I'm starting to realize I'm having a hard time sitting still as the weekend draws VERY near. I'm excited! The rapidly growing and re-vamped area of South Dallas, known as Oakcliff, is home to The Bishop's Art District. This little mecca of friendly, diverse, and just plain happy people is host to The Make Studio's 11th Urban Street Bazaar this weekend.
Happy. That simple word is really what comes to mind to describe the people perusing the indie boutiques, vintage shops, art galleries, florists, sweet shops, delis, and fantastic restaurants/bars. Really, if you think about it, it has always been the people who make the places. No matter how cool or fashionable a venue is (whether it be a shop or a bar), it isn't going to be there very long without a following of loyal patrons. What I've witnessed so far is that the people of Bishop's are a genuinely friendly, smiling, look-you-in-the-eye kind of group.
I'm not just talking about the shop owners here. You could argue that they have an "agenda" because they're running a business. But, I would wager that one visit would turn your opinion around in a heartbeat. Just last week, on a Friday night, I visited Zola's Everyday Vintage (one of my favs) and the newest addition to Bishop's,(with whom I was really impressed) Dirt Florist. Again, I was surprised by the warmth and easy conversation that unexpectedly developed with the respective owners, having never met either of them before.
So, the business owners are inviting. Is that not enough for you? Well then, how about doing a little social experiment. I want to encourage you to keep your head up when you're out and about this weekend. It's something I have still have to consciously think about but it really makes you see how a simple gesture, like making eye contact with a stranger, is often absent in our lives. Absent a lot from what I have noticed. Well, that's not the norm here. Perfect strangers of all social genres and ages actually smile and speak to each other as they stroll the sidewalks. When recently asked what I value and look for when initiating a friendship I named trust and honesty as extremely important. It sounds cliche, but you can tell so much from looking into someone's face...that is, if they will even look you in the eye.
I can't say that Bishop's is a "haunt" of mine, but I don't even have haunts! So, I'll just say that it is fast becoming a place that encourages casual and friendly encounters that are guaranteed to be full of interesting topics, atmospheric aesthetics, and...you guessed it, eye contact. That's the kind of place that makes me happy and I'm guessing it's contagious!
So, if you haven't had a chance to take the easy drive to visit this gem, do so this weekend (yes, the weather is going to be GORGEOUS) for the Urban Street Bazaar (running from 12-8pm Sat and 12-4pm Sun) and check out not only the one of a kind handmade vendors on the streets, but stop to visit a new boutique and restaurant, or 2...you might just find a new favorite. I'll be there, so make sure to stop by and say "hi!"
-LAWisecup
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