2017 0513 Mels Antiques & Collectibles finds Fisher Cafe memorabilia

I just returned from Mel's Antiques & Collectibles in Olmito, Texas to find he just acquired a large collection of memorabilia from Fisher's Cafe which was once near corner of E Elizabeth and 10th St. across from the Majestic Theater.

There's the cafe sign with the downtown H-E-B behind it.  This photo is not part of the collection.  Take note of the steel mesh parapet and we'll have a quick look at the merchandise.

 The pieces may range from pre 1950s before Mr Del Mar Kuebke came to Brownsville and opened Fisjher's Cafe which lasted decades into the the 1970s.  Somebody please write to this blog and let us know more facts to include here.

Fisher's sponsored several baseball teams from West Brownsville Little League.  Mel & Del Trevino have several 8x10 photos and some have names written on the back with phone numbers.  Most of these boys might be in their 60's by now.  There were several large framed photographs of historic scenes from Brownsville but the photo on the left is of the cemetery at Matamoros, Tamaulipas.

 Here are a few bowling teams photos and certificates.

Many of these pieces were removed from the cafe when it closed.  Here's a Department of Health Permit for the cafe.

Stacks of photo postcards were included with several uncommon cards not usually found on Ebay or posted on internet are in the collection.  I grabbed a few to share with Bronsbil Estacion.  Two photographs (top right) show steel mesh parapet being installed.

Here's the building today with steel mesh still on it.

There were plenty rare photos of Port Isabel and South Padre Island so hurry in before all that stuff disappears into another collector's hands.

Opening for Mark Clark's Mejica showing at Brownsville Museum of Fine Art

That's Mark Clark in the center with (my guess from Googling it) Ne Tuchti ka ne Metzi (Rabbit in the Moon).  The young gentleman on left knew quite a bit about the Aztec dieties and he instructed me and lady on right with descriptions of the native American mythology and some MesoAmerican titles which were hard to pronounce but I wrote one down especially for you - the reader - at the very bottom. 

Leann Barreda I'm sorry I only took one photo and too few others and had to use this photo which is still great and great to see you both there!

These are average sized prints but there were smaller ones at price ranges to fit any budget.  Stop by the Museum of Fine Art and have a close up look.  

Joe Lee Rubio

Janet Evans

Just look at how those lit paintings stand out in the background. The colors Mark uses would brighten any area.  I may go back and get titles to these as there was plenty of information but little time to take notes and interview Mark but if you want to see more of that let me know.  

Artist Puente and friends

Macuilxochitl the five-flower god of games, gambling and sexual pleasure

The Kraken Lounge Concert Series

 What a great time it was last night for the first of what we hope will be many outdoor concert series  shows organized by Dannie Alvarado and the gang at The Kraken Lounge.  

 This was the classic car showcased outside of the lounge where cold beers flowed and hot pizza was delivered with rock music from 12 pm to 12 am.  If you have a classic car you want to display for the next show  or would like to collaborate with him on the next outdoor concert contact Dannie at the Kraken (956) 372-1550

Most people are under the impression that downtown is a no-go for any show ever since the closing of several clubs and just recently, two cantinas that didn't seem to offer the variety or inclusion that will enhance the downtown experience but don't tell that to Kraken Lounge proprietor Dannie Alvarado who is a survivor and innovative downtown entrepreneur who will just laugh at you.  Join him in making downtown a viable spot to check for weekly entertainment.  

Olvera Building renovation and Market Square update

We're not going to go into a long explanation of what is happening in these photos but we'll try to post more photos as this and other projects develop downtown as time and opportunity permit.  

 Planters with trees are being placed around Market Square.  

We can suppose these men are pouring cement into cement post cylinders underground which will serve as base for light poles.

 Hard hat worker pouring cement

 Work continues on the cupola.  It looks like they managed to form the dome.  It will be nice to see if they replace blue tiling as it was before.  Check back for updates....

 Not sure what sort of stepped planter or platform this is.

 Sample herringbone brick pattern inlay which will surround walkway areas around the square.

 The Olvera building side facing Market Square.  Thanks to Ricardo Carlos and crew of Rival Builders for welcoming me inside to take these few photos for us.

 The Olvera building side facing E Washington St. has been scaffolded but all the work is being done inside for now.  

 That looks like a well or cistern (not sure how it was used yet in the center of the building.

 Looking down from top of stairs

 Skylight from center open area

Check again for updates.  The building is one of the oldest on Market Sqaure and has a history that goes much farther then the Olvera Shoe Store that existed in it for many years.  It was originally built by one of the Fernandez's ;  a pioneering family in Brownsville, Texas and is now owned by Larry Lof whose name is well recognized as a restorer of historic properties.  Hopefully we can interview him later for a more informative look at the history of this building and future use of it etc..