Small businesses are revitalizing downtown Henderson, NC

When you walk through the historic district in downtown Henderson, you can feel the change in the air. New businesses are popping up throughout, and established ones are being revitalized. Among these businesses is Gear and Beer, a store that sells outdoor gear and local craft beer. Gear and Beer was founded in September of 2021 by Carol Terwilliger. Terwilliger relocated to Henderson from Raleigh after working in design and web development for 28 years before deciding she wanted to get closer to her roots. "I grew up in the mountains of Virginia and was an avid backpacker, zero-impact camper, and always thought I would have an outdoor store. I was thinking about easing into retirement and going back to that original dream," she said. Rather than moving back to the mountains, Carol decided to settle in Henderson, where she could still be near friends and other conveniences including living just an hour from Raleigh. Seeing other outdoor stores pop up around the state in conjunction with a brewery or tap house inspired Carol to bring this idea to Henderson, and fulfill her lifelong dream.

Downtown Henderson is starting to bring the area back to life, and Gear and Beer is just one of the businesses helping to lead the charge. Other businesses like Sadie’s Coffee Shop, Nella Roo’s Boutique, several niche apparel shops, and McGregor Hall have become staples within the community. An ice cream shop and brewery may also be headed to the area soon. Gear and Beer has a small seating area where customers can drink local craft beers. The store has been host to live music and other events that draw visitors downtown, which has been a crucial part of the store's success.

The city of Henderson has made a concerted effort to revitalize downtown and attract new businesses. This includes investing in infrastructure improvements and offering incentives to businesses. The results are starting to show, and Terwilliger is confident that downtown will continue to grow. "There are a lot of people working hard to make downtown better," she said. "I think in the next few years, we're going to see a lot of growth."

Tracy Madigan, Henderson's Director of Downtown Development, is responsible for managing Henderson’s Main Street America program and working with downtown to bring in businesses and make improvements such as structural or design improvements. "When businesses are trying to move into the area, Henderson, in general, is strategically located off Highway 85 and US 1”, she said.

In the last six months, there has been an increase in interest in businesses coming into Henderson. One business Madigan likes to promote is McGregor Hall, the wonderful performing arts center in Henderson that offers live shows and entertainment in the city. This helps get businesses excited to come to Henderson with all the visitors the hall brings to town. Henderson is home to many wonderful historic buildings that contribute to the city’s character, such as the oldest operating fire station in North Carolina.

While the area is known for its outdoor activities with its proximity to Kerr Lake, various businesses have been vital in revitalizing downtown with new shops, restaurants, and businesses. One of the businesses that has been critical to downtown Henderson's growth is Sadie's Coffee Shop, which has been around for three years and has been a significant part in the revitalization of the area. Sadie's was one of the first businesses in the area to start enhancing Downtown Henderson’s atmosphere, attracting visitors and regulars daily. In addition to serving various drinks and snacks, Sadie's features indoor and outdoor seating, allowing visitors to take in Henderson's charming scenery while enjoying their coffee. As a local partner committed to the area's growth, Sadie’s keeps it local by using and selling goods from Henderson while maintaining the best in food and service.

Additionally, expansions to a passenger rail line are planned to make one of its stops in Henderson, which will create even more opportunities for local businesses and residents alike. From Raleigh to Richmond, the S-Line is poised to fill the missing link in Amtrak service in the Southeast and will stop in Henderson. With Durham being 40 minutes away and Raleigh being an hour from Henderson, this S-Line stop will encourage more visitors to Henderson who find a high-speed rail alternative attractive.