Former Coca-Cola bottling plant is transforming into Salem Bottleworks multi-use space
The plant’s address was listed as South Marshall Street, which is the way the Coca-Cola sign faces, until May 2023. | Photo by WStoday
The former Coca-Cola bottling plant in Winston-Salem is getting a delicious and refreshing update. City Editor Cambridge toured the historic property on South Poplar Street (across from the Old Salem Visitors Center) to pop the top on what’s coming.
The fizz-ical space
The building is nearly a century old. Here a brief look at how we got here:
1929: Winston Coca-Cola Bottling Company opens the building in April.
1938-1965: Additions are built to triple the property’s square footage.
1986: Old Salem Museum and Gardens acquires the property.
1994: Portions of the building are remodeled.
2022: Developer Jared Rogers buys the property.
2023: City Council approves the building’s designation as a local historic landmark.
Thirst for something new
Rogers named the project Salem Bottleworks and originally planned to turn the space into a food hall. He says he changed directions when the owners of Bobby Boy Bakeshop expressed the need for more space.
The downstairs portion of the main building will become the bakery’s commercial kitchen and dining area. Rogers says September 2024 is the target to have the space up and running. Plans are also in the works to convert the upstairs of the main building into three studio apartments, a four-bedroom Airbnb, and event space.
This area upstairs will eventually become event space.
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Photo by WStoday
Rogers says 1,500 sqft will be added to the existing 30,000 sqft. Additional features will include:
A balcony with seating underneath
Dedicated space for food trucks
~1.2 acres of surrounding property for parking
Three restaurants are also slated for the 1.09-acre complex. Rogers can’t disclose what the new dining options will be yet, but says the first one plans to open in December 2024. The other two are slated to open in spring 2025.
Asked
Which part of Salem Bottleworks are you looking forward to most?
A. Checking out the restaurants + food trucks
B. Partying in the event space
C. Renting the Airbnb or a studio apartment
D. Having another area to gather with friends
Open Gym | Wednesday, June 5 | 7-10 p.m. | D.O.S.E Artist Collective, 606 Trade St. NW, Winston-Salem | Free | Meet other creatives in the community and learn some new skills during open jam sessions and crafting — bring your own instruments and supplies.
Thursday, June 6
Poverty Simulation 2024 | Thursday, June 6 | 9-11 a.m. | Mary Alice Warren Community Center, 7632 Warren Park Dr., Lewisville | Free | Learn the challenges that people whose incomes are below the federal poverty threshold face in this interactive experience.
Friday, June 7
DADA First Friday Gallery Hop | Friday, June 7 | 7-10 p.m. | Downtown Arts District, 6th and Trade streets, Winston-Salem | Free | Explore art studios + shops and take part in a drum circle, watch belly dancing, and live painting.
Saturday, June 8
10-Minute Play Festival | Saturday, June 8 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness, 114 W. 30th St., Winston-Salem | $12 | Watch performances of six plays written by NC playwrights that are each 10 minutes or less.
Sunday, June 9
“Hello Summer” Painting Pop-Up | Sunday, June 9 | 1-3 p.m. | Wise Man Brewing, 826 Angelo Bros Ave., Winston-Salem | $45 | Follow the steps to design a 3D laser-cut door hanger — buy your ticket by Friday.
Share your thoughts of the proposed Forsyth County budget during a public hearing on Monday, June 10 at 6 p.m. on the 5th floor of Forsyth County Government Center (201 N. Chestnut St.). Commissioners could vote on the $581 million budget proposal as soon as Thursday, June 13. (WFDD)
Announced
You can head to the DMV without an appointment on Saturdays from June 8 through Aug. 24. The NC Department of Motor Vehicles’ decision to offer walk-in services from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. applies to 16 offices statewide, including the location at 2001 Silas Creek Pkwy. in Winston-Salem. (FOX8 WGHP)
Theater
Get your tickets to the 18th biennial International Black Theatre Festival. Organizers announced the production lineup this week. They expect ~60,000 people to visit Winston-Salem for the festival starting Monday, July 29 through Saturday, Aug. 3. (WXII 12 News)
Opening
Celebrate the grand reopening of Sophisticated Florals by Stephanie on Saturday, June 8. Stop by the florist’s new location at 1166 Burke St. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to enjoy cocktails, charcuterie, outdoor games, raffles, and, of course, lots of flowers.
Closed
Downtown Thai & Pho has closed its downtown location at 271 W. 4th St. The owner says he plans to open a new restaurant called Thai Destiny in the Kinderton Place shopping center in Bermuda Run with hopes to open by August. (Winston-Salem Journal)
History
Today, June 6 marks 80 years since the invasion of the beaches of Normandy, France during World War II, what became known as D-Day. One 98-year-old veteran from Davie County, Frank J. Perry Sr., will be among 70 veterans commemorating the event in Normandy. (WXII 12 News)
Featured
You might have seen some familiar faces on TV last night, June 4. Justin Webster, the owner and executive chef of Heff’s Burger Club (285 W. 4th St.) was a competitor on Food Network’s “Chopped.” Clemmons resident David Sorenson was a contestant on “Wheel of Fortune.” (Triad Business Journal + WFMY News 2)
Finance
You know a restaurant’s good if other chefs eat there, and you can trust a gym where athletes train. So, we’ll trust this rec:This card recommended by The Ascent has no annual fee and offers up to 5% cash back, a sign-up bonus, and 0% intro APR into 2025.*
Technology
These printers are the jam
New 3D printing manufacturing studio launches in Innovation Quarter
The FDA has cleared Ricoh’s process of additive manufacturing to produce the anatomic models. | Photo via Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Innovation Quarter continues to live up to its name. It now holds a first-of-its-kind manufacturing facility for 3D-printed anatomic models.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Ricoh USA, Inc. launched the Ricoh 3D for Healthcare Innovation Studio in partnership with Wake Forest University School of Medicine. It will allow researchers and physicians to print 3D models of body parts using a specific patient’s medical images. The models will be used for pre-surgical training + to help patients understand their procedures.
“The Ricoh 3D for Healthcare Innovation Studio is an incredible value-add to what is a growing community of life sciences companies and resources here,” said Isaac Perry, head of life sciences and ecosystem development for Innovation Quarter and Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. “We can’t wait to see what collaborations come out of this partnership.”
The idea is to eventually give startups and entrepreneurs in Innovation Quarter access to the equipment, as well. The studio is located in One Technology Place (200 E. 1st St.).
The Buy
The Buy 6.05.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The ultimate summer grill accessory: a wireless smart thermometer. Stick it in your food, cook as usual, and the thermometer will notify your smartphone when your meat has reached the ideal internal temp. Hello, perfectly cooked steaks…
I owe Preservation Forsyth a special thank you for letting me tag along on the tour of Salem Bottleworks. I can’t wait to see the space once the revitalization effort is complete. It’s not only going to be a great spot to gather, it will surely draw people to explore other charming parts of West Salem.
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