[piano intro] -[Deborah] Next on "North Carolina Weekend", join us from The Wilson Rose Garden as we share Memory Makers.

We'll spend a weekend in Tryon, visit a veteran-owned brewery in Kannapolis, and learn about The Brooklyn Collective in Charlotte.

Coming up next.

- [Voiceover] Funding for "North Carolina Weekend" is provided in part by Visit NC, dedicated to highlighting our state's natural scenic beauty, unique history, and diverse cultural attractions.

From the Blue Ridge and the Great Smoky Mountains across the Piedmont, to 300 miles of Barrier Island beaches, you're invited to experience all the adventure and charm our state has to offer.

[upbeat folksy music] ♪ - Welcome to "North Carolina Weekend" everyone, I'm Deborah Holt Noel, and this week we are visiting destinations that are sure to be Memory Makers.

From The Wilson Rose Garden, a public garden and wedding venue with around 1,200 rose bushes of 180 varieties.

One of the most beautiful and relaxing attractions in Eastern North Carolina, The Wilson Rose Garden features a picnic area, sculptures, a fountain, and information plaques presenting an educational tour.

A stroll through this garden is something you'll never forget.

One way to make a memory is to go on a journey.

When Producer Clay Johnson moved to the mountains, he settled in Tryon, where he soon discovered many memorable things you can do in a weekend in this charming small town.

Which is rich in arts, culture, cuisine, and equestrian heritage.

- [Clay] What Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples drives says a lot about him and this town.

It's a 1971 VW camper van he purchased in California for his wife, Harriet.

It was painted by a California artist.

- The statement it makes is it's Tryon.

And when I say "it's Tryon", you can do what you want to within reason, you can be who you want to.

We're the friendliest town in the South, and this is part of it.

[gentle music] - [Clay] Tryon is a mecca for music and art lovers.

- [Male Speaker] Our first first place award goes to Irish Whiskey.

- [Clay] It's a mecca for horse lovers, too.

A visit to the Tryon Historical Museum shows how the town became those things.

It tells that history through old photographs and memorabilia.

- This is going to be a circus wagon with this squared off top.

- Shop owner and Tryon native, Julia Calhoun, knows the history too.

She says it all started when the Cherokees named a local mountain, Tryon Mountain, in honor of a treaty they signed there with Governor William Tryon in 1767.

- About 1839, they established a little post office at the foot of the mountain called Tryon City, very ambitious.

When the railroad came through in 1877, that was the major impetus for economic growth here.

- [Clay] In 1915, artists, Eleanor Vance and Charlotte Yale opened Tryon Toymakers & Wood Carvers here.

Among the toys it made was Morris the Horse.

- Morris the Horse started out as a little toy about this size.

- [Clay] In 1928, a local riding and hunt club commissioned Tryon Toymakers to create a giant version of Morris for its Horse and Hound Show.

- And it just stuck, he kept being brought out for parades and special events, and everybody loved him, and he just became the town mascot over the years.

- [Clay] A massive Morris replica now watches over downtown.

You can buy Morris books, Morris license plates, Morris stickers, and Morris mugs.

And around town, you'll see lots of Morris mailboxes.

In 2016, the owner of Tryon Toymakers asked Calhoun if she'd like to take over the business.

- In this town, that's like being given a religious mission.

What am I gonna say, "No"?

It has been in continuous operation since 1915, so it is 107.

And I'm only the fourth owner, individual owner, which is still kind of amazing to me.

So I'm doing the same designs that Miss Vance and Yale did.

It's really a thrill to be carrying it on.

- [Clay] Calhoun's shop is really five stores in one, selling custom rugs, books, games, and puzzles, gourmet foods, and fine chocolates.

- [Julia] I think I began to see it as sort of an indoor market.

- [Clay] That serves a diverse population of visitors and residents.

- We always attracted a lot of people from the Northeast and the upper Midwest.

So Tryon had sort of a cosmopolitan edge to it that a lot of small towns, particularly in the South, don't have.

I think the fact that that arts have been such a large component in development of the town makes a big difference too.

- [Clay] There are several art galleries downtown, including the nonprofit, Tryon Painters & Sculptors, where artists become members.

- [Nancy] And that gives them the right to show their art in the gallery.

And that's basically what we're here for, we're here for the artists and for the community.

If it weren't for us, some of our artists would not have an outlet to sell and show their art.

- [Clay] Tryon Painters & Sculptors also offers art classes.

So does the Tryon Arts & Crafts School.

Here, you can take classes and workshops, in painting, sculpting, metal working, and more.

These students are welding with copper and textured bronze, making everything from candle holders to light fixtures.

- Not only is it a learning experience, but it's fun.

You have a good time, and you go home with something nice.

- [Clay] Performing arts are center stage at the Tryon Fine Arts Center.

[lively folk music] There are concerts, plays, and other events, in its 300-seat theater.

- A couch is a lovely place for weeping.

♪ This used to be a wilderness ♪ ♪ Unbroken and serene ♪ - [Clay] And there are outdoor concerts at its 100-seat amphitheater.

- [Marianne] A lot of people actually make a choice to retire here because the art center is here.

We have an amazing population of people here, very eclectic, very well educated.

People are just [audience applauds] tuned in, I think, to the culture here.

And a lot of it is because of the arts that we present here in this building, but also that you can get throughout the rest of the town.

[upbeat funky music] - [Clay] The amphitheater at nearby Rogers Park hosts concerts and plays, including this Nina Simone Tribute concert.

Simone was a musician and activist, and a Tryon native.

- I'm very humbled by her talent, and to think that she grew up here amazes me.

- [Clay] Simone is honored in Tryon with this large mural, and in a downtown plaza that bears her name.

Across the street from the plaza is the Tryon Theatre, it's been in continuous operation since 1938.

- [Scott] Selling tickets, showing movies, popping popcorn.

I mean, it's just a hub of activity.

- [Clay] The theater shows everything from Hollywood blockbusters to small indie films.

- Basically we program what we like to watch.

We'll show the Oscar shorts, we'll show documentaries, we'll show cat video, we have a Cat Video Fest that we show.

- So do you watch every movie that plays here?

- Heck, yeah.

- Yeah.

- But we pick 'em, I feel personally responsible.

- [Clay] The theater is one of the venues for the Tryon International Film Festival held each October.

- [Scott] And each year it brings about 70 to 80 films from all over the world.

But it's special for a small town like Tryon to have that kind of... an opportunity to present films from all over the world, for our audiences and our community.

[soothing music] - [Clay] A few doors down from the theater is another popular community gathering place, The Tryon Bottle.

It sells more than 200 varieties of beer and cider.

- [Hector] Pretty much the best selection south of Asheville, I think.

- [Clay] And The Tryon Bottle has more than 100 varieties of wine, in most all price ranges.

Hector Gonzalez's mom owns the store.

- My mom tries everything before it goes on the shelf.

So it doesn't pass her taste test, it doesn't go on.

- [Clay] There are wine tastings every Friday evening.

The store also sells wine and beer by the glass.

And in Tryon, you're allowed to walk out with a glass of either, and stroll the main downtown thoroughfare.

- [Hector] Just, you know, go around, walk around and visit the shops, and, you know, have a good time.

- [Clay] There are lots of interesting shops to visit downtown, including Mountain Trail Soap Company.

- It's like a fine wine, the longer the soap sits, the better it gets.

- [Clay] Owner Robert Magnum started making soap to treat his son's skin problems.

- Came in with my own recipe of oatmeal, goat's milk, and honey soap, unscented.

And it seemed to do the trick for those guys.

- [Clay] It also gave Magnum the chance to leave his full-time job in law enforcement, and live his dream of being self-employed.

His shop sells about 25 varieties of soaps, as well as lotions, scrubs, candles, and more.

- And since I have a shop on the main street, people can walk by, sniff the air, and smell my soap, and that draws them inside.

- [Clay] I've always been kind of an ivory guy, but I think you made me a convert.

- I like that.

- [Clay] Sweet and savory scents also draw people into downtown Tryon's smorgasbord of restaurants.

- Katie D's is authentic New York deli, we serve bagels, a large variety of different sandwiches, in-store made salads and desserts.

And this is our Philly cheesesteak.

[soothing music] - Harper's a place where your friends come together to enjoy passionately presented Southern food, and a casual atmosphere with an elegant feel.

This is our shrimp and grits, Andouille Sausage, Tasso ham, and local stone-ground grits.

- Cafe La Gaule is an authentic French restaurant, we offer brunch and dinner, as well as these amazing pastries.

Here are some of them: key lime tart, a pyramid, it's chocolate mousse on the inside, and a toffee hazelnut mousse.

- Trade Street Creamery is a sandwich and ice cream shop.

We also serve wraps and smoothies.

And this is our banana split.

- Huckleberry's is an upscale eclectic American menu.

And one of our specialties is a North Carolina-caught rainbow trout with Blackberry and balsamic, that comes with two sides and a salad.

- [Clay] Next door to Huckleberry's is the Tryon Coffee House, a popular spot for coffee and conversation.

- See you later, guys.

- [Clay] And there's coffee to go, with the dozens of varieties of baked breads, cakes, and pastries, at All Good Things Bakery.

[slow folk music] There are three wineries within 20 minutes of Tryon, they offer tastings, tours, and entertainment.

[upbeat harmonica] They represent a rebirth of Tryon's old grape industry that thrived here in the early 1900s.

- So much so, that in fact, the Waldorf Astoria in New York City had a menu, and at the bottom it said, "For sale, Tryon grapes".

- [Clay] Tryon's rich equestrian history lives on at Harmon Field.

It's a town park that's been hosting horse competitions, and other recreational activities, since 1927.

The area's horse heritage inspired the Tryon International Equestrian Center, about 20 minutes east of town.

- Folks from the low country, and from Florida, would come to the edge of mountains, to the foothills, to enjoy horse sport in their summers.

And that's been a tradition here for well over 100 years.

- [Man On Speaker] Starting us out here in the final performance... [indistinct] - [Clay] Some call this 1600-acre equestrian center, "Disneyland for horse lovers".

It's arenas host horse competitions and shows, more than 40 weeks a year.

- And everybody can ride a horse here, whether it's a trail ride through the woods, or whether it's a ride on our carousel, lots of choices for folks to enjoy this sport, and just be around great fun, family entertainment.

- [Clay] There are seven restaurants, 15 shops, and lodging for both horses and their owners.

The Center also hosts concerts and other special events.

There's a certain wow factor people have when they see this place, isn't there?

- Right, right, I see it every day, and in fact, I still say it myself some days.

It's pretty amazing what's happened here.

- [Clay] People also get a "wow" out of Pearson's Falls and Glen, just outside of town.

This 90-foot high waterfall is the centerpiece of a 270-acre nature preserve.

It's owned and managed by the Tryon Garden Club.

It's just one of many places in the area for hiking and other outdoor recreation.

Mayor People says Tryon does have a lot to offer, but he says, there's one thing above all else.

- [Alan] It's the people.

If you're from a place where people like each other, and where people are friendly and support each other, and when people need help, there's a hand out there, that's what we are, we're that community.

Nearly perfect, always Tryon.

- [Deborah] Tryon is located near the South Carolina, North Carolina border, about 45 miles south of Asheville.

For more information on visiting Tryon, and the surrounding area, visit firstpeaknc.com.

Another way to make memories is by giving back.

And there's a veteran-owned brewery in Kannapolis that does just that.

Let's meet the proud brewers at Old Armor Beer Company, who've never forgotten their brothers and sisters in arms.

- When combat veterans, Kyle Lingafelt and Stefan Perrine, decided to open a brewery, they knew they wanted to serve more than just beer.

Today, we're at Old Armor Beer Company, where you can grab a pint, and pay it forward, to the heroes serving our community.

Let's check it out.

- [Kyle] Kyle Lingafelt, former Marine, founder of Old Armor Beer Company.

- [Stefan] Stefan Perrine, I was a Platoon Sergeant, and I'm the head brewer here at Old Armor Beer Company.

- I graduated college in 2008, was on a waiting list going into the Marine Corps.

Did three deployments to Afghanistan.

I went through some tough stuff, still, to this day, I'll never regret that choice.

- And my family always said, "You gotta give back something to your country."

We went over to Afghanistan, did two tours over there.

My military service did lead to most of the good things that happened in my life.

It taught me a lot about myself, what my body and my, you know, willpower is capable of too.

- It's the first business on revitalized West Avenue, here in Kannapolis.

And then from there, now it's just exploded with all kinds of different businesses.

- [Stefan] There's a lot of hurry up and wait in brewing, but it is very therapeutic.

This is American-made craft beer, made by veterans in a small town.

You put the ingredients in, you do the right thing, you don't try to skimp on 'em, then you're gonna get the best quality.

- [Kyle] We try to brew a little bit of everything, and they all have some type of military, honoring... like Belleau Wood is honoring the Marine Corps.

We got stuff Oh Dark 30, 10 Minutes Out, the One Man Out, and the 30 Seconds Out.

Those are literally the hand gestures you do when you're jumping out an airplane.

Part of North Carolina law, that we were told is, you have to name your tanks.

Most people just do tank 1, 2, 3, 4, there you go, it's got a name.

But we're like, "We have an opportunity right now to really pay homage to the military leaders and people who've done amazing things."

Tank one is Chris Kyle, the two cooking tanks is Shughart and Gordon.

You got General Patton up there, [indistinct].

They're all somebody who did something amazing in the military.

- When you come back from deployment, you're on a high.

Then everybody goes through a time where it kind of dips down again.

Some never come out, some of 'em don't experience that.

There is a burden that is on all of us when you serve, especially police and fire, they're on like a 30-year deployment.

That wears on you as a human being, I mean, it's just impossible not to.

One of the things that we wanted to do was give discounts to veterans and first responders.

Again, we wanted to take care of our own.

We know what they've been through, and there's some days they just want to come in, like, "I just need a drink."

What we established was a pay-it-forward board.

You could come in, pay-it-forward for that veteran or first responder.

And now when they come in, it's already taken care of, and that little bit could make their day.

It was a small little one-by-two-foot, maybe, chalkboard.

You know, there's a few hundred dollars worth of beers on there.

It just started getting bigger and bigger.

Now it's like a five-by-three chalkboard.

Oh, there's probably somewhere between $15-$20,000 worth of beer on the board.

- The City Council decided in 2014 to take a bold step in buying the entire downtown from the previous owner.

Old Armor has been critical to our revitalization project.

They took the first chance, and that was a big chance, because Kannapolis has never had a brewery.

This side of the city was a dry city until 2002.

- The Social District is a new thing that North Carolina promoted.

It's a six square-blocks area that is dedicated, by the city, for you to have open container, from ABC Permit and Buildings.

- Man, it's awesome to see that the city is behind all this, but that these businesses are supporting each other.

And that y'all are all like, building each other up, is incredible.

- It's just one more thing to do in downtown Kannapolis.

We really wanted to make this a central point of enjoyment for everyone.

Space next to us, nothing was happening in it, and we said, "Well, why don't we add a cider room and expand that way."

But at the same time, downstairs, we say, "Hey, we could fit four lanes down there."

Dove into the whole duckpin bowling, which we call Kingpin.

[upbeat rock music] Welcome to the underground.

- [Katy] Yes, thank you.

This is very cool, and very unexpected.

- Little hidden gem.

Here's the bowling balls, they're smaller.

- Okay, all right, yeah, a little bit smaller.

- [Kyle] We do focus on hiring vets and first responders.

It's obviously not all we employ, but we do focus on that.

'Cause when you're transitioning, you're coming from a very abrasive lifestyle into a civilian sector.

This gives 'em a good middle ground of, "Hey, you're still working with vets, you still get that camaraderie, and everything comes with it."

But in the meantime, it's gonna help you find your next step, whether it's staying here or not, it at least helps you transition.

We've had several veterans come in here, and now they've moved on to either school, or, "I'm gonna go be police," or, "I wanna go work in banking."

It gives them like, a stepping block, really, to that next step of what they're gonna do in their career.

- [Stefan] Bringing everybody together with civilians, I think was way more important than just doing something that's dedicated just to the military, just to first responders.

Because veterans and first responders, they're peoples are our community, they're just people.

All we want this place to be is a place where people can come, drink good local craft beer, have a good time, and not have to worry about the problems that they maybe face on a regular basis.

Whether you're a veteran, a first responder, still in the military, or just somebody who just loves America, and doesn't want to deal with the, you know, the rigamarole that is out there right now.

Come here, have a good time, and make some friends along the way.

- [Deborah] Old Armor Beer Company is at 211 West Avenue in Kannapolis, and they're open daily.

For more information, give them a call, at 704-933-9203.

Or check them out online at oldarmorbeer.com.

Preservation is a way of protecting and honoring memory In Charlotte, when a Black neighborhood was lost to urban renewal, a dedicated group of investors, artists, and volunteers, came together to honor the legacy of the Brooklyn community.

And they established a fascinating venue called The Brooklyn Collective.

- [Monique] This block of Charlotte is really a hidden treasure.

People always ask, they say, "There was a Brooklyn in Charlotte?"

[laughs] [upbeat music] This neighborhood of Brooklyn was a very thriving part of the city.

It was all African American, and it was what they referred to, affectionately, as "a city within the city".

And so because the African Americans at that time were not welcomed into the white sides of town, they built their own infrastructure, they created this bustling community.

This community wasn't just a little square block, wasn't just a cul-de-sac, it was 1,400 homes, and over 275 businesses; it was extremely expansive.

They had their own banks, their own theaters, their own schools.

And it was really a hub of activity in Charlotte.

- My family moved from Georgia to Charlotte to get away from the sharecropping life they lived there.

They moved into Brooklyn, and joined this church in about 1922.

And our family has been a member ever since.

- During urban renewal in the early 1960s, early 1970s, this neighborhood was torn down.

- When Charlotte got urban renewal money, they targeted Brooklyn, and the idea was that they would clear out all of the old and bring in the new.

[mellow piano] - Our family home was destroyed, and that is when my family actually left Brooklyn, but we got to come back because the church was still here.

- The Redevelopment Commissioner, at the time of the urban renewal, wanted people to stop calling it Brooklyn.

He said, "People shouldn't call it Brooklyn anymore, Brooklyn is gone."

And I think that what the Collective helps prove is that that's not the case.

And all of the other keepers of that history, of that memory, have proven that Brooklyn is still Brooklyn.

This Collective has dedicated itself to preserving that history.

[whimsical music] - From the stained glass windows, to the herringbone brick, you wouldn't think of being in a glass and steel city like Charlotte.

- The interesting part about these buildings is that, number one, this block that they reside on was actually a part of what was known as the "Black Wall Street of Charlotte" in the early 1900s.

More importantly, they are two out of the four remaining buildings of Brooklyn in Charlotte.

Therefore, why we are called The Brooklyn Collective.

The Brooklyn Collective is actually a collective in two ways, one, it is a collective of three physical buildings.

And then it's a collective of individuals with like minds, that have come together to support entrepreneurship and a celebration of the arts.

Whether you're coming because you're attending an event, whether you're coming to a concert, whether you're coming to visit the art gallery, or one of our art exhibits, those are ways you can connect with us.

But if not, you can enjoy the murals that are on the outside of the building.

You can learn more about the history on our storytelling payphone.

We have created a history room in our lobby, and that is so important, because it really sets the stage for a person's visit here.

Our first building would be the Mecklenburg Investment Company Building.

This building is actually 100 years old this year.

And the Mecklenburg Investment Company Building is open for the public.

We fling the doors open, and the community can come in, and enjoy art, at no charge.

The second building would be The Grace.

The Grace is actually 121 years old this year, in its brick format.

That building was actually in wood format on that land, built by emancipated slaves, so it holds some really great rich history.

We utilize that for performing arts.

- It's a good number of people who spent a lot of their childhood and early adulthood in the church.

So it's just been exciting to see that we can still be connected, that we can still come inside.

- The third building, which is sandwiched right in between these two historic buildings, it came along in the 1950s, not as old.

But that would be the building that houses Studio 229 on Brevard, primarily a photography and videography studio, but also it can actually be utilized as a venue that individuals can rent out.

We have three different jazz series you can count on every single month.

- It really excites me that my grandkids can come here, and see where their parents, their ancestors, actually worshiped, and what they were able to build.

And give other people the opportunity to see that what we have did not just fall out of the sky, it was built, and it has endured.

[uplifting music] - [Deborah] The Brooklyn Collective is at 229 South Brevard Street in Charlotte.

Each venue has its own events and hours, so be sure to check out their Facebook page.

You can also learn all about the Brooklyn legacy on their website at brooklyncollectiveclt.org.

For more information, give them a call at 704-368-4009.

Well, that's it for tonight's show.

We've had a wonderful time here at The Wilson Rose Garden, it is quite the memory maker, and always free to explore.

And if you've missed anything in today's program, just remember, you can always watch us again online at PBSnc.org.

Have a great North Carolina weekend, everyone.

[lively music] ♪ - [Voiceover] Funding for "North Carolina Weekend" is provided in part by Visit NC, dedicated to highlighting our state's natural scenic beauty, unique history, and diverse cultural attractions.

From the Blue Ridge and the Great Smoky Mountains across the Piedmont, to 300 miles of Barrier Island beaches.

You're invited to experience all the adventure and charm our state has to offer.

[piano outro]