On Thursday we spent three hours with Main Street Director Lance Jenkins.

In those three hours we were made believers in what Jenkins and the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance is doing.

Not that we weren't already believers, but we saw it from a perspective that we hadn't seen before, from the ground level, from the sounds of hammers, from the vintage mannequins in the window of Fannye's to a solemn building that should be a reminder of the fight for civil rights.

Thursday gave us hope that as we wait from word on what happens with the sale of the theater, there are some who are not waiting but doing.

There are people who are not taking a chance on Lafayette Gatling but are taking chances on themselves and their business savvy to improve the community.

Jenkins with Charles Vaught.

When Roanoke Rapids was admitted into the Main Street program we were told this would not be an overnight process, that it would take time and now we are seeing the early buds on the tree, a bakery in the offing, a gourmet shop with a wine cellar under construction and the promise that the renovation of Fannye's will bring to downtown, a flooring business and a restaurant.

That Fannye's window has come to life is a promising sign that this is not mere talk, but action and we believe it is time for all to come onboard and support this program, even if it's just to give encouragement to RABA and its members.

Sadly, one of the things that could have entrenched the city as a destination has been stripped away brick by brick and while it is too late to bemoan the loss of the Rosemary Mill and criticize past leadership for not taking an active role to save it, the office building across the street from it still remains and would be a perfect place to remember the legacy of the person who has come to be known as Norma Rae. It is time for the city and RABA to step up and save that building before it falls like the mill has fallen.

Remains of the Rosemary Mill.

Another piece of history that needs to be saved is the People's Theater. We asked Jenkins if it was beyond saving and, like us, he believes it is not beyond saving. With new life being pumped into Fannye's, new life being pumped into the People's Theater across the street would only cement the efforts to improve the uptown and downtown business districts.

Jenkins also spoke of walking tours to showcase the many Aladdin Kit homes in the city. We believe the mill houses should also be included in these plans because they are just as much a part of the city's history as the now dying Rosemary Mill.

We also believe some historic marker needs to be placed at the old bus depot in the 1100 block to remember Sarah Keys, who fought the battle of public transportation discrimination before Rosa Parks.

Our three hours with Jenkins Thursday was time well spent as we saw and heard the vision. Take a look for yourself because we believe it will make a believer out of you — Editor.