CityView Magazine

14 June 2022 'Fingerprints and footprints' George Breece, a lifelong resident of Fayetteville, knows what Pennink has meant to downtown since 1992. "Menno Pennink, without question, has his fingerprints and footprints all over downtown Fayetteville," Breece says. "His love of downtown is only superseded by his love for his family and his love for the symphony and playing his violin and viola. Menno has always been a leader and champion for a Fayetteville museum of art. His passion and commitment for our center city is legendary. "e word is that Menno came to Fayetteville because of the symphony, and, rest assured, the greater Fayetteville community is so much of a better place because Menno came our way, rolled up his sleeves and made his lifetime mark in downtown Fayetteville with his violin and viola by his side," Breece adds. "Simply put, they don't come any better than Menno Pennink." Pennink 's vision is not lost on Bruce Daws, the city historian. e developer purchased several pivotal properties in the downtown historic district and renovated them in close coordination with the city's Historic Resources Commission and the State Historic Preservation Office, Daws says. "His efforts ensured that all the guidelines were followed, which preserved the original integrity, design and character of the structures," Daws says. Daws sees Pennink 's attention to detail and preservation in the restorations of the Prince Charles Hotel and the McKeithan, Pemberton, Sandrock and Point News buildings. "His work has greatly enhanced the Downtown Historic District, providing a tangible link to the past and giving the city a sense of place and connection," Daws says. 'Ultimate optimist' Andrew and Michael Pennink marvel at their father's passion for making a difference. "My dad always seems to be the ultimate optimist," Andrew says. "His optimism is surprising given his humble beginnings surviving World War II, where he last saw his father at the age of 4. I've always thought that those dark times created a spark that kept him tirelessly motivated. Being a young father myself, I have always been amazed how he found the time to become a neurosurgeon and radiologist, open multiple diagnostic companies, play the violin in the local symphony, develop properties downtown, and all while being a great dad and a pretty decent chess player. "I think the simple answer is he has a genuine love and passion for each of those things. "He is a real-life Renaissance man," he says. "He embraces knowledge and develops his capacities as fully as possible with anything in which he devotes his time. It's fair to say that he has had a very strong partner, my mom (Suzanne), by his side to make sure things stay on track." Michael says he and his brother now realize the full scope of their father's commitment to downtown. "From the beginning, he nurtured his own vision of the downtown renaissance with such energy and positivity that it never occurred to us until much later the gravity of the risks he took early on and the time and commitment that this work has required and will continue to require," Michael says. "Dad would be the first to remind you of so many other wonderful people who have made a positive impact on our downtown. "He would give you a list of tenants who have started and grown their small businesses and brought great clientele to downtown. He would tell you of the many interesting other passionate owners and investors who have staked their livelihood on their downtown projects.'' His father also would note the commitment of city employees, contractors and tradesmen to downtown projects, Michael says. We've expanded 1218 Ft. Bragg Road (Haymount Hill) 910-323-0264 www.smithtailor.com Come Celebrate our Expansion With Us! "Catering to the Well -Dressed" One Stop Shop for Men We are proud to announce that we have a full line of men's Suits • Pants • Shirts • Ties • Tuxedo Rentals & Sales

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