Replacements, Ltd.

I've travelled to the central part of North Carolina several times now, and each time I've gone, I've seen the Replacements Ltd. retail warehouse from the highway. The other day I saw an intriguing photo from inside the store (online, not pictured here) and knew I had to check this place out the next time I was in Greensboro. This shop is a museum, a retail shop, warehouse and distribution center. The focus of this store is dishes, silverware and collectibles.

It's important to note right off the bat, that I'm really not into china. I never understood the wedding tradition of purchasing 16 sets of formal china and silverware that you use only twice a year and need large pieces of furniture to store it in. (I love the everyday, crisp white plates in unusual shapes that you'd find in upscale Asian restaurants. But I digress.) I can, however, appreciate the artistry that goes into creating these pieces of art. This was NOT the reason I stopped in though. I'll get to that shortly.

I ended up taking the tour, which is offered every half hour. I was the only one on the tour so I had the chance to take a lot of photos and ask a lot of questions. The tour was quite interesting. Here are a few of the things I saw and learned about the place: The owner, Bob Page, started collecting dishes at garage sales and stored them in his attic. In 1981, he opened his shop. It grew! Today, Replacements Ltd. has more than 265,000 china patterns. and it can now boast that it has the largest collection of dinnerware in the world. If you cracked that rare plate from 100 years ago, chances are they can repair it, find a replacement for you onsite, or track it down somewhere in the world. They can even carve custom designs into existing silverware for you, using their special equipment in the back.

In the back portion of the shop is the museum where items are not for sale. Did you see that Wedgewood on the heels of the shoes pictured at the top of the page? Certainly, this cash resister isn't going anywhere. 

Perhaps a matador lladro is more to your liking? No? There's also an entire room devoted just to Christmas collectibles. And speaking of a bull in a china shop, Replacement, Ltd. is dog friendly. Dogs are actually welcome inside this shop where a single item, worth thousands, can sit exposed on top of a glass cabinet. Is that crazy or what!!!!

Okay, then. So if I'm not into all this, why did I stop in? And why did I take the tour? 

Because I wanted access to the back (behind the storefront and museum). 

I wanted to get inside the warehouse, the distribution center. And that I did. My mouth hit the floor when I first stepped through the doors. I've never seen anything like this before. I've been to IKEA, of course, but this seemed to be in a league of its own.

According to the Replacement, Ltd. website, the facility is 500,00 square feet, equal to eight football fields. It went on FOREVER! I'm personally fascinated how places like this store and ship so much merchandise so quickly.

On the tour I was able to see: where 12 million pieces of inventory were stored; where it was prepared for shipping; where it was reviewed, cataloged and repaired. I got to see where the employees spent their lunch breaks. I passed through the call center and the resource library. 

Perhaps I am just a geek, but I'd rather spend my time in the back of a retail shop learning how this "little guy" to the left got here and how he might find a new home. Fascinating. It was well worth my stop off the highway. For more information on the shop (they buy and sell), click here.

Thrill of the Hunt

In Historic Greensboro, a couple blocks down on Elm Street from Just Be, there is a eclectic shop called Thrill of the Hunt, where they sell in- and outdoor- used furniture, home decor, alongside vintage jewelry and fashion accessories. The shop is part thrift shop, part creative factory.

There is a workshop in the back of the store where used items are given new life.

Below are some examples of the gently used and upcycled items that are available for sale. For more information on the shop, click here.

Snapshots Around Greensboro

Despite being one of the largest cities in North Carolina, Greensboro is pretty small. It doesn't take long to walk from end-to-end. However, when you include all the outlying neighborhoods that border downtown, it IS quite vast. Here are some of the snapshots from my tour around the city.

Back in 1960, at the Woolworth's lunch counter, four black students staged a sit-in after being denied service. Woolworth changed its desegregation policy after hundreds participated in the sit-ins that followed. The International Civil Rights Center and Museum (above) opened on the 50th anniversary of those sit-ins on February 1, 2010. For more information on the center, click here.

Center City Park hosts outdoor events in the heart of downtown. Sitting by a fountain, having dinner with some friends after work under the night sky, and listening to a live band (on a stage not pictured here)... sounds like a good night to me. (The Greensboro Cultural Center can be seen in the background).

One of several approaches to Historic Greensboro.

I would not have spotted this fountain squeezed between two buildings, had I not run into a child fixated on something inside this alleyway.

The buildings above are reminiscent of the style of architecture found in almost every city I've visited in North Carolina so far.

Catch a movie, or a performance, at the 1100-seat Carolina Theatre (downtown) and when the show's over grab a drink or late-night bite within walking distance of any number of cafes and restaurants...

...and if the weather's warm enough, sit outside.

The Lincoln Financial Group Building is the hallmark of Greensboro's skyline.

Just Be

Last week I ventured into Greensboro, North Carolina, about one hour northwest of Raleigh. It's the third largest city in the state. My first stop was "Just Be", a boutique on the corner of South Elm and McGee Streets. Meagan, the store's director, was extremely friendly and welcoming. She informed me all about the store and the city's past and present state. It seems Greensboro has had quite a turnaround in the past decade, and continues on an upward climb with the development of a new Coliseum and Cultural Center. 

Just Be carries fair-trade products and hand-made arts and crafts from around the region. There's quite a selection of gifts, accessories, jewelry, home and wall decor, cards, pillows, mirrors, ceramics, lotions, honey and teas—and that was just on first glance. I'm sure the list goes on. If I lived close by I would make this a first stop during gift-giving season. But then again, if I lived close by I'd be doing some serious damage to my bank account year-round.

If you'd like more information on Just Be, click here to go to their website.

It seems Greensboro has had quite a turnaround in the past decade and continues on the upward climb with the development of a new Coliseum and Cultural Center. 

Spring's A-Comin'

The signs are all here. Spring is on it's way and it can't come fast enough! Took this at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum over the weekend. 

Zoo, Part II

Welcome back to the Zoo, Part II. The flamingos were the highlight of my trip. They are such unusual creatures — standing on one leg, twisting their necks in order to bury their heads inside their own feather down pillow. Flamingos get such a bad wrap when they're molded in plastic and staked on the front lawns in America. These birds are cool and the real deal!

I give the North Carolina Zoo props for their creativity. Throughout the park there were things for kids (and adults alike) to do and look at—from their "Hide, Seek, Skip and Run" structure made solely of twisted branches, to their signage, poetry and sculpture. 

I felt for the bear above. It paced from one end of the ledge to the other, over and over. Perhaps it was hungry, awaiting mealtime, or just stir crazy, having lived in the same quarters for so long. Or perhaps it was just making sure I highlight it's good side.

Too bad these bears couldn't meet up for some play. This one just looked bored. Bad photo through some streaky glass, but wanted to show the in-and-out of-water environments.

Moving inside to the steamy jungle environment of the "Forest Aviary". Birds were flying around and swooping in pretty close, cawing and doing what birds do. Watch yourself. This was another cool building with two levels... one kept you high in the tree branches looking down, the other left you staring up. This place was a hotbed for photographers shooting all the exotic plants, trees and flowers. Orchids everywhere!

And just when my body was acclimated to the jungle-like climate, I stepped out and headed towards the dry grasslands  of the African Pavilion.

It was here that I found ten minutes of sheer silence - a nice break from the busloads of tourists. For some reason no one ventured down the long, wooden pathway to get to the viewing station and pavilion. Rhinos were feasting and lounging in the sun. I felt good about the zoo here, since the land was vast and offered plenty of room for these animals to roam.

Is a caption even necessary here? I didn't think so. Thanks for visiting the zoo with me.

NC ZOO (ASHEBORO)

Welcome to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. I visited last weekend (in March) when many of the exhibits were undergoing construction. If you're visiting during off-season, be sure to pace yourself. If you walk the entire route, you'll find yourself in a long line (with a long wait) for the tram back to the entrance or you'll have to hoof it back on foot. I made that rookie mistake. The zoo is not laid out in a loop as I had expected. The shuttle runs during the spring/summer so this is not an issue then. Despite that glitch, I enjoyed my day exploring the 550 acres.

Can't say I remember what was in the Sonora Desert building ~ snakes and geckos I guess. I was distracted more by the architecture. To be inside, but feel like you're outside, was all pretty cool. I loved the clear, dome-shaped roof.

Welcome to Honey Bee Garden. Kids were lining up to have their photo taken by mom and dad. As an artist, I loved the inside of the honey comb. Very cool patterns, textures and colors. 

I was really pulling for the turtle above. It was having the darndest time pulling itself up on the stump at feeding time. As for the turtle below... nothing like pulling a chair up to the buffet bar. 

Food and drink can be found at various hubs along the route. If you're stopping at the cafeteria, be sure to go at off hours or you'll be fighting long lines and school groups. This was around 2pm when things settled down a bit.

I'll be back with a second installment of the zoo in a few days. Until then, make yourself comfortable.