WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP)—
Six new places to eat and hang-out will be introduced to the ever-changing downtown scene in Winston-Salem within the coming weeks.
Coming additions to downtown Winston-Salem include a live music nightclub, a tavern, a bakery, and three new restaurants. The familiar live-music venue Ziggy's is even slated reopen this summer on Trade Street.
Recent Census data shows that the number of people living in downtown Winston-Salem has increased by 37 percent over the past 10 years.
According to the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership, there were less than 40 restaurants, bars or coffee shops in the city's core. That number today has jumped to more than 75.
"The majority of space along 4th Street has been taken up and we're seeing other opportunities as new areas of development on North Trade Street and retail shops on Burke Street," Justin Gomez with the Downtown Partnership said.
From a new Mexican restaurant to a rooftop bar and grill called The District, finding a place to go will not be a problem anytime soon.
"Restaurateurs and entrepreneurs are seeing a synergy here in downtown Winston-Salem. They're feeding off each other and the energy the critical mass is bringing to the city," Gomez said.
Recent surveys have shown that locals are saying downtown is missing one thing: retail. Despite growth in places to hang-out, retail stores can't seem to find their niche. A handful have reportedly opened and closed in short periods of time.
"Neighborhood services, goods stores or additional retail in the core of downtown that can support people living downtown is what we're missing," Gomez said.