Marshall has changed so much since we moved here back in '75. It's become a veritable happening place. This month's Our State magazine put the Star Diner on the cover and devoted multiple pages to Marshall's on-going renaissance.
Much energy and creativity and money has gone into rescuing what was a moribund town and re-purposing some of the iconic buildings.
In '75 Marshall had, in addition to its courthouse and sheriff's office and jail, two banks, a funeral home, two florists, a grocery, a library, a department store, a dime store, two hardware stores, a school, an appliance store, a drug store, two car dealerships, and a post office. The courthouse and post office remain but most of the others have gone out of business or have moved to the bypass or nearby, and the empty spaces have become apartments and boutique businesses -- antiques, galleries, studios, a coffee house, several up scale eateries.
It's good for the town--all these energetic folks bringing their dreams to life. I applaud their zeal -- while remembering fondly when the empty streets were swept every evening by one guy with a push broom.
3 comments:
I admit I only visit Marshall once each year, for the pottery show at the old high school. And of course I do wander around the town afterward...having lunch, seeing if there are any other arts and crafts that I need in the little gallery-coop. I've been saddened by the empty store-fronts. I was glad to see the old Civil War era home had been refurbished. I do hope it has a comeback, especially after the magazine spread.
I just love OUR STATE. Having lived most of my life here in NC, I still learn new information from this magazine as towns like Marshall change and grow. I have discovered little places of interest that I wouldn't otherwise find. This issue also featured Boone, the town where I grew up.
Nice to be able to read about Marshall. I just checked out: still 3 1/2 hours between Marshall and Chattanooga where one of our kids moved a year ago...
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