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36 MACONMAGAZINE.COM What is unique about the history of Ingleside Village? Historic Ingleside Village was the very first shopping area in Macon outside of downtown. In its early, thriving history there was a grocery store, drug store, bookstore, toy store and clothing stores for the whole family. It was "the" place to shop in the 1950s. While a few of the original businesses remain, many others closed or moved away 20-30 years ago. Happily, there has been a renewed interest and excitement in the last 10 years with new stores and fresh ideas creating new energy in the village. "Our older shoppers tell us how they fondly remember the area as a child, while young families continue to discover this hidden gem." How many shops are now open in the Village? There are over 35 businesses just in the block from Corbin and Ingleside avenues to Rogers and Ingleside Avenues. Of these, a majority are members of the Ingleside Business Merchants Association, an organization that helps everyone to work together on planning and creative marketing ideas. Tell Macon Magazine readers about your Second Saturday events and special plans for the holidays. The Second Saturday Events run April through October. The Middle Georgia Art Association Gallery started these last year, and many businesses now offer special events and promotions. The merchant association joins in on the event in some months. In July we had an Ice Cream Social to raise money for the Macon Volunteer Clinic. In August the Village Market Place will have its official Grand Opening on Friday, Aug. 12 and William's Store will have its annual birthday party for the "The Toy Lady" on Thursday, Aug. 18. Other events include "Trick or Treat in the Village" in October and the annual "Christmas in the Village" weekend Dec. 2-4 with a visit from Santa on Saturday, Dec. 3. What are the oldest stores in the Village and how long have they been there? The Warno-Cam Paint Store opened in 1957. Creter's, which began downtown in 1946, moved to the Village in 1973. What has happened in the last 5 years that you all are most proud of and what are your hopes for the next 5 years? A brief survey of some of the stores showed many of the owners, including Johnny at Karsten & Denson; Patsy at Creters; Jeff at If It's Paper; Kay at Lamps by Ingleside and Karen at Joe D's, feeling most proud of the number of stores that have opened, bringing a new vibrancy to the area. Their hope for the next five years is that the area continues to grow, while existing businesses continue to work together. Both Cathy at Ingleside Village Antique Centre and Florence at William's Fun Smart Toys hope to see the merchants' association continue to grow and the streetscape and sidewalks improve with better lighting and landscapes. Historic Ingleside Village Ingleside Avenue historicinglesidevillage Busine Spotlight SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION