A Pine Road lemonade stand Saturday was staffed by, from left, Peter Snynder, Rachel Stewart, Sam Ruppenthal, and Liam Wright.

A stand at Woodland and Lorimer. (E3D photo)

That gauntlet of lemonade stands set up on Davidson’s streets on Saturday really delivered, and that means computers for local school kids who need them. Organizers with E3D (Eliminate Davidson’s Digital Divide) said Sunday night the effort raised $3,134 – the equivalent of about 10 new or 30 refurbished computers.

The nonprofit E3D estimates there are 50 students at Davidson Elementary School alone who don’t have the advantage of a home computer with an internet connection. Founded in February by town residents, the group is working with public schools in Davidson and Cornelius as well as the Ada Jenkins Center to obtain computers and provide technical support. Read the full story

Updated Sunday 7:20am
It’s graduation weekend in Davidson, with a swarm of parents strolling Main Street with their soon-to-be grads. Commencement ceremonies for the 447 members of the Davidson College Class of 2013 are Sunday, May 19, at 10am, in Belk Arena. Read the full story

Eden Street Market vendors and local officials cut a ribbon Saturday. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Chef Sylvain Rivet demonstrated making shrimp beignet Saturday at Eden Street Market. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Office and retail space are at a premium these days as more businesses want to be in downtown Davidson. And that’s leading to new life for buildings that have long been vacant or underused. The new Eden Street Market is a prime example.

Entrepreneurs joined customers and town officials last Saturday for a ribbon cutting at the new market, in the Metrolina Warehouse, a century-old mill across the railroad tracks from the Davidson post office. The site is a cross between a farmer’s market and a flea market, with a range of shops – some just tables and others full-fledged stalls with walls and doors.

“It’s very different,” Davidson economic development manager Kim Fleming said before Saturday’s grand opening. “I think this is great. It’s a great use of the space. It gives a lot of vendors an opportunity to sell in Davidson.”

That opportunity means a lot to the shopkeepers here. Fleming says she is overwhelmed by inquiries from businesses looking for space, and these days there’s just not much available. Read the full story

Crossing Main Street. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

More than 750 people responded to the Town of Davidson’s recent online survey seeking feedback on conditions for biking and walking in town. Davidson officials say those responses are part of the mix as consultants and officials drafted the proposed Pedestrian Master Plan, which will be presented at a joint meeting of the Davidson Planning Board and Davidson Livability Board Tuesday, May 21. Read the full story

By ANDREW WILKINS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson police this week issued a reminder about email scams and hoaxes after “a couple of residents” received emails they deemed suspicious, according to a town spokeswoman.  Meanwhile, police  handed out 21 speeding tickets on Griffith Street during the week of May 6 – 12. And two minor vehicle accidents, both involving tight turns while hauling trailers, occurred along Main Street.

Read the full story

Davidson commissioners are scheduled to vote Tuesday on a rezoning that would allow construction of the proposed Davidson Retirement Residence on Peninsula Drive in the Exit 30 area – a plan that did not win support from the Planning Board because of parking concerns. The board also will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2013-14 budget and plans a public hearing and vote on a proposal to designate 102 Hillside Ave. as a historic landmark.

The meeting begins at 6pm at Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. Read the full story

Law firm Copeland, Cook & Richards has moved to downtown Davidson, from Cornelius, and expanded with a fourth partner. Meanwhile, the town of Davidson hosts its first Davidson Connections meeting Thursday at 9am, open to people from retail and home businesses, and nonprofits. And South Main Square will host a seminar May 23 on e-mail marketing. Plus, a few notes about new businesses in town, including Civitas Media, a regional newspaper publisher that recently established its headquarters in Davidson. Read the full story

A reception is planned Friday evening, May 17, 7-9 pm at Davidson Town Hall for an exhibit of photographs by digital photo artist PK Donson of Davidson. Click to read more in our latest Art News column, in THE GUIDE»