CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 25 I n 1999, Hank and Diane Parfitt put their mon- ey where their mouths were and planted the seed for a downtown down- sizing twenty-five years in the making. In the late 1990s, Hank and Diane Parfitt opened City Center Gallery in a rented space on Maxwell Street. As a re- sult, they started spending a lot of time downtown and were disheartened by the excess of empty, run-down buildings. In- stead of quietly complaining, they decided to do something about it. Hank gathered a group of like-minded folks, which even- tually became the Downtown Alliance. Around that same time, the Arts Coun- cil also introduced their now-popular 4th Fridays. "We were truly enchanted with the lights they had just put up and the idea of having a glass of wine while we looked at art," Hank said. Early on, the Parfitts also made a com- mitment to support local art. "I'm not an artist, but we both love art and realize how much talent there is here in Fayetteville," Diane said. With the level of talent, it was clear that many artists they worked with could easily make a living in a market like New York, where people are more willing to accept high price tags on original work. Still, they stayed and worked in Fayette- ville because this was home. "We've worked with local artists for many years and feel a loyalty to them. Fayetteville isn't a destination market, so we have always felt it's important to do our part to support their art," Hank said. Aer knocking on doors and convinc- ing merchants and businesses to invest in downtown, Hank was given the opportu- nity to practice what he was preaching— the building at 112 Hay Street was up for sale. A small wig shop was renting the first floor retail space and there was potential for a residence upstairs. However, the building itself was in need of severe reno- vation. He brought Diane to have a look around, and the couple started to toss around the idea of living there someday. Aer years of moving around dur- Parfitt's love of artwork shows throughout the loft. Gallery wall at the Parfitt's Loft

• Cover