ROSEBORO — The revitalization of downtown Roseboro is in full swing. With two new businesses opening within the past month — a new bakery called The Cakery, and a store called the Nifty Bargain Shop — and the grand opening of the new Kerr Drug Store that took place Wednesday morning, commissioners, as well as mayor Roland Hall, shared their excitement.

“There are some really good things happening in Roseboro now,” Hall told the board Tuesday night. “We have two new stores downtown and we will have the grand opening of Kerr Drugs, as well as the of construction of the new dialysis clinic that is expected to start soon.”

Hall said work on the clinic, proposed to be a 7,000 square foot building, should begin on the building within the next three or four months.

“Right now the contractor is working with Mr. (Bill) Poole (Roseboro town attorney) to get the paperwork in to start moving some dirt,” noted Hall. “We understand that they are expected to be halfway through by the end of December ... But, when finished, it is going to be equipped with all the modern equipment that we need, so it will be a tremendous asset to the town.”

Hall also said that with the additional new businesses downtown, there have been some complaints about the lack of parking.

“You may have seen the memo I sent out to the businesses,” said Hall, referring to a letter sent to downtown business owners encouraging them and their employees to park in the back of businesses so customers can park closer to places they need to shop.

The letter states that there is a posted two-hour customer parking limit on Main Street.

“If employees and owners park in front of their shops all day, it will discourage someone who may want to stop in and shop there,” Hall said. “If you are driving downtown and can’t find a parking spot, you are prone to keep on driving by. We don’t want that to happen; we want people to stop in.”

Street Closings

Roseboro businessman John Harrell appeared before the board Tuesday night to request the closing of the road in front of his shop, Carolina Coffee Cafe’, July 3 through July 5.

“I am hoping to bring these types of events back to Roseboro,” Harrell said about his plans to hold July 4th activities. “I have rented entertainment and have requested use of the park to shoot off fireworks ...”

After some discussion, Harrell asked for permission to provide a fireworks display at the park.

“From my understanding, you will have to get a permit from the county fire marshal,” Hall told Harrell.

“I just need a letter of approval from this board saying that it is OK for me to do that,” Harrell said. “And if anyone would like to help us out, we would really appreciate it. We would love to have people in this community get involved with this.”

Town clerk Drenda Ammons will write the letter.

Without missing a beat, Harrell then requested the road be closed once again on August 29.

“I plan on having a Hawaiian luau,” he said. “I have already hired real authentic Hawaiian entertainment and we are planning to have a big buffet-type meal, with music and dancing.”

Mayor Hall asked the board for comments and then asked Harrell about security.

“How are you going to go about that?” Hall asked.

“I have some security coming in from Fayetteville,” Harrell said. “And the plan is that if anyone gets out of hand, they will be escorted away from the area.

“You need to stay in direct contact with the sheriff and contact them to let them know exactly what your plans are,” said Hall. “We want these events to be very successful, but we also want it to be very safe.”

The board, without commissioner Arnold Sandy (who was not present at the meeting), voted unanimously to approve Harrell’s request.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.