For decades, the international furniture capital of the world has searched for a new identity. Legacy industries are still part of the puzzle. But the focus is back on Main Street, with a prominent university president steering the process.
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THE CITY OF HIGH POINT SITS ON THE LOW ROLLING HILLS OF THE PIEDMONT TRIAD, a crossroads between the might of the Smoky Mountains and the serenity of the Atlantic Ocean beaches. Wedged about halfway between Raleigh and Charlotte, it’s a distinctly southern town. Locals carry an accent, stretching out their vowels so “I” seamlessly becomes “ah.” There’s a slower pace that allows for breaths between sentences, and not the digital kind. Think face to face, voice to voice, rocking chair to rocking chair, on quaint porches catching in the midday sun. Hearts warm up if a Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut is in hand, and even if you don’t have time for sweets, a cup of their coffee is enough for the natives’ seal of approval. All across town, cigarette prices are as well-known as the cost of a gallon of gas. Church bells ring proudly on Sundays, and an opening prayer is common at community gatherings.
But High Point has its own religion. Its altar is found in the comfort of living rooms across the globe. Amid its peace and quiet, the city has an urban hum. Millions of cars drive up and down Interstates 40 and 85 each day, seeing billboards of a well-dressed blonde woman, sprawled out on a plush orange sofa, prodding onlookers to “furnish your world in High Point.” Driving into town on Main Street, there’s an artistic flair. With a few palm trees, the mini-skyline would compete with Beverly Hills. Marge Carson sofas, Christopher Guy tables, Paul Robinson oil paintings – designers whose luxurious visions fill thousands of homes – are just a few of the awnings shaping the High Point Furniture Market scene. The twice-a-year, global event pumps almost $7 billion into the North Carolina economy. More than 2,000 exhibitors set up shop in 180 different buildings, filling 12 million square feet of space. This is, and has been, the furniture industry’s home for more than a century.
But to the average person, a word of warning. Don’t get tricked. Don’t show up with tape measures, ready to find a bed that will fit in your front door. Don’t pinch your spouse over which wood finish is the best shade for the table. Yes, there are dozens of year-round shops and galleries within the city limits to find your dream design consultant and follow the billboard’s edict. But when Market comes to town for one week in April and another in October, the massive party is mostly for industry insiders only. Luggage carriers from Hong Kong, business suits from Hollywood and sparkling beverages from Italy fill showrooms as brands connect with suppliers to network like no other.
(Photo by Chris Gentilviso)
For the remaining 50 weeks out of the year, Main Street is relatively desolate, until now. Folks are tired of hearing China took away their jobs, or that Greensboro and Winston-Salem have better bars and restaurants. At one time, everyone from New York to Atlanta rode through High Point, on the railroad that gave birth to the city’s name – the “high point” between Goldsboro and Charlotte. As travel by train gave way to cars and highways, and manufacturing companies left for Asia, High Point had to work harder to convince anyone to live, work and play here. But now, the city is poised to reinvent itself, with its biggest gamble yet. One man is behind it all, looking to hit the ball right out of the park.
Nido Qubein, president of High Point University, accepts nothing less than sharpness. When he emigrated from Jordan to New York City at age 17, he had $50 in his pocket. He meandered his way down to the back roads of North Carolina, making money delivering motivational speeches at churches. To him, there was much to celebrate inside High Point’s new LOFT at Plant Seven, a space for fresh ideas and year-round design talent, in a city where rush hour is still too quiet. “What a special occasion this is, for all of us to be here on a very special day, to meet two wonderful people in a very special moment,” he says at the podium. It’s late November 2018 but his tan skin, yellow tie and pocket square give off hints of fresh-cut grass and hot dogs at a baseball game. He’s referring to Jamie Keefe and former Major League Cy Young award-winner Frank Viola, the manager and the pitching coach of the city’s new baseball team, the High Point Rockers.
Qubein’s English is polished but he speaks with hints of his humble Middle East beginnings. “If there ever was a private-public effort, this is it,” he says, realizing the 40-year journey from immigrant to city leader. The $135 million “catalyst” project includes the BB&T Point stadium, 200-plus apartments, a 25,000 square-foot events center, a children’s museum and more. Qubein says he’s the “messenger,” the “bus driver” of a vehicle of people willing to take a chance at moving the city forward. (He skips over raising $50 million and bringing in another $50 million in private investments). Along with the excitement comes great uncertainty. There’s no guarantee the city and its 100,000-plus people are ready or behind the effort, but Qubein certainly is. “High Point ought to be very, very proud. Not only that we’re going to have a brand-new baseball stadium. Not only that we’re going to have a great new team with the Rockers. Not only that this is going to bring more energy and dynamic infusion into our city, and more importantly even pride for all of us. Something is happening, something of great measure with a promising future.” There’s a lot riding on this first pitch, and High Point is swinging for a win, in the house that Nido built.