Bravo Downtown Bristol

[jabogitlu]

The truth is, I've never heard of any of those businesses and most other people living in the Tri-Cities nowadays haven't either. I'm sorry you can't live in Bristol from 1955, but everything changes. If it doesn't change, it dies.

[Tennesseestorm]

Originally Posted by quietlywild

The recent demolition of King's Mountain Memorial Hospital should be enough to deter any sane person from entering Bristol.

I am a life-long resident of Bristol as well and I really dont remember much until the 80s when I was a kid... I remember when JCPenney was down on the corner of State and Piedmont.... that was neat. As far as that, I think it was kinda dead down there?

I too wish it could be redone exactly like it was, but like MBMOUSE said, its almost impossible. The buildings weather and have to be redone and perhaps some of the same materials cannot be replaced back, but some do a good job of it. I was a little disappointed to see that they removed the old original wavy awning that ran along there were Java Js is now... that was a neat design and it was in good shape... I hated to see it go. IMO, it was uncalled for.

I also was sad to see the old Kings hospital destroyed too. Yeah, it was run down, but I was hoping someone would save it, but apparently the foundation was in very poor conditions, at least that what was said... perhaps to keep tempers flaring? Like when they tore down the old Bristol Memorial Hospital back in the mid 1990s, they said that it had staff infection and that the land there was going to support a new city park... that was in 1995, 14 years ago and still no park is there.

Originally Posted by mbmouse

quietlywild, welcome to the forum.
Maybe someone in your circle is using the wrong terms, I believe the word that describes what is happening in downtown Bristol would be termed "revitalization" not "preservation".
It would be nice to keep or return any downtown city to it's original look, feel and inhabitants during a revitalization, but the reality is that it just can't happen. Unfortunately businesses go out of business, they get replaced or what they sold goes out of style of the current times. I do agree that if during a revitalization of a town that it should be a requirement that an old fashion diner and ice cream shop be opened and look just like it did "in the old days" but the truth is, unless an investor/entrepreneur steps up and opens one, it just wont happen.
You have to admit though, what is happening is MUCH better than a bunch of old buildings that are allowed to sit and rot, crumble into rubble while filled with drug deals and the homeless community at war for the spaces which does happen is some other old buildings in cities across the country.

Nicely put MB! Yeah its also true that sometimes you just cant get that same material.

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

The truth is, I've never heard of any of those businesses and most other people living in the Tri-Cities nowadays haven't either. I'm sorry you can't live in Bristol from 1955, but everything changes. If it doesn't change, it dies.

Yeah, all of those places mentioned were booming places in downtown Bristol in the 50s and maybe until the 70s. I guess most everyone 45 and older probably remember these places. My mom is 54 and she remembers alot of old places downtown... that was the only place to shop in the 50s.

But what you say is true, everything changes.

The south moves north, the north moves south, a star is born, a star burns out.... the only thing that stays the same is that everything changes, everything changes....... time marches on..... time marches on.....

like the 90s country song goes.

[kiwishmiwi]

I live on State Street in one of those lofts and absolutely adore it. They've come so far just from when I moved here back in February. Believe in Bristol does a lot to bring people downtown to celebrate what made Bristol the city it is. I've lived many different places in my short time and Bristol has been by far the city with the most motivation to preserve a history. I really don't think there should be any complaining.

But if you guys get a chance come see the business just opened up on State Street I help run! To stop this from being an advertisement just PM me for details.