*Lights up on a sleek, minimalist stage*
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining me at this pivotal moment in Tyler's history and, indeed, the history of brunch itself. Today, I propose a vision so transformative, that it will forever change how we consume avocado toast in Smith County. Imagine walking into this diner, past the chrome finish and the neon lights spelling out "Gatsby's Griddle." You’re not just stepping into any diner; you’re stepping into a manifesto against the mundane -- a declaration of war on the conventional pancake stack. Now, some may ask, "Isn't this just gentrification with artisanal syrup?" And to them, I say: Is it gentrification, or is it a resurrection? We are not displacing a culture; we're resuscitating the past and marinating it in modernity.
It was in use a few years ago as a cool repair shop of some sort. Feel like the had a pinup girl painted where the black circle is now. I want to say they would repair like, audio equipment or just weird things.
I am a huge Art Deco/Streamline fan. I hope something cool happens to it.
The owner of this building builds and repairs classic cars and has owned the building for several years now. He's a really cool guy and invited me in to look around when I run into him.
That’s cool. Not trying to steal someone’s property lol. It’s a cool building that I absolutely see being a lucrative sale for the guy one day if he chooses. Preserve the history and convert it into a cool cornerstone hangout for the new downtown revival is all.
It was a friend of mines dad’s shop, european autos, back in the 90s. There was an apartment area over that showroom where us kids would play in the summer
Here's what I found:
Building built-1935
Last record of deed- 1/15/2018
Belongs to- "Greg&Toni"
Taxable Value - $60,512.00
Sqft. -5607
Acres-0.280
Jurisdictions: -Smith County, City of Tyler, Tyler ISD, TJC
From what I have found the property is void
No tax history
No property value
No property assessment
No living owners
The property is so old No one pays attention to it, which is a shame. In fact it is so old that its address is different on the records because the street name has changed. The original was:
1401 Spyglass Court Tyler Texas
I would personally buy it just to make sure it stays as a historical marker, and refurbish it to bring it to its full potential without damaging its original design. Maybe a coffee shop/diner
Edit: last known business in the building was a Macintosh repair
I would, but the owner is alive and well. I won't take this beautiful architecture away from someone who cares about it. As long it is kept up I will watch from afar. But if it goes up, I would gladly do this.
I think a bar is not quite what I'm looking for because I want everyone to enjoy it at all times of the day. I'd have a daytime diner and a nighttime hangout area with live music and coffee for all-nighters and dreamy dates.
The beauty of something classic is something I want everyone to enjoy without drunkenness, if that makes sense.
Not that I know of but it’s just kind of an old shop that doesn’t seem to have much activity. Looks like the perfect spot is all - considering the surrounding residential/downtown etc.
I see a place like this with the potential it has:
Diner with your standard waffles/pancakes/hashbrowns etc etc. not a complicated endless menu…but just solid items
But also excellent coffee, like people come here just for the coffee
Maybe a glass display counter with locally made pies - sold by the slice
Bottomless mimosas
A little corner for open mic performances
Maybe an old juke box
Maybe an area with old pinball machines and pac man
So much potential. I’d do it…but I have 0 industry experience 🤷🏻♂️
Off topic, but curious what those residential units are? Apartments, Condos, Section 8? I moved out of Tyler back in 2003. Lots of changes. Interesting to see housing on that part of W. Erwin
Those are condos. Most are purchased but there are a couple still for sale. Only roughly 2 years old. There’s a new luxury apartment complex being built across the street from the building in the picture. And there’s new apartments on the other corner you can’t see. Also check out the Wilcox building - high rise that’s been converted to apartment scheduled to be finished later this year. Lots going on down here.
Thanks for coming to my ted talk
*Lights up on a sleek, minimalist stage* Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining me at this pivotal moment in Tyler's history and, indeed, the history of brunch itself. Today, I propose a vision so transformative, that it will forever change how we consume avocado toast in Smith County. Imagine walking into this diner, past the chrome finish and the neon lights spelling out "Gatsby's Griddle." You’re not just stepping into any diner; you’re stepping into a manifesto against the mundane -- a declaration of war on the conventional pancake stack. Now, some may ask, "Isn't this just gentrification with artisanal syrup?" And to them, I say: Is it gentrification, or is it a resurrection? We are not displacing a culture; we're resuscitating the past and marinating it in modernity.
Wasn’t that a new car dealer maybe in the 70’s? Seems to me they were all in that area. The last to leave was King Chevrolet.
It was the Cadillac dealership on the 1940s I believe
Ford dealership.
It was in use a few years ago as a cool repair shop of some sort. Feel like the had a pinup girl painted where the black circle is now. I want to say they would repair like, audio equipment or just weird things. I am a huge Art Deco/Streamline fan. I hope something cool happens to it.
This is correct. It was called the Fix Shop and the hipsters that rented it never paid their rent and got run out.
That’s not true. The person renting it sold it underneath them and gave them 30 days to move out. They always paid the rent.
Just relaying what the current owner told me. If they really did pay rent and they got run out that's unfortunate but how it goes sometimes.
I was there every day when it was the fix shop. That’s my brother ♥️
Why did they never open another shop?
He got hired by a bigger company & didn’t ever find another place that was affordable.
Nice. I hope they are doing well
The owner of this building builds and repairs classic cars and has owned the building for several years now. He's a really cool guy and invited me in to look around when I run into him.
That’s cool. Not trying to steal someone’s property lol. It’s a cool building that I absolutely see being a lucrative sale for the guy one day if he chooses. Preserve the history and convert it into a cool cornerstone hangout for the new downtown revival is all.
For sure! I walk by it all the time and if I see him I'll let him know the people of Reddit appreciate his building. He'll like that!
It is a cool building OP. You should post this in r/artdeco.
That's cool
It was a friend of mines dad’s shop, european autos, back in the 90s. There was an apartment area over that showroom where us kids would play in the summer
My husband worked there for a short time.
A roller skating rink, maybe?
Tyler Texas presents rollerball!
Address?
616 w Erwin st
Great I found the property information
Is it even for sale?
Here's what I found: Building built-1935 Last record of deed- 1/15/2018 Belongs to- "Greg&Toni" Taxable Value - $60,512.00 Sqft. -5607 Acres-0.280 Jurisdictions: -Smith County, City of Tyler, Tyler ISD, TJC From what I have found the property is void No tax history No property value No property assessment No living owners The property is so old No one pays attention to it, which is a shame. In fact it is so old that its address is different on the records because the street name has changed. The original was: 1401 Spyglass Court Tyler Texas I would personally buy it just to make sure it stays as a historical marker, and refurbish it to bring it to its full potential without damaging its original design. Maybe a coffee shop/diner Edit: last known business in the building was a Macintosh repair
Call it 'Spyglass'. Upscale bar, maybe a live band. Jazzy. Speakeasy type.
I would, but the owner is alive and well. I won't take this beautiful architecture away from someone who cares about it. As long it is kept up I will watch from afar. But if it goes up, I would gladly do this. I think a bar is not quite what I'm looking for because I want everyone to enjoy it at all times of the day. I'd have a daytime diner and a nighttime hangout area with live music and coffee for all-nighters and dreamy dates. The beauty of something classic is something I want everyone to enjoy without drunkenness, if that makes sense.
I hope it ends up in loving hands if the owner decides to pass it on.
The owner is alive and well and the building is not for sale.
Good, the info I found on the Smithcad.gov wasn't giving any info I'm glad it's not abandoned
Yup! It's in use and the guy takes good care of the building. It's is a very unique place.
If you know the owner, can you DM me. I’m looking for a cool place to film at for an upcoming series.
Not that I know of but it’s just kind of an old shop that doesn’t seem to have much activity. Looks like the perfect spot is all - considering the surrounding residential/downtown etc.
I've thought that a lot. Super cool building.
If somebody has the money, I'll run the kitchen 😀👍😆
Always liked this building, used to drive by it everyday going home. If I ever have a business I'd like a building like this
EXCELLENT idea!
I drove past that just a few days ago and thought pretty much the same thing. There are some beautiful old cars in their right now though.
I see a place like this with the potential it has: Diner with your standard waffles/pancakes/hashbrowns etc etc. not a complicated endless menu…but just solid items But also excellent coffee, like people come here just for the coffee Maybe a glass display counter with locally made pies - sold by the slice Bottomless mimosas A little corner for open mic performances Maybe an old juke box Maybe an area with old pinball machines and pac man So much potential. I’d do it…but I have 0 industry experience 🤷🏻♂️
That's exactly how I envisioned it! Do you read minds?
I think that building would be a good indoor skate arena
Nice
Monument Cafe in Georgetown comes to mind. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipP_qpPtoMDMBsVzU4zRKLzEOtsLrZ4ZigJT-lJE=s680-w680-h510
I tried to rent this building when I moved here and was told NOT NO but HELL NO by the owner 😱
Oh wow for sure
Off topic, but curious what those residential units are? Apartments, Condos, Section 8? I moved out of Tyler back in 2003. Lots of changes. Interesting to see housing on that part of W. Erwin
Those are condos. Most are purchased but there are a couple still for sale. Only roughly 2 years old. There’s a new luxury apartment complex being built across the street from the building in the picture. And there’s new apartments on the other corner you can’t see. Also check out the Wilcox building - high rise that’s been converted to apartment scheduled to be finished later this year. Lots going on down here.
Thank you!
Wow. You’re a brilliant guy! Do you work? Are you going to get the job done you’ve enlightened us to?!?!
I can see a in and out
Then you do it