First Wednesday Cheese
After going through their website photos, I was more depressed than excited. It looked like barely anyone goes to this thing. The empty Hunky’s patio, the lack of people at the shopping stands, the forced smiles on the merchants saying “look how much fun we’re having”. Sheesh. By the looks of those shots - no thanks.
The problem with a lot of it though is the shops themselves. If you’re in the market for club clothes or tacky trinkets, then yes, this is your place but that’s about it as far as shopping goes. Hopefully, Tapelenders will one day realize that they need to clearance all their atrocious pride items for about a nickel because seriously, does anyone need a rainbow windsock or hot air balloon decoration? I swear that inventory has not changed in 10 years. But really, none of the shops seem overly accessible like say a Walgreen’s tent might be. They are in the association but not sure if they have a sidewalk sale going. I’d be all over it if they had this on sale.
As for eats, well, there’s Buli’s with way too expensive drinks and food, Crossroads which is pretty much a ghost town and Hunky’s which will always please. Oh and there’s Black Eyed Pea but they always give me the shiz so I never recommend them.
But looking at these photos, clearly they need to rethink this stuff. That photo of the guy singing under a balloon arch was oen of the saddest things I’ve ever seen since Schindler’s List. And of course, the gays gotta have their dance music so a DJ was on hand as well. Forget all that. The association should consider hiring a party planner for this or at least me because this is what they need to do.
Sure the stores want some extra business but for this, just put them all together. Skivvies, Condoms Plus, come down a bit and set up next to the other guys. And then all of them should rotate whether they be in front of main drag, over in the Alexandre’s lot or even in any of the parking lots (especially the paid one on Throckmorton). Just put it all together.
All the dining spots should make some room for live entertainment, mostly Buli and Crossroads. And by that, I mean not a DJ but a local musician with some good rep on a guitar. Something that simple. Get more booths by local organizations a la Youth First Texas or DIVA. And face it, is anyone going to buy several hundreds of dollars of art from a glorified garage sale? Probably not. Rethink the artists or have them paint pets or quickie portraits.
Caven should also do a Crusin’ the Crossroads as well so something will be going on both sides of the street. Have the sports teams do a car wash and please, whatever you do, don’t have another scavenger hunt. Those gift boxes are so not worth the trouble. And Union Jack/Skivvies, put out stuff that’s a little more desirable for the everyday man. Regular boxers, tees, socks - trust me, I don’t want to look at clothes I can’t fit in.
But that’s just me thinking out loud. After looking at those pics, I don’t feel particular compelled to make it down there tonight. Tell me what you think after watching this (warning - this video makes me cringe):
