Thursday, May 10, 2012

Great Mother's Day Weekend in Gruene!





Mother’s Day is that special time once a year when Mom gets showered with love, affection, and most importantly, attention.
 With everyone so busy these days, it’s nice to stop, slow down and thank the woman who gave you life and helped shape you into the person you are today. Whether your Mama is a “Party Queen” or a “Lady Who Lunches” there is something for each type of Mom here in Gruene this Mother’s Day Weekend!! 

 
Here are a few ideas of how to spend some time with your Mama in Gruene Historic District –from listening to some great tunes, shopping and eating in town, to treating her to a spa day, you are sure to have a great time with the whole family celebrating Mom!


 
Now I don’t know about you – but my Mama likes to get rowdy in Gruene Hall, and probably will this Friday night at The Turnpike Troubadours concert! This is the perfect show to take your Mom to if she’s a music lover who’s always up for a good ol’ time. Show starts at 8pm, $15 at the door. Saturday night with the talented Radney Foster takes the stage, another great show to share with Mom at Gruene Hall! Tickets are on sale now at www.gruenehall.com. Show starts at 9pm – Tickets are $20.


If you think she’d be more suited for a casual afternoon filled with tunes, the Bill Hearne Trio will be playing on Saturday from 1-5pm, and Sunday Bret Graham is here 12:30-4pm followed by Susan Gibson 5:30-9pm – these are free shows – leaving you with some extra cash to buy the perfect Mother’s Day gift!



If you are already in the know about Gruene Hall’s Gospel Brunch – then we are sure you have tickets to this amazing SOLD OUT Mother’s Day event, Sunday 10:30-12pm. You can always take your Mom next month- who says you should only celebrate her once a year?? Not us. Tickets go on sale 5/13/12 at 1pm online at www.gruenehall.com.
Visit www.gruenehall.com for more info on the Gospel Brunch and all the shows at Gruene Hall! 

 Don’t forget about one of Mom’s favorite activities – SHOPPING. Stop in at Lone Star – Texas Eclectic to enter to win your Mom a gift basket FULL of goodies!
Bring her by Black Swan Antiques and have a listen to their GIANT wind chimes out front! 

Pop in to Pookie Jane’s where Mom is sure to find a new outfit to suit her ever changing style. Also, don’t miss out on getting Mom a “What Would Willie Do” t-shirt at Cotton Eyed Joes or vintage treasure from The Gruene Antique Company.

  
We don’t want her to shop til’ she drops, so take a lunch or dinner break at one of the many dining spots here in Gruene.

 Does she LOVE Chicken Fried Steak? Head to The Gristmill! Is she craving a juicy burger? Check out Mozie’s Char King or Sliders! Or maybe she’s in the mood for a Margarita and Tacos – Ole! Take her to Cantina del Rio where the food is perfectly paired with an ice cold frozen Rita!
For more info on all of the shops and restaurants here in Gruene visit www.gruenetexas.com
 

Now that your Mom has caught a show at Gruene Hall, shopped till she dropped in town, and had a bite to eat – send her off to the Spa. The Gruene Day Spa that is.
This serene little gem is located right behind the main street in Gruene, off of New Braunfels Street. Here you can treat your Mom to a Special Mother’s Day Package that includes a 1 hour massage, a moisturizing facial, and an express pedicure all for $215. Nothing is too good for your Mama right?!
Check out their website for more info on products and services - www.gruenedayspa.com

Happy Mother’s Day to all you amazing Mama’s out there!
Love,
Your friends in the Gruene Historic District

Friday, May 4, 2012

37 Years and Still Honky Tonkin’





This weekend marks the 37th Anniversary of Gruene Hall being under the ownership of Pat Molak and Mary Jane Nalley! While reminiscing through old photos we have come to appreciate the history of Texas’ Oldest Dance Hall, even more. 
For many musicians, it is one of the great stages to play on – often the “vibe” or “feeling” of the Hall is described by those who love to play here, and the same is true for our patrons. Maybe it’s the history; most likely it’s the good times everyone is having and those lovely old wood floors that are so perfect for dancing on. Either way – there is definitely energy here – and it’s a good one. 



Gruene Hall is actually about 134 years old and we’ve dug out some super old photos to back that up – like this one. The Hall was the center of the town at the time and attracted some seriously cool cowboys, like “Mr. Mustache” leaning very casually on the bar.  ALSO – that pot belly stove you see on the bottom left – it’s still there. Pat and Mary Jane didn’t really change a whole lot when they bought Gruene Hall because frankly, it didn’t need it. Gruene Hall looks pretty much the same as it did back in the old days, just how we all like it. 

  
Speaking of liking Gruene Hall – here is a guy that LOVED IT. Frank Schlather pretty much came with the Hall when Pat bought it and was a fixture at Gruene Hall until he passed. He loved to dance with all the girls, and was always easy to spot with his big crunched up cowboy hat, bowed legs and big smile. Since he was so loved by all – we celebrate him every year on his birthday, June 23rd by offering ice cold beers for $0.50 from noon till 2pm at the Hall – just how Frank liked em’. 
Click here for more details about Frank and Frank Schlather Day at Gruene Hall - http://gruenetexas.com/frankday.php


 
This photo is of Gruene Hall back in the 20’s or 30’s – Anyone know what kind of car that is?
  
As you can see it used to be called “Gruene’s Hall” because Henry Gruene owned the joint then. 
See that building in the background? That is the Gristmill before it was, “The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar.”  Still looks the same – rustic and rusty, perfect!


 This picture was taken of Gruene Hall before the road was paved… love those dirt roads. This was right about the time Pat and Mary Jane bought it, fixed what needed fixing and turned it into Legendary Gruene Hall. 











Today Gruene Hall looks like this – the wood bar, boot slick floors and hand carved tables – thanks to our loyal customers (y’all know who you are). Everyone that loves Gruene Hall loves that energy – the feeling you get when you walk in on a Saturday night and you came to see your favorite band – all of your friends are there waiting with a cold beer just for you. It’s hot – real hot – but the heat feels like a much needed hug from an old friend. So this weekend, come on over to the Hall and get that good ol’ feeling. Celebrate 37 years of Honky Tonkin with your friends at Gruene Hall!