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Tuesday, 01 October 2024
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Written by Amber Little
Over the past decade or so, fast fashion has become increasingly popular. From Shein to Zara, cheaply made clothes shipped right to your front door have dominated the industry. Despite the fast fashion craze, vintage clothing is making a comeback. Whether it’s the desire for better-made clothing or the nostalgia for the past, vintage is “in.” Not to be mistaken for its popular cousin, “thrifted,” vintage clothing has a story, a tangible piece of the past.
Fayetteville native Michelle Clark and her partner Jamil Rashad have been working diligently to open Westdale Vintage, the area’s first vintage clothing store with the purpose of building community and providing space for people to explore their style and find pieces that speak to their heart. Located in the heart of Haymount, at 1225 Fort Bragg Rd., Westdale Vintage is the perfect complement to the growing vibrancy of the area.
Stepping through the bright new yellow doors is like walking through time. From the ceiling to the floor, every corner of the space is a moment in time captured by meticulously curated pieces, from the clothing to the decor, there is a story to be told.
“In tribute to my father, you’ll look around and see a lot of pictures. My mom and dad over there, over the doors. [Kind of] keeping watch. Both of my grandfathers [are] up there. It’s very family-oriented,” Clark said.
Both Clark and Rashad have traveled all over the country for their respective careers, but always kept their love of vintage style with them, collecting pieces that will be on display and for sale in the store.
“I was born and raised in Raleigh, and vintage has always been something that was embedded in me since I was a kid. I remember my mom taking me to Marshalls, TJ Maxx and thrift stores, Goodwill, and Salvation Army back in the day. And I remember I used to tell her my password used to be ukvintage. I don’t know, maybe I manifested this a long time ago but then I started doing music. Living in New York and LA, and traveling, I was always collecting pieces.
“But I’m a denim head at heart. Denim is like what I love… we were digging in barns. I love that history,” Rashad explained.
Westdale Vintage is a manifestation and product of fate and alignment. Rashad, a musician whose band is currently touring, has taken a step back to invest his time and energy to open the doors to the store.
“Touring was the focus. And then after her father passed, rest in Peace Billy Clark, this right here became available. We were coming back from Raleigh I think, and we saw this space. She said, ‘I’m going to look at these tax records right now and see who the property manager is.’ And it happened. The universe allowed this to happen. To bring something positive to Fayetteville. That’s what I keep telling her.
“When I was growing up I wanted to have a place where I could play dress-up and express myself, and I feel like the kids in Fayetteville are yearning and wanting that. Somewhere cool, where they can play dress-up. It’s got cool music. It’s a cool vibe. And the women can try on these gowns and dresses. It’s just about bringing something positive to the community,” said Rashad.
Clark, who is from the area, has had a successful TV news career and looks forward to this new chapter in her life.
“[I] was born and raised in Hope Mills. I left Hope Mills after I graduated from college. I did the TV news thing for about 20 years. Family always brought me back here. It’s what brought me back a year ago to take care of my dad full-time… I’ve always collected vintage, that’s one of the things that brought us together. I always had a room in my house. It was always all my vintage.
“Moving here, there was no place for me to shop, so two-fold, I got injured and couldn’t run and was missing that dopamine and started sourcing and kind of went overboard. He was like you’re a hoarder, we’ve got to do something about this. I said why don’t we start selling online or do popups,” she said. “So we met Patrick LeClair and we started talking about popups and things we were going to do. We started doing a couple of popups at Dirtbag for Misfits Market and the response was overwhelming. And as Jamil said, my father passed and we were driving late at night and we could see it was empty. We always wondered what was in here. And it was never open. And it was open. I was sending a message to the owner on LinkedIn that night and here we are.”
While there have been some minor delays in opening the store, owners Clark and Rashad are excited to greet new customers, make new friends, and make a mark in the community.
Their plans include fashion shows, trunk shows, and something special for the upcoming prom season. Make sure to follow on Instagram to stay up-to-date on all things Westdale Vintage https://www.instagram.com/westdalevintage?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==.
(Photo: Michelle Clark and Jamil Rashad stand at 1225 Fort Bragg Rd., the location of Westdale Vintage. Since taking over the retail space, the pair have painted the doors yellow and transformed the space into a unique vintage shopping experience for Fayetteville. Photo courtesy of Westdale Vintage Facebook Page)
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Tuesday, 01 October 2024
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Written by Sheila D. Barker
Nothing captures the spirit of Halloween quite like a chilling ghost story. In Fayetteville, several intriguing locations are rumored to be haunted, each with its own eerie tales that add to the excitement of the spooky season.
Kyle House
302 Green Street
The Kyle House at 302 Green Street stands as one of the oldest surviving residences in the city, built by merchant James Kyle in 1855. It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of one of Fayetteville’s early settlers. Originally constructed as a wedding gift for his daughter Margaret, the house witnessed the passage of many generations of the Kyle family and significant historical events, including the Civil War. The thick, 18-inch walls lined with brick were a practical feature designed to provide fireproofing, a response to the Great Fire of 1831 that had previously destroyed a house on the same site.
For decades, stories of hauntings have surrounded the Kyle House, with many believing that the spirit of James Kyle himself haunts the residence. Despite never living there, it is said he was unhappy with how his daughter Annie used the house as a boarding house after becoming widowed.
Witnesses have reported seeing his apparition on the staircase, a spot he is frequently associated with.
Former Mayor Bill Hurley and his staff recounted numerous paranormal experiences, including machines turning on by themselves, furniture moving, and unexplained cold spots. Former City Manager Roger Stancil also witnessed ghostly apparitions and felt cold spots in his upstairs office.
Even during a candlelight tour, a volunteer experienced an intense chill that only subsided once she left the house. These tales add an eerie, supernatural layer to the already rich history of the Kyle House.
Prince Charles
450 Hay Street
The Prince Charles Hotel, originally located at 430 Hay Street, opened its doors in April 1925. The visionaries behind this grand establishment were Carl and Richard Player. The hotel was a seven-story building designed in the Colonial Revival style, complete with an Italian Renaissance style palazzo, boasting 125 rooms.
Among the many stories that add to the mystique of the Prince Charles Hotel is the haunting tale of Charlotte. Legend has it that Charlotte was a bride who married at the hotel. Her joy turned to heartbreak when she discovered her husband in bed with one of her bridesmaids on their wedding night.
Devastated, Charlotte reportedly committed suicide by jumping out of a window. Her spirit is said to haunt the hotel, particularly the elevator, which she rides to the eighth floor where the honeymoon suite was located. Guests and staff have reported her presence, often accompanied by disturbances with the locks on the eighth floor.
Charlotte is not the only ghostly resident of the Prince Charles Hotel. During its time in operation, the hotel also became home to the spirits of WWII soldiers, who were frequently seen in the hotel’s bar.
Another chilling story involves a police officer who was allegedly murdered on either the 4th or 6th floor. His spirit is said to roam the hotel, adding to the eerie atmosphere that has surrounded the building for decades.
In 2014, Durham-based developer Jordan Jones purchased the property for $200,000. He embarked on an ambitious project to rebuild the hotel’s interior and transform it into modern apartments.
The renovation was completed, and in 2019, the building reopened as The Residences at the Prince Charles. Despite its modern transformation, the building retains its historical significance and continues to be a subject of fascination for those interested in its rich past and ghostly legends.
Cool Spring Tavern
119 N. Cool Spring Street
Situated at 119 N. Cool Spring Street, the Cool Spring Tavern is a quintessential example of federal-style architecture. Built in 1788 by Dolphin Davis and Nathan and Elisha Stedman, this two-story building boasts long verandas, a low-hipped roof, and square Doric posts. The exterior features large brick chimneys on each side, laid in Flemish bond with chevron patterns formed by glazed headers. Originally operating as a tavern until 1795, this structure is the oldest existing building in the city.
The Cool Spring Tavern is famously associated with Richard Caswell, North Carolina’s first governor after independence. In November 1789, the state’s Constitutional Convention took place here, with Caswell presiding as the officer. After a celebratory toast marking North Carolina’s entry into the United States, Caswell retired to his room, where he tragically suffered a stroke and died five days later.
Legend has it that Caswell’s spirit continues to haunt the tavern. Visitors and locals alike claim to feel his presence, adding an eerie layer to the building’s historical significance.
Another haunting legend tied to the Cool Spring Tavern involves the tragic story of a young servant girl. According to local lore, this young woman hanged herself in the attic in an act of despair.
Her apparition is said to wander the halls of the tavern, often seen carrying a candle. This ghostly figure has become part of the rich tapestry of haunted tales surrounding the historic building.
Over the years, many have reported eerie encounters at the Cool Spring Tavern. Guests and paranormal enthusiasts often speak of strange noises, sudden drops in temperature, and unexplained shadows moving through the rooms.
Whether it’s the spirit of Governor Richard Caswell or the young servant girl, these ghostly sightings continue to draw curiosity and intrigue, making the tavern a focal point for those interested in the supernatural.
(Photos: Above: The Kyle House at 302 Green Street. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. Middle: The Prince Charles. Photo courtesy of The Residences at Prince Charles Facebook Page. Bottom: The Cool Spring Tavern. Photo courtesy of Flickr)
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