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John Cheek recently returned to his hometown, opening Dirty Joe’s coffee shop in downtown Elkin in 2017. This business was so well received that, within one year, he opened a second location in north Elkin. In August of 2019, John opened a third Elkin business, a new smoothie shop in downtown beside his coffee shop, and encouraged local entrepreneurs to open two additional retail shops next door.
In 2018, John volunteered to reignite Elkin’s downtown merchants association and became President for one year. While leading the organization he encouraged others to get excited and on board. He revised the bylaws, added themes to downtown Cruise-In events, and took over organizing the Christmas Parade. John believes it takes a community’s support to be successful, so he formed a partnership with the Cars and Coffee organizer to expand monthly downtown Cruise-In events into day-long celebrations.
John Cheek’s enthusiasm has made a huge difference in downtown Elkin. That is why is deserves the honor of being a North Carolina Main Street Champion.