Small-Town Tennessee: A View From The Ground, Late February

Saturday was lovely, and Mr. and Mrs. OS took the occasion to browse around our little town. Brunch at the diner, a bit of shopping, low-key. It is a blessing to live here.

There is a recovery of sorts underway here, evidenced by the fact that some young families are moving in, and back from other places, to raise their kids and start small businesses. The state, and this region in particular, has been a de facto plantation of the Democrat Party since the end of Reconstruction, which grip was finally broken last November. Elections matter, if for no other reason than the change of attitude that can flow from them.

The young restaurant owner offered a cogent observation--People have less money, so they will spend carefully, on good quality purchases. Perhaps the WalMart-fueled Race To The Bottom is about to end. The small gift shops and antique stores had some trade, although there are still empty storefronts aplenty. Again, good merch at good prices, very carefully purchased seems to be the rule. No one's blowing money, and no one's getting rich. But there is some optimism in the air.

On the other hand, the price of fuel and groceries is really beginning to hit hard on everyone. The hard winter clobbered the fruit and veg growers, more than tripling the price of tomatoes for the restaurant, for instance. Add to that the spike in diesel fuel, grains, etc. The latest pound of butter purchased was nearly twice the price of six months previous. Pet food prices are spiking. Clothing prices are expected to follow. The local men's store has beautiful stuff, but is holding modest inventories only.

The local athletic club parking lot was full yesterday afternoon, and the golf club has had a steady trade. Truck traffic is up on nearby I-40. A buddy who is a building contractor has booked four houses to build, after a frightening two years. He is relieved, to say the least.

Again, it is such a blessing to live here. Here's hoping the good trends continue.