Mount Airy, NC: Connected to What Matters
Mount Airy, NC, and the surrounding Surry County connect residents to everything they need. From amenities and resources to trails and the infrastructure necessary to travel in and out of the area, locals can find all they desire without traveling outside county lines.
In This Article
Amenities
The neighborhoods of Mount Airy, NC, and Surry County might be rural, but they’re not without modern conveniences, and people have taken notice. Samuel Holder Jr., who works in real estate and retail development, recently returned to Mount Airy, NC, after 10 years away. He turned to his usual go-tos to find like-minded individuals.
“Everything is driven by your network, your relationships,” Holder Jr. says. “When I moved home it was important for me to get involved. I looked for places to plug in – church was one and a local CrossFit gym was the other. It was through those that I got connected to other people.”
Annamaria Kriska
New mom Annamaria Kriska, who was raised in Mount Airy, NC, and Slovakia, works for her family’s business, Thirsty Souls Community Brewing. She loves that their establishment is a thriving social space, but she also supports those around her.
“Every Friday, my family and friends go to The Somm Closet, owned by a good friend of the family, Manju Wagner, for a wine tasting. We love breakfast at Leon’s or Heavenly Café, and Foothills Coffee Shop has also been a great addition to our community.”
When seeking somewhere to convene with friends and colleagues, Surry County is not in short supply.
Groups
Local clubs and organizations are another path to connection, and, as president of the Surry County Economic Development Partnership and co-founder of Foothills Young Professionals (FYP), Blake Moyer sees FYP as a good introduction. FYP hosts social and professional development events and volunteer opportunities that don’t require fees or registration.
Blake Moyer
“We’re trying to connect younger leaders with opportunities to advance and develop,” says Moyer, who is new to the area and married with a young child. “We’re not age exclusive, but the target audience is 40 and under or new to the community.”
Holder Jr. is also an FYP member, United Fund of Surry chairperson and graduate of Leadership Surry. United Fund of Surry is an organization that serves residents of Surry County, while Leadership Surry is a program that helps cultivate local leaders. Holder Jr. has also found that getting involved with local Rotary chapters is a helpful way to connect with others.
“If you’re from out of town and want to get involved, get engaged, volunteer and do good work, we have four Rotary groups that you can get plugged into that meet every week,” he says. “If you’re just a person trying to make friends and meet people, going downtown on the weekends, going to a Rotary event and showing up to community events goes a long way.”
Geographically
Trading a major metropolitan city for the calmer, quieter streets of Mount Airy, NC, and Surry County can mean gaining the best of both worlds. Thanks to highways and interstates, proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and nearby airports, the rest of the world is easily within reach. Travel to the mountains, beaches or even fly to international destinations.
Moyer points out that Virginia is mere minutes away and day trips or weekend getaways to cities like Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Greensboro can be quick and hassle-free. He describes it as “a Goldilocks situation,” saying “you’re in the middle of a lot of stuff, but you’re not in the middle of it. You can get places, but there’s enough happening locally – plenty to do and see and plenty of people – but you’re not in rush-hour traffic trying to get across town.”
Trails
Mount Airy, NC, and Surry County have an abundance of multiuse trails, many of which link to parks and residential areas. A few examples include the Granite City Greenway and Ararat River Greenway. Plus, the Yadkin River is great for kayaking, if you’re looking for more of a water trail.
Samuel Holder Jr.
For Holder Jr., who has an active lifestyle, the area’s pedestrian and bike-friendly aspects were a big draw. Kriska’s husband, a fly fisherman, also enjoys the area’s offerings and often goes fishing at Riverside Park on the Ararat River. Plus, her father is “a huge outdoor enthusiast who enjoys heading to Pilot Mountain multiple times a week for trail running.”
From traditional trails to water trails to other outdoor activities, there’s plenty in the area to connect residents with nature.
Local Produce and Goods
Surry County Farmers Market brings consumers face-to-face with the farmers who grow their food. Markets are held around Dobson, Mount Airy, Elkin and Pilot Mountain, and the market’s website provides full details. Patronizing the shops and small businesses of downtown’s Market Street Arts & Entertainment District is another unique experience. Moyer credits the district’s popularity and diverse offerings to an “invigoration of people who care about the community.”
This article is sponsored by the Surry County Economic Development Partnership.