The Abilene InSite » wilma

Tax-Free Weekend in Historic Downtown Abilene

wilma — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:00:49 +0000

The Loft Inside Under One Roof

As everyone rushes to get ready to go back to school, avoid the crowds at the “big box” stores during tax-free weekend. Shop and dine in historic downtown Abilene this weekend. Items that are tax-free this weekend include clothing and footwear under $100, as well as backpacks for elementary and secondary students. It also includes layaway items and many of these items can be found in our downtown area.

One of my favorite places to browse and shop is Under-One-Roof, located at 244 Pine St. in the former Minter Department Store. Under-One-Roof has over 30 specialty shops in one location, hence the name. From backpacks, shoes, umbrellas, children’s and chic clothing to gifts, you can find something for everyone. Under-One-Roof still offers layaway (like department stores used to) on all purchases for no additional fee.

After shopping, enjoy lunch at The Loft, located on the mezzanine of the store. The Loft offers sandwiches, salads, soup and luscious desserts. My husband’s favorite lunch is the meatloaf sandwich, while I’d recommend the lemon bar for dessert…although you can’t beat the hot brownie either!

Don’t forget all there is to see and do in historic downtown Abilene. If your day permits, stop by Frontier Texas!, 625 N. 1st Street, and tour this high-tech attraction. While inside the visitor’s center, pick up a Downtown Shopping, Dining and Museum Guide. This will help you as you spend the rest of your day discovering historic downtown Abilene with all its charm and family-friendly atmosphere.

I promise, you won’t miss the crowds at the “big box” stores or fast food restaurants around town!

Dream of the Decorator

wilma — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:49:13 +0000

You won't want to miss out on this great summer sale!

The Abilene City Council adopted the SoDA district (south downtown Abilene) master development plan at this week’s council meeting. Many of us are looking forward to seeing the SoDA district evolve into something grand. I hope it is sooner than later. As I told the city council, if we wait to move on this any later, I will be 80 years old before they finish redevelopment!

Speaking of south downtown Abilene, today, I stopped in at “Dream of the Decorator” located at 1305 South 1st and Butternut. This was my first visit to the store and I was greeted by a very friendly sales person. She invited me to browse and she would be at the counter if I needed anything. It is so nice to shop where you don’t feel like your being hovered over.

One of my favorite things was the moda fabric. We are redecorating a room at home that I first wanted to paint red. We have now decided to add all the color into the curtains, bedding and pillows. I didn’t know anyone in Abilene carried moda fabric. I have been looking online but you can’t tell true colors unless you see them in person. I found all of the fabric I needed and the best discovery of all was that it was on sale for 25% off.

The store is open Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by the way, in order to make room for new inventory, all items in the store (except moda) are currently 50% off! The sale is running through the end of June. I have my eye on a fake fur throw if someone wants to buy me something special.

If you haven’t been to downtown lately you haven’t been anywhere at all! I highly encourage you to check this store (and sale) out! For more information, call 325-437-1068.

Explore historic downtown during Downtown Dayz

wilma — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:05:36 +0000

The Outlaws & Regulators!

If you are looking for something fun to do this Saturday, April 10, head to historic downtown Abilene for the semi-annual Abilene Downtown Association’s Downtown Dayz. The weather forecast says it should be sunny with temperatures in the mid 70s, making it a perfect day to be and about. Grab your family, friends, in-laws and out laws, history buffs and music lovers, art fiends and avid readers—and enjoy a day in downtown. Don’t forget to make plans to enjoy one of downtown’s many restaurants for lunch and/or dinner or sample some beer at Abilene’s only brew pub beer, Cypress St. Station.
Entertainment, Exhibits, Art & Activities Schedule

7th Annual Mayor’s Round-Up 5K Run/Walk/WheelBeginning and finishing at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. 6th St.8:30 a.m. Start – $10 to $20/person
The infamous “Outlaws & Regulators” Wild West ShootoutsT&P Depot, N. 1st and Cypress – 11 a.m.; Noon; 1 p.m.; 2 p.m.
Free showings of “History in Plain Sight” video by Jay Moore. Abilene Preservation League, Elks Building – 1174 N. 1st.10 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 1 p.m.
Historic Downtown Walking Tours – Departs from the Abilene Preservation League Building, 1174 N. 1st. 10:50 a.m.; 11:50 a.m.; 1:50 p.m.
Living History Weekend Bivouac – 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum, 1289 N. 2nd – Demonstrations of field cooking, hygiene and weaponry. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Texas Tech University Abilene Segway Demos – Various locations throughout Downtown.10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St.> Earth Day Family Fun Activity, 2 p.m.>Children’s Story Time, 2 p.m.
United Way “family safe” Activities KinderPrint child safety and ID kits, co-sponsored by Atmos Energy. Update your family disaster preparedness plan. Free popcorn. United Way, 240 Cypress St.
Free Tax Preparation – United Way of Abilene’s Center for Economic Opportunity, 1102 N. 3rd.
Everman Park Music, Art & More (N. 1st & Cypress St.)> Music by: Catclaw Creek – 10 a.m.; George Pendergrass – Noon; Tony Barker Band – 1 p.m.> Magic Lamp Belly Dancing – 11 a.m. > Henna Tattoos – by Amanda Pettit benefiting Sanctuary House – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. > Artists: Fran Hilliard and other artists from Premier HS Cooper HS Art Club, art button sale
Free gift with $20 purchase – Candies by Vletas, 1201 N. 1st
Music by: Mike Wheeler, Bobby Deegan & Lane Frizzell. 11 a.m. through lunch. Cypress Street Station and Abilene Brewing Company, 158 Cypress St.
The Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St. > Caricatures by Patty Rae Wellborn, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.> Pianist Kyle Barnes from Sherry Frush Studios. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. > Exhibits: “Full Circle” by Kathie Walker-Millar and “Prevailing Wind” by Harry Geffert, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sidewalk Sale and Demos by Lynette Walters “Creative ideas using hand-crocheted lace from India.” Eternal Threads, 101 Walnut St.
Family Fun Saturdays: Create a “work of art” – National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, 102 Cedar St. – 1 to 4 p.m.Free
Sidewalk Sale. YaYa Gurlz, 1315 South 1st – All day
The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. – $1 off admission by mentioning Downtown Dayz.”> Chorus Abilene’s Chorale, directed by JonathanKrake, Van Hayes as accompanist. 1 p.m. > Art, History and Children’s Museums – “John James Audubon Exhibit,” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Special Sale, Refreshments, Weaving Demonstration – The Honeycomb Tree, 1166 N. 2nd. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Under One Roof, 244 Pine St.> Music by: Abilene’s Own Memory Men Barbershop Singers, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. > Gourmet tastings and basement sale.
Cooking demos with free samples; sale merchandise. The Fire Escape, 501 Hickory St.
Free “hands-on” sculpting opportunities for adults. Cedar Break Fine Arts Gallery, 957 N. 2nd – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m
Book signings: B.P. Galloway, The Ragged Rebel; Robert Hall, Grandpa Says; and Wanda Middleton, Best Foot Forward 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sidewalk Sale – Texas Star Trading Co., 174 Cypress
Movie “Red River” starring John Wayne – The Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St., 2 & 7 p.m.
“Riding with Pancho Villa” Premier Photo Exhibit – FreeMuseum Admission: $1 off by mentioning Downtown Dayz. Frontier Texas!, 625 N. 1st. – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Art Exhibit “17 Resurrections” by Dan McGregor – ACU-Cockerell Art Gallery, 1133 N. 2nd. Noon to 3 p.m.
Art Studios & Fun Activities at Cockerell Galleries and Studios, 1133 N. 2nd. Studios open from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. unless noted. Events in studios and outside include:> Bri, Fearfully Made: T-shirts, jewelry, paintings> TMGandfineart.com: art, journals, more> The Zamarippas of Studio Two-One-Two will make & sell specially designed t-shirts, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.> Live pottery throwing, Marion Ivy, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.> Wood whittling, Dennis Regan > Discount packages, A Moment in Time Photography.
Sidewalk sale, eclectic musical entertainment, free frozen margaritas. RELICS Home, 1292 N. 1st
Annual Central Texas Gem & Mineral Show – Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. 6th – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Food and Drink:

Bogie’s, 241 Cypress – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
McKay’s Bakery, 266 Cypress – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Loft at Under One Roof, 244 Pine – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cypress Street Sta. & Abilene Brewing Co., 158 Cypress – Lunch and Dinner – 11 a.m. to closing
Monk’s Coffee Shop, 233 Cypress – 9 a.m. to midnight
The Leaf, 202 Cypress St. – 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Beehive, 442 Cedar St. – 5 to 10 p.m.

Antiquing in Abilene

wilma — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:59:50 +0000

Valentine’s Day has come and gone. And this year, my husband and I vowed no gifts! However, at lunch on the big day, we went antiquing in Abilene. As avid collectors of everything, we each found something we couldn’t live without and bought each other a Valentine’s present.

Valentine’s Day or not, I encourage you to shop (or go antiquing!) in historic downtown Abilene. In north downtown, you will find The Antique Station, 703 N. 3^rd St., and The Honeycomb Tree, 1166 N. 2^nd St. In south downtown, Butternut Street, is becoming “antique row.” Our favorite shop is called Classic Collections, 833 Butternut St., but be sure to hit up every shop on the street! An Antique Guide to Abilene can be found on our website, www.abilenevisitors.com or stop by the Texas & Forts Trail Visitor Center at Frontier Texas!, 625 N. 1^st, and pick one up. Happy shopping!