Holy Angels Opens A New Unique Gift Shop In Downtown Belmont

Holy Angels is a place close to our hearts. They provide programs and services for the differently abled people of all ages right in our area. They have done something wonderful again. Holy Angels has opened Market on Main.

Market on Main is unique because of the people that work there and the items within the store. You will find it at 124 North Main in Belmont, North Carolina.  Many of the things you will find in the store are so much more than just things.  They are handmade by local folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

According to our source, The Gaston Gazette, this is a new center for the Holy Angels Life Choices program.  Holy Angels president and CEO Kerri Massey, gave this quote about the new shop to the Gaston Gazette,“For the past three years, the folks from the community that we’ve been serving have not really had an opportunity to attend a program,” Massey said. “Opening it back up was just so important because it gives us an opportunity to continue to carry out our mission even further by providing a meaningful day to the people who we serve here at Holy Angels.”

The shop will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 3 p.m.  Along with the handmade gifts , other unique items will be available for purchase as well.  We can't wait to shop there!

One of my friends was visiting from another part of the country and wanted to go to a seafood restaurant one night.  Oh, I said, let me take you to my favorite fish camp in the area.  She had no idea what I meant by "fish camp".  Here are 5 of the best fish camps in North Carolina according to Yelp.

Let's get back to that question, "What is a fish camp"? It is different than seafood restaurants people in other parts of the country are used to.  Southern Living magazine describes fish camps this way:"The original fish camps date back to before World War II. They were little more than rudimentary waterside kitchens, either outdoors or in smaller spots along riverbanks or coastal sounds, where fishermen could cook what they caught. Some of the fishermen saw entrepreneurial opportunities and hired cooks to help out. Over time, these camps evolved into no-frills seafood restaurants, a few of which remain in business today. Some are in the same locations as the old camps, while others moved a little closer to town."

And the origins of fish camps are closer than even I knew until I did some research.  This is what google has to say about the history of fish camps." The earliest were established along the Catawba River in South and North Carolina in the 1930s and 1940s and began as sheds where anglers could fry their fresh catches. And while most restaurants purchase their fish from seafood wholesalers and farms, fish camps continue to be found along waterways."

Well, lets get to it, here are the top five fish camps, according to Yelp ( some are listed in Charlotte magazine).  Ironically the ones we are featuring are located right where it all began.

We like the one in Belmont but there are other locations for The Captain's Cap.  I had a friend that would say "Let's go eat food the same color", and the fish is fried a golden brown.  Don't forget the hushpuppies.  Here is what Charlotte Magazine had to say about the Captain's Cap.The family packs are worth checking out, including the 20-piece Baby Flounder pack, the 16-piece Perch Filet pack, or two pounds of Calabash Shrimp.

This is an iconic location in Gastonia.  Once Lineberger's, people have been gathering in this spot for the ultimate fish camp experience.  And that candy counter is still there!  I will take one seafood platter please.

Here is what Charlotte Magazine has to say about another one of Belmont's iconic fish camps.

Hours: Tues-Thurs, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.; Fri, 4 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sat, 3 p.m.-9:30 p.m., and Sun, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Closed Mon)
What to try: The platter here gives you the full experience: shrimp, oysters, deviled crab, flounder fillet, perch, and catfish.

This place has been here since the very beginning of fish camps.  And they are still there serving up delicious fish for dine in or carry out.  Here is what Charlotte Magazine had to say about this place, 1031 Lower Dallas Hwy., Dallas
Opened in 1948
Hours: Wed-Thurs, 1:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; Fri, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat, 1:30 p.m.-9 p.m., and Sun, 12:30 p.m.-8 p.m. (Closed Mon-Tues)
What to try: Be sure to try the croaker and the fantail shrimp from this one, the oldest on the list.

I have got to get back here!  Here is what Charlotte Magazine says about one of several Gaston County original fish camps. 4574 S New Hope Rd., Gastonia
Opened in 1968
Hours: Tues-Thurs, 4 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; Fri, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.; and Sat, 3 p.m.-9 p.m. (Closed Sun-Mon)
What to try: The salt & pepper catfish is among the area’s best—and you better get that slaw on the side.