Ever run into a "50-something" and marveled at how up-to-date and full of enthusiasm he or she is? How they stay current with the latest pop culture fads and technology, never surrendering to age? Maybe you're even a bit jealous.
One of Lexington's oldest business districts could be falling behind the times and may face an important crossroad in 2008. The old Meadowthorpe business strip on Leestown Road must decide if it can remain relevant as more contemporary shopping centers expand or are built a few hundred yards up the road.
"We're a secret in Lexington," says Tom Polites, co-owner of the popular Meadowthorpe CafÈ, a cafeteria-style fixture for many years. "A lot of people don't know this little shopping center exists."
The original Meadowthorpe Shopping Center, on the east side of Leestown between Forbes Road and Larch Lane, dates to 1952, when a liquor store opened, followed by other businesses along that strip. Services were needed for residents of the new Meadowthorpe subdivision which, in 1949, began sprouting neat, single-family brick homes on the outskirts of town.
Today, a variety of businesses - 22 of them - occupy that original stretch of buildings. Along this corridor you can also grab a meal at a couple of other restaurants; get your taxes done, buy flowers, books or antiques. You can have your hair trimmed; stretch your cash at the Dollar General; the Goodwill store or a resale shop; rent audio-visual equipment or take home a bottle of wine. "It's easy to park," said Polites. "You almost have front-door parking."
Over the decades, more businesses appeared on the Meadowthorpe portion of Leestown and on nearby side streets. Today, you can buy or rent cars or get one fixed, visit a veterinarian, get a picture framed or a PC repaired, do a load of laundry, get your back adjusted, pray at a storefront church, buy insurance, and do a lot more. The neighborhood also boasts American Legion Post 341, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 680 and Lexington Fire Station #13.
The original Meadowthorpe businesses enjoyed a monopoly for nearly 40 years before Meadowthorpe Manor Shoppes was developed in the late '80s across from the main entrance to the old subdivision. It is anchored by a long-sought after major grocery store - originally Winn Dixie, then E. W. James & Sons and now Kroger. The grocery is surrounded by the usual franchise businesses you find all over Lexington, across the state and the nation. In recent years, the center underwent a facelift at its entrance, and an expansion of storefronts is underway at one end of the half-circle with more new retail space a possibility at the other end.
While the old Meadowthorpe business district has managed to co-exist with Meadowthorpe Manor Shoppes, it must now also deal with a much bigger and tougher competitor - Townley Center Shoppes, a commercial area, and Townley Park, a residential section, both close to New Circle Road. The first group of homes is finished in what will eventually include 100 single-family houses and townhomes, plus an apartment complex. They'll all be within walking distance of new retail service shops, including fast-food restaurants and larger chains like Applebee's, Beef O'Brady's and Zaxby's. The Townley Office Center and Baptist Internal Medicine are open, and the area's first major hotel, a Holiday Inn Express, is under construction.
"People love our neighborhood. It's wonderful in the spring and summer," said Linda Nicholas, an agent for the development. "People sit on their front porches and walk their dogs. It's a great place to live."
Shirley Young, president of the nearby Meadowthorpe Neighborhood Association, thinks the historic business area needs to change to keep up with Townley. "Our people seem to be holding their own," Young said. "But I think it's in their best interest to fix the facades of the older buildings, spruce things up, keep the parking lot striped and cleaned." Young also urges businesses to form an association and apply for neighborhood grants.
Steepleton Billiards and Spas has been in the same spot for 30 years, and owner Greg Wilson doesn't think major renovations will ever take place. "I think we'll be okay," said Wilson. "This shopping center has found its niche, and we haven't had too much turnover lately. The new developments may bring us more cars and people."
To its credit, Meadowthorpe CafÈ plans a modest expansion, something Polites thinks other store owners should consider if the old strip is to make it. "We need to change like everyone else," said Polites, who believes a successful eatery needs to allow people to "eat, drink and smoke." So a new patio and bar will be added by spring and the front of the cafÈ modernized.
Polites, Wilson and Young agree it's hard to organize the older area because there are so many individual business and property owners and their support has usually been lukewarm. Although many businesses enjoy loyal clientele, some owners think that new developments nearby may sap the life out of the old retail area unless it can find a way to compete with its flashier neighbors.