Joanie Morris, editor of the Kannapolis Citizen.

It's nice, in a weird way, to see what's going on over at the mill destruction. We can look out our window here at the Citizen office and watch as front-end loaders and backhoes hack away at what was once a company employing upwards of 30,000 people in its heyday.

It's only a short walk to the site as well. While the walk clear around the facility is a hilly one — challenging to a novice like me — walk it I did.

I've learned many things just by looking, without talking to anyone. You can learn these same things.

For instance, did you know they are finished draining what was once "the lake" and is now a big hole full of heavy equipment, scraping at the dry ground to make way for an underground parking deck?

I didn't until I went by there. I also counted numerous cars with people sitting in them, just watching as the machinery knocked down pieces of buildings that they presumably used to work in.

The sight is heart-rending. Some of the people watching are probably retirees, watching as the building they used to fold towels or mark packages in is torn down.

Others seem younger, and I imagine they were laid off from the mill when it closed that fateful day. They are watching what was once a nice livelihood crumble beneath those large rubber tires.

It's sad really, but at the same time, it's exciting. While this town started because of the large textile mill, this town is growing because of the insight of a grand visionary.

Kannapolis is on an upswing. Yet many businesses are struggling to hang on, waiting for the first buildings to go up in the N.C. Research Campus, and others have closed. That's really too bad. While some businesses are prospering, others are struggling.

My hope is that the people of Kannapolis will help those businesses. Instead of taking business out of the city, why not keep it in the city? Do you have a gift to give someone? Valentine's Day is coming up. Southern Charm, The Perfect Choice and other Cannon Village merchants may be able to help you. Before driving to the mall, why not take a short trip to the Village and see what businesses there have to offer?

With the face of the mill changing, it's time for the face of Kannapolis business to change. Citizens should concern themselves with keeping their business in Kannapolis, instead of taking it into Mecklenburg County.

Joanie Morris is editor of the Kannapolis Citizen. She can be reached at 704-932-3336 or shopping in the Village.