Local News

Kinlaw’s prepares to rebuild in wake of devastating fire

7The building, gutted. The roof, collapsed. Rubbish spilled from the gaping windows, a grim testament to the fire’s destructive power.
Early Monday afternoon, though the flames had been extinguished, visible damage from the fire that decimated Kinlaw’s Supermarket Saturday night remained. Much of the building was reduced to rubble — a charred shell of the bustling meat market that has been a staple of east Fayetteville for years.
For more than four decades, Kinlaw’s Supermarket, located on Sapona Road in east Fayetteville, has been feeding the Fayetteville community and supplying fresh meat to customers and catering services to local businesses.
Tommy Kinlaw and his brother Bobby founded the meat market in 1979, and expanded the business to include a restaurant a few years later, Kinlaw’s Welcome Grill. Kinlaw said the restaurant serves about 6,000 people a week, despite only being open for two meals a day and being closed on weekends.
The weekend fire, which lasted several hours Oct. 19, was caused by an electrical short in the building, Kinlaw said. The fire ultimately required about 2 million gallons of water to extinguish. Fire crews dumped about 4,000 gallons a minute for the first eight hours, through Saturday night and into Sunday morning, Kinlaw said. The Fayetteville Fire Department finished work at about 1 p.m. Sunday, he said. No one was injured from the fire.
Kinlaw said he had been “anxious at first,” about the fire — which news had woken him up after about an hour and a half of sleep — but felt reassured by the love and support the store has since received from the community and a large group of loyal customers. Kinlaw’s son, Travis Kinlaw, runs the day-to-day operations at the store.
“We had to cut the phone off in my son’s pocket, my one that runs the store over here, Travis, he was getting 28 texts a minute and he couldn’t handle it because there was so many people wanting to talk to him,” Tommy Kinlaw told CityView. “He just had to stop it for a little bit because there are so many decisions that are critical to this moment.”

Strong community support
A few long-time shoppers dropped in and out of the parking lot across the street from Kinlaw’s on Oct. 21, taking pictures of the building ruins. One woman told CityView she had shopped at Kinlaw’s for 40 years, and couldn’t believe what she’d seen on the news earlier that Monday morning — she had to come out to see it herself.
A longtime employee, Jack Muzquiz, pointed out the various pieces of black debris from the fire in the parking lot: a charred onion, a tin can, a plastic bottle, even a Kinlaw’s business card on the ground.
Other passersby who identified themselves as friends and family of the Kinlaw’s stopped by to offer condolences. Adding to the scene on Monday, city contractors, who were performing routine road maintenance unrelated to the fire, sprayed a tack coat onto Sapona Road, the same street where Kinlaw’s is located. Waylon Nobles, an engineering inspector for the city who happened to be overseeing the roadwork, told CityView he had done some concrete projects for the Kinlaw’s over the years, and described them as “really good people.” Nobles said he had been a regular shopper at the market, too.
“It’s a shame it happened,” he said, gazing at the large pile of rubble and blackened walls of the former meat market. “It’s very sad. I hope they rebuild because they did a lot for this community right here. Gave a lot of people jobs.”
“Your heart sank when you saw it,” Nobles added.
Kinlaw’s is known for providing employment opportunities for those with no other place to turn, such as former prisoners looking for jobs and to re-enter the community. The business also regularly feeds people who cannot afford food, according to Kinlaw and community members.
“We feed a lot of people, and sometimes we have to feed people that can’t feed themselves,” Kinlaw told CityView.
That also includes strangers. Kinlaw said, the business was able to put together a feast for the family of a woman with intestinal cancer. The woman has four children, he said. Her friend had reached out to Kinlaw’s and asked if they could help provide a meal, Kinlaw said.
“We did it the other night and all the children and the grandparents just broke down and cried,” Kinlaw said. “They said, ‘[We] couldn’t believe anybody loves us so much.’ We don’t know them. They don’t know us. But they ate a great supper.”
The show must go on
Kinlaw’s is not wasting any time getting back to business as usual.
“We’ve got a total plan already in place,” Kinlaw told CityView on Monday.
Kinlaw said the restaurant, spared by the fire, opened for business on Oct. 22 but he estimates the grocery store will not be open again until next August. The business has already found a builder, Kinlaw said, and they expect to complete the project in 10 to 11 months. Now, Kinlaw is waiting on the business’s insurance company to give the go-ahead to start the rebuilding process.
Kinlaw said his family plans to rebuild the market in the same location, with the hope of expanding it to be closer to the restaurant by purchasing the vacant building that currently separates the market and the restaurant.
“And we’re making a personal offer on that … building right between us that’s been vacant for years and it needs to be torn down,” Kinlaw said. “But I would like to put the store there and then we’d have the whole place to park. But we’ve got a lot of things going on. It’s happening really fast.”
Kinlaw, a deeply religious man, turned to his faith in the wake of the destruction. He said he had woken up early that Monday morning, at 3:30 a.m., with a message from God about his family’s troubles in the form of a psalm.
Standing in the parking lot of the restaurant Monday, he pulled out his Bible from his truck, an old-fashioned copy, bound in leather, and read the scripture aloud. He recited Psalm 41:1–3, verses describing how God blesses and protects those who are kind to the poor.
“But my word confirmed the fact that he’s going to take care of it,” Kinlaw said. “The song … ‘He’s got the whole world in his hand. He’s got me and you, too.’ I believe that with all my heart.”

Public Works Commission approves bid for its third solar farm

6The Public Works Commission plans to build its third solar farm by its sewer treatment plant in Grays Creek near Rockfish Creek and the Cape Fear River.
The PWC’s board voted unanimously on Wednesday to hire River City Construction of Washington, North Carolina, to build the farm for $6.49 million. River City was one of four companies that bid on the project, according to agenda materials from Wednesday’s meeting.
The bid is now subject to final approval by the Fayetteville City Council. The city owns the PWC.
The 4.875-megawatt Rockfish Solar Utility Station is to be built off N.C. 87 South on Tracy Hall Road next to the Rockfish Creek Water Reclamation Facility — a sewer treatment plant near where Rockfish Creek enters the Cape Fear River, according to PWC bid materials.
The total budget to build and open the Rockfish Solar Utility Station is $8.95 million, PWC spokesman Gavin MacRoberts told CityView. It’s expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026, he said.
Growing solar capabilities
The Rockfish solar farm is part of a larger effort by the PWC to expand its solar generation operations. The PWC has one farm, and including the Rockfish farm it plans to build three more.
Here are the details on the other solar farms, from the PWC’s website and provided by MacRoberts:
• Community Solar/Battery Storage. The PWC’s first solar farm opened in 2019 next to the natural gas powered Butler-Warner Generation Plant in the Eastover area. It generates up to 1 megawatt. The PWC plans to expand this farm. The size and date of the expansion are not yet determined.
• Gillespie Solar Photovoltaic Utility Station. This $3.4 million, 1.9-megawatt solar farm will be the PWC’s second solar farm. It is under construction at 3858 Gillespie St., where the Sally Hills Farms horse stable used to be in the Southview area between the Fayetteville Regional Airport and Hope Mills. It’s due to open in early 2025.
• Carvers Falls Road. “Engineering is underway for an additional solar farm off Carvers Falls Road,” MacRoberts said. This is on the north side of Fayetteville off Ramsey Street near Interstate 295. Construction is to start after the Rockfish solar farm is complete. It will be the PWC’s fourth solar farm. The estimated cost has not yet been determined.
The PWC provides electricity to customers in and around Fayetteville. It buys most of its power at a wholesale price from Duke Energy Progress. Its natural gas Butler-Warner plant is only activated during periods of peak demand and generates electricity for Duke during those periods, officials have said.
The existing solar farm by the Butler-Warner plant supplies power to the PWC’s customers, not Duke, MacRoberts said, as will the new farms.

Everhome Suites: Fayetteville’s newest choice hotel

     Fayetteville and Cumberland County are growing. The extension of Interstate 295 is bringing in
new businesses and people into the area. The latest addition is the Everhome Suites Hotel
Fayetteville which is conveniently located right across the parking lot of the Amazon
Warehouse, at 1720 Convoy Lane. Adding to the growing businesses staking claim right off the
highway, Everhome Suites is a part of the Choice Hotel family which also includes the Comfort
Inn.
     A brand-new build, Everhome Suites Fayetteville, is only the fourth of its kind. A modern and up-
to-date hotel, Everhome brings you “closer to home” even when you’re away. The hotel features
6 unique room styles, including wheelchair-accessible options, most of them being on the
ground floor for more accessibility.
    All rooms feature a kitchen with cups, plates, silverware, a coffeemaker, and a stove. Guests
have various options, depending on the needs and length of their stay. Those needing more
room can opt for a suite, which breaks the living and sleeping space into two separate rooms.
Even in the standard rooms, there is a sitting area for guests to enjoy or use for work. Everhome
has spared no expense when it comes to providing comfort for everyone. As part of their
commitment to providing a comfortable space to everyone, there are select rooms that are
equipped with Audio-Visual Door Alerts for the Hearing Impaired. These rooms have buttons on
the outside that when pressed blink the lights within the room, alerting guests with hearing
impairments that someone is at the door. Accessibility doesn’t stop there. Along with specially
equipped rooms, including those with larger turn radiuses and lower countertops, there is also a
working lift at the heated pool that will be open year-round unless weather dictates otherwise.
     Along with a pool, the outside patio area hosts 2 propane grills and a fire pit for the enjoyment of
the guests. This area is perfect for unwinding outside after a long day of meetings or work.
From the moment you walk through the door for check-in, Everhome has everything you need at
your fingertips. Need to grab a snack or a quick bite on the way out for the day? Stop in the
marketplace located onsite. Guests can shop for cereal or grab a fresh cup of coffee, all with the
convenience of self-checkout. Pet owners can enjoy the small grassy dog park area on one side
of the hotel. The hotel also offers a meeting room that can be set up to accommodate a range
of events, from a Monday morning meeting to training. For those who work out, Everhome
guests can feel the burn on one of several pieces of equipment, in a space with wall-to-floor
mirrors, a sanitation station, and a full wall window overlooking the dog park area.
     Whether you are staying for a day or 10, Everhome Suites Fayetteville is the newest premier
hotel in the area, with daily rates as low as $60. Have an organization or business that often has
people traveling into town? Everhome Suites would be your go-to for booking your out-of-town
guests or employees. For more information on special rates or contracting, contact Melanie
Parker, Director of Sales, at 910-491-9507 or email at mparker@hotelmc.net.

FTCC’s All American Veterans Center: Dedicated to veterans

19Nestled above the FTCC Bookstore, the All American Veterans Center provides many resources to students in the military and veteran communities. Since 2014, the All American Veterans Center has served the veteran population on campus with the respect and dignity veterans earned while valiantly serving our country. Staffed with a combination of dependents, members who are still serving, and work-study students who have recently transitioned, the All American Veterans Center has an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges faced by military families.
One of the main roles of the AAVC is to certify student enrollments with the Department of Veterans Affairs. All students using a VA educational benefit at FTCC are required to submit appropriate documentation and have their files reviewed by a School Certifying Official before it is manually uploaded to the VA for payment. FTCC has over 2,000 students utilizing VA benefits every semester, and that number is growing exponentially every year.
One of the more exciting experiences at the AAVC is the Warrior Wednesday event that takes place during the fall and spring semesters. Providing resources to the veteran and military community is something the AAVC takes pride in, and every other Wednesday, veterans can find a different opportunity presented inside the Veterans Services office. Many of the presenters include Veterans Bridge Home, Wounded Warrior Project, The Cohen Clinic, and even benefit specialists from the VA.
In addition to these events, the AAVC has continuously organized veterans resource fairs over the past year with plans for more events in the future. With over twenty participating vendors, these events have been an overwhelming success and are scheduled at FTCC’s Fayetteville campus, making it easy for the veteran student population to attend.
The FTCC All American Veterans Center has taken pride in having a Military Friendly® designation for several years. Being awarded a Military Friendly® badge means that FTCC goes above and beyond for the military and veteran community. By accepting credits awarded through military service, providing a designated study and lounge space for veterans, and having knowledgeable specialists who can assist with the processes of attending college, there’s a reason FTCC was ranked in the top ten for Military Friendly® schools for 2024.
FTCC is dedicated to serving those who have served our country. With a designated space for veterans and dependents to find the support they need, resources offered to assist with many challenges, and knowledgeable staff to guide veterans every step of the way, FTCC is well equipped for the ever-growing population of veterans in the Fayetteville area. By creating a welcoming and informative environment focused on student success, FTCC is the school to choose for veterans and dependents alike.

The Rich History of Día de los Muertos

18The origins of Día de los Muertos can be traced back to indigenous Aztec culture, where rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors had been practiced for at least 3,000 years.
The Aztecs believed that death was a natural part of life's continuum, and they honored the deceased by placing offerings at tree stumps, which were considered sacred.
These early celebrations were not somber occasions but rather a vibrant celebration of life and death, reflecting the belief that the dead continued to exist in a different realm and could visit the living during special times of the year.
When Spanish colonizers arrived in the 16th century, they brought with them Catholic traditions, including All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. To integrate indigenous practices with Catholic customs, the Spanish moved Día de los Muertos from the summer to November 1 and 2, aligning it with these Catholic holidays.
This adaptation allowed the indigenous people to continue their rituals in a form that was acceptable to the colonial authorities. Over time, the blending of these traditions resulted in a unique cultural fusion that characterizes Día de los Muertos today.
Central to the celebration of Día de los Muertos are various traditions and symbols that have deep cultural significance. One of the most important elements is the ofrenda, or altar, which is meticulously decorated with marigolds, photos of the deceased, and personal items such as favorite foods and drinks.
Marigolds, known for their vibrant yellow and orange colors, are believed to attract the spirits of the deceased with their strong scent. Calaveras, or sugar skulls, are also a popular symbol, often decorated in bright colors and used as treats or decorations.
These elements collectively create an atmosphere of joy and reverence, honoring the lives of those who have passed away.
Today, Día de los Muertos is celebrated with a blend of ancient and contemporary practices. Families prepare elaborate ofrendas at home and in cemeteries, and communities come together for parades, music, and dance. Traditional dances like La Danza de los Viejitos (the dance of the old men) and La Danza de los Tecuanes (the dance of the jaguars) are performed, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Costumes and makeup are also a significant part of the celebration, with many people donning La Catrina-style makeup to honor the iconic skeletal figure that has become a symbol of the holiday. Through these activities, Día de los Muertos continues to evolve while preserving its core essence of celebrating life and death.
While Día de los Muertos is primarily celebrated in Mexico, its influence extends to other parts of the world. Countries in Central America, Brazil, and Spain, as well as Mexican-American communities throughout the United States, also partake in the festivities, each adding their own unique touches to the celebration.
In these regions, you might find variations in the types of foods prepared, the styles of altars, and the ways in which people honor their deceased loved ones.
Despite these differences, the underlying theme remains the same: a joyous celebration that bridges the gap between the living and the dead.

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