Old-timers will remember the Beeville described in this week’s 50 Years Ago column. Business leaders were expressing their optimism that the economy was booming and prospects for the new year were “terrific.”

The listing of businesses in 1959 was lengthy and many recall with fondness when downtown was filled with nice clothing stores, department stores, furniture stores, drugstores and cafes.

Those who grew up here in the ’50s and ’60s were frequent customers of such places as The Bootery, Beeville Boot & Repair Shop, Hause & Hall, the American Cafe, Ballard Drug Store, C.R. Anthony Co., J.C. Penney Co., The Parisian, Home Furniture & Mattress Co., Burrows Hardware...

Rather than lamenting the passing of time and loss of many of those stores, as well as the recent closing of other shops and restaurants during the current recession, Bee Countians should give thanks for all the family businesses that have stuck it out through these many years. During the good times and the bad times, they continue to provide goods and services to area customers.

In addition to the big boys, like H-E-B, Wal-Mart, Bealls, Lack’s and Walgreen’s, we owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to the Alaniz, Saenz, Wroten, Elder, Treviño, Smejkal, Fuller, Galloway, Hughes, Zimmer, Hogue, Aman, Quiroga, Carrera, Cude, Moore, Hall, Schauer, Truxaw, Butler and many other families who own and operate businesses here. They should be commended for making this South Texas community a special place, and we wish them continued success in the future.

We remind our readers that the U.S. economy is cyclical, and although there probably will be some tough times ahead, the good times will return.

Bee Development Authority officials are optimistic that positive news is coming from Sikorsky and Kay and Associates about more high-paying jobs at Chase Field in the near future. New downtown improvements are being made, thanks to the Main Street program and similar efforts, and the reopening of the majestic, refurbished Rialto Theater will be scheduled soon.

Continue to work diligently and hope for the best. Implement changes to remain viable in today’s market, treat customers fairly and encourage elected leaders to support economic development. If we work together to promote Beeville/Bee County and support the local stores and businesses, this community will prosper in 2009 and well into the future.