Friendly Center, Greensboro

Located in the northwestern section of Greensboro, the Friendly Center is a sprawling 126-acre open-air shopping complex that has served as a cornerstone of the city’s retail scene since opening in August 1957. Strategically positioned near the intersection of Wendover Avenue and Friendly Avenue, it’s surrounded by residential neighborhoods and flanked by the city’s top-rated office submarket, making it a commercial hub with both charm and convenience.

Often classified as an outdoor lifestyle center, Friendly Center blends national retail staples with upscale exclusives and dining hotspots. It’s anchored by Belk, Macy’s, and a Harris Teeter flagship supermarket, one of the chain’s largest at 72,000 square feet. The center also hosts Whole Foods Market, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, and a 16-screen Regal Cinemas complex, The Grande Theatre.

Friendly Center boasts several market-exclusive tenants not found elsewhere in the Piedmont Triad, such as Apple, Pottery Barn, and Williams-Sonoma, thanks in part to its 2006 expansion with “The Shops at Friendly Center.” This upscale section introduced names like Brooks Brothers, REI, J.Crew, White House Black Market, and Johnston & Murphy, along with a mix of restaurants including P.F. Chang’s, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, and Bravo Cucina Italiana.

From fashion favorites like Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret, and The GAP, to specialty food shops tucked behind Harris Teeter such as Savory Spice Shop and Midtown Olive Oil, Friendly Center offers something for every shopper. It remains a popular destination for both Greensboro locals and visitors seeking an inviting and varied retail experience.