sunday evening / vision

The last two posts on the last post, were really good.
We do have some people starting to think in terms of possibilities.
see below:


Going back to the visionaries ideas, have any of you been to Atchison,KS, Weston,KS, or Parkville, MO? They are all small towns that have made a name for themselves by becoming a destination for antique/home goods/shopping for stuff that not everyone carries kind of people.

Excellent point
I still recall my trip through Arkansas City in 1991. or maybe it was 1992. We were into the antique business at the time, and bought several things here to take back to our store in South Carolina. We had a booth inside an antique mall. We were amazed at the low prices, and made a nice chunk of change from our stop here.
Seems that there were several antique stores on Summit then. But im not sure.

anyways, That could be done fairly easily.
This could also be part of re-branding the town. We also have the western heritage, landrush etc., to add to it to give it more flavor.

If we could get a Main St. Association going, I think it could help in that area.



They are all relatively close to Kansas City, but they by no means are easy to get to. Ark City could even think in that kind of direction and get people from Wichita/Ponca/Tulsa/OKC to come shop. I've heard comments from shop owners in the places mentioned above they even have people coming up from OKC to shop for the weekends. All 3 places also have converted some of their historic homes (which AC has quite a few of) into Bed and Breakfasts. The "quaint" factor goes along way with people looking for shopping out of town. Just some more to think about.


Again, great point.
Dealers love going to other towns to show at antique malls. You have a lot of stuff shifting around like that. I learned to hate dealers and quit being one, but ... it is still an interesting idea.

This is a great idea. Add a couple nice little restaurants, a coffee shop perhaps, couple bed and breakfast type places, and youre in business.
We have a couple antique malls already.
They have decent stuff in them. THey just need more customers.


Oh, and Parkville is next to a river, so they've done a lot of touristy things with that as well.


Imagine that :)

Comments on another post below




So what if the hike bike trails ended up as a simple recreational area with some really nice RV pads, hookups and bathrooms -like those at the lakes with showers etc. Then an open area - somewhere with a Bandshell or an outdoor stage?

Sounds good to me :)
just like where we had our concert.
Or the park across the street would probably work too
>>


With the intent to schedule a Summer concert series - bluegrass, rock n roll, christian and the season culmunating with:
Me in my lawn chair, strawhat, reebox, shorts, tank top and shades - eating a steak, brat or 1 inch pork chop with fries from a mobile vendor and a large glass of ice cold tea. While listening to the great sounds of the Wichita, Tulsa, or Kansas City Symphony on a warm afternoon/evening! A talent worthy of a great crowd of all ages!


Excellent !
Add this to the antique shop motif, some historical touristy things .. maybe a raft or canoe trip down the Arkansas River ... and you've got a tourist trap waiting to happen :)
ALSO
figure in the casinos as a drawing card.

So can you imagine the Ad for Arkansas City.

Small town charm between two rivers. Shop in our antique stores, eat at nice small restuarants, while you enjoy walks along the river and brick streets.
In the evening take in a concert on the river, and if that's too tame, just a couple miles south are casinos .

Maybe add a night club on Summit downtown.





Professional musicians in an outdoor setting - The acoustics of the Arkansas River - Priceless!

I am not sure you could afford or attract one of those talents - or that they would come!
But if one did?


I think we could.
Lots of times symphonies will send a few of their key musicians and pick up local musicians to fill in the gaps.
Very doable i think.
THere are also people in Arkansas City who have some money, who might be willing to help bring in such bands.

THIS IS GREAT THINKING
So how do we make it happen ??
That's the $50 question.