton events, is to educate the community on the importance of not only shopping local but at locally owned businesses.

In recent years, groups like Civic Economics, the Institute for Local Self Reliance and others have studied the effects of doing business with locally owned businesses versus a chain store or big box retailer. Going local always makes a bigger economic impact in the local economy.

In an often quoted study, Civic Economics found that for every $100 of local spending $68 stays local as compared to just $42 when you shop at a chain store or big box retailer.

“That money goes right back into buying a house here,” said Guth, “And into supporting local schools, local sports leagues, local churches and charities and so forth.”

Locally-owned businesses have been a primary element in Lincolnton’s success throughout its history. First established in the 1780s, downtown began as trading post for area farmers. In the mid 1980s downtown experienced disinvestment. Local business owners banded together to form the Downtown Development Association to promote the protection and use of downtown.
Today downtown Lincolnton has the highest concentration of independently owned business in Lincoln County and boasts a 90% occupancy rate.

The Strange Change effort kicks off tonight at the Go Local Lincolnton Alive After Five concert. Customers purchasing beer and soft drinks from DDA will receive strange change. Soon many participating downtown businesses will be providing change in dollar coins and $2 bills. DDA encourages citizens to participate too by requesting their own dollar coins and $2 bills at local banks and spending them at locally owned businesses.

“Now, if you have a $2 bill in your wallet and dollar coins in your pocket, everyone will know you support locally owned businesses in Lincolnton,” said Guth.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Back to School "Splash Bash" August 27

The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton, the City of Lincolnton, Lincolnton Fire Department, and I-Care, Inc. of Lincolnton are partnering to organize a Back to School "Splash Bash" in coordination with the August 27 Alive After Five concert featuring Papa Mojo.

Firefighters from the Lincolnton Fire Department will use low-pressure hoses to create a designated "splash zone" at the intersection of East Main Street and North Academy Street from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. All kids are asked to come to the event prepared to get wet, as the Fire Department has assured us that no one will leave the splash zone dry! All participants are strongly encouraged to wear shoes, as the event will be held on a paved surface. For more information, call (704) 736-8915.

Papa Mojo to Headline Alive After Five Aug. 27



Since bursting onto the scene last summer, local rock band Papa Mojo has taken the Lincolnton area by storm. With its lineup of highly skilled musicians and Rock & Roll flare, the band has developed a solid fan base who come out again and again to hear the best Rock & Roll, Country, and Southern Rock of the last 40 years.

"We keep our audience constantly guessing by throwing together medleys of Theory of a Deadman, Nickelback, Metallica, Johnny Cash and even Kool and the Gang," said Rob Elmore, one-sixth of Papa Mojo.

The band is composed of a cross-section of musicians representing a variety of musical backgrounds, including Metal, Country, R&B, and Jazz.

Papa Mojo will headline the fourth installment of the 2009 GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Summer Concert Series on August 27th, where it plans to debut its new original, "A Fist Full of DY-NO-MITE." The band will take the stage at 6:00 p.m. on the Court Square in downtown Lincolnton. The show is free and open to the public. Lawn chairs are encouraged, but no coolers will be allowed. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event.

To learn more about Papa Mojo, visit the band's Web site at www.myspace.com/papamojo08. For more information about the GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Concert Series, call (704) 736-8915.

Papa Mojo:

Mark Angel: Bass, Guitars, Vocals
Heath Boyles: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Kendall Davis: Drums, Vocals
Chad Duncan: Lead Vocals
Rob Elmore: Keys, Bass, Guitars, Drums, Vocals
Brad Michol; Lead Guitar

Monday, August 17, 2009

Tres Chic & The Shoppes on Main is Now Lizzie Lu's

After nearly a year in downtown Lincolnton, Tres Chic & The Shoppes on Main has changed names - and owners. The consignment shop, located at 113 East Main Street, is now home to Lizzie Lu's. After struggling to balance the demands of the thriving retail business with their love of restoring old furniture, Tres Chic owners Laura and Bill LeFevre decided to focus their energies on the latter, selling the consignment shop to three friends - and former school teachers - Whitney King, Libba Thompson, and Beth Wiseman.

For a closer look into the transformation of Tres Chic into Lizzie Lu's, click here for an article from the Lincoln Times-News.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering Now Offering Weekend Brunch


Whether you're looking for casual start to your lazy weekend, fuel to kick-start a busy Saturday, or a nice after-church meal on Sunday, 36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering in downtown Lincolnton has just the ticket with its new brunch menu.

"The Cafe," located at 101 North Court Square, is offering a special brunch menu including omelets, quiche, waffles, pancakes, and more from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.

While the Cafe offers casual dining daily, Saturday and Sunday brunches offer a more elegant setting, with colorful stoneware on white linen-clad tables.

No reservations are required for the weekend brunches, and 36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering's regular menu is also available during brunch hours. For more information, visit www.36thstreetbakery.com or call (704) 735-1117.

Southern Charm Wines Celebrates 1st Anniversary


Last summer, Southern Charm Wines took downtown Lincolnton by storm as it opened the doors to Main Street's first winery, offering fine wines hand crafted in the very building in which they are sold. This summer Southern Charm Wines is celebrating its first anniversary, and owners Kim and Kirk Leonard, and Carolyn and Dwight Ramseur would like for you to share in the celebration which runs through August 22nd.

Stop by Southern Charm Wines, conveniently located in downtown Lincolnton's Anderson Building (235-D East Main Street), for gift shop specials and free tastings from Southern Charm's special Summer Wine Bundle.

For more information on Southern Charm Wines, visit www.southerncharmwines.com or call the shop at (704) 240-9899.

Help United Way "Stuff the Bus"

The United Way of Lincoln County is asking residents to help "stuff the school bus" with school supplies for kids in the Lincoln County School System. The following sites will be accepting donations through August 7th:

5th/3rd Bank - Downtown Lincolnton
Carolina Trust Bank - Main Street Lincolnton, Boger City, and Denver
CMC - Lincoln
A2Z Promotions - Denver
Caremore Pharmacy - Denver
Jersey Mike's Subs - Denver
United Way of Lincoln County - Downtown Lincolnton

School buses will also be parked at Wal-Mart stores in Lincolnton and Denver on Saturday, August 8th from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. to collect donations.