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Two new resale shops have opened in recent weeks, one on Sixth Street and the other in the 900 block of Ninth Avenue. You'll read more about these latest arrivals in a future column. They are significant because they show that interest in the old downtown area is increasing. At a time when other towns are losing their antique/resale businesses, Texas City is holding steady and actually gaining new life. More proof of increasing focus in this area of Texas City is the interest being shown in available buildings downtown. Several weeks ago a local Realtor purchased the three-story building on the northwest corner of Sixth Street and Fifth Avenue. During the same time period, another individual bought the two-store building at the other end of the same block. Recently rumors have been flying that this same building has already changed hands. What's sparking this focus on the part of the city known as “the old downtown?” That's still a matter of speculation. For downtown business owners, it's a welcome surprise. Downtowners have long believed in the possibilities for developing their area into a thriving business area. Parking is plentiful, many of the buildings are usable, and the Showboat Pavilion and the Texas City Museum provide additional reasons to visit Sixth Street. For at least a decade, the downtown merchants have shown faith in the revitalization of the downtown district. After well-intended but poorly executed efforts by the city to achieve this goal failed, business owners continued their fight to bring life back to Sixth Street. It's starting to look like things will turn around. Stay tuned to Downtown Beat for updates on this positive turn of events. The Texas City Train Festival is just four weeks away. If you've never been to the Train Festival, mark your calendar for Nov. 19-20. This is a highly enjoyable and affordable event. It takes place in the Texas City Museum and the Showboat Pavilion, located in the 400 block of Sixth Street. It's sponsored by the City of Texas City Recreation & Tourism Department and is planned and put on with the very able assistance of the Galveston County Model Railroad Club. Several other model railroad clubs also participate, displaying a variety of layouts. You'll see everything from Z, N, HO and G scales to interactive layouts for kids and kids at heart. A tour of the entire Texas City museum is included in the small admission fee. Vendor spaces will be available in the museum and the pavilion for train-related items. For information on spaces or on the Train Festival itself, call (409) 643-5799. While you're enjoying the festival, you can also check out all the antique/ collectibles/resale shops. They'll be open, and you'll probably find some great sales while you're browsing. Just a reminder that Whiskerville will have a Pet Fair on Nov. 5 and Nov. 19 at the Whiskerville Animal Sanctuary, 1112 Sixth St. You can purchase pet supplies, get vaccines and testing done, have your pet micro-chipped and get pet education information. Whiskerville also has lots of wonderful, adoptable pets you can meet. For more information, to volunteer or to adopt a pet, call (409) 948-1112. This is cache, read story here
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