Winnsboro (Dallas, Spring, Keller: 2009, apartment complex, sex offenders)

[awecelot]

Drove through there this weekend...my first time through there. Beautiful, vibrant downtown area with several restaurants. I ate at a place called CiboVino, which is on the main street - wouldn't have known about it if I hadn't gotten out of my car and walked around downtown, as there is no sign on the building, just on the door. It was some of the best Italian food I've had in Texas. Also, each person gets two glasses of complimentary wine. I'd highly recommend it.

Anyway, I am sort of curious about this town. I've heard that the reason for the vibrant downtown is the town's popularity with retirees. My question is: What separates Winnsboro from other East Texas towns? Obviously, today, there is a much more vibrant downtown area...but what attracted the retirees to the area in the first place? Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks for any info you have. It was such a beautiful town...I feel like I've stumbled upon a hidden gem.

[GayleTX]

One guess might be that it's hotter than hades there and keeps the old bones from hurting so much! (that's this ol' retiree's observation when visiting there).

[awecelot]

Originally Posted by GayleTX

One guess might be that it's hotter than hades there and keeps the old bones from hurting so much! (that's this ol' retiree's observation when visiting there).

I thought that was common through East Texas, though.

I've done a bit of reading on the town, and, apparently, there is a good music scene in the town. Who knew?

[Joan B. Hamilton]

Winnsboro is NOT a "vibrant" town. A couple of restaurants does not make a town vibrant. You sound like one of the clowns who works for the Chamber. Look, in 2008, over 20 businesses went out of business in Winnsboro, and many more are closing this year. The town is run by a bunch of people who either have no clue what they are doing or they are in cahoots with each other. All they do is congratulate each other, and hand out awards and grants to each other, proclaiming what a great town Winnsboro is. The fact is, there are no jobs, and nothing to do. There is no place to stay (hotel). Plus, some angry little man publishes the newspaper there, and every week, the headlines are about all the crime there and all the sex offenders there. GEEZ...wake up. Avoid Winnsboro like the plague. Oh, and by the way, Crossroads is closing. There is no "music scene" there...there never was.

[sandyinwinnsboro]

Shame on you Joan B. Hamilton - you really should get your facts in order to not come across as so bitter and frankly dellusional.

God Bless Winnsboro!!

Originally Posted by Joan B. Hamilton

Winnsboro is NOT a "vibrant" town. A couple of restaurants does not make a town vibrant. You sound like one of the clowns who works for the Chamber. Look, in 2008, over 20 businesses went out of business in Winnsboro, and many more are closing this year. The town is run by a bunch of people who either have no clue what they are doing or they are in cahoots with each other. All they do is congratulate each other, and hand out awards and grants to each other, proclaiming what a great town Winnsboro is. The fact is, there are no jobs, and nothing to do. There is no place to stay (hotel). Plus, some angry little man publishes the newspaper there, and every week, the headlines are about all the crime there and all the sex offenders there. GEEZ...wake up. Avoid Winnsboro like the plague. Oh, and by the way, Crossroads is closing. There is no "music scene" there...there never was.

[destin04]

Winnsboro is a great little town. If you are looking for "action" then you need to stay in the metroplex. If you are looking for friendly people, good medical care, slower pace of life and clean air then you've found your spot! Anywhere in the NE Texas region. People are moving here from all over the US.

[racing75]

We moved from San Benito Tx to here in NE Texas. (Mt. Pleasant). We love it here. Winnsboro is a nice town, and has a nice little lake if you don't want on the big ones like Fork and Bob Sandlin.

[kyzqradio]

Several businesses short of thrown out of the downtown "Hysterical" Mount Vernon. City harasses many business to the point they leave town or go bankrupt. Win a truancy case? They expect you to pay court costs? If you dont they put you in jail!? This according to a resident of Mt Vernon who has offered proof of this. -- A local radio station tries to open studios downtown Mount Vernon - a fight begins - city fights back by failing to send water bills month after month. Even cutting off the water at their home.. Going so far as not sending them for the business, home and even his parents! The Mayor runs around town bad mouthing them - saying they run a "puppy mill" - whatever that is - they dont even have any dogs at all - just a cat and three birds! There is much much more to this developing story. There is a website and forum setup with this info and they are asking you sign up and post in the forum. The radio station, computer store and photography studio are moving outside of the city limits and currently remained closed until everything can be moved later this month.

The radio station will air the atrocity and other things going on with the city. BTW - recently they threw out a bunch of children practicing soccer in the only city park in Mt Vernon! Going forward they intend to put in place an ordinance making this permanent.

This must stop - and can only stop with your help. Help them put an end to this insanity by showing your support on the website - KYZQ Radio

Originally Posted by Joan B. Hamilton

Winnsboro is NOT a "vibrant" town. A couple of restaurants does not make a town vibrant. You sound like one of the clowns who works for the Chamber. Look, in 2008, over 20 businesses went out of business in Winnsboro, and many more are closing this year. The town is run by a bunch of people who either have no clue what they are doing or they are in cahoots with each other. All they do is congratulate each other, and hand out awards and grants to each other, proclaiming what a great town Winnsboro is. The fact is, there are no jobs, and nothing to do. There is no place to stay (hotel). Plus, some angry little man publishes the newspaper there, and every week, the headlines are about all the crime there and all the sex offenders there. GEEZ...wake up. Avoid Winnsboro like the plague. Oh, and by the way, Crossroads is closing. There is no "music scene" there...there never was.

[lonestar2007]

Good Lord! Just a simple post by the op asking a question or two about Winnsboro evoked all this? Lordy, lordy, and Winnsboro of all places. I haven't been there in a number of years, but it was (and I think still is) a nice little town. Mount Vernon too. Same thing, been a few years since I been there. I had an aunt and uncle lived there until they passed away a number of years back.

People complain about there being nothing to do in a small country town. Strange. Exactly what do you think a small town is suppose to be offering for you to do? There's always something to do even if it's not a community organized and sponsored event. Even if it is, more than likely it isn't going to be up everybody's alley.

Well, I guess that's why we have small towns and big cities.

[stac2564]

Originally Posted by awecelot

Drove through there this weekend...my first time through there. Beautiful, vibrant downtown area with several restaurants. I ate at a place called CiboVino, which is on the main street - wouldn't have known about it if I hadn't gotten out of my car and walked around downtown, as there is no sign on the building, just on the door. It was some of the best Italian food I've had in Texas. Also, each person gets two glasses of complimentary wine. I'd highly recommend it.

Anyway, I am sort of curious about this town. I've heard that the reason for the vibrant downtown is the town's popularity with retirees. My question is: What separates Winnsboro from other East Texas towns? Obviously, today, there is a much more vibrant downtown area...but what attracted the retirees to the area in the first place? Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks for any info you have. It was such a beautiful town...I feel like I've stumbled upon a hidden gem.

10/26/2009
Well as far as the restaurants go.... Cibovino is still here, there is also Double D steakhouse,Bodacious BBQ,Tino V's, Peralta's Mex., La Parrilla,Lou's Country Inn, McCurdy's catfish, Subway, Pizza Inn, Sonic, Dairy Queen and a Potato House; not sure of name but the Chevron on Coke rd. you can order chicken., Scroggins General store serves breakfast and lunch.and a number of gas/convenient stores offer meals. Nelms which took over the ole Ranchhouse is now closed. As well as many others that have come and went. Nothing big but there were a few places around the area that musicians went to play. For a long time Scroggins gen. store had regulars, but are not now playing. One or two were professional players.
Yes Winnsboro is popular with the retirees.... a few reasons....Autumn Trails, the Lake country, its not too big and not too small. Its within 22 miles of 2 Walmarts and 15 miles of I-30. In Sulphur Springs there is a bit more shopping available as well as more restaurants, a movie theatre , bigger companies for employment. Winnsboro has Keller Creameries,Team air freight, U S A HARNESS, there is also small time jail. There is a new Apartment complex too. Stores: Alco, Brookshires, Dollar General, Family Dollar and the shops downtown. Theres a Ford dealer on Coke Rd.
I think the population is close to 4000 but not sure. Probably a little less.
My grandparents lived here for years as well as his parents before him. So i've been coming here for years too and now live here, for almost a year,from the Dallas area. And i do miss the convenience of the city.

Hope this will help out someone.....