Charlie Leonard
- Feb 15

Walk Down Main Street: Explore Dallas' history, art and exciting beer culture

As a part of our Walk Down Main Street series, our writers take you on a stroll down the beautiful streets that make up our county's down towns, sharing a bit of insider info along the way.

Dallas is a natural fit for the newest era of Gaston County’s growth. Nicknamed the “Crossroads of Gaston County” the town named after the 11th Vice President of the United States, George Mifflin Dallas, is not only in the geographic center of Gaston County, but has historically been the social, political, and economic center of early Gaston County. Dallas was named as the original county seat of the Gaston County government in 1846, a title it held until 1911.

Evey McFadden - Gaston Outside

Dallas is still a key area for Gaston County and North Carolina at large. Just a short drive away from a major economic connector in I-85 and an important regional road that is US-321, Dallas is positioned perfectly for the future ahead. With an important selection of Gaston County’s arts, museums, retail stores, classic restaurants, and more in the downtown area, the time is now to explore the classic center of Gaston County.

Shopping & Services

Whether you’re looking for a new haircut, some fresh flowers to enjoy or a few new home essentials, the shops in downtown Dallas have you covered. Below is a starter guide to great retail options to explore your curiosity in the heart of downtown.

The Best Little Hair House in Dallas

136 N. Gaston St.

Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

With over 16 years of experience, The Best Little Hair House in Dallas offers a variety of hair and beauty products and services such as haircuts, colors, perms, and waxing. Book an appointment online or call today.

Dallas Paint Glass & Mirror

116 W. Trade St.

Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Founded by Lamar “Yock” Stroupe in 1976, Dallas Paint and Glass have many different options for glass, mirror, and other services. Some of the offerings include custom frameless and framed showers, custom framed mirrors, wire shelving, window repair and replacement, custom-built screens, and even picture framing.

Elizabeth Roberts Salon & Boutique

Evey McFadden - Gaston Outside

107 E. Trade St.

Monday 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Elizabeth Roberts Salon & Boutique offers a multitude of hair cut and styling options for both men and women. Additional services include waxing, extensions, keratin treatment, corrective color, and other coloring services. Come see one of their independent stylists today and enjoy the “Elizabeth Roberts experience.”

Gaston Floral Gardens

Evey McFadden, Gaston Outside

114 E. Trade St.

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

At over 125 years old, Gaston Floral Garden is Gaston County’s oldest locally owned floral shop. The shop offers a variety of flowers and gifts for all occasions including birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and more that can be ordered online. Gaston Floral Garden will also deliver to the Gaston and Lincoln County areas.

Heart & Rhythm Dance Studio

114 W. Trade St.

Monday-Friday, 3 p.m.-6 p.m.

The Heart and Rhythm Dance Studio gives kids an opportunity to learn how to dance in a class style setting. The studio regularly wins “Best of Gaston” awards for high-quality service and instruction by the studio’s teachers. Registration is offered on a rotating basis and with a number of styles to choose from like hip-hop, jazz, tap, ballet, and more.

Ideal Upholstering Co

136 W. Trade St.

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Family-owned since 1965, the Ideal Upholstering Company offers furniture repairs and upholstery service to Gaston County and the surrounding communities. If you’ve got a piece of furniture that you know needs a new lease on life, then this is the place for you.

JCB Photography & Videography

Photo Courtesy of JCB Photography

142 W. Trade St.

JCB Photography and Videography is a freelance photography service that can shoot many different types of events. Whether you need senior pictures, wedding photos, or a personalized photoshoot, JCB has you covered. Visit the JCB Photography and Videography Facebook page to schedule your photoshoot today.

Rapha’s Custom Floors

111 E. Trade St.

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Rapha’s Custom Floors is a carpet and flooring store with over 16 years of experience in the industry. Rapha’s provides custom flooring options for all new and old homes, as well as homes that are still under construction.

Roots Organic Salon

Evey McFadden - Gaston Outside

110 E. Trade St.

Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Roots Organic Salon offers hair services for men and women and focuses on overall well-being. Services offered include cuts, color, foils, styling, Vegan skincare, complimentary facial and neck massages, and more.

Dining & Bakeries

If you’re looking for a delicious dinner and dessert (or both), then downtown Dallas has you covered. Whether you crave sugary sweets, savory main courses, or you just need a drink with friends, look no further than these three Dallas eateries sure to satisfy your cravings.

Cake Me Away Bakery

Photo Courtesy of Cake Me Away Bakery

120 W. Trade St.

Wednesday 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Newly relocated to Dallas, Cake Me Away Bakery pairs the love of sweets with the love of people and community. The menu features cakes, cookies, cheesecakes, pies, cupcakes, cake pops, and more decadent dessert favorites. Stop by for a quick treat or talk to the owner, Brittney, about dessert for your next event.

Pickle Bistro and Bar

Evey McFadden - Gaston Outside

103 N. Holland St.

Tuesday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.

Right across from the Gaston County Museum and the Dallas Courthouse is the Pickle Bar and Bistro. The local bar and food joint features your classic bar fare with cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and barbeque sandwiches fitting in perfectly with an appetizer of wings, mozzarella sticks, or even corn nuggets. Stop by and pair your food with one of their drink specials on their heated patio.

Sammy’s Neighborhood Pub

Chris Rodarte - Gaston Outside

130 W. Trade St.

Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

The newest downtown restaurant is Sammy’s Neighborhood Pub, a familiar name in Gaston County. Just like the original location in Belmont, the “casual comfort” menu features your pub favorites like burgers, sandwiches, house specials, fish and chips, and local beer, plenty of it. Sammy’s has something for everyone and all it needs is you.

Things to Do

Downtown Dallas is home to the Dallas Historic District, a collection of buildings and public spaces that have been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Explore the art, architecture, and history of Gaston County’s original county seat at these three locations.

Dallas Courthouse

Evey McFadden - Gaston Outside

131 N. Gaston St.

The crown jewel of the Dallas historic district is the Dallas Courthouse. The original hub of the Gaston County government was built in the style of the Greek Revival, eventually adding new stucco walls and a staircase of granite following a fire in 1874 and serving as a multipurpose hub of government services. Today, the Dallas Courthouse can be rented out for weddings, parties, and other events, and is a picture-perfect centerpiece to the town’s public center.

Dallas Jail

Photo Courtesy of The Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina

108 E. Trade St.

The former Dallas Jail is still a prominent building in downtown Dallas. While the property is private and currently up for sale, you can still view the classic red-bricked jail with white fencing and columns on its porch and appreciate its aesthetic and historical importance. The building fits in perfectly with the rest of the Dallas Historic District, and it’s pretty picturesque as well.

Gaston County Museum

Chris Rodarte - Gaston Outside

131 W. Main St.

Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Gaston County Museum of Art & History tells the story of Gaston County’s past and present through art and history. Some of the features include a look into the 1929 Loray Mill Strike, the Bullpen Gallery that features a rotation of local and regional art, and the Daniel Stowe Carriage House that displays a collection of horse-drawn carriages. The Museum also features several virtual exhibits and collections that touch on topics like race, religion, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Admission is free to the public.