Harbor Is Beautiful and Good for the Economy
culture, downtown waterfront market, harbor of hospitality, riverfront,
Elizabeth City’s nickname has long been Harbor of Hospitality, and it’s easy to see why. Boats bob in the harbor while pelicans fly overhead and pods of porpoises play within view of the dock. Visitors are greeted by friendly folks, charming shops and bustling restaurants along the waterfront.
“Our harbor defines us as a community – it’s what makes downtown Elizabeth City unique,” says Wayne Harris, director of the Albemarle Economic Development Commission. “It’s a very large footprint for a town this size. I’m always amazed when I look down the street and see wonderful old buildings with that beautiful harbor behind them. The harbor has made it possible for downtown to thrive, and it remains the key for our ongoing downtown renaissance.”
Recent development along Elizabeth City’s waterfront has included the launch of the popular Downtown Waterfront Market in 2008 as well as the openings of quaint small businesses such as The Chocolate House in 2007. The Waterfront Market is open on Saturdays from May through October and offers fresh produce, baked goods, gourmet coffee, plants and flowers, arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations and live music under 24 bright white tents.
“The Waterfront Market has just the right combination of local farm products and local arts and crafts,” Harris says. “If it were just crafts, people might not come every Saturday. But there’s also produce, which needs to be purchased weekly. And the crafts make it a fun place to hang out and look around.”
The Chocolate House is one of several one-of-a-kind businesses in the downtown waterfront area. Others include Page After Page Bookstore, Muddy Waters Coffeehouse and Cypress Creek Grill.
The Chocolate House owner Kathy Dowdy chose to open her business downtown because of her passion for its history.
“The candy industry played a role in downtown Elizabeth City’s history,” Dowdy says. “Weatherly Candy Co. used to thrive here, and they were in the building right next to me. History books mention how the smell of hard candies like peach buds and cinnamon rocks always floated in the air throughout the city. It was my dream to bring that back and help bring charm back to downtown.”
The Chocolate House specializes in European French chocolate and makes hand-dipped truffles, gourmet candy apples, turtles, clusters and other confections.
“We recently expanded by about 900 square feet into the space next door, so now people can watch us making candy apples and dipping truffles,” Dowdy says. “Children especially love to see what’s happening.”
Other downtown attractions include the Museum of the Albemarle, which depicts the story of people in the region from Native Americans to the first English-speaking colonists; the Encore Theatre Company, a community theater that presents musicals, comedies and dramas; and the Pasquotank Arts Council, which features an art gallery and workshops in music, visual arts, drama and creative writing.
“It’s a very exciting time in Elizabeth City – there’s a lot going on,” says Steve Atkinson, Elizabeth City mayor. “Our downtown attractions are either free or very inexpensive, and we have several annual events, like our sailboat races. We also have carriage rides through our historic district, and fishing and crabbing are always popular.”
In 2008, the city launched a new program called Cruise the Carolina Loop that encourages boaters to tie up their boats at Elizabeth City’s free dock and spend a few relaxing days in town.
“There are restaurants and a theater within walking distance, and there are bed and breakfasts where people can stay overnight,” Atkinson says. “It’s great for people who want to go somewhere without having to spend a lot of money.”
Elizabeth City is already a favorite stop for boaters traveling along the Intracoastal Waterway. The community welcomes nearly 2,000 boats annually to the city-owned dock, and there is free WiFi access along the waterfront as well as dockside deliveries of groceries and other necessities from local merchants.
Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by Staff
