iSpy with my little eye…a smokestack! Or maybe it’s a cheesy slice of Cugino Forno pizza.
You may think you’re too old to play “I Spy” games, but in the era of cell phones and social media, we’re all participating in one big game of “I Spy.” In the Winston-Salem area, the Innovation Quarter (iQ) is among the top locations used as a photo backdrop for individuals and businesses alike.
Who hasn’t posed for a picture near the arches in the Coal Pit?
Guilty. 🙋🏾
Or snuck a photo of one of the smokestacks?
Also, guilty. 🙋🏼♀️
Perhaps, it’s a foodie shot of your Krankies’s biscuit or your perfectly charred appetizer from Six Hundred°? Maybe, it’s a friend (furry or otherwise) on the green grass of Bailey Park?
Whatever your subject matter, there are definitely shutter-worthy moments in the iQ. We–the team running the day-to-day behind Innovation Quarter–want you to know that we see you, and we love getting to know this space through your eyes…to see what you spy (or “iSpy”!) in the iQ.
More importantly, you–the filter-lovers, the selfie aficionados, the iQ retailers, the novice photographers, as well as the pros–play a part in growing this place into a beautiful iQ community by sharing your experiences. And we’d like to repay the favor, by giving you a shout out. 📣
Here are a handful of our favorite tagged (@innovationquarter) posts from Instagram and the creators behind them.
Four-Legged Friends
We love seeing your pets in our outdoor spaces. Whether it’s Innovation & Cinema at Bailey Park or happy hour in the Coal Pit, there is no shortage of furry faces mixed in with the human kind in the iQ community.
For example, Mr. Bodie, shared by @mr.bodieaussie, makes that Winston backdrop even more handsome. Thanks for making our city look so doggone good!
Lucy at @lucygoosey28, is a city dog out for a stroll and we’re so glad she wandered down to the iQ and shared her happy face with us. Lucy, you can saunter down here anytime you like.
Occasionally, our non-human friends are unexpected, like when this bunny 🐇 stopped by @DeBeenespresso, and then chilled in the park for a bit.
Chungus (the rabbit) and her human companion were in Winston-Salem temporarily for work and frequented the iQ for refreshments and fresh air. We hope you come visit again soon!
Mouth-Watering Moments
Speaking of refreshments, the iQ has really blossomed with food and beverage in the past few years. Between Bailey Park and the Coal Pit, there are plenty of places to mingle and a wide array of culinary options have followed. From sushi to smoothies, wood-fired vegetables to buttery biscuits, have you caught some of these tasty tidbits in your feed?
Whether starting your evening or ending it, @dramanddraughtwinston has no shortage of creative cocktails and other libations for you to explore. They specialize in whiskey drinks (with over 300 bottles for you to choose from!), and occupy one of the most unique corners of Bailey Power Plant. Pick out your signature drink and then select from an array of seating options to suit your mood. Get a taste of their space from this reel they shared on their one year anniversary.
Speaking of fire, Six Hundred° is just a block over, and their entire menu is crafted around a wood-fired oven. All that heat 🔥, alongside their chef-driven creativity, produces dishes like the one below, shared on @sixhundred_wsnc, showcasing fresh ingredients from local farmers and the finesse we’ve all come to love from the restaurant.
We’ve got drinks, dinner, and…dessert. No neighborhood would be complete without a local ice cream shop, and Gnarly Blends fits the bill quite nicely. This happy photo taken by @thatoneflick tantalizes with not just one—but two waffle cones. No excuses to not bring a friend, and with offerings that include smoothies, baked treats, and non-dairy options alongside traditional ice cream, there really is something for everyone.
These images almost make you want to shout, “Please stop, you’re making us hungry!” But really, don’t stop, we want to see more of those mouth-watering morsels, not just from our proprietors but their patrons as well.
Admirable Architecture
The iQ’s architecture is by far its most likable asset 👍🏽 and for good reason. There’s been a tremendous effort by both private and public entities (think the City of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University, commercial real estate companies, local businesses and groups, and others) to preserve and reinvigorate the historic structures, as well as thoughtfully develop new spaces into a downtown innovation district that is as much a place to spend your after hours as it is your working ones. The combination of passions fueling these projects can have inspiring results enjoyed by the iQ community.
Take for example, this cityscapes by @mirandafayekempton. She shows her photo skills with this night shot of the Fifth Street iQ sign and an array of colorful lights splashed across the Plant 64 lofts. She encourages people to “be creative wherever you go,” which resonates so well with what this district hopes to achieve and to inspire in others.
What’s even more inspiring than the community here in the iQ? Our connection to our larger community. The place we’re proud to call home: Winston-Salem. Take a look at “This is Winston-Salem,” a video montage of so many of the places and spaces that make this city special, produced by @darwater_creatives. This video-photo team served us an honor by prominently displaying so many of our best angles alongside other Winston-Salem icons, including the Coal Pit, Bailey Power Plant, Bowman Gray Medical Education Building, and, of course, Bailey Park.
Finally, there’s not much that’s more iconic to the iQ than the smokestacks, which serve as a “north star” (so to speak) for the city’s residents. When one is in sight, you know you’re almost home. We’ve seen pictures of these towering titans from every angle, but never tire of seeing new perspectives. Here’s one from @kimlebarron, who was visiting Dram and Draught when she snapped this moody and textural close-up.
iSpy…You, the iQ Community!
What will you iSpy next? 👀 We can’t wait to see.
Whether you’re in the iQ almost everyday or only come to visit once and a while, we hope you feel a bit more connected to the space, knowing you are part of what makes it so great. Your investment of presence or time, whether you’re building a business here or simply buying a coffee, is helping to grow the iQ community into a more vibrant, welcoming, and innovative place.
And if by chance, you want to see more of these spaces for yourself, check out our interactive map for a self-guided tour of the district. Hopefully, you share with us (or tag! @innovationquarter) what interesting, fun, or iconic thing you spy next time you’re here.
