Downtown Dame

With 3 minutes to spare…

I parked in front of Father and Son Antiques. Paid the meter. Walked down Fayetteville Street, by far the busiest street downtown, with my dog (who stopped to take care of some biznas and was offered training lessons by a nice man leaving the courthouse). Bought a Hawaiian slice at the new organic joint, Z Pizza, at 412 Fayetteville Street – in between Bank of America and the ice rink – and leisurely ate in the sun.

Then, I walked back to my car, dropped off my backpack and very happy Golden Retriever, and strolled into F&S. I headed to the left and upstairs to Beehive Studios. Vintage stuff stuff stuff, clothes and art by local talent. Ah, and handmade soaps. Yum. It was homey without the privacy of personal items and doors, studioish without the clean-cut walls and welcoming committee.

…a call for artists. and sink for the hands that make the magic happen.

…a lace, country-day curtain hangs out with black & white photography.

…mo. ’nuff said.

…be-friend mischief.

At the back of the store was Southern Swank Retro, where I had actually planned to spend most of my time. But herein lies the golden key to why these just-get-downtown-for-one-hour-a-week trips are life-changing. There is work still to be done, plans still to be made, but downtown has created an atmosphere of coffee shops, restaurants, retail stores and bars around every corner that allow you to just go with it. The best part is letting the plan change and not asking a directional question beyond your next step. Don’t we all need a break from asking ourselves – Where to next? Where is all of this going?

Then, with those last 3 minutes, I made a purchase and was back out on Martin Street, driving home to write this article for you.