Yesterday I had an unexpected experience. I just stopped and forgot all of my personal memories and breathed in Gainesville for the first time. I walked through the downtown with its red brick streets and saw a quaint little place. There are antique shops with decorated windows, specialty gift shops with one of a kind trinkets, loads of restaurants and even a pub. I actually had fun. Most of these shops have been selling the same kinds of things for years though the names change every 4 or 5 years.
I also had to really take note of the people of Gainesville. They are an animated bunch. Sometimes I feel like I am in Small Business, USA. Everyone taking a chance and sure this time prosperity will last in our little town. I hope they are right. I am one of those betting! One of the shops was owned by a young lady. She was vibrant and full of life. She sells hand made purses and jewelry at Cahoots. It was so encouraging to see someone so young doing well in business in Gainesville. I loved everything in the store, though I settled on a bracelet that was a steal.
We were hit hard in the eighties. Since that time, Gainesville has seen good opportunities come and go. I have seen the glimmer of this hopeful Gainesville many times in the past, but this time I will not let the image easily fade away.
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2 comments:
Angela
I feel you. I am still running from Terrell tx just did not seem to be the place for me. Opportunity did not seem to include people like me. All I new was education was important of course I wanted to play for the Dallas Cowboys but reality quickly set in. I had my time as a knuckle head too that didn't work somehow I ended up at Tsu and became a pharmacist. After reading your blog maybe I need too go, see, feel, and experience Terrell, Tx once again
Angela,
I was in Gainesville to see my mother about 4 days before you. It was a beautiful day outside and we had nothing going on. I've been telling her for years that I wanted to go downtown someday and walk around the square to visit all of the shops. We finally took that opportunity and had a wonderful time. We also visited Cahoots and I felt the same way as you when I was in there. I was very proud that someone had the opportunity to use her artistic talents and run her own business. I found several ideas for Christmas gifts for friends while we were visiting the stores. It was so much fun!
I have always loved the building that the pharmacy was in. We stopped and looked in the window of the vacant business and could see the old soda fountain area in the back corner. I told my mother that if I could own any building in Gainesville it would be that one and the soda fountain would be up and running again. Of course I would have no clue what to do with the rest of it! I have many fond memories of going in there and just browsing perfumes and makeup and visiting with everyone.
Going to Gainesville makes me sad though, because I can see that it has the potential to be such an amazing town if the right people came in and just gave it a little love. I watched a show on PBS last year about the history of Gainesville and it was fascinating! I just pray that somehow, someway it can be restored to it's former glory. There is so much potential in that little town and it's a shame things aren't better than they are. It really makes me sad. I enjoy going back for visits and usually I will drive through a part of town that I have't been through in a while and just take a little walk down memory lane. I'm finally getting a little time to sit down and read through your blog posts and I LOVE it! Your site is now in my Favorites list on my computer. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and insights. You are a great writer!
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