Shelbyville’s Old-Time Square Is Taking on a New Life
arts, bedford county, culture,, downtown, shelbyville,
Nancy June Brandon remembers when the downtown Shelbyville square was the place to be.
Kids and teens would ride bikes to the square and sidle up to soda shop lunch counters for after-school milkshakes. Their parents would shop at locally owned businesses, such as Heritage Jewelers, whose doors are still open decades later.
Today, the next generation of kids is still riding bikes, iPods strapped on arms, while a new wave of shopping, dining and even downtown loft living has transformed the square.
“We have a very thriving square,” says Cindy Drake, chairman of Main Street Shelbyville, an all-volunteer organization working to promote the historic downtown. “We are lucky we are not starting from ground zero.”
In fact, revitalization efforts are gathering a new head of steam. Main Street Shelbyville is preparing to apply in February 2009 for designation as a certified “Main Street” community, like nearby Franklin, Columbia and Cookeville, which would open up federal funds for building renovations.
Planners say that a successful small downtown, which in Shelbyville also is called “Uptown,” thrives with a combination of public offices, retail stores, restaurants, entertainment and residents.
On four of those fronts, Shelbyville is doing well. With the Fly Arts Center, the Capri Twin Theater – a renovated Art Deco theater that shows first-run movies – and spots like the new art gallery on Depot Street called The Gathering Place, the arts are booming. Well-known Shelbyville artist Jerry Ward, who was commissioned in 1990 to paint a portrait of former President George Bush’s dog, Millie, transformed one downtown building into his gallery and living space. Public offices were already there. Retail is expanding, as is loft development.
A small grocery that carries staples like bread, butter, milk, snacks and sandwiches opened in 2008. Cindy Stephenson, a relocated Kansan who opened the shop in honor of a great-grandfather who had a market in Bedford County from 1886-1916, already has had requests for fried bologna sandwiches and classic peanut butter and jelly.
Just off the square, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is Bocelli’s Gourmet Pizza and Pasta Shoppe on Depot Street; The Coffee Break is on the square’s south side.
There are clothing boutiques, antique stores, banks, record stores, salons and churches. That Book Store, with new and used offerings, on Depot Street also is a popular destination.
Pat McMillan retired as a mental health contractor for the state of Michigan, bought a building on Depot Street, turned it into an art gallery and created an apartment above for herself.
“My son lives in Murfreesboro and called and said, ‘I found a building with your name on it,’” McMillan says.
Stephenson rents from her, in a smaller apartment in the back of the building. The Gathering Place, which opened Dec. 1, 2007, has sitting areas and an antique dining table with chairs, because McMillan really wants folks to gather there, a sentiment that extends to the greater square, too.
“We want a great mix of shopping, eating and the arts,” Drake says.
Story by Pamela Coyle
Photo by Jeff Otto
