Mast General Store Celebrates Friends’ Day on September 12

"The Dalai Lama observes: “Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend – or a meaningful day.” There is much wisdom in his quote. On Saturday, September 12, the Mast Store in Winston-Salem is celebrating Friends’ Day by hosting volunteers from Old Salem Museums and Gardens. 

The staff and volunteers at Old Salem Museums and Gardens are dedicated to transporting visitors to the late 1700s. Through original structures and costumed interpreters the life and times of the Moravians, who settled in Salem, comes to life.

Old Salem began coming together in 1950, when a group of volunteers united to preserve and restore the town of Salem for future generations. Today, the group is undertaking an ambitious program to re-imagine the potential for the museums, gardens, and town. The On Common Ground initiative hopes to fund improvements to the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and the Frank L. Horton Museum Center, as well as the restoration of the Boys’ School and the Dr. Samuel Benjamin Vierling House. These projects, along with others in support of Old Salem, will continue to enhance the visitor experience and the attraction’s sustainability.

“Old Salem Museums and Gardens is a great neighbor for us in our newest home, Winston-Salem,” said Fred Martin, president of the Mast Store. “They have helped us with native plantings for the walkway beside the store and have shared their history and the history of the area with our staff members to help us enhance our customers’ experiences in town.”

At the end of the day on Saturday, September 12, the Mast Store will make a donation of 10% of the day’s sales from the store in Winston-Salem to provide meaningful support of the Old Salem Museums and Gardens.

To learn more about Friends’ Day, visit www.MastStore.com. For information about the Old Salem Museums and Gardens, drop by the Mast Store on September 12, or click on www.OldSalem.org."

- A Press Release

Mast Store Hosts Land Trust Day on June 6

"The land trust movement is not a new one. It started in the 1970s and gained momentum in the 1980s as urban sprawl began to develop at an ever-increasing pace. Today, there are hundreds of land trusts across the United States that are protecting thousands of acres of land. On Saturday, June 6, the Mast Store in Winston-Salem will host volunteers from the Piedmont Land Conservancy and at the end of the day will donate 20% of the day’s sales to help with their conservation efforts.

The Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC) serves nine North Carolina counties encompassing the Triad area. Since its founding 25 years ago, PLC has protected over 22,000 acres. Some of the land protected includes working farms like the Goat Lady Dairy Farm and the Emily Allen Wildflower Garden. By utilizing conservation easements, the PLC has helped expand state parks, protect historic sites, and provide greenways – all ways to connect people to the region’s land heritage and nature in general.

How Do You Benefit from the Work of Land Trusts?

Participation in a land trust is an individual, personal decision, but there are many benefits that can be enjoyed by the entire community.

Here’s an astonishing number – 5,000. That’s how many acres of land we lose on a daily basis to development. Orchards, farms, meadows, pastures, wetlands – they are all included. The loss of the open spaces and farmland has a cascading effect on all of us.

Prairies, forests, and natural habitats absorb 15% of our carbon dioxide. Our population, which increasingly lives in metropolitan areas, is losing its connection with nature. The risk of obesity and other sedentary health problems are increasing because children, and adults, spend so little time outside. With increased development and population growth, clean water and farms are at risk.

A land trust can help individuals, families, businesses, and communities take steps to ensure that the land is there for us, our children, and our children’s children. The impact of their work can help family farms remain productive and in the family or ensure that the habitat for a rare species of plant will remain intact.

Studies have shown that those who have contact with nature are healthier. It helps you connect with other people, reduces stress levels, and increases your appreciation of your community. With 80% of the population living in metropolitan areas, it is important to plan and establish parks, trails, greenways, and community gardens, which can help people live longer, healthier lives.

Stop by the Mast Store in Winston-Salem on June 6 to learn more about what the Piedmont Land Conservancy is doing in the local area and how you can get involved. For more information about Land Trust Day, visit www.MastGeneralStore.com or about the Conservancy, click on www.PiedmontLand.org."

- A Press Release

Wanda Merschel's conflict of interest on Mast General Stores

Winston-Salem City Attorney Angela Carmon tells YES! Weekly that Councilwoman Wanda Merschel, who chairs the city council's finance committee, recused herself from council votes on incentives to Mast General Store because John Cooper, an official with the company, serves on the board of directors of Piedmont Federal Savings Bank. Merschel, who represents the Northwest Ward, is employed as a senior vice president at the bank, and Carmon said the board plays an instrumental role in setting salaries for senior employees.

John Cooper purchased the original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis with Faye Cooper in 1980, according to the company's websit.

Carmon said she discussed how the relationship could pose a potential conflict of interest in a verbal conversation with Merschel.

EDITORIAL NOTE: Carmon initially said that a "Mr. Coe," who owns the building where Mast General Stores might potentially locate, was the person who serves on the board of directors of Merschel's employer, but called back to correct her statement.

Previously.

Winston-Salem City Council votes to give Mast General Stores $1.3 M

The Winston-Salem City Council voted 6-1 tonight to award $1.3 million in incentives to Mast General Stores, which plans to lease the Coe Building on Trade Street.

Vivian Joiner of Sweet Potatoes restaurant, Jason Thiel of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership and other downtown residents and property owners spoke in favor of the incentives.

Councilman Dan Besse cast the lone no vote, arguing that retail incentives tend shift revenue from one store to another. Councilwoman Wanda Merschel was excused from the vote because of a conflict of interest.

Details in Wednesday's YES! Weekly.