Thursday, September 23, 2010

Out and About in JAX

Due to budgetary cutbacks, my wings once again have been clipped but for those of you locals stuck in the samo samo, thought I throw out a little photo op I took around Riverside. Now to my friends from out of town, "Riverside" means little to you but I'm sure you know the same old story. The attrition rate of business' downtown and in Riverside is quite alarming and before we thin it too much, I want to spend some time enjoying what we have.

For the most part Jacksonville has reminded me of the missing episodes of Hee-Haw but metropolitan culture is everywhere if you look with the right kind of eyes. Since my return from the West, I've come to appreciate the mix. If you're like me and working to keep your business afloat and trying to maintain your identity as an artist, let me offer this recent observation:

There's no better time than right now to double down and work for yourself. Start up costs are at an all time low and with a killer lease and a lean and mean business model, you could find yourself well positioned when the turnaround happens. These are snaps from my town and I find I'm consistently surprised at the sophistication I spot in the cracks and crevices of this sleepy little trailer park we call a city.

"Easy for you to say!" you might remark, but I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I'm working on a brick and mortar concept for our downtown. I'll post updates as we make progress but suffice to say, I'll see you there in the long shadows of bars and museums with a smile on my face saying "Come on in! Culture lives here to fight another day."

See you around the neighborhood,
J.C. McKay
Founder of Craft and Custom