Category: Greensboro

Doorknobs and Broomsticks

Greensboro, Old Greensboro, Portraits


I live in a hundred year old farmhouse and a lot of the hardware is also that age. The other day I needed a glass doorknob to replace a broken one, so I headed across the street from my photography studio in Greensboro to Mary’s Antiques. Mary’s is an institution in the antique district in Old Greensboro and I have known her for years. We have bought pieces for our home and rented props for photo shoots. She carries a wonderful variety of fine antique furniture and an eclectic collection of collectibles. You never know what she might have in stock. She is also known for having perhaps the best selection of architectural antiques in the area, so if you need a door, or a knob or a hinge, her shop is the place to go. Mary’s is located at 607 South Elm Street, and can be reached at 336-378-8877 or at Marys_Antiques@ATT.net. If you are in downtown Greensboro, stop by her shop and browse. It’s worth the trip.




(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

John Foy Piano Restoration

Greensboro, Music



The area of downtown Greensboro, North Carolina south of the railroad tracks is known locally as Old Greensboro. A center for antique shops, it is also a thriving hub of artists and artisans. Across the alley from my studio is John Foy Piano Restoration. Run by John Foy, they specialize in maintaining, repairing and rebuilding grand pianos, primarily those made by Steinway and Sons. John has been doing this for about 27 years. He was trained as a classical pianist but began tuning and maintaining instruments. Soon, the need for repairing pianos arose and since he was familiar with woodworking from his father, he trained at North Bennet Street School in Boston, MA in piano repair and rebuilding. He and his staff now perform complete piano restoration in their Elm Street shop. For info, go to his website at http://www.johnfoypiano.com.



Below, John P. Johanson, a member of John’s staff, works on rebuilding a Steinway piano. While the technology in these instruments is old, the craftsmanship needed to work on these beautiful pianos is truly an art.





(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)

Downtown Greensboro on a Saturday Night

Greensboro


My wife and I went out Saturday night with my son Tristan and his wife Christine to downtown Greensboro for a little pizza and a nice walk. It was a beautiful evening and we walked the whole of Elm Street. Times have really changed. Twenty years ago the downtown area of Greensboro on a weekend would have been a ghost town. Now, it has become a safe, vibrant place with busy shops and restaurants and people strolling. Quite enjoyable.





(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)