Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tough times for all - the huge and the small!
This just in from a highly reliable source, well known to me, who prefers to remain anonymous.
"I got information that the bankruptcy trustee has advised that Land Mar is in default. They have not been making the purchase payments as agreed. The clean up is continuing but it is not known for how long. The Court wants as much of that completed as soon as possible because that has to be done before there can be an development. Land Mar was split off with some other company, but I can't recall the name. It was reported by the Florida Times Union. With a little research you could turn that up. I find this to be a major development for the area. It is just a sign of the times. Also. St. Marys Steak and Seafood is closed and I was told Choo Choo is going the same route. This is just the beginning. There was an opening at the D.A.'s office for a receptionist job and they had 50+ applicants where there are usually just a few. It is a lot worst out there than many realize. Tough times for certain."
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Amrius Bank is closing its Kingsland location in November. And I also heard that Dolphin Auto and Atlantic Auto are also closing, due to financial woes.
I guess that there is no market for used gas guzzlers. In contrast, I see that Bennett has opened up a cheap, high mileage, Suzuki dealership on Hwy 40.
Georgia Power told my husband that they will be doing away with all of the meter readers in the near future. They are converting to a automated system. Also heard that Belks is considering closing its doors. The economy is really rough right now. Also heard in the hair salon that Max Tinsley has been told that his job as Assistant City Manager will be abolished.
I would be very surprised if Tinsley goes. We'll know soon. Someone told me the other day that he actually holds a PhD in something or other. Anyone know if that's true?
By the way, the city is about to do away with water meter readers. Apparently, they are going to some "radio" system. I'm guessing that it will involve a transmitter on each meter which can be queried by an electronics-packed truck riding through the neigborhood.
I went into our local Belk's once when I first moved here 15 years ago. That was enough.
We took a slow two week drive up the East Coast to Maine last month. We traveled the back roads and stayed off the interstate. Our intent was to see the small towns and dine only in roadside diners instead of chain restaurants. We saw many towns that are very depressed with closed businesses and boarded up storefronts...we realized that St. Marys has not been hit as hard as other towns. We stayed in several very clean older Mom and Pop Motor Inns for next to nothing...the lack of travelers has brought the price of a room down. We discovered that the economy seems to be much worse in other towns as you travel north...or is St. Marys just having a delayed reaction to the down turned economy?
I think if they would bring some sort of night life to downtown St. Marys it would generate energy for the younger generation. There is nothing to do around here. We all go to Jax but would much rather stay local
If you are talking about bars, or watering holes, or alcohol selling establishments, the religeous sects will run that one down. They aren't going to allow any more moral corruption downtown in the Holy Land!
On the other hand a couple of ta ta bars would go over pretty good!
Just got back from our first visit to the new Peppers Mexican Grill in Kings Bay Village Shopping Center. They were packed and we did not arrive until 9:00pm. We enjoyed our meal and the service was excellent. They have a down home yet festive atmosphere and their prices are just right. Looks like they might be a "keeper" and stay awhile!
We moved to St. Marys site unseen from the West Coast in 1988. Upon arrival we took the fist exit coming North on I-95 where the Welcome Center is. As we made our way up Hwy 40, we came across the Piggly Wiggly and old Walmart at Kings Bay Village shopping center. We continued on to Mid Town which was just as run down as it is today with overgrown grass on the edge of the road...finally we came to the Gilman Paper Company mill and the low income housing just past the mill...at that point, we said to the kids "well, we have seen St. Marys...it was that shopping center at Wal Mart" and we turned around to get a room at the old Charter House Hotel. Later that day we heard someone say something about a waterfront and then we took the drive all the way to the waterfront. Soon after getting settled in our new town, I wrote a letter to St. Marys City Council with drawings suggesting that Osborne be made into a Boulevard starting at the bridge at Dark Entry Creek. At the bridge have a large "WELCOME TO ST. MARYS - GATEWAY TO CUMBERLAND ISLAND" such as an arch going over the entire roadway...then do a street scape and organized business improvement from Dark Entry Creek all the way to the Riverfront...nice light posts, benches, nice landscaping with seasonal blooms the entire way...at the curve in the road put a huge sign saying "HISTORIC ST MARYS WATERFRONT JUST AHEAD". In other words, give people the impression that there is something else around that bend. Our main drag is very poorly maintained and not inviting at all!
Needless to say my suggestion fell on deaf ears!
RE: "Peppers:" if you will scroll back a couple opf weeks, you will find that your assessment of Peppers comports with the rave review that I gave them.
I can relate to your experience upon first arriving in St. Marys, in a vicarious way. Actually, I first visited St. Marys on business in the early 1970s. But one day, after I moved here in 1993, I was headed east bound on 40 , approaching Spur 40, when I came up behind a car with Chatham County plates, driven by a late fifties - early 60s couple. I wondered if I knew them (I'm from Savannah.) Pulled up beside them. Did not. They were obviously in "tourist mode" from the way they were looking around.
Thyhe hung in there as far as Buck Addy's service station where they turned around and headed back to the interstate.
Your points are well taken -by all but the locals.
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