Winterville Magazine 2020 by Cooke NC

NIGHTLIFE ANEW ENTRPRENEURS WAKE UP DOWNTOWN

BREWING VERONICA TAQUERIA RAILROAD STEPHEN UP BUSINESS ROBERSON TERE CIGARS PENN

Of the HGTV Show “Home Town”

2 | Winterville Magazine 2020

IN THIS ISSUE

12 New Meets Old in Downtown

18 Taste of Mexico

24 Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire

What’s on Tap

30 Winterville Moves & Shakes

THE COVER Photography by Deborah Griffin

VOLUME 17 - 2020 Bobby Burns Editor Deborah Griffin Staff Photographers

NIGHTLIFE ANEW ENTRPRENEURS WAKE UP DOWNTOWN

Donna Marie Williams Elizabeth Johnson Catherine Mitchell Staff Writers Tom Little Advertising Emerson Designs Layout & Design

BREWING VERONICA TAQUERIA RAILROAD STEPHEN UP BUSINESS ROBERSON TERE CIGARS PENN

The old mixes with the new at the Nauti Dog Brewing Company in Winterville, which used to house the town’s Post Office. The brewery and Main & Mill Oyster Bar and Tavern help draw crowds to Winterville.

WINTERVILLE© is published annually by The Standard newspaper. Contents are the property of this newspaper and the Town of Winterville and may not be reproduced without consent of the publisher. To advertise in this publication, contact The Standard at 252-747-3883.

Winterville Magazine 2020 |

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Winterville Magazine 2020 |

“We’re getting a variety of people in with the new developments. It’s not like you go by and say that’s a white development or that’s a Hispanic development or a black development. No, they’re mixed all in.” Veronica Roberson, Winterville Mayor pro tem

Winterville Mayor Pro Tem Veronica Roberson stands outside Town Hall. She grew up in Winterville during segregation.

New Meets Old In Downtown Mayor Pro Tem Says Good Change Is Happening In Winterville STORY BY ELIZABETH JOHNSON, PHOTOS BY DEBORAH GRIFFIN

Winterville Mayor Pro Tem Veronica Roberson was born in a white shotgun-style house on Tyson Street. Like many in her family, she has lived in Winterville her entire life. Her family has lived in town for more than a century, and through their eyes and her own, she has seen a lot of change. The change that has helped transform downtown recently is exciting for everyone, she said. “It’s more of a gathering area than it was in the past,” Roberson said during a walk downtown in October. “In the past, it was more of a shopping area ... it was a service area for a long time.”

8 | Winterville Magazine 2020

There was a grocery store, department store, a small corner store, a restaurant and more, she said. But over the years many of those businesses began to close as retail shifted from downtowns to malls, strip centers and big-boxes. With a few exceptions, empty storefronts were left behind. A new energy began when Main & Mill Oyster Bar and Tavern opened in February 2019 to cater to growing, densely packed residential areas that wanted fine dining close by. Nauti Dog Brewing Co. and Local Oak Brewing Co. opened in the spring, building momentum. Traffic generated by the businesses has helped raise the profile of existing downtown shops and encouraged new ones to open, including Railroad Cigar Lounge.

“It’s really nice when we have new business open up like this, the dance studio and things like that are a little different that you don’t have in Greenville,” Roberson said. Roberson graduated from W.H. Robinson Union School in 1970, when it was a segregated school for black students. W.H. Robinson became an elementary school after D.H. Conley High School opened in 1970. She went on to get her bachelor’s and master’s in teaching from East Carolina University. She taught in Pitt County Schools for 32 years, 29 of them at Ayden Middle School. She was first elected to the Winterville town council in 2007. She decided to run because the council wanted to close a street crossing the tracks at Robinson Elementary School, which concerned many citizens. She started a petition and went before the board, which led members to reconsider their decision, she said. When it rains, some crossings can become impassable and closing the one at Robinson would have further reduced places where residents could traverse the tracks that divide the town. The north-south railway was the heartbeat of Winterville, which was founded as an agricultural and freight stop. The tracks run through the middle of town, with Railroad Street running on both sides.

(Above) The roof of Roberson’s model house can be removed to reveal details of how she remembers it from growing up in Winterville.

(Below) Roberson holds model of the house where she grew up. The shotgun-style home is no longer standing.

When Winterville was founded, the train was the only way to get supplies into the town, Roberson said. The town was built up around the railroad with most of its downtown on Railroad Street. Railroad Street is now home to Local Oak, the cigar shop, pet groomer, florist, dance studio and a taqueria. The downtown stands out with its eye-catching light pink, polka dot and bright blue storefronts. Nauti Dog is in the former home of the town’s post office and is connected to Main & Mill. A grassy lot next to Nauti Dog has been converted into a sitting area with string lights and picnic tables. The brewery chose to keep the original ceiling tiles and exposed brick walls. “It’s really pretty here because the little lights are on and everything and you see a lot of people out here,” Roberson said. Main & Mill’s building once housed a department store. The owners incorporated the store’s features into its new look by using an old window display as a wooden stage. “Main & Mill, like I’ve said, they’ve invested a lot, it is a good looking place outside and inside, but even in doing that, they still kept small parts of the store from back then, but it’s a lot of modernized stuff in there now,” Roberson said. The new vibe adds to long-established draws like the Dixie Queen seafood restaurant, which has attracted large crowds from all

Roberson talks with Councilman Mark Smith, who works at the North Carolina Driving School, which is owned by Councilman Tony Moore. over the state for 60 years, Roberson said. “It attracts people from all over,” she said. “It’s amazing to just sit and watch the busses and vans that come from churches and out of town to eat at the Dixie Queen.” The Winterville Public Library is another

downtown highlight, she said. It provides resources including books, research material, internet and computers to community members for free, she said. Parents are able to get books for their children, community members can use computers to apply for jobs and meeting rooms to gather. “Our library is a jewel in our community,” she said. “I see so many people, I see the homeschoolers go in there getting stacks of books, I see parents going in there after school getting their children stacks of books, they have story time there for children and everything,” Roberson said. Winterville’s low crime rate and a downtown that’s in walking distance to most residential areas has become a big draw for people who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of places like neighboring Greenville, she said. As the town has grown, Roberson said she has seen the town’s population become very diverse, another change for the better, she said.

On a recent warm November evening, two ladies talk as the sun sets on the Winterville water tower reflected in the store window fronts.

10 | Winterville Magazine 2020

“We’re getting a variety of people in with the new developments,” she said “It’s not like you go by and say that’s a white development or that’s a Hispanic development or a black development. No, they’re mixed all in.”

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Winterville Magazine 2020 |

TASTE OF MEXICO

Taqueria Tere brings authentic food & culture to the downtown mix

STORY & PHOTOS BY DONNA MARIE WILLIAMS

Taqueria Tere is spreading Mexican culture to the Winterville community by offering a taste of authentic south-of-the-border cuisine. Family owned and operated, Taqueria Tere began as a dream of Teresa De Gonzalez who owned a taqueria shop in Mexico before her move to Greene County. “Ever since we moved to the United States, she’s always wanted to open her own taqueria,” said Jorge Gonzales-Flores, De Gonzalez’s son and co-owner. Her dream came to fruition on Sept. 2, 2019, after her family transformed an old convenience store on Fort Run Road in Snow Hill into Taqueria Tere. “I’ve always loved to cook,” De Gonzales said. “I like to cook all the time, even if I am tired. I (de)stress with cooking.”

Though successful at the Fort Run location, the building was a rented space and the family wanted a place to truly call their own. When Jorge discovered their current location at 2600 Railroad St. for sale, they knew they had found the perfect spot. “The town is very beautiful. What really got me was, it was a corner building on a main street,” Jorge said. “My mom stood outside and saw how busy the main street was,” he said. “She said, ‘Go put in an offer.’” The family closed the doors of the Fort Run location in July 2019 and quickly went to work at their Winterville location. After a delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gonzales opened Taqueria Tere’s doors once more on June 21. She was joined by her daughter, Teresa, and Jorge. Having her family involved was important to De Gonzales.

Tacos remain a best-seller at Taqueria Tere.

Kitchen manager Maria Garcia puts Mexican sour cream on a tamale.

“It completed my dream. I feel more support from my children,” she said. “They are excited to help. I’m excited. I want to teach them,”

“In Mexico, taquerias are more like fast food. You walk into the taqueria, sit at a bar, order your food. It’s a quick transaction,” Jorge said.

De Gonzalez added that longtime family friend Maria Garcia also joined the business as the kitchen manager.

Customers have a choice between tacos, tortas, and quesadillas.

“(Maria) is excited about what we are doing here and our food. We are happy she’s here,” Jorge said.

“A torta is essentially a hot sandwich thrown over the griddle with the choice of one of the three proteins we offer. It has lettuce, tomato, queso fresco and sour cream,” Jorge said.

The family remains dedicated to offering customers a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine and strives to provide a high-quality level of food.

For each dish, customers have a choice between three proteins: pollo (chicken), asada (steak) or barbacoa (barbecue beef).

“We want everybody to know that real Mexican food is not what some people think it is,” De Gonzales said. Jorge added, “I invite everyone to come and try our authentic Mexican tacos, quesadillas, and tortas at least once because Taco Bell is not Mexican food. When customers try our food their perception of what authentic Mexican food is will change.” In true taqueria fashion, Taqueria Tere offers three main courses. “In our country, a taqueria is different than a restaurant. The menu is really simple,” Jorge said. “You don’t carry entrees like in a Mexican restaurant.

Customers also have a choice between three homemade salsas that range in heat.

Teresa Gonzales-Flores fills tamale salsa containers.

The spiciest option is the red salsa, or rojo. For a milder salsa, Taqueria Tere offers verde. For customers who want additional flavors more than spiciness, the shop offers its guacamole salsa. In authentic Mexican fashion, tacos are topped with cilantro and onions. They remain the shop’s best-seller, Jorge said. Taqueria Tere has also begun offering seasonal menu items. In the summertime, a pineapple quesadilla with a special accompanying salsa was offered. For winter, Taqueria Tere offered two varieties of tamales — red and green.

Teresa De Gonzales prepares a corn husk for tamales.

Winterville Magazine 2020 |

The Taquerie Tere staff includes, from left, Maria Garcia, Teresa and Jorge Gonzales-Flores and Teresa De Gonzales.

Green tamales are made using a tomatillo sauce while red tamales have a have guajillo sauce.

Since opening, the Taqueria has established itself as a go-to Winterville destination.

Both tamales are made using pollo, mesa, or dough, and are steamed while wrapped inside a corn husk.

“When Mom and I decided to move to Winterville, we were very worried about how accepting a new town would be to us. We prayed about it,” Jorge said. “This town has shown so much love to us and so much appreciation for bringing authentic food. The Gonzales family, we’re very grateful and very appreciative of this town and how they’ve opened up to a new authentic cuisine from Mexico.

Once steamed, the tamales are topped with feta cheese and Mexican sour cream and served with a special salsa made from scratch that accents the flavors of the tamale sauce. Serving tamales carries out a long-standing Mexican tradition, Jorge said. “In Mexico, we have tamales in the fall and winter. As soon as it starts to get cold, we like to offer them,” Jorge said, adding tamales are made in large batches for the celebration of Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. “Normally these are not made year-round because of the amount of work that has to go into them to make them,” he said. “They are very delicious.” Menu items are made with scratch. “We cook everything fresh and natural. Everything is made to order,” Jorge said.

“They have been coming out and supporting us and bringing friends,” he said. “Especially on Facebook. People have been sharing and liking our posts. They have had our back since we opened. That feels really good.”

as a downtown attraction and an authentic taco shop like Taqueria Tere was exactly what we needed to build onto our existing options.” Downtown businesses have also embraced Taqueria, Jorge said. “We work very closely with both breweries. They send business our way and we send business their way. It’s a symbiotic relationship,” he said. “If they do well, we are going to do well and vice versa.” In the future, Taqueria Tere hopes to acquire a taco truck or movable taco stand so that they can reach even more customers. “We want to introduce more of Pitt County to our food and our culture,” Jorge said.

Having Taqueria Tere in Winterville is a benefit to the community, according to Winterville economic development planner Stephen Penn.

Taqueria Tere is also in the process of adding premium Italian ice and fruit drinks such as mangonadas to its menu.

“Winterville is extremely lucky and blessed that Taqueria Tere chose to locate in downtown,” Penn said. “The food/ lunch option was an ideal addition to our existing list of downtown businesses. We love having another unique food magnet

Taqueria Tere is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is is closed on Saturday. Taqueria is takeout only and accepts cash and cards. To place a to-go order call 252-658-7713.

Along with offering quality authentic foods, Taqueria Tere seeks to share its culture with the Winterville and surrounding community. “We as Mexicans have a really strong culture. Not a lot of people understand Mexican culture. One of the easiest ways to share our culture is through food. Who doesn’t love food?,” Jorge said. “Through simple things, like sharing the background of tamales, it introduces the culture of Mexico a little bit,” he said.

14 | Winterville Magazine 2020

Teresa De Gonzales and Jorge GonzalesFlores

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W H A T ’S ON TAP

Breweries Keep Downtown Nightlife Hopping STORY & PHOTOS BY DONNA MARIE WILLIAMS

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Several new businesses in Winterville have brewed up a following, drawing crowds downtown to toast the area’s revived nightlife.

“The feel of each brewery seems very different from each other without one being superior — they completely complement each other,” he said.

A collaboration between nano breweries Local Oak and Nauti Dog, along with restaurant Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern, has provided Winterville residents with a chance for a night out close to home.

Penn said the business community has embraced the additions, and they are making downtown Winterville more attractive to other entrepreneurs.

Stephen Penn, Winterville’s economic development planner, is enthusiastic about the way these businesses are reshaping the downtown area. “We have received an outstanding response to the growth of downtown Winterville and Winterville as a whole,” Penn said. “I’ve met so many people that love the new breweries and their atmospheres. People also appreciate that each of the breweries went all out on their buildings — and it absolutely shows.

Chuck Smith, who owns Nauti Dog with his wife, Janice, and another partner, said they drew inspiration from the revitalization taking place in Greenville. “We love the things happening on Dickinson Avenue and wanted to see that type of growth and vibrancy come to Winterville,” Smith said. “Having a place for residents of Winterville and surrounding communities to come and enjoy good craft beer and a sense of community, without having to travel to the center of Greenville was important to us.

The large Oak tree and outdoor space at Local Oak.

“Ultimately, we would like Pitt County to be the craft beer center of eastern N.C., mirroring Asheville’s beer scene,” he said. The draw to the breweries is more than just an attraction to the quality beer creations, Penn said. It’s a culture that is often inviting. “Breweries have become a tourism magnet over the past 10 years because there is much, much more to a brewery than drinking beer,” he said. “Breweries allow people of all ages to enjoy others company at a unique location. They allow people to sit outside and enjoy beautiful weather.” Smith added, “It’s not just about beer. We’ve had a family come in here because they knew we opened at noon. None of them bought beer. The mom and kids wanted to come in here because they thought the building was cool. They ordered Coke and Sprite. It was a full two table of kids and they just wanted to come in here and hang out.”

Father and son Rick and Richie Emery, 11, of Farmville play corn hole at Local Oak while Wayne Sasser of Farmville and his dog, River, watch.

LOCAL OAK Established in Dec. 2019, Local Oak owners Ben Self and Amy Amacker Self were drawn to the Winterville location because of a large oak tree on the property as well as the growth of in the area. “We live in Winterville. We really wanted a stand-alone building and we didn’t want to be in a strip mall,” Amy said. “We wanted a building that is a little bit older and had some character. Winterville is a really affordable place.” Ben added, “It’s growing with small families, which are our primary consumers. We know growth is happening. We want to invest in it as much as possible.” The three-barrel operation consists of five sixgallon tanks, each containing a different beer offered by the brewery and crafted by Ben, who is the brewmaster. “We try to keep them full at all times,” he said. Local Oak tries to keep seven to ten different flavors of beer on tap at all times and routinely rotates its selection. A guest cider is also kept on tap.

“We have seen how breweries have done it with all the flagships and staples. We don’t want to do that because there are so many interesting beers out there. We don’t want to make anything twice unless it’s something special,” Ben said. The rotation allows the brewery to remain relevant and offer styles customers like. “We want to be true to ourselves and brew beer that we really like and we think our customers will really like as well,” Amy said. “With one-off recipes all the time it allows us to stay in vogue. Beer styles rotate in and out of popularity. It allows us to always give people what they want.” Ben added, “Basic styles like IPA are changing so much from year to year. I can’t imagine just locking in one recipe and calling it our IPA and expect to stay relevant. It’s not going to happen.” Local Oak offers one mainstay beer selection and it’s only available in the summer months.

Local Oak owners Ben Self and Amy Amacker Self

Local Oak Brewing Co. owner Ben Self judges a stein holding competition.

“For summer we do our Mexican lager which we call Cerveza. It’s an easy-drinking corn lager,” Ben said. Of their selections, sours sell best. Sours are loaded with fresh fruits and are often a “gateway” to craft beer, Ben said. “Lagers sell fast but we can’t keep a sour on tap for more than two weeks,” Amy said. “They are so easy drinking. They are good for people who prefer cider or wine. If they are just getting into craft beer people just prefer those.” Lagers also remain a best seller and are Ben’s favorite beer to make. “I love making lagers- crisp, clean lagers. Just chasing the perfect lager is my calling in life right now, Ben said. “The rest of beer has so much vanilla, lactose and fruit in it right now. Lagers, in craft beer, are trying to reclaim the traditional. They are getting more traditional with fewer ingredients. I want to make the absolute best lager I can.” “We’re focused on the product. We’re trying to put out the best beer we can make.”

Nauti Dog Brewing Co. owner Janis Smith judges a round of Hammers-Schlagen between Aaron Lucier, left, and Clifton Hill, both of Greenville.

Local Oak owner Ben Self pours grains to begin the brewing process.

Nauti Dog Brewing Co. owner Jon Tart, left, and Local Oak Brewing Co. owner Ben Self toast to the success of Oktoberfest. Winterville Magazine 2020 |

NAUTI DOG The commitment to quality also is a hallmark of Nauti Dog. “Our goal has always been to make really good, true-to-style, beer,” Chuck Smith said. “I want us to be to the point where we can compete against the big guys and be recognized for the flavor and quality of the beer.” Nauti Dog opened its doors January 2020, but the Smiths almost gave up their dream as they struggled to find a suitable building for their brewery. “Stephen Penn called us and said, ‘There is a new owner of the Wimpie’s building,’” Smith said, adding that David Munoz, owner of Main & Mill which occupies the former Wimpie’s building, was interested in offering part of tits space to them. “David and Kelly (his wife) have been fantastic,” Smith said, adding a deal was made and the business plan was changed to accommodate the smaller space. Nauti Dog and operates a five-barrel brewhouse offering customers 12 selections on tap. “10 of the 12 are ours,” Smith said, adding they keep a seltzer and cider on tap as well. “We rotate some and we keep some. We have four and five that will always be on tap. We’re always going to have our, cream ale, for the people who know and love it, our Hazy IPA and West Coast IPA. We will always have a sour, but then we want to leave the other taps open for seasonals. We want one of our taps to be experimental,” Smith said. Named after Nauti Dog’s logo, Rascal, Nauti Dog’s

cream ale, has become a favorite to customers and owners. “It’s an everyday drinkable beer,” said Janice Smith, who is the head brewer. Chuch added, “Cream ale is a style that will never die.” Another staple beer is Nauti Dog’s Belgium-style beers.

Owners of Nauti Dog, Janise and Chuck Smith and Jon Tart.

“They are higher alcohol and sugar content and the yeast used to make it gives it a certain characteristic of bubble gum, black pepper and floral. The yeast makes a unique flavor profile,” Chuck said. With more recipes waiting to be tried out, beers offered are consistently modified as owners seek the perfect recipes. “We’re just trying to build something we like. If we get it to the point we like it, then we won’t change it,” Chuck said.

The Nauti Dog Brewing Company and Main & Mill Oyster Bar and Tavern are two new restaurants that help draw crowds to Winterville.

Nauti Dog also offers four red and five white wine selections. The owners want customers to feel at home. “We want them to feel like we do about it,” Chuck said. “If I come here to have a beer, it feels like being at the house. We made it warm and inviting. We used antique lighting and exposed brick to try and make it homey, comfortable. It’s not a downtown bar. We wanted it to be the place of conversation and to play games. “That courtyard has seen more strollers than I ever expected, he said. Janice added, “I hope it carries over to the community where you have a place where you can go and just hang out with your friends.”

20 | Winterville Magazine 2020

Nauti Dog Brewing Co. bartender Brynna Moran serves Pete Desousn of Emerald Isle.

MAIN & MILL Located adjacent to Nauti Dog is Main & Mill, established in March 2019 by Munoz. Since opening, Main & Mill has attracted customers to its establishment with its high-quality cuisine. In September, Munoz added an extensive wine list to the restaurant, which also offers mixed drinks. At the Nauti Dog on a recent November evening, patrons enjoy their dogs and drinks.

“Wines is a great product because of the variety it provides,” Munoz said. “There is an unlimited amount of variety.” So far, the chardonnay selections have remained one of the best sellers, though Munoz predicts this will change with the seasons. “In winter, reds are more popular. In spring, whites are more popular,” Munoz said.

WORKING TOGETHER

The courtyard of Nauti Dog is a favorite spot to hang out.

Nauti Dog head brewer Janise Smith starts the brewing process.

Though within walking distance of each other, there is nothing but camaraderie or as Ben calls it “co-petition” for the two breweries. “We want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. But the truth is, with Nauti Dog being successful it brings even more people to the area,” Ben said. “It’s a shared vision-the recognition that if one party does well then all parties are going to do well because it brings attraction to the district,” he said. Chuck added, “We think it actually helps both of us, and the future growth of our downtown scene to have both breweries operating in close proximity. We are excited for the future and have already been discussing collaborations and other events with them.

Nauti Dog taproom manager Hailey Murrary pours a beer.

Nauti Dog owners Chuck and Janise Smith dance during Oktoberfest.

“A rising tide lifts all ships. Seriously, if you travel to other areas of the state and country, the more successful beer scenes usually have multiple breweries and restaurants close together so people can walk between them,” he said. These shared visions trickle to other businesses including Main & Mill.

Main & Mill bartender Brooke Adamaski serves a glass of wine.

Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern offers approximately 90 different varieties of wine.

“We’re really excited to have the restaurants here too. They help us with foot traffic so much and we know we help them,” Amy said. “We send people to Main & Mill and Taqueria Tere and Railroad Cigar. It’s such a nice community here. We’re glad we’re supportive of one another. I feel like no one is really in competition with one another. We just help each other.” Winterville Magazine 2020 |

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Kevin Jones, one of the three owners of Railroad Cigar Lounge, unlocks the doors of the smoking establishment at 5 on on Wednesday night. From Philadelphia, he was surprised and thrilled at the number of customers they have.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

How one local cigar shop is lighting up Winterville STORY BY CATHERINE MITCHELL, PHOTOS BY DEBORAH GRIFFIN

When you walk into the humidor at Railroad Cigar, the first thing you’ll notice is the aroma. It’s a smell that’s familiar to many. “Here’s our humidor,” says Kevin Jones, pointing through a large glass window. A sudden wave hits as he opens the door to the room. The deep, rich smell of tobacco is unmistakable, especially in a farm town in eastern North Carolina, where the crop is still grown every year. “It’s really important that it stays above 70 percent,” Jones says, as he points to a meter in the corner that measures the room’s humidity. That, and the cedar-lined walls make an ideal environment to store the variety of hand-rolled cigars for sale at the lounge. Jones looks over the neat shelves of colorful boxes before he picks up a large cigar rolled inside a whole tobacco leaf. Of the three basic parts of a cigar, the filler, the binder and the wrapper, “the wrapper is where you get most of the flavor,” he says. “The way those three are made makes the flavor of a cigar.” Most of the shop’s inventory comes from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, or Honduras. Like wine, differences in flavor vary by region, with some hints of spice, cinnamon and even nutmeg. Jones says that every person’s palate is different. “That’s the fun of cigars,” he says, “trying new things.”

24 | Winterville Magazine 2020

MOTHER OF INVENTION Jones and his partners, Thurman Savage and Marlo Barrett, wanted to bring something new to Winterville when they opened Railroad Cigar on June 21, Father’s Day, of this year. The Railroad Street shop is perfect for a relaxed smoking experience, with comfortable black leather chairs perfect for listening to the smooth jazz being played or watching the trains roll by. The idea for the lounge all began when the men were smoking cigars around a fire pit in Jones’ backyard one chilly winter day. “We only had one log burning, so it was cold,” Jones says. Necessity being the mother of invention, the three men daydreamed about a nice, warm indoor place to enjoy a smoke with friends. The daydream became a reality when Jones started researching business ideas while recuperating from surgery. The decision to start in Winterville wasn’t made by Jones and his partners alone.

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Kevin Jones, one of the three owners of Railroad Cigar Lounge, enjoys some of the product offered at the establishment.

“We live in Winterville and our wives didn’t want us to drive very far,” he said. They saw the open location on Railroad Street on a trip to Nauti Dog Brewing Company one day and got the ball rolling. They knew about the nearby breweries, Nauti Dog and Local Oak, and thought that a cigar lounge would fit into that scene while also bringing something unique to the area. While they knew their product, they never expected the success the business has had, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We underestimated Winterville,” Jones says. “Nights like tonight [Saturday], we could possibly sell out of every cigar in there. It’s just that much walk-in, on-foot crowd.” The lounge is using this time to gear up for Thursday night events, ECU football games and the Watermelon Festival once restrictions are eased in the future. Jones credits their success in part to customers who like to stay close to home. “I get a lot of people who don’t necessarily want to drive into Greenville,” he says. “They can walk here, ride their bikes here. It’s more neighborhoodfocused.” Jones lives within walking distance of the shop, as well. Town officials also helped the business thrive. “The town of Winterville was just excellent,” Jones says. “You have young people willing to invest money into businesses to make this [place] grow.” Jones says Winterville is capitalizing on that entrepreneurial spirit. “They want to have it booming here, and without the support they had given us when we first started, we would have turned away very quickly.”

PLACE TO EXHALE Jones, Savage and Barrett envisioned the lounge as “a place for people to exhale,” both literally and figuratively. “You get a lot of people after work, who are just decompressing,” Jones says. “I get a lot of people sitting and just looking out the window, they just need a moment. ... It surprises me how many people just sit and you can see the stress leaving their body.” That relaxing vibe is encouraged by the smooth jazz playing in the background. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Jones has been a professional drummer since he was young. That music, Jones says, is what got him interested in cigars in the first place. “On the jazz scene, they smoked cigars and drank bourbon and listened to jazz,” he said. Customers can see some of Jones’ collection of black and white photos of different jazz musicians on the walls. In just the last few weeks, Jones has been working on offering live music at the lounge. The idea came after a jam session between Jones and a few acquaintances at the shop attracted a crowd, already downtown for Oktoberfest celebrations at Local Oak and Nauti Dog. “Before we knew it, there were people lined up by the train tracks listening,” Jones says. One of the shop’s regular customers started singing. “I didn’t even know he could Winterville Magazine 2020 |

That same desire for comfort and connection went into the lounge’s decision to be alcohol-free. Cigars are “what we know,” Jones says. Customers who want to drink can always take their cigars home or to-go to both of the breweries nearby that do allow smoking outside. The chairs in the lounge are spaced-out, well within COVID-19 regulations. Masks are encouraged when not smoking and the shop has a state-of-the-art ventilation system with constant airflow. When it comes to the cigars, the large windows of the humidor allow customers to look in without touching anything. The shop encourages buyers to only handle the cigars they’re going to purchase. Kevin Jones’ silloutte is reflected on the doors of the smoking establishment he owns with two others as the sun reflects on the Town of Winterville across the railroad tracks.

sing, but he just jumped up and started. He sounded awesome.” People responded with enthusiasm, even asking to make reservations for the concerts. “Winterville is starving for some live music. Being from Pittsburgh, we had that everywhere. ... The response to live entertainment here was just awesome,” Jones says. The shop is planning on hosting more live music events in the future. For beginners interested in smoking a cigar for the first time, the lounge’s owners are there to help. “We show them how to cut it, how to light it, just relax with it and enjoy the experience,” Jones says. “The slower you smoke, the more taste you get out of it.” The lounge’s customers include many women who enjoy cigars as well. They sell some lighter and flavored cigars, which Jones says a lot of beginners like, but they also carry cigars with special blends that are harder to find, along with lighters and cutters. They only sell cigars that the three owners have personally tried. “Between the three of us, we get a good selection,” Jones says, “we have something for everybody.” Their house cigars start around $7 each, but prices can reach $20 for premium, top-of-the-line brands.

COMMON DENOMINATOR The experience of smoking a cigar is completely different than a cigarette or vape pen, Jones says. Cigar smoke isn’t inhaled, but puffed, so the smoky flavor can hit the

26 | Winterville Magazine 2020

customer’s palate. The environment also adds to the enjoyment, like drinking a fresh espresso in a coffee shop.

You may see Jones and his partners out and about. The three set up booths at various community events and hope to do even more as things pick up post-COVID-19. A website is in the works but, right now, you can find all of their information as well as a live music schedule on their Facebook page, along with photos of new customers enjoying their first cigars ever.

Like a coffee shop, Railroad Cigar tries to be a place for people to connect and relax together. Jones says the lounge is deliberately a stress-free zone. “We don’t talk politics, we don’t talk religion, and if it starts we shut it down,” he says. The cigars are a great equalizer.

Jones says the three business partners always “envisioned a place where people can come, in the community, relax, and have a conversation with somebody. ... These four walls are protected from everything bad going on out there.”

“The best thing about cigars are that they’re a common denominator,” he says. “You can always say to a guy you have nothing in common with, ‘Hey, what are you smoking?’ and you can have four hours of conversation. ... People who wouldn’t have a conversation outside, can sit here and say ‘We smoke the same cigar. We both love the same cigar’.”

2586 Railroad St. in Winterville.

RAILROAD CIGAR LOUNGE Hours are from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Prices range from about $7 for house cigars to up to $20 each for premium cigars.

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Stephen Penn, Winterville’s economic development director, says a lot is happening downtown and all around: THANK YOU, RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES, FOR MAKING WINTERVILLE SUCH A GREAT PLACE: 2020 — a year without the need of further introduction — will be written into world history textbooks and class curriculum for centuries to come. A year that slowed everyone down to remind us how precious life, friends, family and community really are. Considering the difficulties of this year, we also experienced unbounded kindness and generosity throughout the Town of Winterville and the region. The community rallied around our local small businesses, “Blessing Boxes” popped up around town to collect and distribute donations of food, and throughout social media, posts upon posts of residents who are offering assistance for anyone who needs support can be found. It’s the people who make Winterville and this region the beautiful place that it really is. On behalf of the Town of Winterville, we want to thank the entire community for making this town such a special place.

30 | Winterville Magazine 2020

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We are continuing to see Winterville grow into a uniquely special and carefully planned community. The Town of Winterville formally adopted a brand new comprehensive land use plan and future land use plan on Oct. 14, 2019.

One of the most recognizable changes over the past year and a half is the springing energy of downtown Winterville. The downtown has continued to grow into an extremely successful regional destination for not only 8 a.m.-5 p.m. business but for after-hours entertainment as well. A successful downtown does not have to be large to be successful and desirable, as evident in Winterville.

Through a year-long community visioning process, the town implemented a state-of-theart document that will sustainably and equitably direct growth throughout the jurisdiction. Comprehensive plans are perhaps a city’s most important and powerful document to facilitate the goals and objectives of the community while serving as a blueprint for future land use, zoning, subdivision design, and other land use codes. The town is extremely excited about the plan and is already experiencing the benefits of the document. Its “modern city” oriented design has already attracted developers and projects to the town that greatly fit the market’s demand and the quality of life preferences of a more contemporary family and economy.

A flourishing downtown is one that is awake and energized with a diversity of uses, from restaurant and drinking establishments to office and service firms to open-spaces and homes. Downtown Winterville supports the “work-liveplay” philosophy of great “place.” From the 60-plus-year-old Winterville Machine Works to the 50-plus-yearold Winterville Insurance Agency, to the 40-plus-year-old legendary Dixie Queen Seafood Restaurant, and the

30-plus-year-old North Carolina Driving School, among many others, our downtown has a strong backbone of success and hard work. Most recently, we have experienced the arrival of exciting new businesses that have brought large crowds of residents from throughout the region and a new spirit of energy. Our newest downtown restaurants, Main and Mill and Taqueria Tere, provide exceptional lunch and dinner options. Local Oak Brewing Company and Nauti Dog Brewing Company have energized the life of Downtown Winterville in ways that we have never seen. Breweries and restaurants are amazing revitalization tools for downtowns and attract other niche businesses like the new Railroad Cigar Lounge. A major indicator of a successful downtown revitalization effort is the residential availability and desirability surrounding the district. Contributing to Winterville’s success and its small-town-feel-withbig-town-amenities atmosphere, is it’s extremely dense single-family residential density. Winterville has a population density of 2,029 people per square mile, which is 840 percent higher than the state’s average of 218 per square mile. It is listed as the 22nd most densely populated city out of the 739 cities and designated places in North Carolina according to USA.com. Planning Standards and the federal Housing and Urban Development agency typically consider a location to be walkable if it’s within a half of a mile of another location and to be bikeable if a location is within 2.5 miles. The corner of Railroad Street and Main Street has nearly 1,000 residents within a half mile of the intersection and almost 13,000 residents within 2.5 miles of the intersection — creating an extremely unique place with huge potential as a destination hub with easy access. Winterville boasts a 98.2 percent occupied housing rate which reveals an extremely high housing demand compared to the state’s 85.2 percent occupied housing rate. As a result, not only are we seeing new subdivisions and homes being built within Winterville while we continue to experience significant home restoration projects to the historic homes in the downtown region. Home restoration is another indicating factor of a transitioning and thriving downtown. Downtown Winterville may be small, in size, but that doesn’t limit the enormous role that it plays when considering its place making ability and quality of life contributions to the region. It will be extremely exciting to watch how Winterville continues to grow over the next few years and decades. Not only is it already an extremely special place, but it’s one with enormous potential, as we will continue to see.

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