CityView Magazine

what sells," he said. The key to Bell's success is having the right products at the right time. For example, erosion control products sell well in the win- ter, especially with all the construc- tion occurring in the Fayetteville area. In the spring, it's fertilizers, flowers or shrubs. Bell's also enjoys a unique custom- er base, says Stewart Bell. "We cater to the homeowner and to the contractor. We have a diverse base of customers and along with our service and com- petitive pricing; we can compete with the big box stores." There are those who have been Bell's customers for years and then there are those who recently discov- ered that there is a garden center in downtown Fayetteville. Thompson said there's a constant stream of old and new customers. Former City Councilman Johnny said his Dawkins family has con- ducted business with Bell's since the 1940s. "My granddad's lumber com- pany was just down the street from Bell's Store. The Bells are bucking the trend of family-owned store compet- ing against the big box store," Along with his father, the late Mayor J. L. Dawkins, Johnny Dawkins said his family prefers to shop at locally owned family businesses. Along with service and good pric- ing, Stewart Bell says his employ- ees are also ready to provide advice. Thompson, who bills himself as the "Blooming Idiot", incorporates gar- dening tips on the radio commer- cials in the spring. He's also known to give Crepe Myrtle pruning tips on YouTube. Bell's also has a presence on the so- cial network, Facebook, where it has amassed 2,404 "friends." "It's free and people love it," Thompson said. Despite its notoriety, Bell's doesn't do much traditional advertising. "Sure, we don't do a lot of advertis- ing other than what we buy with co- op dollars, but our method is word of mouth. A customer recommends us to his neighbor and we then have an- other customer," Thompson said. CV Nathan and Noah Feldmeyer zip down a Fayetteville hill and Jackson Finn looks on. You don't have to wait until a snow day to find the best places in town for sledding. In fact, considering that the roads will probably be too treacherous for driving around and looking, we recommend making your snow day plans now. Rowan Park For many Fayetteville families, sledding here is synonymous with Rowan Park. The big hill that ends at the bandshell draws hundreds of sledders every time our area gets a few inches of snow. Highland Country Club Golf Course Hole #5 and the practice tee are great spots for traffic-free fun in the snow. It's a wide open area where parents don't have to worry about little ones banging their heads on concrete or skidding into a street. Mirror Lake in VanStory Hills Not the lake itself, mind you. It never gets cold enough here for lakes to freeze over, but the hill behind the lake is always packed with kids when it snows. Cluny Drive The gentle slope of the street makes it perfect for gaining sledding speed, but only attempt it when there's absolutely no traffic out. Towle Stadium on Fort Bragg The hills that surround the track are absolutely perfect for sledding. One warning: Some areas have a drop-off at the bottom of the hill, so be sure to pick a slope that goes all the way down located at Ardennes Street and Bastogne Drive. CityViewNC.com | 29 Photo by Marla Finn

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