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Curtain call: Waynesville welcomes revival of the Strand theater

fr thestrandWhen Rodney and Lorraine Conard took the keys to the shuttered Strand movie theater two years ago, the hulking shell was like a blank canvas full of promise — a tad dusty, worn and tattered, but it was loved once and surely could win Waynesville’s heart again.

Waynesville puts brakes on the slow creep of sandwich boards, for now

Pending changes to Waynesville’s sign laws could pave the way for sidewalk sandwich boards downtown, but they aren’t legal yet.

Buskers: coming soon to a street corner near you

fr buskersWaynesville officials will hold a public hearing next week on an ordinance that would pave the way for street performers, known colloquially as “buskers,” to play in the town’s public spaces in hopes of making a buck or two from passersby. 

Sylva sticks to zoning guns, keeps church out of downtown

fr churchesTown board members said no to expanding Sylva’s zoning laws to be more inclusive for churches downtown, citing a desire to reserve the center of the city for commerce, nightlife and retail.

Wells Funeral Home brings multi-purpose event center to downtown Waynesville

fr wellsA new event center in Waynesville could be just the beginning of the vitalization of Wall Street, said Wells Greeley, owner of Wells Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 

To busk or not? Waynesville ponders street performer ordinance

Street musicians are becoming a common sight in downtown Waynesville, despite a town policy that bans sidewalk performers from playing for tips.

Beloved yet bedraggled, Franklin’s downtown gazebo to see major facelift

fr gazeboThe Main Street gazebo in Franklin could soon see a facelift, or, even be replaced with an entirely different structure. 

Sandwich boards: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em

Judge not lest ye be judged.

The Waynesville Planning Board is delving into the town’s sign ordinance to create more uniform, yet more permissive signs in its three downtown shopping districts — greater Main Street, Frog Level and Hazelwood — something that can appease at least most business owners.

Painting the town orange

fr sidewalkA slap-happy spray paint job by a utility contractor has tarnished the quaint brick sidewalks in downtown Waynesville with obtrusive and excessively large orange stripes.

Long time street cleaner replaced by work crew

Foot traffic undeniably brings dollars to Waynesville’s downtown businesses. But what the passerby also brings is trash.

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