Take a Shine
TO ALPINE
of the city, linking Murphy Avenue south of
the railroad tracks, to Holland Avenue north
of the tracks.
Historic Murphy Street
Historic Murphy Street has grown by leaps
and bounds since revitalization began around
2007, according to Alpine historian, resident
and unintentional business developer Betty
Gaddis Yendo.
At one time, Murphy Street was a major
business artery, but over time, activity
dwindled, Yendo said.
In the mid-2000s, Yendo bought a little
adobe house on the long-neglected Southside.
“The Southside has the best views—Sul
Ross to your right and the mountains to your
left,” Yendo said.
She became a cheerleader and developer of
Murphy Avenue.
Since the buildings wouldn’t qualify for
bank loans, she also became banker, and
offered 30-year loans with low interest rates
to individuals who might want to start a
business and restore the old structures.
Since then, all the loans have been paid
back in full, and business on Murphy has
tripled.
“I no longer own any of them, but I got so
involved,” Yendo said, explaining her
continued interest in the area.
“Now I’m most interested in unification of
both sides of the tracks,” Yendo continued.
She envisions broad, cross-cultural
participation in city celebrations, from Cinco
de Mayo to Fiesta del Barrio and 4th of July,
just a few of Alpine’s many festivals.
Among the businesses sprouting up on
Murphy Street are Alpine Farmers’ Market, a
year-round open-air market open Saturdays
from 9:00 a.m. until noon, across from Hotel
Ritchey at the corner of 5th and Murphy
Streets.
The market has grown to include around
23 consistent vendors since it moved to the
more visible market square, according to
Mark Foster, manager along with wife
Deborah Tout.
Alpine used to have competing farmers’
markets at two locations, but as of October
2016, they united under one flag. “We’re now
one big happy family,” announced Foster.
Fresh vegetables, canned goods, pastries,
breads, eggs, prepared foods, handmade
items, and locally sourced organic meats are
among the many offerings.
There’s a play area for children, including a
sandbox and concrete canvas for sidewalk-
chalk drawings.
Foster and Tout wanted to make the
experience a social event in addition to a
market. “It’s my high point of the week for
socializing,” he said.
Anchored at the other side of the business
district is Cheshire Cat Antiques at 301 East
Avenue E, and every second Saturday of the
month, a rambling flea market sets up on the
lawn. Craftsmakers and expert “pickers” set
up wares for the approval of those passing by.
There’s a little bit of everything in between
Murphy and East Avenue E—gift shops,
vintage clothing boutiques, a record store, a
guitar store, coffee shops and restaurants, to
name a few. And the growing list of art
galleries is cementing Alpine’s reputation as a
destination for art lovers.
Visit Alpine and enjoy the fruits of this
town’s growing grassroots movement of locals
who invest their time, energy and enthusiasm
on developing projects in the city center.
Alpine’s 2016 Vision Plan can be found in its
entirety at http://cityofalpine.com/wp-
content/uploads/2016/09/Alpine-A-Vision-for-t
he-Future-2016-sm.pdf.
2017-18 Community Guide & Chamber of Commerce Directory | alpine TEXAS 13