Windsor sees growth of new businesses

Summer is here! The heat index is certainly being felt as it is one of the hottest summers that we have experienced.

New businesses are opening up in Windsor during this heatwave. The new openings are led by the new convenience store Royal Farms, which follows the opening of the Carolina Carwash and the new Family Dollar store out on the by-pass.

Royal Farms will open with a soft launch July 23 and July 24 with a ribbon cutting July 27. Royal Farms has over 260 locations in the Mid-Atlantic region and has expanded into North Carolina in the last twelve months, including new stores in Windsor, Plymouth, Columbia and Greenville opening this month and earlier this year.

Royal Farms claims its chicken is the best among its convenient store competitors and cites reviews and awards for said tasty chicken among other many items.

Royal Farms will be open twenty-four hours and has a reward program called ROFO rewards. You can save ten cents a gallon every day with this program. You can sign up on-line or get a card in the store and use the ROFO rewards app on your phone to order food.

While we are excited about Royal Farms, perhaps more important is the opening of Bream Medical Center at 119 East Granville Street. Bream Medical opened on July 15 and is providing another option for patients who are sick and need to see a doctor.

They provide urgent care and direct primary care with low-cost subscription plans. They have unique a focus on individualized and patient-specific care.

The continued development of businesses on Granville Street is not limited to Bream Medical Center. Lee Furniture & Décor cut a ribbon on Saturday, July 6 at 113 East Granville Street. Owner Ervin Lee is originally from Bertie County and, while currently living in New Jersey, is excited to start a business back at home. The new business sells couches, chairs, tables, wall decorations, etc. — just what you need to replace in your home.

This summer the Chamber has been busy meeting with some of our state governmental leaders such as participating in a round table discussion with local chamber leaders in the area and North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. We have also worked with Sharon Smithe of the North Carolina Department of Commerce on possible Main Street Projects in Windsor and with Destination by Design on downtown revitalization projects in Windsor and all the municipalities in Bertie County.

The next big event for the Chamber is the Windsor Riverfest on Aug. 3 from 2-8 p.m. at the Roanoke/Cashie River Center. The Mighty Saints of Soul will be the main musical attraction. Destination by Design unveiling the next step in the development of the travel and tourism revitalization plan for Bertie County. Numerous vendors will be on site, including Sylvan Heights which will bring a live bird.

Stay cool and enjoy this hot summer!