“Winston-Salem is boring.” “There is nothing here to do.” “Going home every weekend is better than staying here.” These are some of the common complaints from Winston-Salem State students.
However, going home every weekend may keep students from learning about the area in which they attend school.
“Winston-Salem is boring, the only reason why I have things to do is because I play volleyball,” said Jasmine Watkins, a junior business major. “During the spring semester, when I’m not playing volleyball, I sleep a lot.”
Many students think that all Winston-Salem has to offer is Wal-Mart, Hanes Mall and the other stores on Hanes Mall Boulevard. Another option is Thruway Shopping Center at South Stratford Road and Knollwood Street and Reynolda Village on Reynolda Road. Thruway Shopping Center is Winston-Salem’s first shopping center, established in 1955. It is located near several historic neighborhoods.
The shopping center offers a variety of shopping, dining and services.
“Thruway Shopping Center is a great area for students to eat and hang out and just get away from campus,” said Craig Williams, a Winston-Salem resident. “I love going to The Loop to eat and later shopping at Great Outdoor Provisions Co.”
Restaurants and shops in the center include Moe’s Southwest Grill, Baskin Robbins, Sprint PCS, Party City Superstore, The Loop Pizza Grill, Borders Books Music Café, Hair, Body & Soul, Joseph A. Bank, Liz Claiborne Shoes, Wachovia Bank, and more.
Reynolda Village is also not far from WSSU, and takes approximately 10 minutes by car. Reynolda Village was first part of the founder of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s 1,067-acre estate. Now the village is home to shops, restaurants, and offices with historical significance and charm.
Shops and restaurants in the village include Village Book Shop, 4 Runners Only, Village Hair Designs, Mayberry Ice Cream and Sandwich Shoppe, and the Village Tavern.
In addition to shopping visitors can tour the historic Reynolda House Museum of American Art which was built by the Reynolds family in 1917. It opened to the public as an institution dedicated to the arts and education in 1965, and as an art museum in 1967. Reynolda Gardens is 129 acres of woodlands, fields, and a four-acre formal garden which is open 365 days during daylight hours. The gardens are a part of Wake Forest University. Reynolda Village is at 2201 Reynolda Rd.