Back on August 28, 2007 I wrote a blog about "Devastating Fire on Main St. Bandera" in which I told about the wipe out of two major businesses in Bandera Texas.

Shoe Biz, owned by Peggy Ashmore opened on April 17, 1987 and has been a constant in Bandera ever since. The store carries not just shoes, (Keds, Clarks, and many other distinguished brands), but a full line of womens clothing, accessories and jewelry. Hers was the place to find out what styles were new and what colors were in this year.  It is where the menfolk could buy that oh so special blouse or dress, or necklace that the Mrs. wished was her own.

It seemed as though the rebuilding process was going oh so slow as well, there was the Fire Marshall's report, the Insurance Inspector's report, the wait for the insurance proceeds and the hiring of a company to rebuild the store.  Never mind all the trips to market to decide what to buy to put into the store, everything was destroyed in the fire, everything had to be replaced.  Gone were all the lay-away receipts, all the customer records and invoices. 

Nearly 9 months to the day, on May 22, 2008 the store was finally ready.  The party was on, Bricks did the catering, the "Almost Patsy Cline" Band was performing for all the guests. A good time was had by all, and everyone in Bandera was reveling at the Rebirth of Bandera's Shoe Biz.

                           Mary Jo Schaffer,  830-796-7448, www.sweetheartrealty.com