2012 Year in Review – New Bern, North Carolina

The above video is a snapshot of what happened in 2012.

Although some may believe we are still in an economic slump, my optimistic view is only reinforced by the businesses and non-profits that opened or expanded in 2012 in New Bern, NC:

October – December 2012: Ratio Theatre Company’s Front Room Cabaret Café Club, 901 Pollock St., 626-0358; Palm Coast Tours & Outings, 252-665-1175; Stanly Hall Ballroom, 305 Pollock St., 252-637-2003; Hour Special Place child care center, 939 Hwy 70 East, 633-4646; Out-of-the-Box Sitter Service & Home Boarding, 252-617-2491; Bay Leaf Indian Restaurant, 309 Middle St., 638-5323; Eliza Fitness Studio, 2684 Dr MLK Jr Blvd., 626-8157; Vein Essentials, 580 McCarthy Blvd., 672-8346; NDO Filmz, 919-723-8334; Java Me Crazy, 701-E Hwy 70 East, 671-1263; Evolve Counseling Services, 2807 Neuse Blvd., 670-3421; The Farm at Beaman’s Fork, 1 Beaman’s Fork, 252-349-0004; Edible Arrangements, New Bern, 877-363-7848; Roses Store, 2880 Neuse Blvd., 514-6566; Island Delights Frozen Yogurt, 961 Hwy 70 E, 639-2589; Lauren Weeks Photography; Sea Glass Café and Bakery relocated to 1803 S. Glenburnie Rd., 634-2327; HomeLife Freedom Choice Realty (previously A Plus Real Estate), 808 Hwy 70 E., 672-8606; Caroline McGrath Newborn Photography, 329 Middle St., 633-0203;  and The Antiquery Boutiquery Place, 243 Craven St., 514-0409.

July – September 2012: July – September 2012: Kiddo’s Ice Cream Shoppe, 817 Airport Rd., 364-0416; Froyo 101 Frozen Yogurt experience, 2031 S. Glenburnie Rd., 638-8881; New Bern Mud Volleyball, newbernmudvolleyball@gmail.com; AlphaGraphics of New Bern acquired Accucopy of New Bern, 1505 S. Glenburnie Rd., 633-3199; New Bern Round House, 101 B St., Bridgeton, NewBernRoundhouse.com; Bear City Fudge Company and Ali Smith Cake Design open second location at 2122 Trent Rd., 633-3144; Captain Fins Pontoon Rentals, Kayak Rentals and Tours, New Bern Grand Marina, Dock F, 876-2288; Sweet Mamas Ice Cream Treats, Union Point Park, find them on Facebook at SweetMamasIceCreamTreats; Beer Army Outpost, 1244 Hwy 70 E, 633-5060; JoS. A. Bank, 2067 S. Glenburnie Rd., 635-1014; Bear Town Adventure Company Bike and Kayak Rentals, 230 Middle St., 288-7714; N to it for U Nutrition, 104 Market Street, 288-5619; Captain Bly’s Shipwreck Cove, 4605 Hwy 70 E., 252-636-2683; Tugboat Cruises of New Bern, 101 Craven St., 349-3819 and Spoiled Biker, 1201 Hwy 70 E, 252-514-6499

April – June 2012: East Carolina Sailing School, Hilton Dock, 252-557-9783; For Paws Pet Sitting, New Bern (361-2596); Coastal Carolina Boston Terrier Rescue,  www.ccbtr.org; White’s Family Restaurant, 1308 Broad St. (633-3888); Home Instead Senior Care, 3601 Trent Rd. Suite 7 (633-3283); Bambooz Tiki Bar, 101 Howell Rd. (633-2745); Spa Dogs Grooming Salon, 1406 Neuse Blvd. (649-1800); LegalShield Independent Associate, New Bern (757-343-4312); Helping Hands Boutique supporting the Coastal Women’s Forum, 2715 Hwy 70 E.; Broad Street Social Club,  411broadstreet@gmail.com; Good Stuff Thrift Store, 755 McCarthy Sq., 649-1712 and the Lookout Lady Cruise, Hilton Marina (252-728-7827).

January – March 2012: The Aerie Bed and Breakfast celebrated the grand opening of the new Aerie Guest House and Conference Center, 509 Pollock St. (636-5553); The Coastal Carolina Regional Airport celebrated their first dedication in 1931 and welcomed the USO of North Carolina desk, 200 Terminal Dr. (638-8591); Daily Carolina Deals.com, 910-805-2343; McDonald’s revealed their newly remodeled restaurant, 2831 Neuse Blvd. (514-2762); Le Bistro Fine Dining and The Art Gallery hosted their grand re-opening, 3402 Trent Road (637-7331); Belk Department Store held a re-opening in the New Bern Mall (633-1136); Charisma, 223 Middle St. (634-3482); My Favorite Things, 225 Middle St. (514-0086); and Surf, Wind and Fire, 230 Middle St. (633-3929); RHA Behavioral Health Services opened their new location, 1917 Trent Blvd. (638-9091); Craven Nutrition, 1911B S. Glenburnie Rd.  (637-7546); Healthy Options 4 You (626-8074); Savage’s Woodburning Pizzeria, 2116 Trent Road, (672-0103); Craven Smart Start, 2111 Neuse Blvd., Ste. F, (636-3198); Elégance Medical Aesthetic Services located inside Hot Locks Styling Salon and Spa, 1900A Brittany Place, Hyw 70 E. (633-3254); Dog Trainer, Dona Baker, announced the new name of her company, Masterful Dog Trainer, previously known as Nauti Dawgs (672-5933); and Carolina Diabetic Supply Group, 3336 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. (800-575-2291).

New Bern Now was honored to interview Lance and Larry Hoppen of the Band, “Orleans” while they were in town for the first performance of their 40th year anniversary tour. We included the interview in the video as a tribute to Larry who passed away in July. Although we only visited with him and his brother Lance for a short time, we have listened to his music for decades and he will be missed my many! We send our deepest sympathies to Larry’s wife, Patricia; his brothers, Lance and Lane, his band Orleans, and all his family and friends. Larry, “You’re Still the One!”

Let’s focus on how we can improve our community and ignore nay-saying.

We wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Tell us what you think by commenting below or sending us an email. Don’t forget to visit New Bern Now’s Facebook page!

Wendy Card