Veterans Appreciation Cruise-In November 8th

If you're a fan of classic cars - or if you own a classic car - whether it be American muscle, hot-rods, or classic cruisers - downtown Lincolnton is the place to be on Sunday, November 8, 2009 for the semi-annual Downtown Lincolnton Veterans Appreciation Cruise-In. The event, hosted by the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton and Holy Cross Lutheran Church is open to all cars and trucks manufactured in or before 1974.

Special guests Hillbilly Hot-Rodders will make an appearance with their Radical Rat Rods.

The event will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on East Main Street in downtown Lincolnton. Organizers request a $2 flag donation, and that no cars arrive before 12:30 p.m.

Downtown Business Owners Featured in Lincoln Times-News "Women in Business" Section

Amy Brown, owner of Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio and Studio 220 Salon & Spa, and Kim Noles and Erin Lockman, owners of The Dancer's Edge Dance Studio were featured in the special "Women in Business" section of October 19, 2009 edition of the Lincoln Times-News.

For the full articles, visit www.lincolntimesnews.com, or click here for the feature on Amy Brown, or here for the feature on Kim Noles and Erin Lockman.

Congratulations to these women for their accomplishments as business owners in downtown Lincolnton!

36th Street Bakery Cafe, Inc. Receives 2009 Best of Lincolnton Award

WASHINGTON D.C. -- 36th Street Bakery Cafe, Inc. has been selected for the 2009 Best of Lincolnton Award in the Cafe category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. The USCA's mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering operates a bakery on Westview Drive, and a cafe at 101 North Court Square. The cafe offers a full menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and sides, along with an espresso bar, popular items from the bakery, wine, and beer. Visit www.36thstreetbakery.com to stay up-to-date on the cafe's latest offerings and events.

Congratulations to Rick and all of the staff at 36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering!!

Return to the period of 1841-1886 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church

ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH: THE EARLY YEARS 1841-1886 OCTOBER 25 5:00 -7:00 PM

For One Magical Evening……
Return to the period of 1841-1886 and join St. Luke's Episcopal Church in celebrating its historic past with:

• Plans for St. Luke’s historic preservation

• Tours of the church and graveyard with Linda Hoyle, Jason Harpe and others
  

• Re-enactors in period dress

• Dan Barefoot as Maj. General Stephen Dodson Ramseur

• Rick Owens, preservation consultant

• Reception based on the crops of the period

• Archives and historic photos of St. Luke’s

• Live music with Rick and Myra Ramseur

Free event. Reserve your space for the tour time at either 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30. Please call to reserve a space at 704-732-9179 or email your requested time and number of guests to lukeepiscopalnc@bellsouth.net.

Arts on the Run Postponed

The Arts Council of Lincoln County's Arts on the Run 5K has been postponed. Stay tuned to www.artslincolnnc.org for the reschedule date.

Two Downtown Businesses Partner to Offer a Special Treat for Your Furry Friend

Heavenly Paws Grooming and Tindall's Professional Photography are partnering to offer a special day of photography for pets. On November 7, 2009, you can take your furry friend to Heavenly Paws for portraits by J.J. Tindall of Tindall's Professional Photography. This will mark the third time the two businesses have paired for this special promotion.

Photos will be taken using a generic background; however, Christmas cards featuring the photos will be available to order. For more information or to make an appointment, call Heavenly Paws at (704) 732-8000.

Heavenly Paws is also accepting donations of food, supplies, toys, and even money to benefit needy animals. If you would like to make a donation, supplies can be dropped off at the shop, located at 213 North Aspen Street in downtown Lincolnton, from now through the Holidays.

Strange Change Featured on WLON's Friday Profile

If you missed Events & Marketing Specialist Julie Sipe talking about the Strange Change promotion on WLON's Friday Profile this morning, don't worry, you can hear it here.

"Strange Change" Initiative to be Featured on WLON

So by now you've probably heard the term "Strange Change" used a few times, and you know it involves using $2 bills and $1 coins when shopping at local businesses as a way of showing your support for those businesses, but you're still asking "why?"

Tune in to WLON 1050-AM at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 2, 2009 to find out. DDA Events & Marketing Specialist Julie Sipe will be on-air to explain the project and what we hope to accomplish through it. In the meantime, if you haven't already, read up on the "Strange Change" initiative so that you will have an even better understanding of the project and the impact that it can make.

Arts on the Run Slated for October 10

The Arts Council of Lincoln County presents Arts on the Run, the organization's first annual 5K run/walk for the arts. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Lincoln Cultural Center, 403 East Main Street, Downtown Lincolnton. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the race will start at 9:00 a.m.

"Early bird" registration (for those who register before October 6) is $20; those who register after October 6 or at the event will pay a $25 registration fee. The first 25 runners who register will receive a free T-shirt and race medallion. For more information, visit www.artslincolnnc.org or call (704) 732-9044.

21st Century Farmers Market Brings Electronic Payment Options for Consumers

The Lincoln County Farmers Market in Downtown Lincolnton is moving into the 21st Century - the 21st Century Farmers Market Program that is. Beginning Saturday, October 3, 2009, the downtown market will accept EBT, debit and credit cards to purchase local farm products.

A partnership between NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and Leaflight Inc., a Chapel Hill non-profit agency promoting community development, is making this possible. NC Cooperative Extension is the local partner that submitted the successful application on behalf of the Lincolnton market location. The Lincoln County Farmers Market - Downtown Lincolnton location was among twelve markets chosen across the state to implement this new program.

"Because of this partnership, it will be easy and convenient for customers and farmers to use electronic payments," said Extension agent Leigh Guth. "So many people don't carry cash - electronic payment should be a win-win for customers and farmers."

To use electronic payment, customers will swipe their cards at a central terminal operated by the market manager and purchase market tokens worth $5.00. The $5 tokens will work like cash with any vendor accepting tokens. Customers can purchase vegetables, plants, art, meat or bakery goods and will receive change from purchases. Customers using EBT cards (which replaced food stamps in 2002) will receive tokens worth $1.00 each and can use their tokens to purchase food and plants that produce food. Customers cannot receive change from EBT tokens. Participating farmers include Wanda Avery, Loyd Lewis, Mary Deal and Art Duckworth.

The statewide goal is to make fresh local produce at farmers markets accessible to customers using EBT cards. Leaflight provides the market with a wireless card processing terminal, bookkeeping and accounting services for the electronic purchases. By using one processing terminal and tokens, fees are kept at a minimum for farmers and new customers are able to shop at the farmers market.

For more information, contact Leigh Guth, North Carolina Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent, at (704) 736-8462.

Travis Powell to Headline Last Concert of 2009 GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Season

The GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Summer Concert Series is slated to conclude its 2009 season Thursday, September 24 with the music of Travis Powell, presented by Tindall's Professional Photography.

Powell has spent the last six years playing music and entertaining crowds all over the Southeast, including shows at Nashville's own Cadillac Ranch. Covering music from a variety of artists, Powell says those attending will hear country songs from popular artists such as Keith Urban and Jason Aldean, southern rock by Bob Seger and the Marshall Tucker Band, and pop-rock hits from bands like Nickelback. Powell has also written many original songs, some of which will debut on his self-titled CD to be released in late October. His single, One Step Ahead of a Heartache, has aired on country radio station WSOC 103.7 FM.

Powell's band members include three of the most talented musicians in the region who have played in the area's hottest nightclubs and shared the stage with such artists as Brooks N Dunn. Jim Lincomfelt plays lead guitar with Rick Tackett on bass guitar; rounding out the band is Tracy Scism on drums.

"Expect a high energy show for crowds of all ages that will bring you to your feet and keep you dancing all night long," said Powell.

The show, which is free and open to the public, begins at 6:00 p.m. and will be held at East Main Street and Court Square in downtown Lincolnton. Lawn chairs are encouraged, but no coolers will be allowed. For more information about the show, call the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton at (704) 736-8915. For more information about Travis Powell, visit www.myspace.com/travispowellmusic.

Apple Festival This Saturday

It is time once again for the largest annual gathering of people in downtown Lincolnton - the Lincoln County Apple Festival. This year's festival will be held Saturday, September 19 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. As always, the Apple Festival promises an abundance of crafts, food, fun....and of course....apples.

While making your way through the event, be sure to stop by the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton's stage, located at East Main and South Academy Streets. There, DDA volunteers will be handing out free balloons and holding limbo and hula-hoop contests for the little ones. In addition, the organization will be conducting a "Strange Change Exchange" in coordination with its "Strange Change" initiative which encourages everyone to make purchases from local businesses with $2 bills as a way of showing their support for local businesses. Bring your ones, fives, tens, and twenties by the DDA stage to exchange them for crisp, new $2 bills; then make your statement by spending those $2 bills with locally owned businesses in Lincolnton.

Whether you are a seasoned Apple Festival veteran, or this is your first time attending the event, the Apple Festival Committee has a few tidbits of advice: wear comfortable shoes, drink plenty of water, do not bring your furry friend as law enforcement will be on hand to enforce the "no pets" policy, and do not park in areas where parking is not allowed (ample parking will be available around the perimeter of the event, and at the Lincolnton High School where the Kiwanis Club of Lincolnton will be offering round-trip shuttle service for $2 per person).

For more information on the Lincoln County Apple Festival, visit http://lincoln.ces.ncsu.edu/content/lincolncountyapplefestival.

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.

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

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.

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.