Every Wednesday, we bring you "What's in the Attic with Jim?" Today our curator, Jim, shared these images from our collection - so we set out to put history in context for you!
Long before families gathered in this spot for ice cream, photos with Santa, and yes, even “snow” flurries, Bear Plaza had a remarkable past. The 200 block of Middle Street shown here in 1971 was home to the very successful Department Store Coplon-Smith Co dating back to 1895! Sadly, Coplon-Smith was destroyed by fire in 1974 and did not reopen. Now let’s fast-forward to 1981 when the city of New Bern purchased this site with a plan for revitalization – and subsequently (and thankfully!) through the vision and action of downtown commercial property owners and Swiss Bear Inc – funds were raised to develop Bear Plaza as you see it today. Just add those towering chainsaw-sculped bears and there you have it! We can’t help but appreciate how many citizens, tourists, and pups gravitate to this wonderfully preserved spot, making memories of their own for generations to come! Does anyone have any Coplon-Smith stories to bring to life?#newberngoodnews#NewBernHistorical#visitnewbern#newbernnc#newbernnc