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

LaToya Stevens used recycled materials for a spring window at FiFi’s in Cornelius. (Gayle Shomer/DavidsonNews.net)

At the intersection of fashion and design is FiFi’s Fine Resale in Cornelius. Selling used apparel, the perfect recycling balance takes place and LaToya Stevens is one of the visionaries.

Stevens, the new creative director at Fifi’s, spent 3-4 hours making the window display using recycled materials.

“I’m the type of person that I just pick up things and start creating. I’m good at improvising with what I have”, says Stevens.

The flowers are built with recycled materials that she spray-painted. The dress emerged from leftover tissue paper and old donated newspapers. Read the full story

For years Davidson diners have been craving Mexican, something to add a little spice and fun to the expanding dining choices along Main Street. On Wednesday, the doors officially opened on the answer: Carrburritos. The taqueria opened Wednesday on South Main. See our Small Biz Spotlight, in FOOD & DINING»

Chris and Michelle Stowers, of Legacy Supply Co., in South Main Square (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

People love Davidson for its small-town charm and sense of community. But it’s also constantly evolving, as newcomers inject new ideas and trends into the mix. Among the latest are Chris and Michelle Stowers, who grew up in California’s skateboard culture and have opened a specialty clothing and board shop called Legacy Supply Co. off South Main Street.

The eclectic shop, at 432 S. Main St., South Main Square, sells everything from skateboards and custom bicycles to accessories and casual apparel such as hand-made jeans by North Carolina’s Raleigh Denim. The owners describe it as a “lifestyle and heritage boutique.” Read the full story

CONCORD – A new slaughterhouse that opened Thursday in Cabarrus County is a big deal for many of the region’s farmers. It’s much closer to home and savings on travel costs and time can help their bottom lines. Katie McMonagle of our news partner WFAE reports, in FOOD & DINING»

John Baker owns Davidson Beverage Co., in South Main Square. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

John Baker didn’t seek out his career change, it came to him. After a 2010 downsizing at the media distributor where he worked, he decided to turn his taste for beer into a business: Davidson Beverage Co.

The specialty wine and craft beer store opens this week in South Main Square, 442 S. Main St. in Davidson. Mr. Baker has taken over the former MasterWorks School of the Arts space. (MasterWorks moved to a smaller space nearby.) Read the full story

There are home decor shops and there are landscaping businesses. And then there are businesses like the one Brandon and Amy Morris of Cornelius opened last fall, called The Elements 4 Life Home & Outdoor Living. The new retail store on Davidson-Concord Road, across from the Bradford Store, offers both outdoor design items and gifts, and is a showroom for the couple’s 8-year-old business MINT Landscaping, for Morris Irrigation Nature & Turf. They’re having a grand opening this Saturday. Read our Small Biz Spotlight in REAL ESTATE & HOME»

Health and wellness have long been important to Jan Riebe, but it wasn’t until four years ago that a career change gave her the chance to get hands-on. Six months ago she went out on her own, opening Gateway Therapeutic Massage on Davidson Gateway Drive. Read more about her on HEALTH & FITNESS»