Downtown Weldon and the Riverfront are poised for growth.

An Introduction

In recent years Weldon has participated in several studies that have helped Weldon identify how best to prepare for economic prosperity. Through these revitalization efforts, there are several success stories. 

  • Designated as a National Register Historic District
  • Development of 24 apartments and several storefronts
  • Designated a Healthy Places for Healthy People Community
  • Identified the need to develop Weldon into a Tourist Destination
  • Several Tourism theme ventures have been established
    • Weldon Mills Distillery 
    • The Club at Weldon Mills 
    • 51 Sycamore Restaurant and Rockfish Bar
    • Riverside Mills, Antique, Craft and Outlet Center 
    • “Let’s Go Treasure Hunting” Marketing Campaign 
    • A Self Guided Walking Tour

(See additional details of these success stories below.)

To capitalize on these successes, Weldon now wants to better position Downtown and the Riverfront for future growth with a Tourism focus.

Several vital pieces of information have been prepared that a potential investor or new business will find helpful.

Identifies the current “gaps” in goods and services and the desired tourism-related businesses. Filling in these “Gaps” and attracting the tourism businesses will make Downtown Weldon and the Riverfront a more vibrant and successful destination.

  • Adaptive Reuse Analysis

Identifying the spaces and buildings ideally suited for specific styles of development. Areas of downtown and the Riverfront have been identified that will be best suited to support the type of development that will allow Weldon to become a Tourism Destination.

  • Landmark Building Identification

Weldon has identified 3 buildings that hold intrinsic value to the community.

  • BB&T Bank Building
  • Kittners Department Store
  • A portion of the Flatiron Building

These 3 buildings have deteriorated and need saving. A Developer Due Diligence Report has been prepared for these buildings. These reports will be marketed to Developers and Investors in an effort to see these buildings put back into productive use.

  • Planning and Zoning Analysis

An analysis of current zoning and allowed uses for the Downtown and Riverfront areas. 

  • Developer Due Diligence Report

These reports will provide a clear, concise, and detailed document that sums up the information that is typically reviewed during the due diligence process of acquisition. By having this information prepared, it positions Weldon to be Development Ready. These reports will be prepared on any building that needs to attract a tenant or buyer.

These Tourist Activities can be promoted NOW

  • Weldon Mills Distillery Tours and Tastings
  • Let’s Go Treasure Hunting Guide to Antique and Thrift Stores
    • 5 Open Business with 2 planning to open soon
      • Taking what we have, promote it to get more people on our sidewalks 
      • Seeking to Create Weldon into a Destination of a Place to find Treasures
  • Eating/ Drinking Guide of Downtown Weldon
    • 3 Open Businesses
  • Self Guided Walking Tour (using your smartphone) of Sites to See and Things to Do
    • Available on website WeldonNC.com
  • Hiking and Biking the Roanoke Canal Trail
  • Fishing Guide Services
    • Seasonal

These Tourist Activities/Business could happen soon

  • Canoe, Kayak, Tubing Rentals, and Guide Services
  • Cabin/Tree House Rentals

These Tourist Activities could be made to happen with some planning and promotion

  • Ghosts Walk
  • Geocaching
  • Train Watching Locations
  • Photographer’s Scenic Locations
  • Guided Historic Walking Trails of the Early Transportation Systems
    • (Canal, Railroad, Steamboat, Highways)

These Tourist Related Businesses will Need an ENTREPRENEUR to start them

A Business Recruitment Guide could be developed and cast the Vision of having several of these open at the same time with a promise of Marketing Support.

  • Canoe, Kayak, Tubing Rentals, and Guide Services
  • Adventure Day Camps with Zip Lines and Wall Climbing
  • Jet Ski Rentals on the river
  • River Boat Cruises
  • Putt-Putt, Skating Rink, Go Kart
  • Craft Beer Brewery
  • Winery (to play off Weldon’s History in the Wine Industry)
  • Bed and Breakfast Inns
  • RV Park and Cabin Rentals
  • Houseboat Rentals
  • Ghosts Walk
  • Additional “Thrift Store” type business to create Weldon into Destination for Treasures

Additional details on Weldon’s success stories

  • Through a locally-based effort, Weldon was successful in having the downtown area designated as a National Register Historic District. 
  • Through the NC Dept of Commerce’s Small Town Main Street Program, Weldon was successful in attracting a developer who acquired five buildings on Washington Ave (our main street) in Downtown Weldon. Nearly $3 million was invested in developing these buildings into 24 apartments and several storefronts. The apartments stay 100% occupied with a waiting list. This has proven the desire and the need for downtown loft housing.
  • Through the NC Rural Center’s STEP – Small Town Economic Prosperity Program, The citizens participating determined that Weldon’s best opportunity for a solid economic development plan would be to develop Weldon into a Tourist Destination. This is as a result of the many Historical and Natural resources in Weldon that we can promote and build upon.

Funding was provided by the NC Rural Center to complete projects that would seek to accomplish the goals of the STEP Program. Several projects were completed that set up Weldon to promote some it’s historical resources. 

  • The Big Rockfish was placed at the entrance of Downtown proclaiming Weldon as “The Rockfish Capital”, 
  • new entry signage was installed at major gateways, 
  • directional signage placed in key locations, 
  • historical informational signage was placed in key locations
  • a promotional brochure was produced.

Since these assets were put in place several other ventures have been established that add to the tourism development mix. 

  • Weldon Mills Distillery has opened and has begun producing small-batch whiskeys, conducting tours, and tastings.
  • The Club at Weldon Mills is an event venue and sports bar with weekly live music.
  • 51 Sycamore restaurant has a new owner and is being successful.
  • Riverside Mills, Antique, Craft, and Outlet Center is attracting tourists every day.
  • “Let’s Go Treasure Hunting” – The Antique and Thrift stores of Weldon have begun marketing themselves as a “Treasures Hunting” destination.
  • A Self Guided Walking Tour has been produced and is on the website WeldonNC.com

Weldon was selected by the U.S. (EPA) Environmental Protection Agency, to participate in the Healthy Places for Healthy People Program. Through this program, Weldon is receiving technical assistance in the revitalization of downtown and in developing healthy lifestyles for its citizens.

Weldon’s Revitalization efforts are pursuing saving several of its downtown buildings and developing and promoting Weldon as a tourist destination.