For years, Fayetteville had a reputation as a place where people settled only after establishing their careers and starting families. Young professionals often felt there wasn’t much to keep them engaged in their post-college years. Kingslea Thompson recalls conversations about how Fayetteville lacked spaces designed for young adults and mid-career professionals. "There weren’t a lot of spaces capturing that generation," she says.
Recognizing a need for vibrant, community-centered spaces, Kingslea’s husband, Micheal, and Brandon McEachern took action and completed one of Fayetteville’s standout projects - 240 Glynn Street - a development that has become a hub for locally owned businesses, all run by women. The project is a thriving center with four unique businesses:
- Hummingbird Wine Bar & Market - managed by Kingslea, sells local goods – food, kitchen, giftable items, and wine. The wine bar includes seasonal craft cocktails and tastings. Kingslea, a certified WSET Level 3 sommelier, has brought a sophisticated yet approachable wine experience to Fayetteville.
- Sparrow Organic Salon & Boutique - owned by Megan Reichenbach, offers an organic beauty experience through a full-service salon alongside a thoughtfully curated boutique, complete with clothing, accessories, and other giftable items.
- Java & Brie - co-owned by Janeissy Armstrong and Mariana Campos, is a cozy café known for its coffee, pastries, breakfast, lunch, charcuterie, and catering services.
- Two Hands Pottery Studio - founded by Bree Deck, is a membership-led pottery studio that provides an inspiring space for pottery enthusiasts and beginners alike. Classes are offered regularly and no membership is required.
The Venue at 240 Glynn Street, housed within the development, is a flexible 2,200-square-foot space with high ceilings, private restrooms, and modern acoustics. Capable of seating 150 guests for round-table events or up to 250 in an auditorium-style setup, it has quickly become a go-to location for graduation parties, book club meetups, nonprofit fundraisers, weddings, and more.
The Thompsons have embarked upon a movement known as "placemaking," an approach to urban development focused on creating and activating community spaces. Their goal is to work with city planners and developers to bring more interest to Fayetteville through thoughtful design and engaging venues. “You have to attract people with things to do and spaces that visually appeal to them.”
The journey to creating 240 Glynn Street has been both fun and exciting. Originally Fayetteville’s City Hall, Kingslea and her husband saw its potential. While early plans considered turning it into a co-working space, they eventually found the perfect mix of businesses to breathe new life into the area.
Additionally, a weekly Farmers Market is set to begin on Saturday, April 19 on the front lawn. Running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market will provide a platform for local farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs to showcase their products.
Kingslea Thompson is ready to pour you some of her delicious wines.
Each business at 240 Glynn Street has its own website. To learn about hours of operation and upcoming events visit:
- hummingbirdwinebarandmkt.com
- sparroworganicsalon.com
- @javaandbrie on Instagram
- twohandspotterystudio.com
"I am so proud of our community and all that it has accomplished," Kingslea reflects. "We have our own arts district, and there’s so much more to come." With dedicated leaders and passionate business owners paving the way, Fayetteville is proving itself to be a dynamic and inviting place for all generations to call home.