Downtown Business & Dining Update

Customers are always right, they say.

Two popular downtown restaurants listened…and have now added evening hours to their menus, giving a boost to evening dining opportunities for those who prefer to eat out rather than cook in.

The Folded Napkin Bistro & Catering, 115 West North Street, previously offering service during lunch hours Wednesday thru Friday, is now open Wednesday thru Saturday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with chef Bobby Carraway and owner Geraldine Eubanks. Call 252-527-5008.

Our Picnic Basket, 214 North Herritage, also a lunchtime eatery previously, has expanded its service hours to include evening dining from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Wednesday thru Saturday. The ladies at Our Picnic Basket also offer catering menus for a wide range of events. Call 252-520-9800.

The Folded Napkin and Our Picnic Basket join some of Kinston’s other favorite downtown eating establishments offering night time dining.

Chef and the Farmer, 120 West Gordon, is open from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm Tuesday thru Thursday. Friday and Saturday, the hours are from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

In January, this restaurant was cited by the Raleigh News and Observer food critics as one of the top 10 “newcomers” to the region’s dining business…and was the only one of the 10 restaurants so named outside the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill market. Call 252-208-2433.

Christopher’s Restaurant, 217 North Queen Street, is an all-day establishment—celebrating its 40th anniversary this year of serving breakfast, lunch and dinner—offers dinner through 8:00 pm Monday through Friday. This gathering spot opens at 6:00 am every morning—Monday through Saturday—and has witnessed several Kinston generations coming through its doors. Call 252-527-3716.

Bunch’s Grill, 100 South Queen, is another downtown eatery offering evening meals Thursdays and Fridays until 8:00 pm. During most of the week, Bunch’s Grill—a relative newcomer to downtown’s dining community—is open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Call 252-520-7887.

109, 109 North Queen Street, operates as a private club offering evening meals "until closing". Call 252-520-2109.

Designs by Shelia Take on a New Look

Shelia Stroud, proprietor of Designs by Shelia at 218 North Herritage, has re-vamped her business. Beginning March 22, Ms. Stroud re-opens her store as a retail boutique offering ladies apparel and accessories. Previously she had operated a women's consignment and jewelry shop at the Herritage Street location.

Fine ladies fashions and accessories will be a welcome addition to the goods and services now being offered by Herritage Street merchants, according to Pride’s director Adrian King. “Shelia is to be congratulated for taking this bold new step with her business,” he said.

Kinston Runners Warm Up for the Big Race

Saturday rains cleared up in time for a hardy band of Kinston runners to gather Mar. 13, 2010 at the Kinston High School running track to warm up for the 5th annual Run for the River.

Jon and Laurie Sargeant

Race producer Pride of Kinston made arrangements with the high school to borrow the running track to give local runners a chance to warm up for the 8K and 1 Mile Fun Run set for Mar. 27, 2010. The second “warm up” day is set for Saturday, Mar. 20, 2010 at 10:00 am.

The Run for the River has grown into a favorite local event which attracts runners from throughout the region and State. The 1 Mile Fun Run kicks off at 8:30 am Saturday at Neuseway Nature Center. The 8K race begins at 9:00 am at the Rotary Dog Park just off the Hwy. 11/70 bypass intersection. Registration begins at 7:00 am for both races in Neuseway Nature Center. (For additional information go to the Run for the River page.)

Mike Kollock and Sherry Dixon

Jon and Laurie Sargeant and Sherri Dixon and Mike Kollock were among Saturday’s participants. Both couples ran the 20 laps around the track, equivalent to the 4.97 miles which constitutes the 8K race sponsored by Pride. Other friends and children joined in the warm up stretches.