August 5, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership awarded $25,000 grant from Duke Energy Foundation as part of its commitment to support communities across North Carolina. NORTH WILKESBORO, NC — The Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership (DNWP) has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to establish the Small Business Growth Microgrant Program, an initiative designed to help small businesses invest in improvements that strengthen

"Nature has always inspired me, and I've always loved crystals. When I moved here four years ago, I realized there wasn't a store like the one I had envisioned, so I decided it would be a great addition to downtown North Wilkesboro and bring a little more variety to our community. The Whimsical Nook is a tiny shop on Main Street. It's filled with crystals, minerals, specimens, and metaphysical items. More than anything, though, it's a place where I get to connect with people

"I really enjoy empowering others, especially young people. I love my community, and I want to see my community thrive. More than anything, I want to see youth thrive in my community. A lot of times people talk about young people as the next generation, but they can do things right now if we allow them to. I want kids to learn how to use their voice, get involved, and make a difference. The earlier they realize what's happening in their community, the earlier they can start s

"I became a hairstylist because I love helping people feel better about themselves. My goal is always to enhance someone's natural beauty and have them leave feeling better than they did when they walked through the door. What I do is more than a job; it's my passion. Every day, I get the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. Whether it's a new haircut, a color transformation, or simply giving someone time to relax and be cared for, those moments matter. What I

"It is my life fuel. It’s what wakes me up in the morning and what makes me tired enough to go to sleep at night. When I started my art business eight years ago, I tried a lot of different things, but nothing felt like it truly came from within. Then, two years ago, I started pottery, and it immediately felt different. It felt like something I was meant to do. I started my art business making clay earrings, so I already had some sculpting experience, but that was a trend. Pot

"I do this because I love it. More than anything, I love the people. I get to sit down with people, spend time with them, hear their stories, and hang out all day. That's really what makes this job special. I've been tattooing since 2008. Seventeen, maybe eighteen years now, and I still enjoy coming to work every day because it never feels like work. I get to do something I love while connecting with people. What I love about this community is pretty much everything - the goo

Angela and Richard Searcy As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, it feels fitting to turn the binoculars around—to zoom in from the broad story of a nation to the people and places that make up its heart. In North Wilkesboro, few stories embody that spirit more than those found within the walls of Wilkes County Hardware and in the lives of Richard and Angela Searcy. Wilkes County Hardware has been woven into the fabric of this community for generations. The s

After years of dedicated service to the Wilkes County Public Library, Suzanne Manners is preparing to retire, leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond bookshelves and buildings. When reflecting on her time in Wilkes County, Suzanne points to Leadership Wilkes through the Wilkes County Chamber of Commerce as one of the experiences that helped shape her understanding of the community she would come to love. Through the program, she was able to see different parts of the

Mick Zulpo photographed inside his newest business venture, Wisdom Brewing, in Downtown North Wilkesboro. As we move past the first part of the year, many small businesses begin to feel a familiar strain. The slower pace of early spring, the unpredictability, and the challenge of simply pushing through. It’s a reality that every entrepreneur faces at some point, and it’s exactly why we wanted to hear from Mick Zulpo. Mick Zulpo is the owner, alongside his wife Aynsley Zulpo