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GREENSBORO, N.C. — Several well-known businesses in and around downtown Greensboro have recently closed their doors, sparking concern among city leaders and business owners about the future of the area’s commercial district.
Among the closures are Dame’s Chicken and Waffles, Red Cinemas, M’Coul’s Public House and Liberty Oak Restaurant and Bar. Another downtown restaurant, Cille and Scoe, has also announced it will be closing soon.
On Tuesday, Feb. 10, some Greensboro City Council members met face-to-face with downtown business owners and community leaders, walking through the area and listening to concerns about what is making it difficult to stay open.
“It’s an American, a cultural problem, it’s an epidemic,” said Daniel Craft, a realtor in downtown Greensboro.
Business owners raised a range of challenges, including parking issues, supply chain disruptions, tariffs and the rising cost of operating a business.
Tanya Dickens, owner of Savor the Moment Dessert Bar, says food and beverage businesses are being hit especially hard.
“The increased cost of everything, ingredients and use. The food and beverage industry has been hit really hard because everything fluctuates so much. But it’s usually going up right. And you can only charge so much to your customer for what it is that you’re selling,” Dickens said.
Greensboro City Council member Cecile “CC” Crawford says the walk is the first step toward building strategies to support downtown businesses.
On Tuesday, Feb. 10, Greensboro city council members, downtown business owners and other city leaders walk throughout downtown to talk about concerns and issues. (Spectrum News 1/Ashley Van Havere)
“We’re going to get all of the feedback and begin working on strategies to help the businesses downtown thrive a little more,” Crawford said. “What I’m hearing on my side of downtown is that South Elm Street is developing, and they want a little more support, and so, just trying to get a full picture around that as well.”
City leaders say feedback gathered from these conversations could help shape future policy changes aimed at increasing foot traffic and encouraging more people to visit downtown Greensboro.
Council members also plan to hold additional walks and discussions in the coming weeks and encourage any downtown business owners who could not attend Tuesday’s meeting to reach out and share their concerns.
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Ashley Van Havere
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