McHuston Booksellers

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On the Eve of that Special Day.

December 24, 2014 /

I’m sitting in the shop. It’s Christmas Eve. The fact that I’m sitting down at the computer is a sure indication that something is different. Normally, on Christmas Eve, there is colorful wrapping paper scattered across a table, tape dispenser at hand, scissors nearby, and a frenetic energy zapping through the surrounding air. News flash: My small stack of presents is already wrapped and ready.

It may be a sign of End Times.

That deadline-induced adrenaline rush has been a lifelong companion, but I have to admit it feels pretty good right now, looking over and realizing that the wrapping-thing is already finished, and the day is just getting started.

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As the season winds down, it is clear to see what a difference a year makes! The bitter winter weather last year, coming on the heels of construction delays in the Rose District, made for tough shopping. But I’m not complaining now, and tried not to then. Survived it, I did – and hung around for another go ‘round. Last year’s experience has made it especially heartwarming this month, watching all the shoppers and browsers wandering up and down the sidewalks.

And so the gifts are wrapped, carols are filling the shop, the smell of cinnamon is in the air (okay, so that part is not true…) and the Spirit of the Season has settled in. There have been inquiries about books this morning, well-wishes exchanged, and plenty of stories and smiles being shared.

I can look over at the tree by the front door and take heart that the poor thing has made it through the entire month wearing nothing but good intentions. When asked about its lack of decoration, I’ve been explaining to folks that it is a Norwegian Nude spruce. A couple of people have believed it, I think – perhaps a result of my sincerely delivered malarkey.

But this is no Blarney… I hope your day and days are the best of your life to date, filled with all the things that only this time of year can bring. Life is a gift. When others share theirs with us, it makes our own so much more grand.

Thank you for your gifts to me this year.

Merry Christmas to all!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

Halloween in our Santa costumes?

November 2, 2014 /

Have you dragged the tinsel out of the attic yet? Halloween is just in the books and already Amazon and Walmart are offering holiday specials, because “Black Friday is not a day anymore – Black Friday is a season.”

That’s according to Mark LoCastro of DealNews, an online coupon site, as reported by the New York Post. Walmart’s chief merchandising officer, Duncan MacNaughton says we customers put away our costumes and “start prepping for Thanksgiving, buying Christmas trees and shopping for gifts.”

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I remember a time that “prepping for Thanksgiving” had nothing to do with shopping for gifts or trees. It was more about making plans for family get-togethers and who would bring what dish to the big meal. Of course, my son could never attend at Thanksgiving, since he was a part of the Black Friday corporate world. Even before his store started opening on Thanksgiving Day, he had to be at work getting ready for the Friday sales.

Amazon began its online “Black Friday” deals on Saturday – before most of the pumpkins and cobwebs have been removed from the trick-or-treat neighborhoods. The special offers will continue through December 22, almost a full two-month campaign for Christmas business.

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And don’t believe those stories about “Black Friday” being the day that businesses finally turn a profit, moving from the “red ink” in the ledger books to operating in “the black.” I traced the phrase through newspaper archives and found an early 1900s reference to the mad traffic and shopping mayhem associated with the day after Thanksgiving. “Black Friday” has always been a major jam-up and the phrase was used to describe it.

Our Rose District season starts early enough: the Thursday kickoff will feature a lot of special activities – including prizes – on the evening of November 13th.

You can use that evening to come see the changes on Main, if you haven’t yet visited the new Rose District. And – speaking of changes – you’ll be able to check the progress of the Andolini’s building next to In The Raw and Rooftop, as well as the major remodel project at the southeast corner of Dallas and Main.

There is a new look on the northside walk at Main Street Tavern, where an attractive black awning has been added. Those outside diners will appreciate the shade on sunny afternoons and evenings. (All those folks who repeatedly told me that people will not sit outside in Oklahoma, were just incorrect. It’s happening regularly.)

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There were plenty of visitors outside for the Grilles and Grills festival, the Rose District car show and food event. We got to see some fantastic vehicles and a crowd of car-lovers. Dustin and Rachel worked the sidewalk, and – if you haven’t stopped in for lunch lately – are also working daily at lunchtime, making it a lot easier to serve our guests. And now, we’re serving on Saturdays as well!

Come by at lunchtime and let us serve you!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

One Tasty Event.

September 7, 2014 /

Considering the fact that we knew nothing of the event until shortly before the street-closed signs popped up, the Taste on Main Festival was – well – tasty! A caravan of Tulsa food trucks rolled into the Rose District Saturday morning during a light rain shower that was predicted to end by noon.

It did not.

Surprisingly, folks turned out despite the wet conditions, which may have provided an incentive to eat faster, and our store awning proved to be a popular spot early on protecting gyros, Brownie’s Hamburgers, and Not Your Grandma’s Cupcakes. There were plenty of other menu items offered by vendors that lined both sides of Main for the two block stretch.

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When the rain ran its course in the early afternoon (and the televised OU-TU football game was ended), the Rose District quickly filled with a fun-and-food-seeking festival crowd. There was a lot of food-truck fare in a lot of hands, and balanced on laps along Main Street. When Kristen arrived, she dragged tables and chairs from the shop to accommodate the diners. (She is always the gracious hostess.)

Meanwhile, I had every intention of playing wingman for Dustin at the sidewalk beertap, but a steady stream of visitors kept me behind the counter inside the shop. He held his own, and – despite the hectic pace – seemed pleased to have a small crowd lined up waiting for a cup o’ Boulevard Wheat draft.

It was on my personal agenda to snap a few photographs but, unfortunately, there was never a free moment until the crowds began thinning out after 9pm. It was a long day, but I’ve discovered that time spent in hectic activity passes quickly. (The achy muscles not so much.)

We met a lot of folks, many of whom expressed a desire to return during the week to sample our lunch fare (which is served Monday through Friday, 11am to 2pm, for those of you who have yet to drop in.)

Being surprised by the nearly-unannounced event was a little bit like having the circus rumble into town and set up the bigtop tents in the dark of night. In the morning, the astonishment at the colors and sounds is quickly overtaken by the pleasure of the experience. It worked out well, after all.

In fact, if the food-truckers would like to come back and do it again soon, I’ll volunteer to make up a poster to hang in the Rose District shop windows as advance publicity.

If they’ll promise to let me know – in advance.

Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

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