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November 19, 2025

📐 New IQ Blueprint

Innovation Quarter updated its Phase 2 master plan! The new plan adds more community amenities and street-facing retail while reducing the number of buildings and green spaces.

• What: Phase 2 is a 28-acre expansion of Innovation Quarter (IQ) that will add 2.7 million square feet of mixed-use development — think labs, offices, residential units, and retail spaces.
  
  

• What’s Changing? The updated plan retains key features like Fogle Commons — a corridor with shops, art, and restaurants — but also introduces several changes, such as:

  • 8 buildings (reduced from 10)

  • 12 acres of green space (previously 15 acres)

  • 430 residential units (previously 450)

  • 97,000 square feet of street-facing retail and commercial space (up from 30,000 square feet)

  • The addition of Fall Branch Plaza, a public space for active recreation and community use
    
    

• Why: IQ revised its Phase 2 master plan in response to recent growth and investment, such as the upcoming $100 million Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Eye Institute.
  
  

• Timeline: Groundwork for Phase 2 began in Fall 2023 and wrapped up earlier this year. IQ is currently working with its partners to plan out Phase 2's vertical construction; the entire project is projected to wrap up in 10-15 years.
  
  

• Significance: Phase 2 will strengthen Winston-Salem’s standing as a life sciences hub, attracting more companies to the region and driving economic growth.

🏀 This team is one to watch! After battling No. 6 Michigan into overtime earlier this month, they’re coming home for three back-to-back matchups you won’t want to miss:

• Nov 25 vs. Campbell, 7 PM (The best way to start Thanksgiving break)

• Nov 28 vs. Northeastern, 12 PM (Perfect outing for family in town)

• Dec 2 vs. Oklahoma, 7 PM (SEC/ACC Challenge)*

🗓 Events

Live Music | Recurring Events

Saturday, November 22

• Holiday Market & Christmas Tree Lighting - Shop from local vendors, enjoy s’mores by the fire, and groove to live holiday tunes at 500 W 5th! 2-7 PM*

• Reynolda Village Holiday Stroll - Experience the cozy charm of Christmas with carriage rides, hot cocoa, Victorian carolers, and a visit from Santa. 1-5 PM

• Greek Bake Sale - Enjoy a taste of Greece at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church’s annual bake sale. The church will also host a shredding event in the morning!

• Cranksgiving - Join BeersNGears for a food drive on two wheels! Start at Fiddlin’ Fish and collect food items for The Shalom Project. 11 AM

• Ornament DIY - Use tempered glass and glass tiles to create mosaic ornaments at Culture! 1 PM

• Football Game - It’s the final home game of the season! Cheer on the Demon Deacons as they play Delaware at Allegacy Stadium. 12 PM

• Intro to Knitting - Learn the basics of knitting at B Balanced Counseling & Wellness. 6 PM

• Vintage Market - Browse vintage clothing and records at Wise Man Brewing! 12-5 PM

• Hockey Game - The Twin City Thunderbirds take on the Pee Dee IceCats at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds! 6:05 PM

• Piedmont Craftsmen Fair - Discover 100+ artisans from across the nation selling their one-of-a-kind creations at the Benton Convention Center. Runs through Sunday.

Sunday, November 23

• Bark the Halls - Shop for holiday gifts, jam out to live music, and grab a slice from Pie Guys Pizza at Tucker’s Tap Yard. 1-5 PM

• Pie Day - Bake apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies from scratch at The Canvas Cake Studio! 1 PM

• Holiday Market - Get your holiday shopping done early at this seasonal edition of the Clemmons Farmers Market. 2-5 PM

• Wreath Workshop - Make a holiday wreath at Fiddlin’ Fish! All materials will be provided. 2:30 PM

Monday, November 24

• Brass IMPACT! - Get ready for a powerful brass ensemble performance at UNCSA! 7:30 PM

🛏 The holidays are here, and the house is filling up. Create more space with ICON through basement renovations and home additions, perfect for extra bedrooms and in-law suites.

• Kensington | Finished the basement to add a laundry room, an entertaining area, and a guest bedroom with a bath.

• Ryan Way | Built a 3-story addition off the back of the house that created a spacious guest suite.

• Allistair | Converted the open basement into separate zones to include an entertaining space, a playroom, and a guest bedroom.*

🗞 Other News

• 🎻 Arts: Proudly supporting the arts. Bell, Davis & Pitt P.A. is thrilled to continue as the presenting sponsor of the Winston-Salem Symphony 2025/2026 season. Don’t miss shows like A Night at Hogwarts and Defying Gravity.*
  
  

• 🎄 Holiday: Celebrate the season at Historic Reynolda! Explore the Camel City exhibition (through Jan 4), enjoy crafts and cocoa after hours during Enchanted Christmas (Dec 13 and 17), and sing festive carols on the first three Fridays of December.*
  
  

• 💙 Support: You can help feed our neighbors in need when you donate to Samaritan Ministries’ Penny Campaign! The Go-To Winston-Salem will match donations up to $2,500 when you give through our page. We’re 24% of the way toward meeting our goal!
  
  

• 🎉 Now Open: Looking for streetwear apparel? Kameko León opened The Northside Clothing at 532 N Liberty Street! Salem Skate Supply also just opened at 130 W 6th Street, offering skateboards, clothing, and more.
  
  

• 🏙 Civic: The City of Winston-Salem has announced a Naming Rights and Sponsorship Program to help generate revenue from its public venues. The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena, and Bowman Gray Stadium are among the initial sponsorship opportunities.
  
  

• 🏆 Ranking: Good Housekeeping ranked Winston-Salem as one of the "23 Best City Vacations of 2026.” The guide highlighted Winston-Salem’s lower cost of dining and drinks compared to other cities.
  
  

• ☃️ Holiday: Dabble Art Bar’s holiday activities are here! Dabble is a casual art space where you order supplies instead of drinks, and this season you can make “gingerboard” houses, ornaments, mini trees, and cards.

The WS Symphony is bringing festive cheer with two upcoming holiday concerts:

A Carolina Christmas | Nov 29 at Reynolds Auditorium

• Traditional holiday favorites featuring jazz and pop vocalist Tony DeSare. Santa will be there, too!

Handel’s Messiah | Dec 13 at Wait Chapel

• Featuring the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s enduring holiday masterpiece.*

SPONSORED

Upcoming Events

• A Carolina Christmas - Listen to the Winston-Salem Symphony play familiar holiday tunes with a jazzy twist on November 29. We hear Santa will make an appearance!

• Christmas Wrapped in Brass - Ring in the season with the North Carolina Brass Band! Hear your holiday favorites in Greensboro (Dec 5) and in Winston-Salem (Dec 6).

• Ardmore Home Tour - Explore eight homes in one of Winston-Salem’s most beloved, historic neighborhoods on December 7.

• Trade Street Farmers Market - Browse 20+ local vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, food, and drinks on Trade Street on December 7.

Monday’s results: When do you start shopping for holiday presents?

• Before Thanksgiving - 60%

• After Thanksgiving - 40%

🌀 The Wrap

• 🎅 Want to grab a photo with Santa? Check out where you can find Santa in the Triad!

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

* denotes sponsored content

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