Grins and Gripes

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4.21

Delighted or dismayed by something in your community? Share your thoughts in 40 words or less

online: nwobserver.com e-mail: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.

 Oak Ridge Fire Department for an incredible response time and top-notch professionalism in putting out a large fire in my back yard recently that was quickly getting out of control and endangering surrounding properties. You guys were fantastic!  Kevin Murray, owner of The Jumping Bean, for always humbly providing great coffee and conversation.  Matt Moorefield for investing in downtown Stokesdale! The potential is great, and we are excited to see it happen.  The Jumping Bean for bringing life to Summerfield Square and joy to the community of Summerfield! Stand strong – the truth will prevail!  The young man who got out of his car in the grocery store parking lot to help my elderly husband load a 32-pack of bottled water. His kindness was so appreciated. He may not see this, but I hope it inspires others.  Kevin Murray, owner of The Jumping Bean, for serving up positivity and hands down, the best coffee around!  The Summerfield UDO Citizen Committee and Zoning Board for the hundreds of hours spent on a compromise Development Ordinance. Town Council: please adopt the UDO as written by citizens you chose.  All the “mask” hoopla, which has made me realize I really don’t want to breathe the air of someone else anyway! I do not mind wearing a mask and plan to continue.  King’s Crossing Animal Hospital for their passion and outstanding care. The vets, vet-technicians and front desk staff are kind, amazing individuals and I feel so fortunate they are members of our community.  Jennifer Mun, owner of Bistro 150 in Oak Ridge, for offering Sushi and Hibachi Tuesdays. The sushi last week was amazing!  Matt Moorefield of MCM for revitalizing downtown Stokesdale. Fingers crossed for a café or brewery coming soon! So happy for a new look and feel for this little downtown area. Keep up the great work!  Jonathan and all the gentlemen at Tire Max in Stokesdale for taking the time to share information with our young drivers. The Care Car Day was very informative, and your time is much appreciated!  All the teachers and staff members at local elementary schools who worked so diligently putting together yearbooks. This year was especially challenging due to COVID, and your efforts to make memories for students are appreciated.  The Jumping Bean for being a special part of Summerfield. The only place I will buy coffee, and an experience that will not be imitated. I look forward to supporting you in this town for a long time to come.

 The woman driver on Ellisboro Road who hit and killed my elderly dog around 10:15 a.m. on May 14. While hitting him may have been unavoidable, you chose to continue on and not stop, which was heartless.  Unethical, unprofessional souls on this earth for putting a small, entrepreneurial business like The Jumping Bean in jeopardy. TJB is a beloved icon for families in the community of Summerfield and will be sorely missed.  BB&T for charging $8 to cash a check drawn on their bank, because I did not have an account with them. What if it was a $10 check? Outrageous! What happened to community services?  Kotis Properties for trying a backhand eviction of The Jumping Bean. That coffee hut is a big draw to your rundown Summerfield Square. Myself and many others will move our business with The Jumping Bean.  Priority One in Stokesdale for continuously letting people park in front of their truck lot right beside U.S. 158. People using Vaughn Street can’t see past these vehicles. Almost got in a wreck today because of it.  Employers who whine they cannot find workers, as they continue to offer “starving wages.” I’m out of work, but if I am going to starve, I don’t need a job to do that. Pay a livable wage.  The shooter on Belford Road who frequently shoots shotguns and loud pistols for long periods. Please recognize that you are very close to homes in your neighborhood and Armfield and go to an established shooting range.  McDonald’s in Oak Ridge for the restaurant’s lack of cleanliness when I recently went inside.  Kotis Properties, owner of Summerfield Square, for running off local businesses by terminating The Jumping Bean’s lease. Your center went from a dilapidated, empty eyesore to now nearly full because of traffic driven in by TJB.  Summerfield Town Council for not looking at the abandoned mess that David Couch and Blue Ridge made of their development in Oak Ridge before allowing them to come to Summerfield.  The Town of Summerfield for not mowing at the corner of Greenlawn Drive and Pleasant Ridge. The weeds are growing over the street sign and you can’t see when turning onto Pleasant Ridge Road. Editor’s note: The writer placed the responsibility for mowing public right of ways on the Town of Summerfield, but that job falls to North Carolina Department of Transportation. We’ll reach out to the department’s maintenance office in Greensboro and ask if they will send someone out to mow this area.  The guy driving the Porsche who thinks he doesn’t have to stop at the stop sign leaving The Farm before turning onto Lake Brandt. Good thing I am kind enough to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting him.  Kotis Properties’ owner Bill Kotis and his protégé, Dave Swift, for ripping the floor out from under a functional, loved, appreciated and respected business (The Jumping Bean) in Summerfield – during a pandemic! And then calling the situation a “hiccup”! Really??

WE’LL BE BACK IN PRINT THURSDAY, JUNE 17

To place a DISPLAY AD in our next issue, contact Laura: (336) 644-7035, ext. 11, or advertising@nwobserver.com

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7497 Weitzel Drive, Summerfield 4 acres, $329,900

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...continued from p. 22

coffee, fruit smoothies and pastries, Murray has established a loyal clientele, and his orange hut on wheels is a landmark along U.S. 220.

Until Murray departs at the end of June, he said, “it’s full speed ahead. anks so much to the town, the community and TJB Nation for your understanding, patience and support during this unsettled period. Someday soon, this will all be in the rear view mirror.’’

by CHRIS BURRITT

OAK RIDGE – Starbucks is negotiating the lease for a proposed store in Oak Ridge’s commercial district on N.C. 68.

The vacant property located at 1684 N.C. 68 is next to the Quality Mart convenience gas station, just south of the stoplight at N.C. 150 and 68. Last summer, the approximately one-acre tract served as the location of a farmers market.

The property is owned by the Cooke family, developers of the Oak Ridge Commons shopping center, through a company called Twilight Outparcel LLC.

In an interview earlier this week, Philip Cooke said Twilight Outparcel and Blue Ridge Cos., led by developer David Couch, are negotiating with Starbucks to develop the property. Starbucks would operate the store, he said.

As part of the process, Cooke is representing the company in seeking approval of a site plan for the project.

The site plan requires the approval of Oak Ridge’s Planning and Zoning Board. The board was scheduled to consider the plan during its meeting last Thursday, May 27, but at the request of Cooke, the board delayed consideration until its next meeting June 24.

The site plan shows a 2,478-square-foot store with a drivethrough window and a patio, encircled by parking spaces and landscaping with shrubs and dogwood, red maple and other trees.

The project doesn’t require rezoning of the property, according to Sean Taylor, Oak Ridge’s planning director. Its classification as conditional zone – limited business (CZ-LB) allows for restaurants, he said.

Photo by Kelli Jessup/NWO Two local developers are in negotiations with Starbucks to build a 2,478-square-foot store with drivethrough window and patio on this vacant property at 1684 N.C. 68, next to the Quality Mart in Oak Ridge.

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