top of page
Search

It's Wandering Wednesday!

  • Writer: Albemarle Downtown Development
    Albemarle Downtown Development
  • May 22
  • 1 min read

Clue Time!

This week’s Wandering Wednesday takes us to a truly “large” piece of Albemarle’s downtown story.


Clue: This “large” building downtown was home to several long-term businesses.


That’s right—this spot has housed more than one beloved business over the years, and it’s played a major role in our commercial history. Whether you were shopping, working, or just passing by, chances are you’ve stepped through its doors at some point.


Its presence is hard to miss—and its name might just be a hint!


Think you know where we are?

We’ll reveal the answer tomorrow!


Happy exploring,


ree

Throwback Thursday!

This week, we hinted at a “large” building with a long-standing history downtown. If you guessed The Big Store, you were absolutely right!


Built in 1899, this iconic structure was originally a general store owned by the mills—a bustling hub for workers and families alike. Locals knew it simply as “The Big Store”, and it lived up to its name in both size and significance.


Fast forward to 2021, and this historic gem was beautifully restored, blending the charm of its past with modern-day function. Today, the building features residential apartments upstairs and commercial space below, making it a perfect example of how downtown Albemarle continues to honor its history while growing into the future.


Whether you’ve walked by it a hundred times or just now learned its story, The Big Store stands as a symbol of transformation, resilience, and the vibrant life of our community.


Stay tuned for next week’s mystery location, and don’t forget to explore the hidden stories in every corner of downtown!


ree

 
 
 

Comments


ADDC_logo_2021-1024x366_edited.jpg

144 N. 2nd St. 

Albemarle, NC 28001

Phone: (704)984-9415

Email: admin@albemarledowntown.com

© 2025 by Albemarle Downtown Devleopment Corporation.

Proudly created by ADDC staff

Join our mailing list

Thanks for subscribing!

MSALOGO®_25ACCREDITED_RGB.png

Main Street America™ has been helping revitalize older and historic
commercial districts for more than 35 years. Today it is a network of more
than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share
both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities
through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center. Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation. 

bottom of page