That's right. Just like the Johnny Cash song. What else could you do with the old Cute-Rite chainsaw repair shop? Turn it into a funky Johnny Cash tribute bar, of course.
Well, actually some developers really wanted to turn it into condos. And now developers have snatched up all of the land around it and are busily putting up yet another place to buy overpriced things that nobody really needs (or can really afford) and more lofts (we don't have nearly enough of those in Austin). And even though the Mean Eyed Cat has been in business since 2004, the zoning doesn't allow for a bar and they just don't serve enough food to be a considered a restaurant. Well, now they have to face the music and try to get the property rezoned to stay in business. It is a kick ass little dive despite all of the crappy development around it. Of course there is a petition to save the place, and they have had a benefit concert to save the place (this is Austin afterall and we have got to keep it weird). Naturally, the Old West Austin Neighborhood Association is against the zoning change. Why? Because they think if there is one bar near their neighborhood then there will be a million tomorrow. Frankly, I would be more upset by the new development than the cool bar if it were in my neighborhood. Personally, I'm rooting for the Mean Eyed Cat.
For those of you unfamiliar with the song I have included the lyrics for your reading pleasure:
Mean Eyed Cat
by Johnny Cash
I give my woman half my money at the general store I said, "Now buy a little groceries, and don't spend no more." But she gave ten dollars for a ten cent hat And bought some store bought cat food for a mean eyed cat.
When I give her ten more dollars for a one way ticket She was mad as she could be Then I bet ten more that if she ever left She'd come a-crawlin' back to me When I woke up this mornin' and I turned my head There wasn't a cotton pickin' thing on her side of the bed I found a little old note where her head belonged It said, "Dear John, honey, baby, I'm long gone."
When I heard a whistle blowin', and the big wheels a-turnin' I was scared as I could be I put on my overalls and I headed to town Gonna bring her back with me.
I asked the man down at the station if he'd seen her there I told him all about her pretty eyes and long, blonde hair He spit his tobacco, said, "I'll be dad blamed...... I believe I did see her leavin' on the east bound train."
I bought a round trip ticket on the east bound train I was broke as I could be But when I come back, gotta buy another ticket Gotta bring her back with me.
Well, I got off the train somewhere in Arkansas And I worked up the guts to call my Mother-In-Law She said, "I'll tell you where she is, if you act right." "She's workin' four to twelve at Trucker's World tonight."
When I walked in she saw me, and she took off her apron And she grabbed her goin' home hat She bought a ticket with her tips And now we're curled up on the sofa, me and her....and that mean eyed cat
2 comments:
That looks like my kinda bar, dang it.
and the beer is cheap too!
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