Is there anyone that has an opinion of Abilene? (San Antonio: for sale, attorney) - Texas (TX) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

Willsson · 07-27-2010, 09:24 PM

Yeah, a fairly transient neighborhood. It's population generally increased along time for a beer run and definitely went vacant when the liquor stores closed for the nite.

At one time there was no local option in Abilene, the legal sales of beer/wine/liquor. A little town at Grape and Treadaway incorporated and voted itself wet to sell bottled stuff. It was call Impact. Even got a write up in Time magazine.

Joke was, 'what's wet on both ends and dry in the middle?' That would be Abilene, with Impact on the north and Dyess on the south.... and no booze in the middle. Tho' Dyess is really on the west. Maybe you could get beer in Buffalo Gap, not sure.

onefastsailor · 07-27-2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tofurkey

Yeah, a fairly transient neighborhood. It's population generally increased along time for a beer run and definitely went vacant when the liquor stores closed for the nite.

At one time there was no local option in Abilene, the legal sales of beer/wine/liquor. A little town at Grape and Treadaway incorporated and voted itself wet to sell bottled stuff. It was call Impact. Even got a write up in Time magazine.

Joke was, 'what's wet on both ends and dry in the middle?' That would be Abilene, with Impact on the north and Dyess on the south.... and no booze in the middle. Tho' Dyess is really on the west. Maybe you could get beer in Buffalo Gap, not sure.

Are there blue laws in Abilene? In Boston, the stores were closed on Sundays for years. Then, the stores opened, but there were no liquor sales. As long as the stores are open on Sundays, I can handle it!

onefastsailor · 07-30-2010, 07:13 PM

Maybe there is not a lot to say about Abilene, but I still want to hear from those people that like it there. Keep the infor coming, I want to know more!

Willsson · 07-30-2010, 08:44 PM

You might search the Texas forum for some posts by Teatime. She always had good things to say about Abilene. And posts by JamesAbilene, and Willys.

James2496 · 07-31-2010, 12:03 PM

There are no longer blue laws in Abilene. They went away in the 80's. Since it became legal to sell liquor in the city, many good chain restaurants have located here, and there are many good local restaurants now. Impact has died as liquor sales within the city are now legal. One downtown restaurant (Cypress Street Station) even has a brewery inside it. Read about it here: Cypress Street Station Home of The Abilene Brewing Co. | Facebook

Lots of folks who have negative feelings about Abilene remember years ago when the city was dry and very conservative and judgemental of those who were different. The city has changed, is more cosmopolitan. It is not New York or Dallas, of course, but it is a much more diverse city than the city that many of these folks remember. If you have any specific questions, send me a private message.

TT Dave · 07-31-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James2496

Lots of folks who have negative feelings about Abilene remember years ago when the city was dry and very conservative and judgemental of those who were different. The city has changed, is more cosmopolitan. It is not New York or Dallas, of course, but it is a much more diverse city than the city that many of these folks remember.

Yeah, Abilene has changed a lot since the 1980's. I grew up here so I remember it all...lol. Like you said, there are a lot of very good restaurants here now and there are more/better entertainment venues as well. The revitalization that has occurred downtown, particularly on Cypress street, is extraordinary. That whole area was completely dead back in the mid 80's. The Grace Museum and the Paramount Theatre were completely restored back in the early 90's and one of the historic buildings downtown (the old Wooten Hotel) was converted into apartments in recent years. In 2004, the Frontier Texas museum opened as well, which focuses on the history of this area from the late 1700's to late 1800's. The diversity of the local economy has also improved in the past two decades and there are a lot more major employers here now than we had back in the 70's and 80's. The health sector is rapidly expanding. Hendrick Medical Center, the largest hospital in this region, is currently undergoing the largest expansion in it's history and Texas Tech University recently added a new pharmacy school here. Like any other city we have some problems, however, Abilene has improved in many ways in recent years.

onefastsailor · 07-31-2010, 05:14 PM

Thanks for all of your input. I feel better about the potential move there. It seems like a place on the rise.

James2496 · 07-31-2010, 07:54 PM

Lots of educational opportunities in Abilene too. In addition to four colleges offering bachelor and master's degrees: Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University, and Embry-Riddle University (at Dyess AFB), there are Cisco College, Texas State Technical College, Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy, and Texas Tech University School of Engineering and Computer Sciences. There are also business colleges, Shelton School of Nursing, and other specialized programs.

onefastsailor · 08-02-2010, 11:12 AM

That's good to know. I want to finish my Bachelor's degree. Embry-Riddle might be the perfect spot for that.

Stu8912 · 08-02-2010, 07:58 PM

Everyone is giving you a bad review of Abilene. Its not a bad town at all. Why are you moving here? If its just to be in West Texas I'd advise Lubbock or San Angelo. But there are great things about Abilene. Downtown has alot going for it. There are 3 great universities, but they Evangelical Christian schools. That hurts the nightlife, but is ok if not great. But like many have said there are really nice areas. The town just started growing to fast, then stopped, and this caused some rotting at its cores. Either way though, it has alot to offer.