Cherryville, Where Life Blossoms

Cherryville, NC (WNN)— Many people who grew up in Cherryville, NC, in the 1960s-1980s have fond memories of a different era. That small town, "Mayberry," feel was evident. Although nostalgia and selective memory might slightly distort the actual events, the sentiment remains. The city's population has hovered around 5,000 for many years, adding to its small-town mysticism.

There was a time when residents would leave the windows up and the doors unlocked. Windows would be lowered during pop-up rain showers, and doors would only be locked if leaving home for more than a day or so. Neighbors were like family and looked out for each other. It seemed everyone either knew each other or were relatives. There was a true sense of community, which would later provide the resilience this little town would need to survive.

Beloved Locals

Just as the fictional town of Mayberry had a cast of beloved characters, so did Cherryville. A walk down Main Street on a typical day would probably result in one hearing "hello, so-and-so's grandson", followed by a slap on the back. That slap would come from none other than Harold "Fungo" Carpenter. Fungo might not know your given name, but rest assured, he knew who you were related to, and he would greet you. It seemed he knew everyone—a great man who loved people and his community.

If you wanted to know anything, and I genuinely mean anything, about local sports, Ronald "Scoop" Kiser was your go-to source. This man devoted his entire life to covering sports for the local newspaper, The Cherryville Eagle. Reporting was more than just relating stats; Scoop lived for sports and took time to get to know the young athletes he covered during their events. Kiser added a human element to his stories, inviting the reader to learn about the player as not only an athlete but also as a person.

Warren G. "Hoover" Quinn was unforgettable. As a decorated multi-war veteran, Hoover was dedicated to all things American Legion and Cherryville High School sports. If you attended a baseball game in Cherryville, you would be entertained by his good-natured ribbing of the umpires. At one time or another, the umpires might not have thought it was too good-natured, but Quinn meant nothing personal. He loved his team and was a diehard fan.

Community Values and Trust

A man's word and a gentleman's handshake sealed many business transactions. A car loan could be secured by selecting a car at Cherry Motors or Marvin Beam Ford. Then by driving it to the Cherryville National Bank, and signing a few papers, you would be on your way.

If you were short on cash and needed groceries, Roy and Troy's would let you select your food and settle your account on payday. Woodrow Beam did the same with his Firestone store. These men and other business owners put people first; they knew who was good for the money and who was not.

Although Harris Teeter could not charge groceries, long-time manager Bob McGowan took care of his customers, especially the elderly. Several older ladies lived in houses within several blocks of the store. They had no way to get to and from the store other than to walk. McGowan made sure one of the courtesy clerks would push the shopping cart down the street for these ladies and help carry in their groceries.

Summer Fun and Local Flavor

Summer days would see many residents stopping by the ice plant to buy a large bag of ice to make homemade ice cream. The city pool and the pool at Club Carolina were packed with young people. Many friendships and a few dating relationships were formed during these times.

Long before Hardee's and McDonald's came to town, people of all ages could enjoy great food at local establishments such as Blackwoods, Family Carry Out, The Fish Box, Triple H, Shake Shop, Dwight Sweats, Black's Grill, and Home Folks, among many others. Lotta burgers, cheeseburger baskets, flounder filets, and home-style cooked meals were abundant.

A Town at a Crossroads

The 1980s and 1990s saw major changes to Cherryville. As the 1980s began, the city saw renewed community bonding through a revival of successful high school and Legion baseball teams. Within a decade, the financial and business landscape underwent a major shift. Textile mills, which once populated the city, would sit vacant and crumbling.

Carolina Freight Carriers Corporation would become a memory. Family farms were also beginning to dwindle, as younger generations no longer carried on the tradition and land began to be sold for development. Downtown retail businesses were shut down due to the popularity of shopping malls.

Buildings were showing signs of disrepair, and once vibrant murals were fading into the bricks they had been painted on. Suddenly, the city was standing at a crossroads. The loss of so many job opportunities was seeing families move away. No one would have been surprised to see Cherryville just slowly fade away into a ghost town, but that was not to be the case.

Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future

Roots ran deep in small towns, and in Cherryville, they ran especially deep. Some residents were descendants of families that had called this place home for many generations, going back several hundred years. They were not about to let their beloved hometown vanish into the mist of memory. Determination, passion, hard work, and a good dose of just plain stubbornness ignited just enough spark to take the town off life support.

People like Howell Stroup worked tirelessly to preserve the town's history and its traditions for future generations. We were now in the 21st century, and the rebirth of a city had been evolving for several years. The tiny seeds that were the Cherryville of the past had survived their winter and germinated in the soil. Soon, the city's springtime would begin to blossom into glorious flowers as the Cherryville of the present and future would sprout.

Revitalization Efforts

Many realtors will advise homeowners to improve the curb appeal of their homes before listing them for sale. The idea is that by painting a door, trimming shrubs, planting flowers, and maintaining each will make a pleasing appeal to the eye and lure potential buyers to want to see the inside.

The same approach has been taken to revitalize this warm little town. Grants have been used to restore many buildings in the downtown area, parks have been completely reimagined and upgraded, pools and a splash pad offer summer cool-downs, a recreational community gym has opened, athletic facilities are being upgraded, murals have been restored, and new ones painted. All these are being kept clean and well-maintained.

There has never been a lack of choices for good food in Cherryville. Well-established places such as Home Folks Café and brand new restaurants offer an array to please any palate. Everything from burgers to Mexican, Asian, and steak can easily be obtained. The Cherryville Main Street Program and the Cherryville Historical Society are making great strides in turning the once drab downtown area into a vibrant heartbeat and focal point of the town.

The Heart of Cherryville

It takes more than pretty buildings, flower planters, and eateries for a small town to thrive. What makes life blossom in Cherryville? For any plant to produce strong roots that ensure growth and optimal survival, rich, fertile soil is essential. Since its incorporation in 1872, Cherryville's rich soil has been found in the form of its residents.

Good-hearted, compassionate, hardworking individuals built this town. Now, generations later, those same attributes can still be seen. Naturally, there are a few bad players here and there; however, for the most part, they are inconsequential. The city, along with other organizations, has made tremendous strides in embracing the diversity of the residents and offering many festivals and events to allow locals to get to know one another, while drawing in crowds from other areas.

The added revenue from visitors attending these events helps ensure future growth and helps meet the needs of the town. Some of the festivals are the Cherry Blossom Festival, Juneteenth Celebration, Independence Day Celebration, Scary Ville, Who-Ville, and New Year's Eve Celebration.

Looking Ahead

Although not perfect, Cherryville is still a great small town with a huge heart and wonderful people. To truly blossom it will continue to require good soil and tender loving care. The people are the soil and must continue to give back to the community and care for neighbors.

It's up to each person to maintain beauty and attraction. At the end of the day, nice parks, great food, exciting sporting events, and pretty murals might attract the curious, but it's the residents of Cherryville who will truly make life blossom.

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