New Business in Town

One sure way to know you live in a small town is that the town celebrates each business that opens. This time it is a QT station. It opened last week with posts on the town's Facebook for at least a week leading up to it and a ceremony for its opening. (Yes, I know most businesses have a ribbon cutting ceremony. This seemed a bit more over the top than average.)

When Chad and I first heard about it, we were a bit annoyed because this gas station would be the third one in our town, and they are within a short distance of each other. Also, this one was to be built right across the street from the back of our house. The thing is, we need more commerce in our town. They can't keep depending on the residents for tax revenue.

We have changed our point of view on this gas station. The day after I got back from my trip, we walked over there to check it out and ended up ordering breakfast. This morning, we walked over there again and ordered soft pretzels. The food is good. It is very close (if we still used the back gate, it would be even closer). Best of all, the competition lower the price of gas in our town. This QT station was a positive change for our community. I hope is continues to feel that way. I also hope it helps bring more business to this tiny town. 

Construction Woes

There is a bit of construction going on near my house. Behind my house, there will be a new gas station aa well as a few other business still to be determined. They are currently in the process clearing the land including what was apparently a go-cart track at some point. (I wish they would have revived that business at some point.) They had town hall meetings for about 2 or 3 years about the gas station before they finally started doing something rather than just talking about it. I don't know how long this stuff usually takes, but that seems like a long time. 

Across the street from that, they are building a Starbucks. This week they have been placing and welding the steal beams. It's a bit loud. A few days ago, I heard what sounded like elephants coming from that direction. I know it wasn't elephants, but the only other times I could remember hearing that sound were at the zoo or circus. I'm assuming the beams make the same sound when being moved around or placed, but I don't know. 

You may be thinking that there are a lot of Starbucks around, or if you know the street they are building on, you may think that there is no need for one more gas station. You would be right either way. I don't know why these are some of the few businesses this town can attract, but I hope having some real commerce in this town will be a good thing even if it is loud as they build. 

Woah…Cops

 I live in a small town where not much goes on, and my house backs up to one of the main roads in this town. This afternoon, Noel noticed something interesting when looking out my bedroom window. There were horses pulled over by the police. I have never seen this, but now I have. It took me back to the day goats were being being from our neighbor’s house down the street by the police.