Selma theater and surrounding businesses see economic recovery, providing hope of a comeback

It’s a lot different than it was in November of 2020. That’s when Spook Joyner, owner of "The Rudy" live music venue thought he and his performers were about to perform their last American Jubilee Christmas show.

Due to pandemic restrictions, their Christmas performance was played to an empty house. However, it was recorded on video and offered on social media in hopes of attracting donations.

It did result in many donations. Later, a grant through the state’s Art Council through Johnston County helped Rudy Joyner pay a lot of bills. "So in fact, that did save the Rudy," said Joyner.

Saving the 72-year-old music venue may also help other Selma businesses like Zena Rose’s "Coffee at Raiford".

Rose said, "That’s our hope, that those people will come here and this coming Saturday is the first time they’ll be opening the first show since the pandemic.

Pandemic restrictions put future of 72-year-old Rudy Theater in Selma at risk

She says positive signs are all around. "The ice cream store opened before we did and he’s doing great. The flower shop and the antique store is doing good and a lot of their business comes here," explained Rose.

Even one of her coffee customers, Susan Hayward, senses progress among local businesses. "It definitely feels like everything is getting back to normal. People have their vaccines, I guess," surmised Hayward.

Joyner feels the same way. He said, "I’ve seen kind of like the pot boiling, it’s starting to boil a little bit, you know?"

Joyner will always remember how close he came to losing it all.

"A year and a half is a long time to go without any income. We are hoping it just continues to move forward," he said.

North Carolina is also using $5.7 billion in federal American Rescue Plan funds over the next five years to help the arts as well as NASCAR and college scholarships.