kicking it in kannapolis
just 30 minutes north east of the queen city, kannapolis was once a bustling textile mill and is now an up and coming city with thriving local businesses, a major league baseball affiliate team and welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to love. it’s officially been one year since i packed up and moved south from west virginia & i want to share a little more about what makes this place so special!
the history
for my history buffs, kannapolis was home to cannon mills, a textile factory famous for towels and bed sheets. the mill was in operation from 1887 until just recently in 2003. it was the true pulse of the community and continues to be—the area the factory was on now houses the north carolina research campus and is steps away from downtown.
in more recent years, kannapolis is known for being the home of nascar legend, dale earnhardt. the intimidator, as he was known, grew up here and went on to be one of the most well-known and respected drivers in the history of the sport. today, you can visit a statue of the 7-time winston cup champ in downtown kannapolis.
what to do
my favorite thing to do in town is head to atrium ballpark for a cannonballers game. the kannapolis cannonballers are a single-a affilite of the chicago white sox, and the atmosphere for this small town team is electric. grab some popcorn, a hotdog and a baller beer to cheer on the team! the state-of-the-art facility also hosts various events throughout the year like trees of hope around christmastime and the annual corey lajoe kickball klassic (it’s a racing town, ok?)
catch a movie at the gem theatre, one of the oldest single-screen movie theatres in continuous operation today! built in 1936, the gem has been entertaining folks for nearly 100 years. a fire unfortunately destroyed the original theater but it was rebuilt in 1948 and is the picturesque building you see today. the best part is the concessions because you’re not breaking the bank to see a movie—popcorn, candy, drinks & a ticket for like $12!
spend an afternoon downtown; its the small but mighty hub. comprised of just two streets—west ave and s. main street—it’s bursting with original and unique businesses. old armor brewery is anchored at one end with chophouse 101 at the other. here’s what you need to know:
where to shop:
editions — if you know me, you know a bookstore is going to be in my recommendations, and there’s no better place to grab a coffee and a new book than editions. it’s everything i want in a hometown bookstore and i’ve spent many an afternoon hanging out in this inviting space.
lennon boutique — for the latest styles and chicest looks, lennon boutique has what you need and then some! i always find really cute & special trinkets that make great gifts here!
cannon honey mill — located in the shops on west ave, the cannon honey mill offers locally made honey products, homemade mead, goods and more! mead tastings are available and are a fun way to spend an afternoon. you might be surprised how much you like it!
decadence popcorn — speaking of sweet treats, kannapolis is also home to an artisan popcorn place! caramel corn and white cheddar and jalapeno ranch are just a few of the 30+ flavors they offer. last year for christmas i had small gift bags made with green apple + cinnamon flavors!
nostalgia hollow — so this isn’t technically in downtown kannapolis (though it used to be!) but i’d be remiss if i didn’t mention it! nostalgia hollow is one of my favorite places to shop for gifts. you’ll find things like small-batch candles , unique bar ware and kannapolis coffee mugs for starters. they’re located just a few miles from downtown on north main street.
where to eat & drink:
old armor brewery — arguably the place where ethan and i spend most of our time! old armor is a veteran owned and operated microbrewery with the best vibes! whether it’s music bingo on wednesdays or live music on saturdays, there’s always something happening here. rotating food trucks also provide different snack options (and from experience) all pair well with their drinks.
tipsy hare cider works — located right next door is tipsy hare cider works, an equally cool locale with a totally different vibe from the brewery. sweet & dry ciders fill their menu along with wine slushies and frozen margs!
kingpin underground — beneath both tipsy hare & old armor is an arcade complete with duck pin bowling, pinball machines, private karaoke rooms, darts, skeeball and more. the attached bar makes it so you don’t even have to head upstairs to grab a drink.
the local patriot — stop in for a coffee or tea at this cafe, also owned by the folks from old armor brewery (a very patriotic town if you couldn’t tell!) i like posting up here for a few hours to get some work done - they always play the best music too! when you visit, make sure to pay it forward to your favorite branch of the military (you can do this at old armor too!)
corner crust pizza — perfect for a late night bite, corner crust is the quintessential pizza joint that every town has. their specialty pizzas are actually really good; the chicken bacon ranch never disappoints!
chophouse 101 — for a nicer, sit down restaurant, chophouse 101 is your place and they have everything. burgers, pasta, steaks, salads, you name it! when someone comes to visit, 99% of the time we head here for a bite to eat.
on top of all of this, the town hosts some really fun activities and events throughout the year — an annual christmas parade, pumpkin patch at the stadium, movies in the park during the summer and various 5Ks round out just a few of the things they offer. needless to say, there’s truly always something to do. wait — did this just become a sales pitch for kannapolis? lol in all seriousness, this place has really felt like home and i’m so fortunate for that. here’s to more memories in kannapolis!