Downtown Reidsville sees new faces

By Miranda Baines

Published: July 7, 2008

Business development in Reidsville is on the rise. Two new businesses recently opened and another has expanded its inventory. The new shops in Reidsville come as no surprise to Beth Simmons, president of the Chamber of Commerce.

“I just think these things have been percolating for so long,” she said. She attributes the new business to the city’s recent investments in downtown.

“It’s been proven that once you put public money into an area, that private money tends to follow it,” said Simmons.

The city’s projects include the Market Square construction in the old Settle Street parking lot and renovations to the old EMS base. Barbara and Ted DeJournette, owners of Pelham Transportation, plan to move their business into the former EMS base by the end of July.

Another project is the renovation of the former Bank of Reidsville building on the 100 block of South Scales Street. The developer, Waheed Haq, plans to begin renovations in August. He wants to convert the second floor to condominiums and use the first floor for retail space and a restaurant. Simmons said the restaurant will be a “nice, white tablecloth” kind of place.

Reidsville’s recent All-America City designation and the Chamber’s relocation to the corner of Harrison and Main streets have added to the excitement.

“We’re getting a lot of traffic. Hopefully that will mean new development and more people coming in,” said Simmons.

REIDSVILLE FLORIST AND GIFTS
Bonnie Purgason, co-owner of Reidsville Florist and Gifts at 119 S. Scales St., said the specialty shops downtown complement one another.

“We have a little bit of everything to offer people,” she said.

Among the new offerings are wine and gourmet foods. Purgason said the wine and gourmet foods will be a great addition to her gift line and will go well with the flower shop.

“We can customize any basket,” she said.

Reidsville Florist and Gifts’ gourmet foods include Wisconsin cheeses, Wind & Willow dip and dessert mixes and cheese balls, Mingo River double-dipped chocolate pecans and Go Nutz. The gift shop has a wide variety of wines, including North Carolina labels such as Shelton, Duplin and Childress. Sangria has been the shop’s best seller.

“A lot of our wines are restaurant-style wines that you can’t find in the grocery store,” said Allen, Purgason’s husband and store co-owner.

Reidsville Florist and Gifts will have a ribbon cutting/wine tasting Aug. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. After that, Purgason said, the shop will have wine tastings regularly.

Purgason said she plans to keep expanding the selection in the gourmet section of her store. She plans to offer wine glasses, cork openers and other accessories.

“This is only the beginning,” she said.

Reidsville Florist and Gifts has gradually expanded and evolved in 16 years. The store started as a florist shop. Seven years ago, the Purgasons acquired the space adjoining the shop that now houses their gift line and wine and gourmet items. Purgason said the store has a large customer base that continues to increase with the downtown revitalization.

“It was a good move for us to move downtown. Over the years it has become the hubbub of the city,” she said.

THE BACK STREET CLOTHING STORE
Another store is The Back Street Clothing Store at 206 S.W. Market St., across from Everyday Art and Backstreet Buzz Coffee House.

The store sells “the latest urban and church attire at the lowest price,” according to Jamie Wheeler, son of store owner Barbara Wheeler.

The store offers clothing for men, women and children, as well as caps, pocketbooks, belts, jewelry and other accessories.

Wheeler said business has been good so far.

“It’s downtown, and everybody comes downtown,” he said. He also believes the store is filling a need.

“You don’t have a lot of clothing business downtown,” he said.

The Back Street Clothing Store is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

FURNITURE SHOWCASE
Mike and Michelle Whetzel opened a Furniture Showcase branch at the old Pontiac GM store on Freeway Drive. The Whetzels have owned Furniture Showcase in Raleigh for 14 years.

“We’re the largest home office dealer in Raleigh,” said Mike.

Aside from office furniture, Mike said the store sells “middle-end” home furnishings, including leather sofas, bedroom sets and dining room tables.

Furniture Showcase buys stock and delivers; it’s not a “catalog company,” according to Mike.

“We’re a pretty large stocking dealer, so there are tons of things I could show you that you could have today,” he said.

With Michelle’s knowledge of the area — she grew up in Bethany — the Whetzels hope to play a vital role in the community.

“We’re family owned and operated,” said Mike. “We’re friendly and we care. We learn your names and we’re here to help.”

Some of the special services Furniture Showcase offer are financing and layaways.

Furniture Showcase is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Staff writer Miranda Baines can be reached at or 349-4331, ext. 35.