OK, so Gypsy Tea Room is closing
This isn’t really new news but in case you haven’t heard, yes, one more nail into the Deep Ellum coffin. But I can’t get too up in arms about it. Maybe because I’m just sick of the whining and boohooing over Ellum. I like GTR. I think it’s a great venue and I am sad to see them go but hey, it’s a done deal and well, not much to do about it. It’s just civic evolution. Besides, the guy was going into bankruptcy. Why is everyone mad at everyone else instead of taking it out on owner Whit Meyers who apparently is not the best businessman around?
People complain about Deep Ellum and what it’s not anymore. But then propose the idea of upgrading it and people are all upset. But personally, I don’t want a bunch of empty industrial buildings just sitting around waiting for something to happen. And I wouldn’t mind a Starbucks in the area to get some coffee. Although I do like me some Murray Street. I guess I don’t get the people who say Deep Ellum is dead but when trying to infuse a life into it, people are against it. OK, so if it’s another West Village then Deep Ellum loses it’s character. But then it’s just going to sit there while people sit at their computers sending in comments to every blog item they can find.
Tony Fundaro of Life in Deep Ellum told me during our interview that the whole boohooing is a little oxymoronic. People don’t sit there and cry over the blues scene that created Ellum years ago. They cry over the rock scene from just a couple of decades ago. Which lets me ask, how true are people to the real character of that ‘hood? And is it really concern or merely nostalgia? Hey, I miss the tiny ferris wheels at the State Fair but not as much as I love the new rides that have come along.
Like Jonanna said, even though I’m using it differently here. People get over Deep Ellum. It simply is what it is and whatever is there, enjoy it. And whatever comes in embrace it. Just quit crying about it.
