Businesses in downtown Glasgow get a ‘facelift’

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A lot of reconstruction is taking place in downtown Glasgow.

Becky Barrick is one of a couple small business owners in Glasgow partaking in a new renovation trend.

She’s run her store, Awards Inc. Elizabeth Porter Gifts, for 36 years here in Glasgow, and she decided it was time for a new store sign, a fresh coat of paint for the buildings, and some bright red for these tiles on the floor.

Her store, as well as the neighboring diner, George J’s and the business across the street, Glasgow’s Realty & Auction have all had their storefronts repainted and remodeled lately. A few more shops in the square are already scheduled for renovations.

“Once it got started, and the painters got up here, and he said he could do it, everybody just jumped aboard,” said Barrick.

As for the ‘why’ behind these changes, Barrick says it’s a mix of pride and fear of losing even more customers than they already have to big business.

Barrick said, “Quaint little businesses are slowly dissolving. And that depends on people coming and shopping with us, how long that we can stay in business-that type of thing. We just welcome everybody and we just like to show off.”

Randy Gibbons’ business, Glasgow’s Realty & Auction, just got their own building facelift last week with a new paint job and sign. This Glasgow native has been here at his store since 2010, and like Barrick, takes pride in his shop.

He says business owners like him are jumping at the opportunity of having both painters and a lift in the square. 

“It all came together so well, you know it just had to be the right thing to be happening,” said Gibbons.

Gibbons said his business attracts lots of out of state customers, and the new remodeling is his own personal way of letting travelers get a first hand look at the city’s homey feel.

“When they come to the heart of the city like Glasgow here on the Square, and they see where the buildings have been freshened up and it’s given a better appearance, they know it’s a nice place to live. A comfortable place to live,” said Gibbons.

Barrick said, “We’re really proud of Downtown Glasgow. We’re really proud to be a part of that, because it’s beautiful here. There’s a lot of beautiful shops and places to shop and things to see, and we want to make it look the best.”