Townie Wish is featured in the February 2012 issue of Southern Living! There’s a great little write up about Thomasville including our own Thomasville Townie, Bunny Byrne, and all of our favorite Downtown stores. And if you’re visiting us because of that article…. nice to meetcha! Wish away – and if you’re not in the Ville, do come and stay! Or better yet, come and experience what our entrepreneur-friendly, family friendly, budding-arts-community town has to offer. {Here’s a little something just for visitors from the Southern Living article.}

Thomasville’s beautiful, wish you were here!

What if several non-profits banded together to simultaneously save/rehab existing housing while attracting artists + writers to our community? Smaller homes would be ideal for minimal living costs, or even to use in an artist-in-residence program.

An artist residence like this is coming to Tallahassee soon, and this organization provides grant funding.

Of course, we’d need co-op studio space, as well….

Multi use trails are popping up everywhere, they make good sense and are great for communities! Walking, running, biking, pushing a stroller… In Wilson, WY realtors put for sale signs on the trail side of houses, not the street side! So it’s good for property values, too.

The City of Thomasville is already planning the Thomasville Community Landmarks Trail. The plan is to connect historic districts and city parks. It’s all going to start between Jackson and Remington with the Stevens Street Trailhead.  It’s proposed features include a water play area and an amphitheater. Wow! Check out the plan here. We’d like to see major commerce areas connected so folks can walk/ride to work.

A space where creative people share space and come together to work. You share one space, one coffee pot, one conference room. It’s easy on the pocketbook, and provides creative energy for the mind. Rent by the day or month. We love the idea of collaborating and believe that all members would benefit in lots of ways.

Here is one called InCohoots in Pheonix, AZ and another The Candy Factory in Lancaster, PA

Outdoor music in a park or on a closed off street. Thursday evenings might be good, or have it downtown and make it part of First Fridays. 6-7 week sponsored music series. Fun for kiddos and adults. Vendors selling great food and drinks. Bring your blankets and chairs and listen to some good tunes. Spring time in Thomasville is pretty nice.

Somewhere, not a big space, where we can encourage people to make tasty treats for our Saturday Market. Or for catering, or even for to make goodies for sale nationwide. We have a ton of super talented creators and great local ingredients. Blueberry jam anyone? They just need a legit place to bake/cook/can. Charge by the hour and provide ovens, sinks, burners, proper wash up sinks and some other necessary tools. It can grow organically… pun totally intended.

Maybe in an existing restaurant kitchen, during non-business hours? Bakers get up early, right?

Nom nom nom – King of Pops should open a shop here!

A very clean, very civilized place to board your precious pooches and your cute kittys. Indoor/outdoor runs, plenty of space, walks in the park, doggie ice cream on hot days… we’re talking about a Pet Resort! They get a bath before you come home and maybe even get dropped off at your house. At the very least, Sunday pick up should be available.

Here is one that we think hits the nail on the head.

Call it TexMex, whatever, just make it fresh on the spot and make it good. Maybe even have one of those cool machines that makes tortillas and entertains the kiddos. Pollo (chicken), Azada (steak), Carnitas (pork), Chorizo (sausage), Pescado (fish) tacos, salsa fresca y salsa verde. All the Spanish you need to know. Plus Corona and really good, unusual margaritas.

And maybe a quesadilla for the younger set. All they eat is bread and cheese anyway.

You know, sometimes it’s all about what you don’t do.