The Corner, at 344 Tate Street, has been a Greensboro institution since the Snavely family opened it in 1950. Ever the place for a quick chicken salad sandwich at lunch, a Hallmark card, a flower, a quirky gift, after sixty years, the landmark business is closing.  Recently, a faithful reader of Greensboro Daily Photo commented on our Tate Street Coffee House post. Emily’s words sum up Greensboro’s relationship with Hugh, and now son Grant Snavely, and this wonderful business.

“Tate St. is an important street to me. ……. And then there is Grant at The Corner. He is a jolly guy who delights in his store’s offerings. The Corner Store has always sold nice pens, cards, funky junk, Mattise posters and anything any college student or Summer Music Camp Camper could want. I bought a venus flytrap there for my boyfriend in about 1982. I bought George Bush / Dick Cheney “National Embarrassmints” mints there before a trip abroad. My son bought see through playing cards, a whistling pickle and an Alfred Einstein action figure there. My daughter bought a funny mask that is merely a smile. When I got my hair cut on Saturday, I noticed The Corner had a huge 50% off sign. Hope it doesn’t mean the shop is closing. 🙁 It can never close!”

Yes, Emily, The Corner is closing. In the left-hand corner, you can see the former music building of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Once UNCG’s new music building opened on the opposite end of campus, much of the faithful clientele just didn’t drop by and business declined. Perhaps with the bad economy, people just didn’t need rubber chickens, cacti, and whoopee cushions any more. For sure, all will miss that personal interaction from a man who could find every bit of inventory faster that a student could sing, “do re mi.” On ABC Wednesday, X is for Exit– a Greensboro institution.