Talia Gray, Features Editor 

Talia’s Tastes is a food and lifestyle column to highlight the various experiences available in the Greensboro area.   

In this issue of Talia’s Tastes, I would like to follow up on the first issue of this column where I reviewed Dame’s Chicken and Waffles. This follow up is not to amend the raving review I gave the food and service at Dame’s (for clarity, my opinions remain the same), but rather to address the news of the Greensboro location’s closure, as well as the closure of several other small businesses in the area.  

Dame’s Chicken and Waffles announced they would be closing their Greensboro location on social media last Monday, January 26^th. Dame’s Chicken and Waffles has been a part of Greensboro’s community for 12 years and continues to serve patrons at their Durham location.  

On a personal note, I am saddened to see Dame’s leave our area— alongside many others within the Triad, I’m sure. Upon moving to Greensboro nearly five years ago, Dame’s Chicken and Waffles became my first local staple. I spent ample time with close family and friends at Dame’s. I celebrated birthdays there and entertained guests from out of town by bringing them in. For myself and many others who have relocated to Greensboro in the last decade, Dame’s Chicken and Waffles has been an integral part of getting to know Greensboro as a city. So, seeing it close is a bit disorienting—especially as several other small and/or locally owned businesses have also announced their upcoming closure.  

RED Cinemas, ‘Cille and ‘Scoe, and McCoul’s Public House  have also announced their immediate or forthcoming closure. Seeing so many of our local businesses shut their doors is jarring and brings to mind the future of our city. My hope is that these announcements will encourage us all to appreciate our community and the local businesses that make living in Greensboro worthwhile.  

When I began this column, my intention was to bring local restaurants and experiences to those who may be new to the area. I, like many of us at UNCG, relocated to this area for education and job opportunities. So I wanted this column to be a place readers could look to for food and entertainment recommendations in their free time. Now, after writing several reviews and reflecting on my time in this city, my goals have shifted. I want to express my appreciation for all of what Greensboro has to offer outside of good food and fun times (which it has in abundance). I want to share spaces that shape our community and settings where we all may build memories as well as close bonds.  

In this moment, as we face prolonged inclement weather in North Carolina, I urge us all to heed Damion Moore’s (co-owner and co-founder of Dame’s Chicken and Waffles) words from a recent Instagram post, “small, local and minority owned businesses are the backbone and staple of our community.” If and when you can, please support our small and locally owned businesses. 

That being said, you can expect to see more food and lifestyle reviews from this column highlighting the places and experiences that are both pillars of our community as well as places emerging with endless potential. I would also recommend following social media pages such as @go.greensboro  and @downtowngso for regular updates on events, specials, and businesses in Greensboro. If there are businesses or experiences, you’d like to promote in Greensboro, please fill out the form below to potentially have your pick featured in an upcoming issue of The Carolinian.  

Lastly, I would encourage everyone to continue to support Dame’s Chicken and Waffles at their Durham location. As I’m sure many of us have been stuck inside due to the ice and snow we’ve received recently, I encourage you to consider making Dame’s or another local business your first stop once the roads clear.  

Do you have a favorite spot you want to see featured in The Carolinian? Are you a business owner looking to promote your brand? Please fill out this form: https://go.uncg.edu/taliastastes . Check back each week to see if your recommendation made the paper!  

Headline image from Dame’s Chicken and Waffles