Victims of drunk drivers need protection! Drunk drivers case many fatal accidents and serious injuries in North Carolina. Our firm ONLY handles motor vehicle accident cases, and our focus is on serious collisions and significant injuries. Carl Nagle is a former claims adjuster and former insurance company lawyer, and we also have two retired NC State Troopers who work with our firm to investigate crashes, follow drunk driving criminal charges, and pursue maximum payment for injury claims and punitive damages when drunk drivers injure our clients.
We have had multiple high-value cases involving drunk drivers. We have collected punitive damages to punish highly intoxicated drivers. Our sole focus on crash-related injury cases gives us the medical and law-enforcement experience needed to prove your injury case and to investigate the collision and hold the drunk driver accountable. We also offer the lowest legal fee of all North Carolina injury law firms. Our fee is 25% of settlement, while other firms charge 33.3%. We are here now to protect and enforce your legal rights.
You drive responsibly and follow the rules of the road to protect your fellow motorists. But are other drivers doing the same to protect you?
According to the CDC, over 10,000 people lose their lives on American highways and roads due to alcohol-related accidents every year. That averages out to 29 fatalities each day, or roughly one every 50 minutes. In North Carolina, about one-third of all traffic deaths are associated with alcohol-impaired drivers. While DUI injuries and fatalities are declining, causing one injury or killing one person due to negligence is one too many.
Most people understand that it's wrong to drive after drinking - even after one or two drinks. Despite that knowledge, thousands of otherwise responsible motorists have no problem cranking their cars and driving home after drinking. While they may not intend to hurt anyone, this dangerous choice leads to countless injuries and fatalities each year, profoundly affecting the lives of both the victims and the intoxicated drivers, as well as their families.
At Nagle and Associates, we're dedicated to holding drunk drivers accountable for their actions and the pain and suffering they cause their victims. Our drunk driving accident attorneys in Greensboro, NC focus solely on representing those injured in such accidents - not those who choose to drive while drunk.
It doesn't take a graduate from University of North Carolina Greensboro near Greensboro, NC to know that DUI accidents are both frightening and damaging. One minute, you're driving home from work, thinking about what you and your family will have for dinner. Then, out of nowhere, an intoxicated driver sideswipes you on the highway, forcing you out of control into a ditch. Your car is totaled, your body hurts, and now, your life is forever changed.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an alcohol-related traffic accident, we're here to help. We recognize that this is an incredibly stressful time—one where you'd rather focus on your health and family's peace of mind instead of handling court paperwork, gathering witness statements, and dealing with police, insurance adjusters, insurance lawyers and judges. That's exactly where our extensive experience pursuing drunk drivers comes into play. We've represented DUI victims in a number of different cases, some of which involve:
Our experienced DUI litigators have the knowledge and connections to secure the financial compensation you need for all past and future medical bills and lost wages. We also know how to investigate the collision, assemble your medical evidence, validate your threat of litigation, and compel the insurance companies to pay the highest tax-free settlement for your injury claims. When you work with a drunk driving accident attorney in Greensboro, NC from Nagle & Associates, you have the best shot at securing a generous lump-sum payment for your financial losses, and for your pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Simply put, Carl Nagle and our team of trial lawyers focus exclusively on roadway cases like DUI/DWI accidents. We've obtained millions of dollars for victims just like you, who are forced to suffer due to someone else's extremely dangerous and careless actions. Like Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro, NC, you can count on us to be there and stand strong when you need us most. Insurance companies cannot dissuade us, and their adjusters and lawyers will not diminish your legal rights!
Additional reasons to consider our drunk driving accident law firm include:
Wondering whether you qualify for financial help after being hit by a drunk driver? Contact Nagle & Associates today so that we can strategize on how to proceed with your case. Your first consultation is always free.
Here's a sad fact that may open your eyes: The Tar Heel State has some of the highest rates of DUI accidents in the entire country. According to data provided by the North Carolina DMV, over 11,000 people were arrested for DUI in 2019 alone. Tragically, in the same year, 348 people were killed in drunk driving accidents. 75% of the drivers in those fatal crashes had been charged with DUI before. To help prevent and reduce car wrecks caused by impaired drivers, North Carolina implements strict drunk driving penalties and laws.
In North Carolina, the law establishes that a driver is considered impaired if they are at least 21 years old and have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding .08. For those operating commercial vehicles, like taxicabs or trucks, the legal BAC limit is lowered to .04. Additionally, there is a strict zero-tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21. It's also illegal under North Carolina law to drive with any detectable amount of a Schedule I controlled substance in your bloodstream.
Another aspect of law to consider is the North Carolina Exemplary Damages Act. This law permits victims of "willful and wanton conduct" to seek extra financial damages, commonly referred to as punitive damages. However, the laws surrounding punitive damages in North Carolina are fairly restrictive, with many judges looking for multiple DWI offenses before allowing such claims. As a result, your drunk driving accident lawyer from Nagle & Associates will examine the criminal history of impaired drivers along with other wrongful actions to strengthen our case for additional punitive damages.
In short, yes, having a seasoned North Carolina drunk driving accident injury lawyer by your side helps your case immensely. At Nagle & Associates, we're passionate about protecting your rights and take every step necessary to enforce those rights and pursue maximum payment from the drunk driver, their insurance carrier and any other parties who share liability for your injuries and damages:
If you've been involved in an accident, you might be recovering from your injuries in Carriage House Senior Living Community in Greensboro, NC, dealing with lost wages, overwhelming medical bills, vehicle repair costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and a complex maze of insurance claims. During this challenging time, it's reassuring to know that someone is dedicated to fighting for your rights and seeking the justice you deserve.
When you're involved in a drunk driving accident, there's a good chance you'll get a phone call from an insurance adjuster very soon after the accident. Carl Nagle is a former adjuster, and he cautions you that "insurance adjusters are trained to be diplomatic, to earn your trust so you will cooperate with their efforts to underpay your claims". The friendly adjuster is the most dangerous adjuster - they are being paid to oppose your claims, yet they are willing to appear to be friendly and helpful when you are dealing with serious injuries and frightening financial circumstances. Please remember, North Carolina insurance adjusters who handle your claims against the drunk driver who caused your accident have one goal: to minimize the amount of money the insurance company must pay you.
Making a statement or accepting an early settlement offer without first talking to a drunk driving accident attorney in Greensboro, NC can lead to significant consequences and a loss of valuable legal rights. Insurance adjusters are skilled at eliciting statements or admissions of guilt that can be used to diminish the value of your claim. That's why it's so important to consult with an attorney before interacting with any insurance claims adjuster. You should also be wary of insurance adjusters because North Carolina follows the Pure Contributory Negligence rule. If an insurance adjuster can claim that you played a role in causing the accident or your injuries, they might attempt to deny your claim entirely.
Fortunately, our strict negligence law does have an exception that applies in cases caused by drunk drivers. In a typical crash case, if you are slightly at fault for the accident, you have no right to present claims or collect for car damage or injury claims. If you are just 1% at fault, you get nothing for your accident claims. However, if a drunk driver is guilty of "gross negligence", the Pure Contributory Negligence rule does not apply. Our legal team can help you win if the insurance company tries to blame you for an accident involving a drunk driver.
We strongly recommend speaking with a DUI accident lawyer before you being cooperating and working with any insurance adjusters or claims representatives. Nagle & Associates' attorneys can guide you through the legal intricacies of filing a claim in North Carolina, ensuring that you fully understand the insurance claim process. We want you to be aware of your legal rights and options.
In general, the compensation you could receive for damages in an accident claim against a drunk driver is similar to what you might recover in other car accident claims. The amount of compensation you receive is tied to the specific losses you've sustained. If you have been hit and injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
In a fatal injury and wrongful death claim, the surviving family members are eligible for compensation for the income and benefits that the deceased would have provided. Family members may also seek damages for loss of companionship and for expenses related to household services. The deceased person's estate should also be entitled to recover costs related to medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, as well as compensation for the pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before passing away.
As we mentioned earlier, you may be able to recover punitive damages in addition to other forms of compensation. If your drunk driving accident attorney in Greensboro, NC provides evidence indicating that the defendant acted in a wanton, willful, or malicious manner, the court may decide to award you and your family punitive damages to penalize the responsible party.
In North Carolina, punitive damages are generally capped at $250,000 or three times the total amount of other damages awarded in your case—whichever amount is greater. However, there is one notable exception to this rule for claims related to drunk driving accidents. If the at-fault driver was impaired at the time of the accident, there is no limit on the punitive damages that can be awarded. It is also noteworthy that if you secure a large verdict against a drunk driver who caused you to be injured, he/she cannot file a bankruptcy and discharge your verdict. Thus, you can pursue collection against the drunk driver's assets for decades after bringing them to trial.
Like the trees and pathways in City of Greensboro Country Park near Greensboro, evidence serves as a crucial foundation of any drunk driving case. If you're able to do so safely after your accident, capture photographs of the scene, the vehicles involved, and your injuries. This task is easier than it used to be since most of us have smartphones in our pockets.
Try to photograph important details like license plates, vehicle registration, driver's licenses, damage to the vehicles, skid marks, street signs, and more. You can never take too many images at the scene. It's also fine to record a video of the scene and recount what happened. The more you document, the stronger your lawyer's case will be. Be sure to keep track of any personal belongings that were damaged in the incident. This evidence can be integral in illustrating the circumstances and impact of your accident.
In drunk driving cases, our legal team also goes to court in the county where the crash occurred to request Axon/Officer Body Camera footage taken at the crash scene. In most cases, we are able to collect and use this footage. Often their cameras collect footage of the drunk driver slurring their speech, taking field sobriety tests, and showing their level of impairment and carelessness.
Accidents caused by drunk drivers happen when you least expect them. They don't always happen late at night. You could be driving home Saturday morning after eating at Print Works Bistro in Greensboro, NC and get hit by someone who is intoxicated. The suddenness and severity of these car wrecks cause lasting damage, which you should be compensated for accordingly.
The most common way to seek compensation for personal injury or wrongful death resulting from a drunk driving accident is to file a claim against the intoxicated driver. It's important to note that your accident claim is separate from any criminal charges the driver may face. Moreover, you don't have to wait for a criminal charge or conviction to pursue a claim. However, holding the drunk driver accountable may not be your only legal option. To get the full amount of compensation you deserve, all potentially liable parties should be examined. A skilled drunk driving accident attorney in Greensboro, NC can investigate the situation on your behalf and guide you through your available options.
You might not need to go to court to seek compensation after a drunk driving accident. Typically, the first step is to file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company. The insurance provider may try to dispute their liability by arguing that the driver they insured intentionally engaged in reckless behavior by drinking and driving. If this situation arises, your attorney can step in to negotiate on your behalf or, if necessary, file a lawsuit against both the driver and the insurance company.
It may be hard to believe that someone could be under the influence when driving a truck or other large commercial vehicle. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol use among commercial drivers remains a significant issue. Both the driver and their employer can be held liable for accidents caused by impairment. A seasoned attorney can look into the situation to find out if the trucking company neglected to conduct sufficient pre-employment screenings, failed to test drivers for drugs and alcohol, or otherwise acted negligently, leading to the accident.
Dram shop laws hold businesses that sell alcohol accountable for the actions of customers who have been overserved. In North Carolina, these laws also apply to social hosts—private individuals who offer alcohol to their guests—under specific conditions.
Bars, restaurants, and similar establishments can be found liable if they serve alcohol to a customer under the age of 21 in a negligent manner, and that customer subsequently drives drunk and causes an accident. Additionally, businesses are prohibited from serving alcohol to anyone, regardless of age, who appears visibly intoxicated, as this is generally considered negligent service. However, it's important to note that if the overserved customer is 21 or older, the establishment is not held liable in the event of a drunk driving accident.
As a practical matter, you should know that successful host/dram shop cases are rare. We collected a mutli-million dollar settlement on behalf of a grocery store manager who was struck by a drunk driver in Asheville, NC. In that case, the popular restaurant chain served 9 drinks to the drunk driver in just 36 minutes. They then called police on the belligerent drinker, and he fled quickly and caused the collision. The drunk driver's high level of impairment was the key. Drivers must be extremely impaired in these cases, as the host/server has to be aware that the drinker is intoxicated and should not be served. We offer this insight simply to help you plan your legal case. Not every case is a host/dram shop case. However, in extreme impairment cases, steps should be taken immediately to determine where the drunk driver was drinking before the collision occurred.
The laws concerning drunk driving accidents in North Carolina are complex. Determining who is liable, accurately assessing your losses, and pursuing one or more claims for damages can be difficult. Without exceptional legal representation, you might not receive a settlement that reflects what you would collect through a successful trial against the impaired driver who caused your injuries.
However, with Nagle & Associates by your side, you'll have aggressive lawyers, retired State Troopers, experienced medical analysts, and knowledgeable support staff ready to protect and enforce your legal rights. As our client, you will receive individualized attention, empathetic support, and a committed effort to win your case. Most of our cases settle, but we want to settle on your terms - not the discounted terms the insurance company hopes you accept. Call us now for a free consultation by telephone, and we can decide together if you would benefit from our representation. If you need our help, we can begin working for you today.
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 9, 2025Contact: Ben Conroy (984) 383-9038RALEIGH – Today, Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced that Jasmine Hoyle of Winston-Salem pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud and one count of money laundering for defrauding the NC Medicaid program of more than $6 million in taxpayer money.“This business owner stole millions from our state’s Medicaid program for services she never completed and used the money for personal gain,” said Attorney General ...
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Contact: Ben Conroy (984) 383-9038
RALEIGH – Today, Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced that Jasmine Hoyle of Winston-Salem pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud and one count of money laundering for defrauding the NC Medicaid program of more than $6 million in taxpayer money.
“This business owner stole millions from our state’s Medicaid program for services she never completed and used the money for personal gain,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “When people break the law and misuse government funds, NCDOJ and our state and federal partners bring them to justice.”
Hoyle owned and operated two businesses in Winston-Salem called Harvest & Consulting Services, LLC and The Ultimate Sacrifice. Both received Medicaid reimbursements for services that were not performed, including significant quantities of urine drug tests. Between August 2020 and July 2022, Harvest Focused submitted 97 claims to Medicaid for urine drug tests for a Medicaid beneficiary who had no connection to either of Hoyle’s businesses. Hoyle used the stolen funds to make personal purchases, including a Dodge Challenger.
Sentencing is scheduled to take place on July 31 at 9:30 a.m. in Greensboro before United States District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr. At sentencing, Hoyle faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, a period of supervised release of up to three years, and monetary penalties.
The Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation Division, North Carolina Attorney General’s Office-Medicaid Investigations Division, Department of Health and Human Services–Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case and Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Waid and Special Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Spillman prosecuted the case.
About the Medicaid Investigations Division (MID)
The Attorney General’s MID investigates and prosecutes health care providers that defraud the Medicaid program, patient abuse of Medicaid recipients, patient abuse of any patient in facilities that receive Medicaid funding, and misappropriation of any patients’ private funds in nursing homes that receive Medicaid funding.
To date, the MID has recovered more than $1 billion in restitution and penalties for North Carolina. To report Medicaid fraud or patient abuse in North Carolina, call the MID at 919-881-2320. The MID receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $8,453,116 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $2,817,703 for FY 2025, is funded by the State of North Carolina.
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Ace Flagg, born just one minute before Cooper, has carved out his own winning path.GREENSBORO, N.C. — Everyone knows Cooper Flagg — the Duke basketball superstar and projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft.But, have you been introduced to his twin brother — Ace?Ace Flagg, born just one minute before Cooper, has carved out his own winning path — one filled with fierce competition, cross-country moves, and three state championships in three different states.Greensboro Day School is a p...
Ace Flagg, born just one minute before Cooper, has carved out his own winning path.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Everyone knows Cooper Flagg — the Duke basketball superstar and projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
But, have you been introduced to his twin brother — Ace?
Ace Flagg, born just one minute before Cooper, has carved out his own winning path — one filled with fierce competition, cross-country moves, and three state championships in three different states.
Greensboro Day School is a powerhouse in North Carolina high school basketball, racking up six state championships since 2015.
The winning culture is exactly what drew Ace to the program for his senior season while his twin brother Cooper took his talents to Duke.
Ace helped lead Greensboro Day to its 13th state title in February and added his name to the program’s legacy.
“I had a great time with all the guys on the team. We had a really special group this year,” Ace said. “So, I really enjoyed that this year. I mean, [the] highs whenever you end your high school career with a state championship, that’s pretty special, so I think that was just a moment I’ll keep forever.”
The Flagg twins grew up in Newport, Maine, where their competitive fire was first sparked during heated driveway matchups.
“We couldn't play a game in our driveway without someone bleeding. It was terrible. I mean, every single time, there would be fist fights,” Ace said.
Around seventh grade, Ace says he realized he had a future in basketball. After winning a state championship at Nokomis Regional High School, the twins transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida for their sophomore and junior years.
Cooper moved up a year and headed to Duke early. Ace went his own way, choosing Greensboro Day for his final high school season.
Ace Flagg’s collection of state championships stretches across three states—Maine, Florida, and North Carolina. Each victory strengthens his claim as the better twin.
“It's a great feeling, just to know that I'll hold that over my little brother all day for the rest of my life, and you know he just won't be able to get it back, so that's on him,” Ace said.
Ace is heading back up north after high school. He’s committed to playing at the University of Maine.
The bond between the brothers runs deeper than basketball.
“We’ve never really been that sentimental about the game, and we don’t sit down after we play and have talks about it, what we thought we should have done better or worse,” Ace said. “We’re still talking, we’re playing video games together, we’re just FaceTiming, talking about other stuff that’s going on. I’d say a lot of our talks kind of stay away from basketball with each other, and just [are] a lot more personal.”
Though this will be the first time the twins are in different states, Ace won’t be alone. His older brother Hunter will be at the University of Maine with him.
“It's going to be an adjustment. Luckily, now that Cooper will be somewhere else, I'll have my older brother Hunter, who I haven't been around. He'll be at the University of Maine with me, so kind of come to just switching off brothers for a little bit,” Ace said.
For now, Ace and the Flagg family are in San Antonio, supporting Cooper and the Blue Devils in their chase for a national title.
While Cooper may be on the biggest stage in college basketball, Ace remains confident that he still has the upper hand in one-on-one.
“They called me the ‘Cooper-Stopper’ at Montverde. That's what my name was. Any time we played, I would always get a stop on him,” Ace said.
Pollen levels in the Piedmont Triad hit record highs, affecting air quality and increasing allergy cases.GREENSBORO, N.C. — The pollen levels are at an all-time high.The Piedmont Triad hit the highest numbers ever for grass pollen in March, according to the North Carolina Division of Air Quality. WFMY News 2 spoke with experts about the trend and if pollen levels could be getting worse."As we get into the warmer seasons, the Spring, we start getting trees to bud and so we start out with the tree pollen and the...
Pollen levels in the Piedmont Triad hit record highs, affecting air quality and increasing allergy cases.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The pollen levels are at an all-time high.
The Piedmont Triad hit the highest numbers ever for grass pollen in March, according to the North Carolina Division of Air Quality. WFMY News 2 spoke with experts about the trend and if pollen levels could be getting worse.
"As we get into the warmer seasons, the Spring, we start getting trees to bud and so we start out with the tree pollen and then we start getting the grass pollen as the grass turns green and starts to grow and then as we go deeper into summer, we start getting the weed pollen," said WFMY News 2 Meteorologist Ed Matthews.
The pollen is bringing more patients to Novant Health Physician Assistant Chelle Jeffery.
She says many complain of extra mucus production.
"Sometimes it's an irritant. Sometimes we're actually allergic, but in either way we end up with swelling of our mucosa along our respiratory tract and lots of extra mucus production, so we might have itchy, watery eyes, stuffy nose, runny nose, postnasal drainage, throat irritation, sore throat, cough," said Jeffery.
Grass pollen starts in March, but the numbers so far this March, at 21 grains per cubic meter of air, are the highest since readings began in 1999, the NC DAQ reports.
The Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection monitors pollen levels and air quality. Despite the pollen levels, the air quality has been green so far.
"We've been collecting pollen on 37 days beginning February 10th, and about half of those days have had levels that were high," said Minor Barnette, Director of The Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection.
Allergy sufferers beware because pollen levels aren't going anywhere.
For the latest numbers, day to day, you can check The N.C. Division of Air Quality issues pollen readings on X as well as the pollen readings report.
UNC-Greensboro jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the second inning but scored only once over the next seven innings, allowing NC State baseball to overcome the early deficit and win 9-6 Tuesday night from the Doak.After a scoreless first, NC State (19-10) scored runs in the second, third, seventh, and eighth innings to propel them to their 14th win at home and fifth midweek victory. It was the seventh time this year that NC State rallied to win.Leading the Wolfpack offense was Josh Hogue, who finished 4-5, scoring twice and finish...
UNC-Greensboro jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the second inning but scored only once over the next seven innings, allowing NC State baseball to overcome the early deficit and win 9-6 Tuesday night from the Doak.
After a scoreless first, NC State (19-10) scored runs in the second, third, seventh, and eighth innings to propel them to their 14th win at home and fifth midweek victory. It was the seventh time this year that NC State rallied to win.
Leading the Wolfpack offense was Josh Hogue, who finished 4-5, scoring twice and finishing with two RBIs. Brayden Fraasman hit a three-run home run to kickstart the offense, his team-leading sixth of the season, and Ty Head added three runs batted in to go along with two more walks for 34 on the season.
Jaxon Lucas (1-0) earned his first win of the season and second of his career after coming on in relief. Lucas went 2.2 innings, allowing just one hit, a walk, and three strikeouts. Andrew Shaffner has his best night in a Wolfpack uniform, going a career-high 4.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits, two walks, and struck out a career-best seven batters.
Cooper Consiglio got the start for NC State after a scoreless first; he had trouble in the second, allowing five runs on four hits, finishing with two strikeouts.
The five-run lead would not last long; two walks in the bottom of the second, both of which came home to score on a first-pitch home run from Fraasman, cut the deficit to 5-3.
In the third inning, NC State tied the game on three hits. Chris McHugh led off with a single, and Hogue doubled to put runners on second and third. In 3-1 hitters count, Head singled to right field, bringing in both base runners to tie the game.
In a 5-5 game, UNCG pitcher Rob Ready (1-3) gave up the lead to take home the loss. Ready went three innings, giving up one run on two hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
The Wolfpack stole three bases in the game. In the fourth, after a Luke Nixon walk, he swiped second and put himself in a scoring position. Hogue, in a 2-2 count, found a hole up the middle for a single, scoring the speedy Nixon easily for the first lead of the game for the home team, which they would not give up the rest of the way.
After NC State added an insurance run in the seventh, the Spartans had their chances to even the game in the eighth. Two singles with nobody out put runners on base, and they moved into scoring position after a sacrifice bunt. A ground out to second made it a one-run game. With two outs, a man on third, Shaffner ended the threat with a strikeout.
A leadoff walk in the bottom of the eighth came around to score for NC State as another Hogue single pushed it back to a two-score game before Justin DeCriscio executed a sacrifice bunt for the Pack's ninth run.
Shaffner would send the Spartans down 1-2-3 in the ninth with two more strikeouts to give him his team-leading third save of the season.
UP NEXT: NC State is now prepared to host Virginia for a conference series beginning on Friday, April 4th, at 6 p.m. Games one and two will be broadcast on ACCNX, with the third game being nationally televised on ACC Network at 3 p.m.
Featured Top Story Editor's PickJulien Vicard has worked as a baker at 227-B S. Elm St. for more than 15 years. He still works there, but now he’s the bakery owner.Vicard, a native of France, opened Breakfast in Paris two weeks ago in this spot right in the middle of downtown but down a quiet alley.He didn’t mean to open so soon. “I was fixing it up. I still am fixing it up. But people were banging on the doors, asking for bread,” he said.The reason people were banging on the door may have ...
Featured Top Story Editor's Pick
Julien Vicard has worked as a baker at 227-B S. Elm St. for more than 15 years. He still works there, but now he’s the bakery owner.
Vicard, a native of France, opened Breakfast in Paris two weeks ago in this spot right in the middle of downtown but down a quiet alley.
He didn’t mean to open so soon. “I was fixing it up. I still am fixing it up. But people were banging on the doors, asking for bread,” he said.
The reason people were banging on the door may have to do with the fact that Greensboro lovers of European bread and pastries know Vicard well.
In fact, he has been using the Breakfast in Paris name for about five years – even though he didn’t have a retail bakery. Instead, he has been selling his croissants, sugar brioche and more to appreciative regulars at the Corners Farmers Market in Greensboro on Saturday mornings.
The road to opening the bakery, though, has been long and winding.
Vicard, 58, was born in the French Alps. “My house was right on the (Swiss) border,” he said.
At age 23, just after completing his compulsory military service in France, he came to the United States, where a good friend was an exchange student at Clemson University – and where he met his wife.
Vicard didn’t enroll himself – he had already completed his culinary training in France. And for a couple years he went back and forth between the United States and Europe.
Once married, though, he stayed in the United States, first taking a job managing Stax restaurants in Greenville, S.C. He was considering a baking job at Disney World in 2003 when he learned about an opening in a popular Greensboro bakery and café called Ganache (now closed).
Vicard worked at Ganache a couple of years and then had stints at Rendezvous in Oak Ridge and Bistro 150.
Other gigs included Piedmont International Bakery and Bestway.
His first encounter at 227 S. Elm was when it was called Loaf, and he was hired primarily to train other bakers and get the place up and running. (Loaf opened in 2011; another bakery, Simple Kneads had been there since 2002.) After Loaf, Table on Elm took over in 2016 and Baked Downtown in 2019. Vicard worked with all three of them in some capacity.
During the last few years of Baked, Vicard was using the space mainly to bake for his farmers market customers. When Baked’s owner decided to close and start a family, Vicard decided to take it over.
“I already had all my equipment in here. I didn’t want to move,” he said with a laugh.
Vicard plays with tradition a tiny bit, but he’s definitely a European baker.
“I use all European flour,” he said, “and I use European butter.”
His five staples of bread are baguettes, pain de levain, country boule and brioche, and French sourdough – the latter he bakes in a loaf pan in a concession to American tastes.
On the weekends, he often bakes other flavors, such as cheese, walnut and rosemary.
Loaves run $5 to $6. Pastries run $4 to $6.
Croissants dominate his pastry selection, and he makes several flavors: butter (plain), chocolate, almond, cream cheese-raspberry and more.
He also makes cinnamon rolls, macarons, and several types of Danish.
For fun, he might fill a croissant with spinach and feta, or with sausage and mustard.
Then there’s the sugar brioche – as rich (or maybe richer) as it is sweet.
“In a café in Paris, when you order a standard basket for breakfast, you get a butter croissant, chocolate croissant and sugar brioche,” Vicard said. “That’s why I called the bakery Breakfast in Paris.”
The shop also sell espresso, tea and other beverages. There’s only one table inside – underneath a handful of French people kissing on the streets of Paris. “That’s the French kiss section,” Vicard said.
There also are a handful of tables outside in the alley – a peaceful respite from Elm Street.
Vicard said the bakery has been busy. He fills the case at 7 a.m. and it’s often practically empty by 10 or 11.
“Everything is handmade. Everything is fresh daily,” he said.
The one exception is on Mondays. “I call that baker’s choice. Anything we had left over during the week is flash frozen. Then I sell it (at a discount) on Mondays. It’s like day-old on Mondays. A lot of the college students come in on Mondays. They love it.”
Though he finally has his own retail location, Vicard plans to continue selling at the Corner Farmers Market, too.
“I have my Corner Market family,” he said. “I will never give that up. I love those people.”
336-727-7394, @mhastingsWSJ
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