Gruene With Envy. My Neck Of The Woods.

After visiting Gruene, Texas several times over the years I remembered it as a bucolic, sleepy little place just slightly northwest of New Braunfels. If that means nothing to you, think, “thirty minutes north of San Antonio.” If that doesn’t tell you anything, then I need to get you to Texas, child, because your education is lacking!

Gruene (pronounced “Green”) boasts of having Gruene Hall, “the oldest dance hall in Texas,” but an establishment at which most Texas musicians would give their eye teeth to get to play. It might not look like much to you, but that place rocks on a Saturday night.

Mostly I had been to Gruene to eat at The Gristmill Restaurant. In this neck of the woods, all you have to do is mention that name to cause grown men to salivate and weep with desire at the memory of a meal served there (translate to mean that it’s a good fantastic place to eat).

Gruene is a delightful shopping mecca. I had gone there one time, just before Christmas, to finish my shopping … but didn’t get to experience much. I had arrived late in the afternoon, and the shops were closing. They roll up the streets early in small towns around here. I had noticed, however, that the City Fathers had provided plenty of parking. There was a gravel lot downtown the size of a football field. “How optimistic,” I thought.

I went to Gruene yesterday after working in a San Antonio school. Although I figured that most of the shops would be closed again, I could at least snap some pictures. As I drove into town, I discovered that I had figured wrong. There was so much traffic into town that I thought I was driving in a dadgum parade! That parking lot was plumb full to overflowing and tourists were everywhere. What was the occasion? Friday night.

It took forever for me to find a space to place my little Honda, and then I had to hike to get to the downtown area. I didn’t get to experience many of the shops this time, either. Not because they were closed, but because I just hate shoving little old ladies out of the way. Those little old ladies are like a chihuahua dog: they look all tiny and cute and fragile — and then they’ll snap your hand right off your arm!

I could hardly snap any pictures because the cars and trucks kept hogging the view. I got tired of jostling people out of my way and decided I didn’t like the crowds. Just before I gave up, though, I found a shop called “Gruene With Envy.”

What red-blooded Texas shopper could pass that name up without investigating? Don’t look at me! Especially when the storekeeper entices me inside with lovely clothes hanging on the porch!

Do y’all see that colorful little blouse hanging just to the left of the door? You can’t have it, because it’s mine! Yes, when I left that shop an hour later, my wallet was considerably lighter. How could it not be when I was surrounded by the wares of this lovely boutique?

After all, I’m only human…and I heard on National Public Radio that the economy won’t recover until we start spending again. I have taken that message to heart. I did my part. Unfortunately, you can’t spend your money there (the store doesn’t have an on-line presence yet) unless you go to Gruene. I think you would like it.

If you are traveling on Interstate 35 toward San Antonio, you’ll see signs directing you to Gruene, Texas. It’s worth the side trip, but I would caution you to go on a weekday. That is, unless you really like the feeling of being surrounded by a school of frenzied piranhas, because that’s what it feels like when the tourists have come to town.

Other posts you might enjoy:

1. No Parking In Gruene
2. Butterflies Flutter By In My Neck Of The Woods
3. My Neck Of The Woods
4. I’m So Glad Spoons Cafe In McKinney Is In My Neck Of The Woods!
5. My Neck Of The Woods. Lucy’s On The Square in Celina, Texas

Tagged as: Hill Country, My Neck Of The Woods, restaurant, Shopping, Talkin' 'bout Texas, Texas Travel