When some family moved to Kerrville, i started visiting there regular-like. It’s a cute, small-ish town, it seems to be retirement and winter texans, but i do believe it’s growing. It has many nice areas, and i’m very glad that i haven’t seen it (yet) on the top 10 places to retire. Let’s hope no one says anything.
One of the stores i can hardly resist is Gibson’s. I do realize that apparently Gibsons used to be a chain, presumably of a five and dime, hardware store variety. I’ve never heard of another one, but they may be out there. Everyone seems to remember them fondly, are surprised that any are still around, and want to know where it’s at.
I’ll ante up with this secret. Only cuz i don’t want the place goin’ outta bidness, or nothing horrible like that.
It’s on Main Street.
I know, hard to believe it’s on such a little side street, folks just look at you blankly when you ask where it is, if it does indeed exist.
For those of you (us) who don’t remember the good ole days’ of Gibsons on every corner, lemmee tell you a little about this wonder of a store.
Things i’ve bought:
Coin collecting/Numismatic Supplies,
Flour sack dishcloths,
Enamelware bowls and trays in colors i’ve never found before,
Jars for canning- half-gallon size, gallon size, along with your standard pints, quarts, jelly jars, etc. All ass’t accessories for canning (including canners, i’m sure),
A new pair of boots in the exact shape i wanted that i could not find at any of the other 5 western wear stores i looked for them in,
Cool and varied kitchen accessories (french fry thingy, before i’d seen it anywhere else, the tiniest little metal spatula (that i still haven’t seen anywhere else), metal spatulas (darn near impossible to find in these non-stick days), shoot- i can’t remember what all else i’ve bought vs what all else i simply drooled over.
Espresso pot (choice of 3, 5, 7, 9 cup- yup, they had ALL of them, and i found these here after scouring 3 different kitchen stores for the particular pot i wanted, where i would have settled for any size they had)
Things i have NOT bought (YET!):
Huge metal wok. No, i mean huge. Like, a yard diameter. Well, at least 2 feet diameter. If i ever have a big party, i’m gonna go back and get this thing. I simply haven’t been able to justify the purchase yet.
Cast iron- alas, my collection is nearly complete (one can only use so many skillets, dutch ovens, etc. I mean, after i have 2 stacks of 5 or 6 skillets in my cabinet, i really shouldn’t be buying more)
Stamp collecting supplies
Paint- acrylic, oils, craft, the kinds for pick-tures, etc.
Paint- latex, oil, the kinds for the walls, etc.
Cleaning supplies- i know, laugh all you want. That’s why i didn’t buy them. I knew i’d hardly ever use them. But really, they have the neatest tin buckets, and pails, etc. And the old-school mops, where you take the head off and actually wash it. And scrubbrushes in any shape you’d want.
The biggest cowboy-ish hat i’ve ever seen. Not the 10 gallon type, but a cross between a sombrero and a cowboy hat- and the size of the hat that Andie McDowell wears in that wedding movie w/ Hugh-whoever-he-is- done in straw, looks very cool, and looks good on me too. I just wanted the aforementioned boots more than the hat.
Wrangler jeans, cowboy shirts, scrubs, comfy looking nitegowns and “at home” type dresses (muu muus), scarves in beautiful patterns (Mom bought the one i wanted, but really, i NEVER wear scarves)
Sewing supplies
Pots, pans, dishes (in particular, they have a GREAT, rotating (so, you know that means buy it when you see it, cuz if you go back it won’t be there) selection of plates and bowls, but especially bowls. Perfect soup bowls, sketti bowls, oh, i’ll stop now)
Tea pots, cups, spoons, spoon rests, those things you put tea leaves in- steepers? etc.
Did i forget to say that it is a hardware store as well? Oh, yeah, and i havne’t even mentioned the outdoor furniture, statues, etc.
Anytime you can’t find something anywhere, go to Gibsons. THey’ve got it.
The only thing i have ever gone in there for, that they didn’t have- ribbon. I needed some ribbon for a present, and just stopped in there on my way, and they told me to go to some other place i didn’t know where it was. So my present went ribbon-less.
life made by hand 