If you want to start a debate on what’s right, or wrong, with Floyd nowadays just mention Woody Crenshaw’s name. The 59-year-old entrepreneur is often a catalyst for arguments on both sides of the issue.
No one can, or should, argue that Crenshaw (above) hasn’t put his money where his mouth is when it comes to change in Floyd. He has poured thousands of dollars into renovation of the Country Store, reopened it as a daily store and lunch stop, and ramped up not only the Friday Night Jamboree but other weekend music offerings at the venue.
Local artists now use the Store as their choice for CD-release parties. The store hosts wedding receptions and other events and this weekend’s grand re-opening celebration (below) not only packed the store but other restaurants and nightspots in town. As Oddfellas Cantina owner Rob Neukirch counted up the receipts from a record serving of dinners Friday night he looked up and said "thank you Woody."
Crenshaw’s impact is felt elsewhere in town, from his partnership with others in the Village Green project in the old Farmer’s Grocery Store building to plans to convert the old Mama Lazzardos property into a family-style steakhouse with apartments on the second floor.
And he’s not the only one. New galleries fill the lower level of The Winter Sun and a Mexican Restaurant is coming soon. Bll and Joanne Bell’s investment in The Bell Gallery and Garden is a major attraction on the other end of Locust Street.
Such involvement brings detractors as well. Some argue that so much property in a small town should not be controlled by one man. Others say it is too much change. Still others worry that the pursuit of the almighty dollar will ruin the charm that is Floyd. One can argue benefits and risks from many sides of the issue but one cannot argue that Floyd was packed with people spending money this weekend and that a lot of that revenue came to town because of people like Crenshaw who are willing to take risks.
Einstein was quoted as saying that “each of us will ultimately be remembered only for our work.”
Life is short, our last breath will come soon enough. Let us take a risk, do something bold, do something irrational, do something with our whole heart. And when we go, let us leave nothing on the stage because we will have given ourselves so completely. And if we loose our good name in the process, or if we loose our treasure, will it really matter? And let us not reserve ourselves for a future moment which may never come.
Floyd is my home in this world, the chosen place, the holy land, let me live here fully, and give to it my best energy and intention, as I am given to know that, as those who have come before me have also done. I can not know what the eventual result of this work or how it will be remembered, as we do not know anything about those who built the country store in 1909? So I live with the understanding that it is now my turn to build something here for this generation and the next, and that one day it will surely pass and fade into obscurity. So I try to keep in mind that while the result may be judged, the joy of doing is mine to keep.
And in case anyone hasn’t noticed, I’m having fun.
Woody
I have lived in Floyd (right in town) for 9 years and have never been to the Floyd Country Store. Wow! A friend and I went to the shops in Floyd today and I am very impressed with the Floyd Country Store! What an amazing place. I just loved it, and of course, made a few purchases.
With lunch at Over the Moon, coffee at the Black Water Loft, some shopping at New Mountain Mercantile and the country store we had a blast today. There were a lot of people out as well. Now…if I could just get myself to go to the Friday Night Jamboree…hmmmm…
I think Floyd is a cute town and a great place to raise my boys. My family is not from here and I am not a “native” (I know…kill me now) but I have a lot of friends and feel like this is the place for me.