A new Chic Filet will be opening soon, just across the way from where we take our recycling. There’s a sign out front that says they’re now accepting applications. Speaking of recycling, what would be helpful is if one of the benefits of our thriving economy was recycling pick-up, rather than us having to load the truck, drive there, and stuff our paper, plastic, and aluminum in overflowing dumpsters. Emphatic signage posted beside the dumpsters says that they don’t accept glass; illegal dumping isn’t allowed; and that the place is under surveillance. So don’t dump your bedbug-infested mattress here because you’ll get caught for sure.
The no glass policy irks. I understand that the inevitability of scattered shards makes glass collection imprudent, but it’s not complete recycling if glass is excluded. Having grown accustomed to recycling glass in Houston, this parochial policy so disturbs David that he’s unable to drop his bottles in the kitchen trash container, but leaves them on the counter for me to take care of, the presumption being that I’m made of tougher stuff.
The new Bealls (pronounced bells) has recently opened. For those who don’t know, Bealls is a department store along the lines of a Target (or, for my British friends, a Marks & Spencer), but with narrower aisles; and it’s more humble in size and stock. It does have a couple of cosmetic counters, so I can purchase my Clinique without going all the way to Bee Cave. The old Bealls across the street is going to be torn down to make room for the new and much grander HEB (the dominating grocery chain in Texas), the notion of which has everyone in the area thrilled. By the way, does anyone know what the initials stand for? I sure don’t.
Also, a new coffee place will open soon; though with several buildings standing empty, the question as to why the owner decided to buy land and pay for construction is a puzzler. Why not occupy the empty restaurant by the Home Depot, or the one just beyond the Bluebonnet that’s been for sale ever since we moved here two years ago? But this new business, too, has the citizens of Marble Falls buzzing. It doesn’t take a lot to get a town full of retirees excited, and it’s always nice to have a new place to go.
Changes on Main Street tell us that some people are making money. The Italian restaurant, Fornos, moved to a marina on Lake LBJ, a lovely location overlooking a cove across from the Wirtz Dam; but sadly, since the move, the food seems to have gone down in quality, though the service is as good as ever and the view from the outdoor patio is pleasant. In the space it vacated on Main, months of renovations fascinated us all. The building went from being a drab corner to being a charming one, with awnings and good-sized windows displaying clothes for women and children that are lovely, but pricey. I find the name, Smarty Pantz, off-putting, though perhaps there’s an interesting story behind it. The two times I’ve been in there I’ve been the only customer.
On the other hand, one of our favorite local businesses has recently closed—Enjoy Massage. Apparently a couple of teenaged boys enjoyed their massages a little too much. You’d think masseuses in this straight-laced part of the world would know better. I’m going to miss my weekly reflexology.
I bet not.
The owner of this shop spent a massive fortune on renovations that took several months.
The new coffee place, not quite finished.
The German butcher has been trying to sell his shop for years. Anybody interested?
