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An introductionPosted Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at 1:26 PM
The first time I came to Shelbyville, I loved this guy!
This is my first blog post. Duh, right? I guess I'm going to start out by telling you about myself, that is if anyone is actually reading this...Like many of you, I also live in Shelbyville. I'm not native to TN, I'm originally from Connecticut. I lived there until I was 25, then I moved around a lot with my husband because of his job - he's a professor. Here's a list of some of the places we've lived - Bloomington, Indiana; Machias, Maine (it's so beautiful there, you should go!); Elmhurst, Queens, NY; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We moved to Murfreesboro last year when my husband got a teaching position at MTSU (I work there, too but I don't teach). In March of this past year, after months of looking, we bought a house in Shelbyville. Shelbyville isn't the (lovely) coast of Maine, but it's a nice town. I really like living here. Did you know that I'd never actually been to the South until we moved to Murfreesboro? We moved here from a tiny town on the northern Maine coast - there were only 1200 people in the entire town. You'd think that moving here would be like culture shock or something, but it really wasn't. There are some things that are different and a lot of things that are the same. I'll be posting about some of those things. Should I tell you about some of my interests? I'm completely obsessed with knitting and all things artsy and crafty. I don't watch too much TV, but I really liked "Twin Peaks" and currently I watch a lot of "Law & Order." I'll watch just about any movie, though my friends call me a movie snob all the time. I read a lot. The three books I'm currently reading are - Dear Bunny, Dear Volodya (the Nabokov-Wilson letters), Fast Food Nation, and Knitting Never Felt Better. We have three cats, one of which I know hates us, and two dogs. I know I'll be writing about these things in later posts. So, you're probably wondering right about now why I have a blog on the TG website, right? Well, I noticed whilst reading all of the blogs that most of the people who wrote then tended to lean slightly to the right. I thought that having someone who decidedly leans towards the left (I'm even left handed!) would be a good idea. I thought that I couldn't be the only person in this county who felt like this, so I contacted the TG about getting a blog. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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Welcome, Chantal. I've not noticed this "right-leaning" of which you speak. Just kidding of course because I am one of those right-wingers. Personally, I like having "spirited" debates with people whatever their personal beliefs are, as long as it's a civil and intelligent debate. There are some on here that aren't really sure where they stand on some things, and that's fine too. Regardless, I'm sure there are a couple of other lefties out there that read these blogs.
Thanks for the welcome, Thom. I agree that when having some sort of debate with others, it is much, much better when it's civil and intelligent. I've noticed that when people are debating, especially online, that it tends to get personal really quickly - which is unfortunate.
Yeah, generally that's when I just quietly bow out and stop posting. Either that or I try to steer it back to a reasonable tone, but when people start making the personal attacks I usually just go do something else. Personally, I'd like to see if there is some sort of forum locally (in Bedford County) where people can sit down and have debates in person with the mutual understanding that personal attacks won't be tolerated. Almost, dare I say it, like a coffee house in some of the bigger towns (not a Starbucks). I've just not really done much research on that around here since I tend to get home after 6 and most things around this area close up by, or shortly after, that.
Welcome, welcome!! Look me up at Walker Library sometime!
Welcome! I too live in Shelbyville (grew up there) and work at MTSU. I don't teach either....I work in the Career Center in KUC Room 328. Look me up sometime! I tend to lean towards the left also and guess what? I'm a southpaw too! :-)
Take care!
Kim
Nice of you to join the blogs Chantal!!!
I hope to read some of your stances on the critical issues... As the elections draw ever closer is to excellent to be reminded there are plenty of diverse political affiliations in this area. I lean left, though not on all issues!
Can't wait to read more!
-darrick
And by the way, I am a senior at MTSU... Maybe I will see you or Kay sometime! Semester starts Monday ;)
Hi Darrick.....are you ready for classes to start back? We had to come back to work on last week, but still had the week between Christmas and New Years off, so I can't complain.
Later........
Kim
Thom, I like your idea of an in person forum. I also think that having a coffeehouse in Shelbyville would be really cool - even if it were Starbucks (although a small local place would be better).
So many MTSU people! I had no idea that so many people from MTSU lived in Shelbyville - it's quite a commute, huh? I'm always thankful that my husband and I commute together so I can knit (or sleep) while he drives. I'll have to look both of you up, Cheryl and Kim. I don't tend to leave my office very much except to go over to Peck Hall, where my husband has his office. Oh, I'm in Midgett.
Also, Cheryl - I heard that the library was closed for a bit last week because of heating issues? That's so insane!
I worked in Midgett Bldg for a while when I first started at MTSU but have since moved to KUC. I don't leave the office much either unless it's to run downstairs to the Grill to grab a bite to eat. It's just too hard to find parking etc when I return at lunchtime when classes are in session.
What office do you work in at Midgett? I was in the Research Office, but that office moved a while back over to the Sam Ingram Building. I'm not sure who is occupying that space now.
Hello Kim, I guess I have no choice but to be ready for school, lol...
But only two semesters left and I shall be a graduate!!! Hope this semester goes smoothly for everyone.. ;)
Kim -
My office occupies the old ORSP office! How funny. I'm at the Middle East Center, you might not have heard of us because we're still fairly new (about a year old).
Would a coffee house in Bell Buckle work or does it have to be in Shelbyville?
Is there one in Bell Buckle?
If the coffee is good enough and the atmmosphere is good, I'd travel a bit for it.
We have some suitable places in Bell Buckle,Wartrace,Normandy,Flat Creek,Unionville and Shelbyville.
They needn't serve expresso or absinthe.
(Green tea,RC or buttermilk would work just as well.)
All they need are the people.
Say the word and we'll have salons that beautify the inside of the head instead of just the outside.
The town that we moved from in Maine, though tiny, had a small coffee shop/deli that was really popular, once in a while they had locals musicians play. It was really fun. I think the major difference between there and here is that, that area in Maine was populated by aging hippies who patronized the coffeeshop.
I saw that there was a coffee place here on the square when I first moved to town. It's closed now, which is a shame. I would think for a place like that to survive it would need to be open later than 3 or 4.
Also, you're right, they needed serve espresso or absinthe - but, if they did that would make it a much better place.
Just saw an opportunity to do some market research. We have owned two shops and served real espresso, cappuccino, etc. Still have the equipment and have a warm fuzzy memory of our customers, so I am always interested in opening back up. Bell Buckle has a good atmosphere and enough foot traffic to support one. Besides, it is only 2 miles away from home, so .......
A coffee shop like you guys are talking about sounds great....I wish I had the capital to open one myself. I never had the opportunity to check out the one on the town square here in Shelbyville, but it doesn't matter anyway since it's closed now.
From what I know of Bell Buckle, it seems like that type of place would do really well. I've always wanted to own a little coffee shop/store/hang out spot.
Welcome and God Bless!
Yeah, Bell Buckle is a nice place. I think a coffee shop would make a great addition to the town, unfortunately the shops here all close at 5. Maybe we could get a coffee shop here that would stay open until 8 or so, that would be nice.
The biggest stumbling block to Bell Buckle is the price of existing buildings. Folks come here from out of town, see the Web Fair and Moon Pie and see big bucks.
They also see the COMPARATIVELY low price of the buildings compared to California and the East Coast. The problem is that for the real world business in Bell Buckle, $150-230,000 does not compute. That is why so many businesses come in and go out within the same year.
Yes, the library had no heat during that really cold snap. They were taking temp readings in the bldg, and some offices were at 40 degrees! It definitely kept us moving!
I think some of our shops had to close or limit their hours due to family emergencies and such.
Perhaps,some of the folk who couldn't devote themselves 100% to a coffeshop or whatever could work part time in co-operation with others in the same boat.
(Maybe function like a student union-without the school.)
Customers could stop by for their wake-up coffee,read from a selection of books and periodicals,maybe check e-mail and chat with the other people there.
A bite for lunch,a visit with a client and a smidgen of benign gossip could work for the middle of the day and an after-hours gathering for clubs or just hanging out would be a perfect ending for the evening.
It's been said that fellowship and thinking stimulate us to keep our minds toned just as physical exercises aid our bodies.
Think of such a haven as a health spa for the brain.
(Maybe that's why the Rec Center has classes?)
If we could make improvements to our community while we learned,bonded with one another and got entertained,that would be a terrific bonus.
Let's start with coffee and conversation.
The music,story-telling,and world-shaping can come along after the giant muffins.
There is a coffee shop for sale on the square in Shelbyville. ??? maybe this would work??
The square is a good location, but I would think that if someone else took it over - they would need to stay open past 3pm. If I were running it, I would keep it open until 8 or 9 on weekdays and until 11 or so on Fridays and Saturdays. But that's just my opinion.
Welcome!
Wow Chantal, you might be going for a record number of responses to their first post!
The owners of the Coffee Break have done a terrific job but it's gotten a bit much for them due to a family illness.
If someone did take it off their hands,I bet they would help the new operators out.
They've always offered a friendly attitude along with great food and service.
That's part of why people want them open more rather than wanting to dine anywhere but there.
Any new regime would have to emulate those qualities to match or exceed their success.
It sounds as if you know them quantumcat. Could you send me their contact info by e-mail?
I checked with them about passing on information.
I'll send you word right now.
BTW,for those who might be confused,they ARE still in operation and open till three p.m.
Steve Mills,
Someone just called with contact info. for The Coffee Break. Call me at the office 684-1200 or e-mail me at the office and I'll give you the number.
Sadie
"Wow Chantal, you might be going for a record number of responses to their first post!
-- Posted by stevemills on Wed, Jan 9, 2008, at 7:08 PM "
I hope this means I can get some sort of prize? :)
Steve,ask to speak to Delores at the Cofee Break.
(I called the paper since my e-mail system is under the weather.)
Steve, when you get a chance, shoot me an e-mail at thoms_blog@yahoo.com (for some reason your e-mail link isn't on your blog page), I'd like to talk to you regarding this, if you're serious about opening a coffee shop. I've got a few ideas that you might be interested in. I just wish I had the capital to open one, I'd jump on that in a heartbeat. I'd still prefer to have one in BB though :)
At first I thought someone was picking on me, but I do not see an e-mail link for anyone. I wonder if that has been removed.
I took a shot that your addy was "smills@t-g.com" but that went nowhere.
(My other mail's gone wonky,too.
I think it's an eye-dee-ten-tee error on my end-I've had those before.)
Maybe some of the interested parties could form a syndicate so no one person has to assume all the work or financial burden?
If the group tested the waters by supporting an established place,its success could help get a second coffee shop in Bell Buckle started.
I will probably visit the Coffee Break tomorrow. It has been a year or two since I was there last. Maybe new owners since then, I can not be sure.
You can use my address steve@bedfordtradingpost.com if you want to send something
Thank you!
The same family has had the Coffeee Break over four years,I think.
Enjoy your visit.
They were closed. From what I understand only temporary.