INTRODUCING COBLE’S LANDING
THE SOUTHEAST’S NEWEST NATURE PRESERVE
Coble’s Landing is the perfect example of a safe space that leaps and bounds outside of the original concept. Owned by Rex and Shawanda Coble of Charlotte, NC; Coble’s Landing is 25 acres of natural, untouched land that has been transformed into the ultimate safe space. Like most families that loved the outdoors, the Coble’s would frequent public areas to hike, fish and enjoy the time, along with their children; however, it became increasingly hard to ignore the disparities within the outdoor community and People of Color.
Can you tell me about the beginning of your business journey? Coble’s Landing: During COVID, I had to close my barbershop because of the health mandates. I began spending a lot of time in my hometown of Anson County. At first, I was looking for a simple house and land in the area that my family is from, then I came across the acreage and believed it could be something big. What have you learned in opening your business? Coble’s Landing: It takes patience, it takes planning and when you are doing something bigger than yourself, people will gravitate towards it.
While the “Nature Gap” was no surprise to the Coble’s, they were not going to allow it to keep the experience from their family. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rex was forced to take some time off from his successful barbershop in Charlotte and What was the most surprising response you had about your business? had time to spend in his hometown of Burnsville, NC. As he returned to his roots, he saw an opportunity to fill a void. Not Coble’s Landing: People are very surprised when they find out that we are black owned. Nature preserve, hiking trails, less than five minutes from where Rex grew up, was an available mass of land that held every element that the Coble ATV trails, camping….these are some things that haven’t always been associated with the Black community, so family loved about the outdoors. After researching the land and planning out how the space would serve a purpose to the people are very surprised. community, the Cobles purchased the acres in October of Is there a particular moment or memory that stands 2020 owning what would be the first Black-Owned nature preserve in the southeast and the second on the entire east out for you when you opened? Coble’s Landing: Just seeing the excitement on our kids' coast. faces to know that this is theirs and they take pride in Tell me about what makes your destination stand helping out and being part of the development.
out? Coble’s Landing: The energy and vibration because we have created a space of inclusion and acceptance.