Historic Athens/Our Visit Today (Huntsville, Decatur: appointed, house, middle school)

[ionlife]

DH and I drove to Athens and found the historic district. The drive was very nice, 20 minutes from Madison. And the homes along Clinton were absolutely beautiful. Wonderful large veranda homes, like mini plantations, and lined with large trees. We arrived at Market St. and parked near the Mexican place. It looked good, but was a bit diner like in atmosphere so we ventured forth to another spot, Lucianos. It was in a refurbished fabric store, beautifully appointed, and the waiter was friendly and a real talker about his area. We learned about the old Hatchet place, a civil war ghost, a cool, old old college, and the other spots to hit in W.Market/Clinton,Washington St. All these made a square around the gorgeous Courthouse. We sat near a window and watched the world meander by us while we sipped on wine (alchohol just got sold in their establishments as of 3 years ago) and ate delicious fried green tomatoes (really really really good!) and flat bread pizzas. The flat bread was homemade, the toppings unique and the atmosphere friendly and quiet. Definitely will go again. We left the restaurant and had a few minutes to spare before heading back to meet our daughter's bus. We poked in some stores (very fun and cool for a group of ladies out for lunch to browse and shop in--or guys if they are into decorating/garden/candles etc.--and bought some good wine at a shop that also had wine tastings (usually Fri. but not during football season!).

We really enjoyed the area. And on the way back commented that we could see many people enjoying that place to live in. The commute is a bit longer but it felt like a slice of "Gilmore Girl's and Stars Hollow" to us!

Check it out for fun. It's 72W to Clinton. There's a historic marker (brown), follow Clinton till you hit W.Market st. You'll enjoy it.

[cobolt]

On my last day in HSV, I drove to Athens and explored. I came upon the Veterans Museum, which is housed in the old freight train depot. The sweetest old man, I think his name was Bob, (one of the volunteers) took me around the museum and shared so many stories and so much knowledge with me. The museum is a tribute to the men and women of the local area (Athens, Decatur, HSV, and others) and the time period spans from the Civil War to present day. You can see how the various service uniforms have changed in appearance over time, hand written letters, old canteens, just tons and tons of stuff. Bob served in the Navy with his younger brother, and they too are represented in the collection. It's such a jewel of a place, such an eye opener. As a vet, I'm always amazed at the sacrifice and courage of our men and women over the years. All the volunteers in the museum were so pleasant and personable. Please make it a point to visit sometime!

[harry chickpea]

The Mexican place down by Hometown grocery on Jefferson has better food and larger portions than the ones out on 72. It is a real family place rather than catering to the drive-bys. Doesn't look like much from the outside, but doesn't need to. Sounds like you stopped by Tortilla Blanco up on Market. Nice couple that run it, ex-missionaries, but the pricing is a bit of a premium. They have a small tortilla bakery off in the industrial area.

If you take the side streets off Clinton, there are more nice homes to the east, along with the current library. Continue west on Market Street past the post office and there is a gingerbread style house on the left with some fun porches.

[Sarges Dad]

I am glade you enjoyed God's country. You should come back to the College this fall when they have the fiddlers convention.

[Seth Parker]

Home sweet home!

[ionlife]

Originally Posted by cobolt

On my last day in HSV, I drove to Athens and explored. I came upon the Veterans Museum, which is housed in the old freight train depot. The sweetest old man, I think his name was Bob, (one of the volunteers) took me around the museum and shared so many stories and so much knowledge with me. The museum is a tribute to the men and women of the local area (Athens, Decatur, HSV, and others) and the time period spans from the Civil War to present day. You can see how the various service uniforms have changed in appearance over time, hand written letters, old canteens, just tons and tons of stuff. Bob served in the Navy with his younger brother, and they too are represented in the collection. It's such a jewel of a place, such an eye opener. As a vet, I'm always amazed at the sacrifice and courage of our men and women over the years. All the volunteers in the museum were so pleasant and personable. Please make it a point to visit sometime!

Our waiter told us about it and we are putting it on our todo list for sure! I love hearing the stories from the people who lived to tell the tale. At our daughter's middle school in VA the Social studies dept. arrnged for vets and all people involved in WW2 to come in and share their stories and give presentations to the 7th graders. I had the good fortune to be a volunteer canteen lady for these wonderful people. It was beyond a privilege and an honor to serve these honored guests their lunch. The kids put on an USO performance for them and the strings played music in the hallway. An amazing day that impacted my daughter and her peers for life.

[mark256]

Harry Chickpea, thanks for the compliment about April and I being a nice couple at Tortillas Blanco. We work very hard to try to be a well rounded restaurant. Compared to $.99 at Taco Bell I guess we do charge a premium price...we do get up at a premium hour (4am) to provide a premium quality that you will find nowhere else for miles. I will say we are quite a bit more affordable than some of our downtown counterparts. A burrito $2.95, a tamale $1.75 just a couple of examples, all of our plates at $5.25 including the Nacho Blanco. Some appreciate it, some don't, I understand. My grandfather was the missionary I was just along for the experience and great experiences they were.

[harry chickpea]

Hi Mark,
I say exactly what I think, and my impression of you and April was exactly as I described. You are a nice couple, and that comes across loud and clear to customers, as well as your dedication to the business. I totally understand that you have to charge a little bit more for some items. You have limited seating, a lot of overhead, some much needed advertising, and your pricing has to be enough to keep the doors open. I certainly agree that your food has a freshness that is missing other places. I guess the "premium" impression I had was more in relation to the price and size of the take out bags of fresh chips than the lunches. If I had thought them to be unreasonably priced, I would have said so, but they are very good chips, and very fresh, and the "premium" price is fair. Compared to the Santitas that I usually get, the pricing is a premium, LOL!

Since you commented, I guess I would like to expand a bit on my impressions of the area Mexican (tex-mex) food places. There are two Casablancas in Athens, we've been to each twice, and were disappointed enough with the portion size alone that we decided not to return. I have a friend that lives in Texas and is a big tex-mex fan. I would literally have to tell him to order two meals to get enough food at those restaurants. I could live with that, but the food, as my late aunt would say, "Wasn't something I'd rush across a busy street for."

The Mexican restaurant near the Arby's on 72. Frankly, every time we've driven by, the parking lot is nearly empty, and there is nothing that is strong enough to overcome my natural distrust of a restaurant with a continually empty lot.

Taco Bell - what always amazes me is the line at the drive thru at this fast food place. At lunch it can be out to the street, and I've never seen an Hispanic person in line, although I've seen more blond women than I can count. It is fast food. However, with our finances being tight, sometimes the 99 cent items fit the bill during shopping for a $3 tomato at the local pig. The price of produce is outrageous, and likely to get more so, and we have to balance where we spend our few dollars. The Bell has a couple newer items at that 99 cent price that are tasty and filling. FWIW, the two Taco Bells in Huntsville we stopped at were abysmal. Off flavor meat at one, tacos made by two year olds at the other. Comparatively, the one in Athens is the Ritz.

The Fiesta Mexicana by Hometown is a different market share than your place, since it is a larger restaurant open during the evenings. What I like about the restaurant is a combination of things. The quantity of food is enough more than Casablanca that I don't go away hungry, but just as importantly there is a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that is almost homelike. Every time we've been there, we've seen a waiter hug a friend, or pick up a child in greeting, and engage in casual conversation while folding napkins for setups. The customers are likewise friendly towards each other and, to put it bluntly, not so concerned about their own appearance and public personas that the restaurant has the stuffiness of Ruby Tuesday's or even Applebees. It feels like ordinary working people coming in to eat and be with friends, and show a little rumpledness without much concern. I got overdosed with stuffiness and gamesmanship at restaurants in south Florida, to the point that I prefer a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant that uses lard to a Joe's Stone Crab or SoBe cafe.

My impression of Tortilla Blanco is of a small, incredibly clean lunch spot, with a selection of fresh good food.

[ionlife]

Well I will go check tortilla blanco out as well as the restaurant next to the hardware store (we won gift certificates to it for lunch!). I met the owner (I think) when I went by to see it yesterday after getting my GCs. He was also very nice. Actually, everyone there is very friendly. I feel like I am stepping into a slice of heaven when I go there.

[mark256]

Thank you for you comments and analysis. The cost of goods and services is stedily taking its toll isn't it? I appreciate your understanding of what we are faced with as a small business. Overhead, advertising, etc. There are many reasons why most start-up restaurants fail. It is my objective to overcome the odds.