Have you ever exited the 220 in Greensboro and been hit with a strange smell? Often, public smells aren’t always the nicest – however, this one greets you with a pleasant, almost-sweet aroma. So, what is it and why is it often present in this particular part of the city?

Well, it turns out that it’s not a coincidence that the smells are sweet. Some claim to have picked up scents of vanilla, blueberries, and syrup smells too. Still haven’t figured it out yet? The smells come from the local Mother Murphy’s which is located right by Exit 220. Seriously, there are worse smells that you could encounter on your commute.

Interestingly, these smells can be a bit of a lottery, depending on what Mother Murphy’s are making at the time. This would explain why certain people have encountered different smells over the years. Founded in 1946, Mother Murphy’s makes flavorings such as vanilla and other sweets which are shipped around the USA to various candy businesses. It just so happens that their backyard is located off the 220.

Overall, there are far worse things to smell on a highway. Often, people moan about smelling burnt tires or chemicals. With this in mind, you could argue that Greensboro residents have been treated to a rare smell that is more of a positive than a negative.