Autumn Block Party

Another block party and according to others, ourselves included, it may have been the most fun of all! Maybe it was the October weather or the combination of the people who helped put it together and those who attended but by Weird Guthrie standards it was a huge success. Thanks to all of our 2nd St neighbors who always bring the good old fashioned fun, Union Tacos and the Bluebelle Saloon for all of the great grub and for feeding our bands, Allison from Brown Egg Bakery who brought the sweet flavors of autumn treats, James Long who kindly brings the bounce and fun for the kids, Los Colognes who drove all night to get in from Nashville, Bandelier who are the nicest guys ever and our new super talented neighbor, Parker Millsap, it was a real treat! A special thank you goes to John Vance Auto Group who helped sponsor the event! Now fall has fallen and winter will soon be here whatever shall we do with ourselves? We haven't inked it in yet but we are definitely penciling in a few ideas for the cooler months. Let us know if you are up for more Make Guthrie Weird Block Party fun.

Words to Ponder

All righty people, while I'm busy thinking of the order of importance of our community's needs. I know I put the big ones, ice cream and pie right on up there, here are a few more words to think on. Don't you for one second think that our community isn't already first rate because it is, but aspiration is a great thing. We are great as individuals but we are amazing as community! We can be a force to be reckoned with.

To Remember Me By

Photos are how we remember. It has been since the process was invented. And nowadays we almost always have our phones in hand ready to grab a shot. Some precious, some informational and some too much informational. But wouldn't an old time photographer using an old time process taking contemporary photos be a perfect fit in our old town. Checkout Lumiere Tintypes to find out what I'm talking about

Lumiere Tintype

It's August, it's hot, it's my birthday and I deserve one wish...

... I know that this whole blog is one big wish and the pie shop was one specific wish, but what's a pie shop without an ice cream shop? Pie is great, but ala mode is greater. If you read this story about this company you can't help but agree that Guthrie needs Salt and Straw.  The people are amazing, their story is interesting and though I haven't had the chance to try their product, I'll take odds that I'll love it. It's always hard to move those who have settled in the cool misty northwest, out and convince them that Oklahoma is where they oughta be. (isn't that a song?) But if they won't move, there must surely be an enterprising and ice cream loving Okie ready to take the plunge into the heart of historic old Guthrie and make this happen. A pie shop and and ice cream shop side by side, it could happen and that my friend is serendipity.

Livin off the land,

and the grocery store, a few restaurants and of course the snow cone stand. Have you heard of the Portland Preservation Society?  Check it out and I'm sure you'll agree we need one. I've got sand plum jelly, brown eggs and a little Berkshire bacon. What have you got? I need apricot jam in the worst way or maybe the best way.

I know I'm dreaming big, but...

this is our wish board. And yes I wish we had Imogene and Willie right here in our town. We need good jeans here too. But if Nashville is keeping them busy I know there is someone out there with a great idea for a product and the yankee  ingenuity to get it done. These people started their business in an old gas station. Folks we've got old gas stations and you've got ideas. It can happen here. And our friend, Gary Good already knows what you need to, that Guthrie is Oklahoma's Music Capital. And musicians need them some good jeans.

I need to pick up a few things.

Yes, I could use a few little things, a snack maybe, a cold drink, milk to go with Missy's donuts, just a little variety that can be picked up in a hurry. Of course I shop at Homeland (for the gasoline credits) and now then at the store that must not be named or you know who, when I need to get some paint and sunscreen and Biscoff. But meanwhile back at the ranch we need this, we cannot live on snow cones alone here in downtown. So pretty please, an urban bodega, sort of Guthrie's version of Royal Blue Grocery in Austin.

Since Guthrie was just wide spot in the railroad tracks...

...Guthrie folks have been wearing their Stetsons. From Tom Mix and Lucille Mulhall to cowboys who flock to the Lazy E Arena for events, the citizenry here likes to wear a sombrero.And everyone knows that JB Stetson is the hallmark of hats. So think about it Stetson, we love Texas but a little place here in Guthrie would do a cowboy good.

Oh yeah, did I say that Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road Stopover is coming?

They are coming and coming full force. Check this out and see what the hoopla is about. This is huge for our little old town. Come to visit and plan on staying long enough to see what's so special about this place. We want you here. If you are sharp and speedy you will be here by September 6. If you are sharp and cautious we'll be waiting for you to see what exciting ideas you will bring with you.

I won't lie, I just want a pie shop here!

It's simple as the title says. I just want a pie shop and truthfully don't we all? I've used pictures from Four and Twenty Blackbirds a New York based shop with an amazing aesthetic and a mouthwatering menu. They make a Salty Honey Custard pie, now what's not to love about that? Please somebody let's get a pie shop. One of the first businesses in Guthrie after the land run was pie shop. It's time to bring this back.

A Little Ink Never Hurt Anyone

There are a LOT of tattoo artists around Oklahoma these days. Some good, some bad and some are absolutely awesome. I think a traditional Americana style tattoo artist would be great in Guthrie, kind of a style fitting the setting thing. I realize one artist may do multiple styles, but if some motivated artist were to settle into our western style Oklahoma town, I truly believe they could put out some great art to some appreciative people at a fast and steady pace. These are a few examples of one of my very favorite artists, Jon Garber of 5th Estate Tattoo in Gilbert, Arizona.

A Great Old Fashioned Men's Barber Shop

It's not that Guthrie doesn't have any barber shops or hair salons, they absolutely do, and great ones, but as we all learn in econ101 competition is healthy for us all. There are a LOT of hipsters and other beard wearing fellows in Oklahoma that could benefit from an awesome establishment just like The Modern Man in Portland. A hot towel a close shave and trim just like old Grandad would get. If you are a barber or cosmetologist looking to do something different, check out some of these new "old" barbers. A shop downtown in Guthrie might be just thing we all need.

A Little History

Yes, Guthrie has been around a while, it started with a horse race and was built in days. The town has aged gracefully and beautifully. It has grown, shrunk and changed and it's doing it again. It seems that for a while business were closing up downtown and leaving with only a few of the most successful and determined hanging in downtown. We can't deny there have been a few more vacancies than we would like to have but then on the other hand those vacancies can become your next opportunity.

This community and, it's residents, some new, some who have been here for decades and some whose families came with the land run are here. They are friendly, diverse and inclusive and best of all they are welcoming.

In the past half century a lot of small to mid sized communities have found that they were losing their younger folks to the urban areas. But more recently the trend is reversing itself.  Younger folks are looking for forward thinking cities where shopping, schools and work can be easy to access and a real sense of community exists. That city is Guthrie, Oklahoma 2013. Housing prices are affordable, neighborhoods can be historic and beautiful. Most shopping and business is just a bike ride away.

It's something for young business people to really think about. If you've ever dreamed of living and working in a graceful historic city now is the time to make that dream come true. There are so many good things I cannot possibly mention them here. But the friendly folks at the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce and the City of Guthrie Economic Development Office will be more than happy to fill you in on the particulars.

But while you are thinking this over, our next few posts will focus on some ideas that would fit in perfectly in our grand old town.