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Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance
P O Box 1456
Sulphur Springs, TX 75483-1456
903-243-0252
P O Box 1456
Sulphur Springs, TX 75483-1456
903-243-0252
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2007 News letters - Click here
“What’s New Downtown?” - January 6, 2009
by Rita Edwards
Happy New Year, and what a fantastic way to kick off the year but with a Tailgate Party to end all Tailgate Parties honoring our
STATE CHAMPION WILDCATS. What an awesome accomplishment and where better to throw this celebration than Downtown!! Ya’ll
make plans to be there it’s going to be a ton of fun, and of course after you’ve congratulated the Wildcats and eaten your fill of great
food be sure to visit the stores, I know several are planning on being open late just for you!
I’m also happy to report progress is being made on what is going to be C J’s Café at 217 Main Street. They will be open for
breakfast, lunch and dinner !! They hope to be open by the end of the year. They also own the old El Charro building and intend to
open a restaurant of some type there as well, but that will take much longer. “They” are Claude & Julie Walters whom I’m very proud
to say are members of the Downtown Business Alliance. Other good news I can give you is that the Organic Market is still on go. The
building has officially changed hands (located next door to Audrey’s Fabrics) and the lady is currently closing her business in Chicago
and relocating here. I don’t have a time line on her opening yet, but as soon as I do you’ll be the first ones to hear about it. I do know
that her family owns several acres and they are planning on producing a large amount of the organic produce she will offer.
Beginning in late March you will be able to shop for produce on Main Street every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, and I do mean “on
Main Street” as a matter of fact right down the center of Main Street!! That’s right, the street will be closed to traffic every Saturday
from 8am to 2pm and produce vendors will set up for your shopping convenience. This is preceding the opening of the Farmers
Market that will be located in what is currently a parking lot on the South side of Main Street.
As I mentioned before, the engineers are working on their proposals for Connally Street and the side street that runs between City
National Bank and Alliance Bank. I think I also told you that Alliance Bank is planning on a renovation of the West side of their building
where the parking lot is now with new paving, streets lights and landscaping identical or very similar to Main Street. City National Bank
has included in their massive renovation the plans to add the same streetlights and landscaping as well. As I understand it, Connally
won’t be as narrow as Main Street for those of you that are more than a little nervous when driving down Main. The reason being that
since City National Bank is already renovating the North side of Connally and with their bank, drive thru and Insurance Company
occupying the whole block there won’t be the same need for the wider sidewalks on that side of the street, but other than that
Connally will pretty much look just like Main Street. Now, of course Connally and the future renovation of the square all depend on a
lot of things coming together at just the right moment. With the economy as it is there will have to be some very strategic planning
done, but I’ll bet if anybody can figure it out Marc Maxwell can, what’cha think?
The Downtown Business Alliance is very proud to be accepting another award for our accomplishments to be presented at the 18th
Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Ceremony being held January 19th at the Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist
Church. We are very honored and hope to see you there.
We have big plans for the downtown in 2009 and hope you will be a major part of what’s to come. I’ll let you know a little at the time,
gotta keep your curiosity peaked…so
Until “next time”, keep asking, “What’s new downtown?”
by Rita Edwards
Happy New Year, and what a fantastic way to kick off the year but with a Tailgate Party to end all Tailgate Parties honoring our
STATE CHAMPION WILDCATS. What an awesome accomplishment and where better to throw this celebration than Downtown!! Ya’ll
make plans to be there it’s going to be a ton of fun, and of course after you’ve congratulated the Wildcats and eaten your fill of great
food be sure to visit the stores, I know several are planning on being open late just for you!
I’m also happy to report progress is being made on what is going to be C J’s Café at 217 Main Street. They will be open for
breakfast, lunch and dinner !! They hope to be open by the end of the year. They also own the old El Charro building and intend to
open a restaurant of some type there as well, but that will take much longer. “They” are Claude & Julie Walters whom I’m very proud
to say are members of the Downtown Business Alliance. Other good news I can give you is that the Organic Market is still on go. The
building has officially changed hands (located next door to Audrey’s Fabrics) and the lady is currently closing her business in Chicago
and relocating here. I don’t have a time line on her opening yet, but as soon as I do you’ll be the first ones to hear about it. I do know
that her family owns several acres and they are planning on producing a large amount of the organic produce she will offer.
Beginning in late March you will be able to shop for produce on Main Street every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, and I do mean “on
Main Street” as a matter of fact right down the center of Main Street!! That’s right, the street will be closed to traffic every Saturday
from 8am to 2pm and produce vendors will set up for your shopping convenience. This is preceding the opening of the Farmers
Market that will be located in what is currently a parking lot on the South side of Main Street.
As I mentioned before, the engineers are working on their proposals for Connally Street and the side street that runs between City
National Bank and Alliance Bank. I think I also told you that Alliance Bank is planning on a renovation of the West side of their building
where the parking lot is now with new paving, streets lights and landscaping identical or very similar to Main Street. City National Bank
has included in their massive renovation the plans to add the same streetlights and landscaping as well. As I understand it, Connally
won’t be as narrow as Main Street for those of you that are more than a little nervous when driving down Main. The reason being that
since City National Bank is already renovating the North side of Connally and with their bank, drive thru and Insurance Company
occupying the whole block there won’t be the same need for the wider sidewalks on that side of the street, but other than that
Connally will pretty much look just like Main Street. Now, of course Connally and the future renovation of the square all depend on a
lot of things coming together at just the right moment. With the economy as it is there will have to be some very strategic planning
done, but I’ll bet if anybody can figure it out Marc Maxwell can, what’cha think?
The Downtown Business Alliance is very proud to be accepting another award for our accomplishments to be presented at the 18th
Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Ceremony being held January 19th at the Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist
Church. We are very honored and hope to see you there.
We have big plans for the downtown in 2009 and hope you will be a major part of what’s to come. I’ll let you know a little at the time,
gotta keep your curiosity peaked…so
Until “next time”, keep asking, “What’s new downtown?”
“What’s New Downtown?” March 26, 2009
by Rita Edwards
Hey, bet you thought I’d left the country?? Well, not exactly but I have been pre-occupied, but that’s another story!! Let’s see
where to begin, oh yes, let’s start by talking about the Chamber of Commerce Banquet. The Downtown Business Alliance presented
it’s first “Growth & Renewal” Award this year and the winner was Billie Ruth Standbridge. She is the most energetic and determined
individual I believe I have ever met. You ask her to do something and Katie bar the door!! You can bet the farm that she’ll get it
done. We are so grateful that she’s dedicated to helping us with the Revitalization efforts Downtown.
Now I would like to clarify a rumor running rampant. The City/Marc Maxwell did not force the Downtown Business Alliance to give
up the flea markets. We had no desire to host more than two a year and Marc wanted to see at least four held during the year so we
mutually agreed that the City take them over. We still have a presence at the flea markets and help with pre-registrations, etc., but
that’s it and we are very happy with the arrangement. Speaking of the Farmers/Flea Market held last weekend, it turned out to be a
beautiful day for it and a lot of people took advantage of it. The vendor count was less than what we’ve had in the past but when you
consider it was spring break and everything else going on that weekend it was a very good turnout. The Farmers Market was a huge
success, with several vendors selling out early!! There will be more vendors this Saturday which will offer a wider variety of goods,
so don’t miss it. The Farmers Market will be on Main Street every Saturday from 8am to 2pm through the first couple of weeks in
October.
The Downtown Business Alliance is very happy to announce that the Round Table Discussion is back!! It kinda got lost in the
shuffle over the past few months, but we are back on track and excited. Everyone that has attended the discussions in the past has
expressed how excited they are, too. The Round Table Discussions were very instrumental in helping all the different entities;
organizations and businesses understand each other’s goals and ideas for the future growth of Sulphur Springs as a whole. It
created a venue for ideas and a better understanding. One of the greatest benefits of the Round Table was the partnership and
cooperation that it has produced. Entities and organizations are working together instead of against each other, which wasn’t
intentional just a case of not knowing!! So much has been accomplished since we’ve come together with a common goal but there’s
so much more to be done, and I’m confident that with the continuation of the Round Table Discussions we’ll be able to continue to
succeed together.
We have shifted our focus from hosting events to concentrating on bringing businesses to the downtown. We realized that it’s
great to bring people to the square but if there are only a few businesses chances are they won’t keep coming back. I’ve always
heard that “competition breeds success” so the more businesses of all types we have downtown the more incentive you have to
come downtown. Of course, we also hope to bring in folks from other towns and hopefully increase tourism. That of course puts
people in our hotels, which are located where? Yep, not on the square, so that means the entire town will benefit, so please
remember that we may be focusing on bringing businesses and revitalizing a neglected downtown but in the long run it will be best for
all of Sulphur Springs. Speaking of revitalizing a neglected downtown, several of our members took a road trip recently to Waters
Crossing in Allen and then to FireWheel, to get some ideas for the creek behind City Hall. We came away with some great ideas,
which we took to our State Representative Mark Homer and were met with great enthusiasm. Our meeting was very successful and
once again an alliance has been formed. Oh, we know when you are dealing with the government, no matter what level, it takes time
and a lot of finessing but we are up to the task. We have a vision for that area that will be awesome!
Before I close I would like to welcome the Blue Mug (formerly the Blue Fountain) to the downtown. Gus Trevino opened the Blue
Mug just recently and let me tell you, Gus is an awesome chef. His pastries are to die for!! You really must go by and check this
place out!! Oh yes, I told you about CJ’s Café that’s in the works on Main Street, well you can sample some of their culinary treats at
the Farmers Market Saturday so be sure to go by there and enjoy!!
Until “next time”, keep asking, “What’s new downtown?”
by Rita Edwards
Hey, bet you thought I’d left the country?? Well, not exactly but I have been pre-occupied, but that’s another story!! Let’s see
where to begin, oh yes, let’s start by talking about the Chamber of Commerce Banquet. The Downtown Business Alliance presented
it’s first “Growth & Renewal” Award this year and the winner was Billie Ruth Standbridge. She is the most energetic and determined
individual I believe I have ever met. You ask her to do something and Katie bar the door!! You can bet the farm that she’ll get it
done. We are so grateful that she’s dedicated to helping us with the Revitalization efforts Downtown.
Now I would like to clarify a rumor running rampant. The City/Marc Maxwell did not force the Downtown Business Alliance to give
up the flea markets. We had no desire to host more than two a year and Marc wanted to see at least four held during the year so we
mutually agreed that the City take them over. We still have a presence at the flea markets and help with pre-registrations, etc., but
that’s it and we are very happy with the arrangement. Speaking of the Farmers/Flea Market held last weekend, it turned out to be a
beautiful day for it and a lot of people took advantage of it. The vendor count was less than what we’ve had in the past but when you
consider it was spring break and everything else going on that weekend it was a very good turnout. The Farmers Market was a huge
success, with several vendors selling out early!! There will be more vendors this Saturday which will offer a wider variety of goods,
so don’t miss it. The Farmers Market will be on Main Street every Saturday from 8am to 2pm through the first couple of weeks in
October.
The Downtown Business Alliance is very happy to announce that the Round Table Discussion is back!! It kinda got lost in the
shuffle over the past few months, but we are back on track and excited. Everyone that has attended the discussions in the past has
expressed how excited they are, too. The Round Table Discussions were very instrumental in helping all the different entities;
organizations and businesses understand each other’s goals and ideas for the future growth of Sulphur Springs as a whole. It
created a venue for ideas and a better understanding. One of the greatest benefits of the Round Table was the partnership and
cooperation that it has produced. Entities and organizations are working together instead of against each other, which wasn’t
intentional just a case of not knowing!! So much has been accomplished since we’ve come together with a common goal but there’s
so much more to be done, and I’m confident that with the continuation of the Round Table Discussions we’ll be able to continue to
succeed together.
We have shifted our focus from hosting events to concentrating on bringing businesses to the downtown. We realized that it’s
great to bring people to the square but if there are only a few businesses chances are they won’t keep coming back. I’ve always
heard that “competition breeds success” so the more businesses of all types we have downtown the more incentive you have to
come downtown. Of course, we also hope to bring in folks from other towns and hopefully increase tourism. That of course puts
people in our hotels, which are located where? Yep, not on the square, so that means the entire town will benefit, so please
remember that we may be focusing on bringing businesses and revitalizing a neglected downtown but in the long run it will be best for
all of Sulphur Springs. Speaking of revitalizing a neglected downtown, several of our members took a road trip recently to Waters
Crossing in Allen and then to FireWheel, to get some ideas for the creek behind City Hall. We came away with some great ideas,
which we took to our State Representative Mark Homer and were met with great enthusiasm. Our meeting was very successful and
once again an alliance has been formed. Oh, we know when you are dealing with the government, no matter what level, it takes time
and a lot of finessing but we are up to the task. We have a vision for that area that will be awesome!
Before I close I would like to welcome the Blue Mug (formerly the Blue Fountain) to the downtown. Gus Trevino opened the Blue
Mug just recently and let me tell you, Gus is an awesome chef. His pastries are to die for!! You really must go by and check this
place out!! Oh yes, I told you about CJ’s Café that’s in the works on Main Street, well you can sample some of their culinary treats at
the Farmers Market Saturday so be sure to go by there and enjoy!!
Until “next time”, keep asking, “What’s new downtown?”
“What’s New Downtown?” September 11, 2009
by Rita Edwards
Okay I want you all to mark your calendars and make plans to attend our meeting Monday night at 6:30pm at Plain N’ Fancy for a
very informative program presented by our local banks. They will be sharing how the current economic climit has effected them and
how they have adapted accordingly. With so many “small” banks going under all over the country every day, it will be very interesting
to learn how and why our local banks seem to be doing so well. I sincerely hope you will make plans to attend.
Just a reminder that if you haven’t voted for our Farmers Market yet, please do so. Just go to www.care2.com/farmersmarket and
vote. Our Farmers Market has sky rocketed into the top 60 so with your help we could win that $5,000 top prize for being voted the
#1 Farmers Market !!! Please go vote and have all your family members and friends vote, too.
I have good news to report, too, work will begin on Connally Street the first week of October, so we are off and running again. The
traffic study is currently under way and should be ready for us to review by the middle of this month, which in my estimation should be
some time next week. Boy, can I cipher or what?? Then we’ll have a better idea of which direction to go with the renovation of the
square. I’ll most certainly keep you posted as to what the study reveals and how it will affect the design for the square. The plan is
to start work on the square very soon after Connally is completed. So things will certainly start happening very quickly.
Don’t forget about the Fall Festival kicking off this Saturday (12th) with the parade and a whole host of events out at the Civic
Center. Then next Saturday (19th) the world famous Hopkins County Stew Contest will happen at it’s new location in Buford Park.
Now after the Fall Festival you need to get a lot of rest so you can attend the Flea Market on September 26th on the square. So
dust off your walking shoes because the next three weekends are going to be plenty busy!!
Well, I guess that’s it for now, I’ll save the rest for next time, so….
Until “next time”, keep asking, “What’s new downtown?”
by Rita Edwards
Okay I want you all to mark your calendars and make plans to attend our meeting Monday night at 6:30pm at Plain N’ Fancy for a
very informative program presented by our local banks. They will be sharing how the current economic climit has effected them and
how they have adapted accordingly. With so many “small” banks going under all over the country every day, it will be very interesting
to learn how and why our local banks seem to be doing so well. I sincerely hope you will make plans to attend.
Just a reminder that if you haven’t voted for our Farmers Market yet, please do so. Just go to www.care2.com/farmersmarket and
vote. Our Farmers Market has sky rocketed into the top 60 so with your help we could win that $5,000 top prize for being voted the
#1 Farmers Market !!! Please go vote and have all your family members and friends vote, too.
I have good news to report, too, work will begin on Connally Street the first week of October, so we are off and running again. The
traffic study is currently under way and should be ready for us to review by the middle of this month, which in my estimation should be
some time next week. Boy, can I cipher or what?? Then we’ll have a better idea of which direction to go with the renovation of the
square. I’ll most certainly keep you posted as to what the study reveals and how it will affect the design for the square. The plan is
to start work on the square very soon after Connally is completed. So things will certainly start happening very quickly.
Don’t forget about the Fall Festival kicking off this Saturday (12th) with the parade and a whole host of events out at the Civic
Center. Then next Saturday (19th) the world famous Hopkins County Stew Contest will happen at it’s new location in Buford Park.
Now after the Fall Festival you need to get a lot of rest so you can attend the Flea Market on September 26th on the square. So
dust off your walking shoes because the next three weekends are going to be plenty busy!!
Well, I guess that’s it for now, I’ll save the rest for next time, so….
Until “next time”, keep asking, “What’s new downtown?”
“What’s New Downtown?” September 23, 2009
by Rita Edwards
I am going to digress today, but I have a story to tell you and you will not believe this!! One of the Downtown Business Alliance
members came up with a neat idea to purchase some hay and make it available to the downtown merchants for decorating
purposes. The idea being to enhance the downtown for fall. She located some hay at a very reasonable price and we offered the
merchants the hay to be delivered and picked up when they were done at a very, very nominal price. We received the hay last
Wednesday and immediately began to pitch the idea to the local merchants. One of our members is also on the Chamber Board
and they thought it would be a great idea if they rented our hay to use at the Stew Contest and then return the hay to us to continue
with our idea. So Eugene and I delivered 25 bales of hay to Buford Park and unloaded it at Kids Kingdom as directed. The
volunteers diligently distributed the hay in different places and decorated to the nine’s and everything looked fantastic. After the
Stew Contest was over and everyone had left, and despite the wet conditions and the muddy grounds Bobby McDonald and Karan
McMahan wrestled our 25 bales of now wet hay back to where we had unloaded it, stacked it up neatly ready for us to pick up. Well,
guess what? Someone else decided they wanted that hay and helped themselves to it before we could get back to pick it up. When
I asked where our hay was there was a very, very long silence and the phones began ringing all over Sulphur Springs as the
Chamber members were calling everyone asking did you move the hay??? Well, in the end we now know where at least four of the
bales went, and the people that live on Connally Street whose yard it was found in, didn’t even remove the ribbons from the balloons
they were attached to so they could not be identified…apparently not only do they not have a conscience but they don’t watch CSI
or Law & Order or they would have known to remove the evidence!! Geezzz…If it weren’t so absurd and sad, it would be funny.
What possesses a person to just take something they know doesn’t belong to them?? There was even a lady that just helped
herself to two bags of decorations that Chamber members had collected and placed on the back of truck or car to be taken back to
storage, but the members saw her and caught up with her and got them back!! Is this not the weirdest thing you’ve ever heard?
Here the Chamber members and countless volunteers worked tirelessly to put on a great event and then to have a few ruin it, is just
ridiculous. Sadly it’s a sign of the times; there are so many people that have so little consideration for others. I just hope whom ever
has the hay enjoys it…well not really, but I’m trying to rise above this.
Okay, that’s enough of that, now for some good news. The Pioneer Café (formerly Judy’s Kitchen) is now open for business.
Barbara Palmer is the owner and is ready to serve you up some good ole’ down home cooking. The Pioneer Café is open Monday
through Friday 6am to 2pm for breakfast and lunch, so go by and enjoy a great meal.
Another new business downtown is Kramerica Outdoor Advertising located on Davis Street by City Hall. Craig Johnson is the owner
and is eager to help you with your advertising needs via billboards. We would like to welcome both Craig & Barbara to the
neighborhood.
Work has started on Muddy Jake’s (corner of Davis & Main), which will be a sports oriented restaurant, and word is they plan to be
open by the first part of November. You go guys!!!
Just a quick reminder about this Saturday’s Flea Market on the square from 8am to 4pm., be sure to come and browse. October is
full of happening events but I’ll save that for my next article, so….
Until “next time”, keep asking, “What’s new downtown?”
by Rita Edwards
I am going to digress today, but I have a story to tell you and you will not believe this!! One of the Downtown Business Alliance
members came up with a neat idea to purchase some hay and make it available to the downtown merchants for decorating
purposes. The idea being to enhance the downtown for fall. She located some hay at a very reasonable price and we offered the
merchants the hay to be delivered and picked up when they were done at a very, very nominal price. We received the hay last
Wednesday and immediately began to pitch the idea to the local merchants. One of our members is also on the Chamber Board
and they thought it would be a great idea if they rented our hay to use at the Stew Contest and then return the hay to us to continue
with our idea. So Eugene and I delivered 25 bales of hay to Buford Park and unloaded it at Kids Kingdom as directed. The
volunteers diligently distributed the hay in different places and decorated to the nine’s and everything looked fantastic. After the
Stew Contest was over and everyone had left, and despite the wet conditions and the muddy grounds Bobby McDonald and Karan
McMahan wrestled our 25 bales of now wet hay back to where we had unloaded it, stacked it up neatly ready for us to pick up. Well,
guess what? Someone else decided they wanted that hay and helped themselves to it before we could get back to pick it up. When
I asked where our hay was there was a very, very long silence and the phones began ringing all over Sulphur Springs as the
Chamber members were calling everyone asking did you move the hay??? Well, in the end we now know where at least four of the
bales went, and the people that live on Connally Street whose yard it was found in, didn’t even remove the ribbons from the balloons
they were attached to so they could not be identified…apparently not only do they not have a conscience but they don’t watch CSI
or Law & Order or they would have known to remove the evidence!! Geezzz…If it weren’t so absurd and sad, it would be funny.
What possesses a person to just take something they know doesn’t belong to them?? There was even a lady that just helped
herself to two bags of decorations that Chamber members had collected and placed on the back of truck or car to be taken back to
storage, but the members saw her and caught up with her and got them back!! Is this not the weirdest thing you’ve ever heard?
Here the Chamber members and countless volunteers worked tirelessly to put on a great event and then to have a few ruin it, is just
ridiculous. Sadly it’s a sign of the times; there are so many people that have so little consideration for others. I just hope whom ever
has the hay enjoys it…well not really, but I’m trying to rise above this.
Okay, that’s enough of that, now for some good news. The Pioneer Café (formerly Judy’s Kitchen) is now open for business.
Barbara Palmer is the owner and is ready to serve you up some good ole’ down home cooking. The Pioneer Café is open Monday
through Friday 6am to 2pm for breakfast and lunch, so go by and enjoy a great meal.
Another new business downtown is Kramerica Outdoor Advertising located on Davis Street by City Hall. Craig Johnson is the owner
and is eager to help you with your advertising needs via billboards. We would like to welcome both Craig & Barbara to the
neighborhood.
Work has started on Muddy Jake’s (corner of Davis & Main), which will be a sports oriented restaurant, and word is they plan to be
open by the first part of November. You go guys!!!
Just a quick reminder about this Saturday’s Flea Market on the square from 8am to 4pm., be sure to come and browse. October is
full of happening events but I’ll save that for my next article, so….
Until “next time”, keep asking, “What’s new downtown?”