About this Blog

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, Trade Street was a run-down, seedy part of downtown Winston-Salem. It was a place you didn't visit, day or night.

In recent years the area has undergone a dramatic transformation into a vibrant community of restaurants, residences, shops, studios, galleries and a few service-oriented businesses.

However, there are many long-time residents of Winston-Salem and suburbs that seem to be totally unaware of the changes. As recently as last month, an out-of-town visitor to my shop said that her host told her "oh, no, we don't go downtown" to shop or dine or anything else.

I, for one, AM TIRED OF HEARING THIS from long-time residents. I don't know whether they are totally unaware or just refuse to believe that Downtown Winston-Salem could be so different from what it used to be.

So this blog is an effort to spread the word a little further that it's OKAY to go downtown, that it's possible to spend a delightful afternoon shopping and dining along Trade Street instead of being stuck in traffic along Hanes Mall Blvd.