Swiss Bear reminiscences...Mike's Jewelry

Bruce and Cindy Price opened the doors of Mike's Jewelry
Store on Dec.1, 1992

It wasn’t business as usual when Bruce and Cindy Price opened the doors of Mike’s Jewelry Store on Dec. 1, 1992. After 34 years, the family business established by Mike Crary was in a new and much larger location. Until they moved to the adjacent building, this small family business had grown and prospered over the years in a 50-inch by 50-foot space nestled between two buildings.

The relocation into the adjacent Windley Building at 222 Middle St. reflects the passage of a business to the next generation — a shop that prospered as business increased every year, even during the “doom and gloom” years in the ‘70s when the downtown reached its lowest point.

In my conversation with Crary, in the spring of 1993, he reflected on his long career. Here is Crary’s story:

I must have done something right. In addition to working hard, my philosophy has always been to treat people as I would like to be treated.

I’m just about a native. Although I grew up in Kinston, I had family in New Bern so I spent a lot of time here. I served in the Navy in WWII and have campaign ribbons from every theater from the North Atlantic to the South Pacific.

After the war, like everyone else, I needed a job. When I heard the Jewel Box had an opening I applied. Murray Fitterman owned the business and after the interview, the man put me to work. I went in on the GI bill since it paid for training on the job. We made a deal: If I would work on the floor as a salesman for a year he would train me in watch repair.

Fitterman was one of the toughest and fairest bosses I ever worked for. He was a man of his word. If he promised you something you could put it in the bank. I worked for Mr. Fitterman for seven years and learned the trade of watch repair, among other things. Jimmy Simpkins owned Stanley Jewelers … it was just down the street … he wooed me away from the Jewel Box. Unfortunately Mr. Simpkins’ interest in politics took its toll on the business. First he ran for Alderman and won hands down. Next he ran and was elected to the State Senate. When he ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress, he was defeated by David Henderson of Burgaw. It wasn’t long after that the IRS closed the store.

That left me without a job. As I was walking along Middle Street wondering what I was going to do, I saw a little recessed area … like a hole between two buildings. It was originally an alleyway between the old hotel and the Windley building. Years before Ellis Zaytoun had converted an area of the alley to house a newsstand. He was there for more than 50 years, in fact, he raised three kids and put them through college with that business. He had closed the newsstand several years before.

I knew right then that’s where I needed to set up my shop, even though it was in bad shape. Leo Brody owned the property and he said he would rent it to me but I would have to pay for all of the repairs and would rent me the space for $50 a month and would never raise the rent as long as I stayed there. Mr. Brody was a fine gentleman and a man of his word. Up until we moved, I was still only paying $50 a month.

I put on a new roof, fixed up the interior and hung out my shingle. The shop was small, 50-inches wide and 20-feet deep at that time. I didn’t need any more room since all I had was a watch workbench and my tools. They were the only things the IRS didn’t confiscate.

Since I had worked downtown for so many years, I was well known. Today, it is cheaper to buy a new watch than to get on fixed, but years ago it wasn’t that way. People had their watches repaired frequently. I had a lot of repeat customers … some who couldn’t read. So to let people know where I was, I would run ads with my picture … when people would see my face and that haircut they knew where to find me. I’ve had the same brush cut for 50 years.

I worked late into the night repairing watches and put every dollar I could into merchandise. I knew money wasn’t only to be made with my hands … a large inventory and different lines of merchandise were the answer and my business prospered. Even during downtown’s low point in the late 1979’s, his business increased. He attributed this to his store being a destination … one that provided a service and had many return customers or “friends.”

Crary retired when Bruce and Cindy Price opened the new store. His wife, Mabel worked in the new store until she passed away in 2006. Mike, now 95, resides at the Sterling House.

Current owners Bruce and Cindy’s biggest problem has been adjusting to and compensating for the growth of business.

Reflections on Mitchell Hardware

Mitchell Hardware as seen today.

Snapshot: October 1987 — a typical Saturday morning at the Corner Grill (now the Chelsea), the restaurant filled with people enjoying a leisure breakfast while catching up on the week’s news.

At one particular table the conversation of three locals, Paul Johnson, Stewart Smith and Harold Talton turned to the fate of Mitchell’s Hardware located in the Old City Hall Building on Craven Street.

The original location of Mitchell Hardware at
220 Craven St. is occupied today by
Ballantynes Framing & Art.

Paul Johnson, Buzz Mitchell’s health is so poor I hear they are going to sell Mitchell’s Hardware. Stewart’s response, Harold, let’s buy it!

On the following Wednesday, October 7, Harold Talton had “closed the deal” and he and his wife Pat were the sole owners of an old-timey hardware store that had been in the Mitchell family for over 90 years.

In a conversation with Harold (Swiss Bear Chairman) I raised the obvious question. Why did a successful businessman, community leader, a regional vice president for First Citizens Bank, recently recognized for 40 years of service, buy, relocate and expand an old-timey store?

Here’s Harold’s reply beginning with a brief history lesson. Mitchell Hardware started out as a livery stable in 1898, which sold in addition to mules and horses, wagons and harnesses. In the early 1900’s they went out of the livery business and got into hardware. To put it more colorfully, they opened the gate, ran the horses and mules off and brought in the hardware.

Within a year’s time, change was in the wind. My original intention was to stay at the location on 220 Craven Street but the space, only 17 feet wide, just wasn’t big enough. The Parker Building just across the street was on the market and I saw the potential.

Harold continued, even before I heard the hardware store was for sale on that Saturday morning over coffee, I knew Greg Smith, a Boy Scout executive for 10 years, was looking to change his life style. Before I made the offer on the building, I talked with Greg. Within a two-week period, Greg was married, had a new job and was in a new town to run and manage the hardware store.

When I turn in my key and Master Card at First Citizens Bank, I hope to spend some time there.

What they attempted to do was recreate a turn-of-the-century hardware store. The fact that Mitchell’s was old-timey is the main reason Harold bought it. He enjoyed going to auctions and estate sales to look for and buy items that would have been sold at the turn-of-the-century. They are used as decorations in the store, but most items are for sale.

When they purchased the S.B. Parker Building, the tin-pressed ceilings were still in-tact. Although many people recommended lowering the ceilings to retain all the fluorescent fixtures that had been hung over the years, he removed and replaced them with lights from that era and three old ceiling paddle fans that were made the same year the building was constructed.

He put in wooden floors and built additional shelving to match the original shelving that was still in the building. The counter is the original counter from the old Mitchell Hardware.

Over the years he continued to add “old” items and merchandise to “add to the customer’s experience”.

The hardware carries a full range of nails, paints, tools, etc., and specialty food items - jams, smoked hams in season, even honey from his own bees.

As a result of a casual conversation one Saturday morning, Mitchell Hardware incorporated as “Hams, Jams, Hardware and Stuff, Inc.” is and continues to be a place where people browse, visit, and explore for no better reason than they just like being there for the pure pleasure of being there.

*Harold Talton was chairman of Swiss Bear for a total of eight years. He passed away in 2008 and Greg bought the business from the Talton family several years later. It was a wise decision on Harold’s part to bring Greg into the business. Greg is an ambassador for downtown and Mitchell Hardware is a destination for visitors and area citizens alike.

Facade and building rehabs: More than just a pretty face

The central business district stock was
deteriorated and the backs of buildings
were in poor condition. Shown is the old
City Hall in the late 1970s.

Shown is the old City Hall in 1983

The Central News Facade Renovation
is underway

Central News in 1983

Becoming a Main Street City in 1981 under the N.C. Department of Natural Resources and Community Development (now under the N.C. Department of Commerce) offered New Bern the chance to mobilize its forces to develop a successful revitalization project.

In March 1981 at a public meeting of 140 citizens prior to New Bern officially becoming a participant in the state’s new Main Street Program, the Main Street Resource Team from the National Trust for Historic Preservation pointed out the rehabilitation of buildings is just one of many components in downtown revitalization, however, it is a very important one and facade and sign improvements needed to be implemented as soon as possible.

The central business district building stock was deteriorated, upper floors abandoned for the most part, upper portions of a number of facades were left to crumble and often the only signs of attention were aluminum and plywood cover-ups hastily applied over historic building fabric. The backs of buildings were in poor condition due to neglect, understandable considering they were not in the public view; however, the back facades would become visually important as the interior off street parking lots were developed.

As a first step, a $30,000 Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation grant to the N.C. Main Street Program funded a full-time architect for a year to work with N.C. Main Street cities. Each city had $2,500 to use at their discretion for incentive programs or design assistance for merchants/owners who agreed to undertake facade or sign improvements. N.C. Main Street architect, Jo Ramsey was hired to work with the Main Street cities conducting workshops and providing renderings, working drawings and consultation services with selected owners who were interested in renovating the facades of their buildings.

In September 1981, City Planner, David Rowland and Swiss Bear Director, Kay Williams, submitted an application to the Kellenberger Historical Foundation and received $20,000 for design assistance in developing facade renderings and working drawings for a minimum of 10 historic buildings in the central business district to insure rehabilitation work was based on good design in keeping with the character of the building. The grant funded an architect to prepare working drawings and cost estimates based on research of the original appearance of the building and on-site consultation as needed.

The Kellenberger Design Assistance Committee included a representative from the New Bern Preservation Foundation and Historic District Commission. Participating property owners had to commit to undertake and complete the work within 12 — 18 months complying with the plans developed during the design phase.

Applications were received from 12 property owners. By the end of 1983, five of the property owners completed facade and other major improvements to their buildings. Jo Ramsey completed back facade drawings for North Carolina National Bank (NCNB), front and back drawings for Central Office Supply (Pollock Street businesses with back facades facing the new parking lot under construction) who followed through with facade renovations.

Swiss Bear acquired a grant for a New Bern Paint Bucket Project and hired Peter Sandbeck, Architectural Historian to conduct paint research on original and early paint colors and make recommendations of appropriate period colors for historic buildings being rehabbed.

Swiss Bear and the New Bern Preservation Foundation co-sponsored training sessions on the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program, administered by the National Park Service which offered a 20 percent federal tax credit for qualified rehabilitation expenses.

City Planner, David Rowland completed tax certification applications for six downtown tax incentive projects and the Historic District Commission re-addressed its sign ordinance regulating policies in the Downtown Historic District. Swiss Bear and the N.C. Main Street Program sponsored restoration workshops for property owners conducted by architect Jo Ramsey and Peter Sandbeck.

The City and Swiss Bear worked with eight local banks creating a two million dollar low interest tax exempt loan pool used to assist with the major renovation/rehabilitation of four major downtown buildings including the Belk/O. Marks Building.

As a added incentive, the Neuse River Council was approved to administer the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan program in nine counties, including Craven, which required a business owner to put in a minimum of 10 percent, a conventional lender 50 percent and the SBA pay the remaining 40 percent for bricks and mortar projects that could be borrowed over 25 years at a fixed rate.

Swiss Bear hired Land and Community Associates, Charlottesville, Virginia to document downtown buildings and develop a series of pamphlets that were widely distributed to owners interested in renovating their buildings. The topics of the six pamphlets included the history of downtown New Bern; a commercial building inspection checklist; design and maintenance of front and rear facades; appropriate commercial signage, awnings and window displays for commercial buildings; and, planning your rehabilitation/working with architects and contractors.

By December 1986, 31 facades were restored in varying degrees. The assessed tax value on the 31 properties in 1980 was $2,057,560. In 1986, the assessed value on the 31 properties after rehabilitation and 5 new construction projects was $16,596,180.

In 1987, to keep the momentum going, I applied to the Kellenberger Historical Foundation for a $15,000 grant and developed the Downtown Facade Incentive Grant Program providing financial assistance to building owners in the Municipal Service Tax District who would improve the facades of their buildings. Grants were awarded on a 50/50 matching basis with a maximum participation of $1,000 per facade. Fourteen property owners received grants for projects ranging from replacing awnings to major renovations of the front and rear facades.

The numerous strategies produced significant results and were a catalyst for promoting good design. Over the years, the momentum continued. Today, approximately 95 percent of the facades on downtown’s buildings have been rehabbed in varying degrees.

In 1980, downtown appeared beaten, bruised and neglected. Through strong leadership, a coordinated strategy, teamwork and cooperation, both public and private, facade improvements implemented in keeping with the historic character of the buildings played a major role in transforming downtown. Downtown is once again known for its distinctive “sense of place.”

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Municipal Services District: The funding mechanism

Middle St.
Streetscape Improvements

James Reed Lane



Bear Plaza




Craven @ Hotel Service Parking Lot



Among the 1977 Central Business District Revitalization Plan recommendations was development of mid-block pedestrian parks connecting with interior parking lots to supplement existing on-street parking and creation of a Municipal Service District (provided in the NC General Statutes) as a mechanism to fund a wide range of downtown revitalization projects. Also referred to as a BID (Business Improvement District) revenue is generated through imposition of a tax on owners of property subject to the ad valorem property tax in a defined district, not to exceed $1.50 per hundred valuation.

Effective July 1, 1978, at the property owner’s request, the City established the Municipal Service District (MSD) in four core blocks bounded by Craven, Middle, Hancock and Tryon Palace Drive (South Front Street).  The $.50 per $100 valuation, generating $250,000 over a three year period was used to develop Bear Plaza ($75,000) on a vacant Middle Street lot, the former site of the Coplon Smith Department Store that burned in the 1970”s. The interior of the mid-block park allowed convenient access (walkabilty) to the second MSD project known as the Federal Alley Parking Lot. The owners of 22 separate properties, ranging in size from 75 to 11,500 square feet in the interior block, signed a five year renewable agreement allowing the City to develop the interior area with MSD funds ($175,000) to be utilized as a common parking area.

In 1984, with the completion of the two projects, the rate was reduced to $.25, generating $24,000 annually. Seen as insufficient funds for any long term major improvements, Swiss Bear led the effort to expand the special tax district based on a plan of public improvements. Mayor Bengel and the Board of Aldermen approved and appointed a MSD Advisory Committee: Jim Chagaris, Virginia McSorley, Paul Johnson, Lou Steinberg, Blackie Stith, Lonnie Pridgen, Harold Talton and Susan Moffat.

They met in June ’85 to define objectives and explore expansion of the district to encompass the entire central business district so adequate funds could be generated to implement defined on-going public improvements. Smith Design Group was hired to develop general guidelines used to solicit property owner’s support to expand the district to encompass the area bounded by property on the north side of Broad Street, west side of Hancock Street to the shorelines of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. Following public hearings, the Board of Aldermen approved the expansion with the exclusion of vacant lots and residential property and reduced the tax rate to $.18 for that fiscal year.

In 2007, the MSD Committee discussed amending the 1986 ordinance to include all properties, residential, commercial and vacant land, as many residences had now become rental properties or converted for commercial.  Since the value of all property within the MSD had increased, many by 700-900%, the Committee believed all property owners in the MSD should be taxed as all properties were benefiting from the improvements. A review of the General Statue determined, when a boundary was defined and approved by the municipality, individual lots within that district (except those with nonprofit status) could not be exempted. Following several public hearings, on January 8, 2008, the Board of Aldermen adopted a resolution to incorporate previously excluded real property into the existing MSD.

Since its creation, MSD tax dollars provided the bulk of funding for numerous public projects; 12 blocks of major streetscape improvements, new streetlights, landscaping, street furniture, four parking lots, two mid-block pedestrian parks, two alleyways improved, design guidelines, special reports, purchase of the lot at the northwest  corner of Craven and South Front Street, personnel for litter pick-up, foot patrol and South Front Street streetscape improvements from East Front to Hancock Street that will begin in the very near future.

The commitment of property owner’s and involvement of the private sector has been vital to downtown’s success. The increase in property values within the MSD reinforces it.

MSD Property values 1979- 2012

• $8.75 million - 1979-80

• $63 million - 2002-2003

• $109,537,935 - 2009-2010

• $166,823,448 - 2010-2011

• $167,782,462 - 2011-2012

Swiss Bear coordinates the MSD meetings held quarterly at which time the City provides an up-date on funds and projects. The current tax rate is $.12.

'A greater downtown will not merely be a dream'

Volunteers display Swiss Bear's new flag
made by a local citizen not long after the
 organization's creation in 1979.

On April 5, 1979, the Downtown Revitalization Committee officially transferred its responsibilities to the newly created organization, yet to be named and formally structured, at a public meeting in the Tryon Palace Auditorium. Its mission: to stimulate and coordinate the revitalization of the downtown and redevelopment of its waterfront.

In May, Doug Davis, Chairman; John Green, Vice Chairman; Virginia McSorley, Secretary; B.J. Wright, Treasurer were elected by acclamation to lead the organization.  Following the election, a motion by committee member David Henderson that the organization needed to file for incorporation, the Chairman stated a name for the group was necessary for incorporation. John Green’s suggestion, Swiss Bear, Inc., was adopted.

In late August, Swiss Bear received the incorporation charter as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit providing the right prescribed by law to solicit and receive contributions and gifts, exclusively for charitable or social welfare in furtherance of the purposes of the corporation and federal tax exempt status. 

By-laws were adopted and the composition of the board of directors consisted of not less than 18 or more than 25, nine by virtue of their office: New Bern Historic Foundation, New Bern Historical Society, New Bern City Government, New Bern City Administration, Craven County Government, Craven County Administration, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Merchants Association and New Bern Planning Board. Nine additional members elected from the community-at-large, composed of citizens who demonstrated an interest in the objectives and work of the corporation.  

Charter members of the first board were George Slade, Harry Vatz, Martha Smith, Gordon Parrott, Jim Ross, Bill Edwards, Dell Ipock, Frank Hargett, Nick Scholz, J.C. Outlaw, David Henderson, Johnny West, John Hill, l.J. Eubanks, Jr., Roland Grubbs, George Scott and Ralph Mann.

Martha Smith designed the first official logo and a budget of $45,000 was adopted. Swiss Bear committed to raising $15,000 from the community with commitments from the City and County of $15,000 each in matching funds. The board would meet the third Wednesday of every month at 7:30 a.m. to carry out the established goals and priorities.  

Activities and accomplishments of the Downtown Revitalization Committee and Swiss Bear in the late 1970’s included:

• Raised $8,000 to fund the Central Business District Revitalization Plan.
• Recommended the City’s purchase of the Coplon-Smith vacant lot to develop a mini-park (Bear Plaza) to provide access to Middle Street from the inner block parking area.
• Garnered   support of downtown property owners and requested the City’s establishment of a special tax district to fund downtown public improvements.
• Acquired grant funds and commissioned renderings of the downtown storefronts by East Carolina Regional Development Institute to encourage facade rehabilitation.
• Sponsored the first annual Swiss Bear Festival.  
• Sponsored public forums on the importance of historic preservation.
• Developed plans for forming a Historic Preservation Commission approved by the City Planning Board.
• Lobbied with other businesses for retention of the Courthouse in the downtown.
• Assisted the New Bern Civic Theatre in the acquisition of the Tryon Theatre on Pollock Street.
• Assisted the newly formed Craven Arts Council & Gallery with the acquisition of the old First Citizens Bank and establishment of the Bank of the Arts.




A Swiss Bear Festival sign displayed in front
of a vacant building that housed an antique show
not long after the organization's creation in 1979.

As 1979 drew to a close, a memo to all downtown businesses from John Phillips, owner of Bryant McLeod Men’s Store, summed up an event filled year.

 “We got the ball rolling! With your continued enthusiasm and attendance at Swiss Bear’s informal monthly meetings, looking forward to a GREATER DOWNTOWN NEW BERN will not merely be a dream. It will become a reality that we, working together for a common goal, will see come to pass.”

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

A city moving ahead: Laying the foundation to revive downtown

Neuse River waterfront late 1970's
Downtown New Bern

 

Trent River waterfront last 1970's
Downtown New Bern



In the 1970’s, the Central Business District (CBD) and city were at a critical juncture. The new mall enticed merchants to the outskirts of the city, roadways and incompatible land uses fragmented the downtown area into many small and marginally useful pieces of land and the downtown tax base continued to deteriorate as residents and businesses moved to the suburbs.

On the positive side, some steps had been taken in an attempt to re-establish a healthy core. The new Highway 70 by-pass was under construction, the urban renewal site (14 acres on the Trent River waterfront) was cleared and available for sale to potential investors. Tryon Palace had been restored and focused its marketing efforts on attracting tourists. 

The downtown was still essentially intact even though the facades of many buildings had been slipped covered with aluminum, tile and other materials in an attempt to compete with the new mall and gaps in the street scape where burned down or demolished buildings, were not rebuilt.

All of this was seen as a base to establish significant change in the downtown area, requiring clearly articulated objectives that would be understood by all segments of the community, strong leadership and a workable plan of action to this end.

In November 1976, the Downtown Revitalization Committee and Urban Renewal Commission contracted with Stephens Associates, Raleigh, NC, to prepare preliminary development plans and a program for downtown.  A month was spent collecting and interpreting market information followed by an intensive two week workshop. The Revitalization Committee (acting client group) met every other morning to review the consultants work.

Conclusions and recommendations (in addition to bringing a new market of recreation, tourism and retirees, creating a locally funded nonprofit to spearhead and coordinate the effort) was creation and adoption of a general physical development policy consisting of the following elements and based on the historic pattern.

·  An open space pedestrian spine along Middle Street connecting to the historic residential area with the urban renewal site.

·  A water edge pedestrian park system along the Trent and Neuse River shorelines.

·  Straight streets extending to the water.

·  Parking and sidewalks along street.

·  Buildings abutting the street right of way, extending the entire property width and two or three stories.

·  Re-establishment of the original building facades.

·  New parking, trash collection and delivery area constructed in the middle of each block.

·  Pedestrian ways established to allow convenient access from mid-block parking to the streets.

·  Develop and enforce a CBD sign ordinance.

The recommended first phase of redevelopment to include:

·  Mid block parking, trash and service area construction.

·  Mid block parking to street pedestrian ways.

·  Building façade renovation.

·  Expanding sidewalks with plantings and a pedestrian crossing on Middle Street.

·  Housing in vacant upper floors.

Redevelopment projects for the future include:

·  Narrowing Broad Street, adding plantings.

·  Underground utilities.

·  A mall on Middle Street.

·  Open space acquisition and construction of water edge park-pathway system.

The Plan was approved and adopted by the New Bern Board of Aldermen on July 19, 1977.

Revitalization Committee: T. Doug Davis, Chairman; Charles  Kimbrell, Mayor; Frank Hargett, County Commissioner; Bailey Dixon, President, Merchant Association; W.J. Edwards, Redevelopment Commission. Ex-officio members: Harry Vatz, Renewal Authority; Charles Taylor, Housing Authority; Nicholas Scholz, Chamber of Commerce. Renewal Authority; John G. Dunn, Chairman; Sam P. Branch; William  Bryan; Walter Jones, Jr.; Harry Vatz, William Edwards, Executive Director. City Officials; Charles Kimbrell, Mayor; Board of Aldermen: Ben Hurst, Pete Chagaris, Tom Davis, Ed Armstrong, Ella Bengal; J.C. Outlaw, City Manager.

Implementation of the first phase and creation of a funding mechanism will be related in a future column.

Susan Moffat-Thomas

Executive Director

Sunrise Business Update

Swiss Bear and the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce are happy to announce we are partnering to provide Sunrise Business Update, to the business community.

Beginning January 31, bi-monthly Sunrise Business Update meetings will kick-off with featured speaker, John W. Gibson, attorney with Hull Story Gibson, owners of the New Bern Mall on MLK Jr. Boulevard. Gibson's work at Hull Story Gibson includes the acquisition, financing and operation of retail properties.

The meetings will be held 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. at Baker's Kitchen, 227 Middle Street in the second floor meeting room with a full buffet breakfast. The cost of $10 per person, will be collected at the beginning of the meeting.

Due to limited seating, reservations are required by contacting the Chamber; email smilliron@newbernchamber.com or call 637-3111. Reservations for the January 31 meeting are required by the end of  Tuesday, January 29th workday.

The schedule of the bi-monthly programs for the calendar year is: January 31, March 28, May 30, July 25, September 26, December 5.

A complete listing of speakers for the year will be published in the near future.

The goal in initiating this project/program is to provide an opportunity for the business community to meet and hear presentations from business professionals on topics that are important and timely to New Bern, Craven County and Eastern North Carolina.

Susan Moffat-Thomas

Executive Director

Kudos to Jan Francouer, A Main Street Champion

Jan Francoeur
Owner of Carolina Creations

On Thursday, January 31, Janet Francoeur, owner of Carolina Creations will be recognized by the Secretary of the NC Department of Commerce as a 2012 Main Street Champion at the NC  Main Street Annual Awards ceremony in Salisbury.

As a member of the NC Main Street Program, Swiss Bear is given the opportunity annually to recognize a local Main Street Champion…a person who brings fresh ideas to downtown, is a reliable volunteer for a downtown special event, is a creative building owner whose renovation respects the architectural and history significance of the structure and is committed to the downtown privatization effort.

Jan Francoeur fits the description, for sure. Well-known, well-liked, an innovative entrepreneur, Jan and her husband own a business which is a recognized downtown destination. She and Michael are downtowners through and through.

We appreciate the many contributions of time and talent Jan has contributed to the downtown effort and are happy to add her name to the list of the many other Main Street Champions.

Susan Moffat-Thomas

Executive Director

Main Street Solutions Grant - Updte on old Pak A Sak Building Renovation

Old Pak A Sak
under renovation

Gutted Interior

Last March we were happy to report two downtown projects submitted in January through the City for a NC Main Street Solutions grant for $100,000 was being funded. Swiss Bear and the City Planning Department worked with Haroldson Properties to acquire the grant to assist with the renovation of what is referred to as the old Pak A Sak building (a small grocery chain in New Bern for many years) on East Front Street and the expansion and improvement to the retail area in the Bank of the Arts.

The Haroldson property has been under renovation since April for lease to David Blythe as an annex to the Branches Furniture Store on Pollock Street. Work included demolition and gutting of the interior of the building, removal of the huge walk in cooler, replacing all electrical and plumbing systems, cutting into the brick façade to allow for new thermal windows that extend to the concrete floor, suspended ceilings, new light fixtures, wall to wall carpeting and last, but not least, the graffiti on the exterior of the building removed.

Effective October 5, David Blythe, third generation owner of Branches, will sign a five year lease. He is very happy as the addition of 9,000 square feet of downtown showroom space  allows the introduction of two new product lines –  mattress and outdoor living galleries. David said ”he has been waiting for years to have another showroom within walking distance of the original store. Branches walk-in traffic downtown is five times more than it ever was in the previous annex location on Highway 70 East”.

He is hiring three new employees (meets the terms of one new employee for every $25,000 of MSS grant money) and is grateful to Swiss Bear, the City, Haroldson Properties and the state for making the renovation of the building possible.

Swiss Bear is pleased the NC Main Street Solutions Fund Program made it possible to renovate a long standing vacant building, expand a downtown family business and the downtown retail mix, create three new jobs and enhancing the East Front Street gateway and corridor into downtown. 



Nearing completion



David Blythe, Owner
Branches Furniture Store




Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

James Reed Lane - creating through-block pedestrian linkages

  

Old Pool Hall
Demolished in 1990's for creation of a

mid-block pedestrian park

James Reed Lane
under construction

  

James Reed Lane - Today
300 Block of Pollock Street





In 1994, when Swiss Bear heard the owner of the old pool hall was considering selling it, with approval from  the Municipal Service District Advisory Committee and the City, Swiss Bear Board member Stewart Smith approached the owner  and worked out an agreement for the City to purchase the building. Acquiring the property was a long term goal as creating through-block pedestrian linkages  was recommended in the 1977 Revitalization Plan and the 1990 Urban Design Plan. This small one-story building was in poor repair, without architectural distinction and its removal would allow a dramatic direct view of the steeple of the Episcopal Church, mirroring the view of the First Baptist through Church Alley.

Swiss Bear hired Allison Platt & Associates to design a plan for the space with plantings, old brick from the streets of New Bern, street lights, benches and a three-tier fountain. Following demolition of the old building by the City, the project was put on hold as the MSD funds  (an additional tax paid by downtown property owners for public improvements) were committed for streetscape improvements to the 100/200 blocks of Middle Street.

Swiss Bear met the challenge to move the project forward and worked to raise funds and find an appropriate name for the mid-block pedestrian park. Reverend Edward Sharp, Christ Episcopal Church had been a strong supporter of the revitalization effort and Swiss Bear. When I asked for his assistance to recommend a name for the park, he spent a great deal of time researching the project. Through his efforts, the New Bern Board of Aldermen approved our request to name the park James Reed Lane in memory and honor of this 18^th century pioneer in public education. After 230 years, the Reverend James Reed, first rector of Christ Church received belated public recognition for his role in establishing in New Bern, North Carolina’s first incorporated school in 1764.

The City agreed to provide the labor for development of the space if we could raise funds to pay for construction materials, streetlights, benches and planting materials. We initiated a campaign and successfully raised $60,000 with Reverend Sharp’s support. Additional funding for the beautiful three-tier cast iron fountain was contributed by Dr. and Mrs. Harry MacDonald in honor of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.J. MacDonald. John C. Thomas constructed the abstract wood wall hanging and donated and placed the brownstone plaque in the sidewalk that recognizing the MacDonald’s contribution. Contributors to the project are listed on a bronze plaque on the  brick wall facing the park.  

The dedication celebration, held February 25^th was well attended. In addition to remarks from Reverend Sharp, the Swiss Bear Director and Chairman,  Patrick Dorsey, North Carolina Secretary of Cultural Resources was the keynote speaker.

This mid-block pedestrian park is another amenity  that enhances the “walkability and sense of place” of our historic downtown.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director