Second Saturday features concert showing
Linden Main Street’s “Second Saturday” event saw local business owners talking up new commerce and supporting one another while the community buzzed excitedly about the event’s patio nightcap.
The Italian-styled brick Patio just outside The County Seat Cafe was the talk of the town on Saturday as workers helped to ready tables and chairs for the upcoming crowd. Soon, they would ready the projector for the big screen showing of The Melbourne Concert performance by The Eagles and the much anticipated Legends of Linden.
County Seat Cafe owner, Rita stopped for a moment during the evening rush hour to proudly show off her Legends of Linden T-shirt.
“Scott Joplin, T-Bone Walker, Scott Joplin and Don Henley,” Rita said, grinning as she rattled off the names of the famed Linden musicians whose sound would be celebrated as the much-anticipated nightcap of the event bringing Main Street’s laid back, fun and focused event out with a bang.
Mainstreet’s 2nd Saturday is all about locals getting out into the community, supporting local businesses, encouraging continuous growth and even showcasing that fun, artsy glow that makes Linden’s many talented residents really shine as they share their love, enthusiasm and pride for their musical community.
Its a genuine love that shines through Linden’s gifted locals as they praise and talk up new area businesses that could easily be considered their competition elsewhere.
True artists, Lindens finest shop-keeps actually show visitors this brilliant, humble enthusiasm they have when discussing the strengths and unique craft of their ‘competition’ down the block while quietly demonstrating and downplaying their own.
Dark Horse cafe’s Jenna talks of an up-and-coming bakery, The Gingerbread House, just this way. She could hardly contain her excitement for the new shop and lovely owner, who she said makes a strawberry inside-out cake that is just to die for.
Clearly, she chooses not to look at other shops as her competition, but would rather brag on a brand-new bakery owned by a woman she considers a friend— never once breaking to voluntarily brag on her own specialties and strengths as a cafe owner.
“You have to check out her baked goods,” Jenna said. “She made that strawberry inside-out cake for my daughter on her birthday.”
“It was absolutely delicious,” she added.
Groovy Armadillo, the eclectic, lovely and well-kept shop with a little bit of everything and a whole lot of cool seems to have a come in and hang out atmosphere, with easy going owners who clearly love their city and take pride in their well-decorated store.
Jinette and Lucky seem to fit right in around Linden, though they bring a lingering coastal coolness with them they are totally Texan after 15 years living here.
“Here is out disco ceiling,” she said, proudly showing their disco lights that light up the ceiling like a night sky full of flashing stars. They don’t leave it on because too much of a good thing could induce headaches, she said.
“We designed this store to browse, we want to see people having fun,” Jinette said. “We enjoy it, even stay after closing many times if someone is in the store.”
No one seems in a hurry to get home, as Lucky breaks out the acoustic and starts an impromptu jam and Jinette points out her favorite colors, blue and green, weaved brilliantly into their carefully flawless decor.
Jinette said she wishes she had learned to play bass from him, but remembered it is never too late to pick it up.
The two were excited about the loft upstairs and the many possibilities for how to use them, their ideas likely what you’d imagine two collectors with an exquisite taste and eclectic feel for their business might say as they anticipate a new project for sharing their beloved shop with visitors.
“We are definitely going to the concert,” Jinette said, adding that she was excited to see visitors checking out Linden for the hometown event.
Lucky happens to be the executive director with the media company helping run sound at the concert blowout later on at the patio. “It will be awesome,” she said proudly.