By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer
A couple of months back, I had the pleasure of writing a column focused on some of the best restaurants in the Columbiana area.
One of the headliners was Davis Drug, a pharmacy with a built-in snack bar serving classic diner fare. Walking into the store feels like a time capsule to the 1950s, when pharmacies commonly had a dining component.
Without fail, the editorial team at the Shelby County Reporter gets milkshakes from the pharmacy every Wednesday. It is an oasis, something to look forward to during the grind of a work day.
No, this “shake break” isn’t revolutionary, but it’s a weekly rhythm cultivated into the schedule that provides some color during the work week.
Having spent months in Shelby County since joining the SCR staff, I’ve learned a lot about the cities and counties that we serve. In the past, I’ve been a critic of Shelby County’s lack of spaces like a record store or a boutique coffee shop, as compared to its bigger neighbor, Jefferson County.
However, what I have learned about Shelby County in my new role is that the opportunity is there to celebrate life’s ordinary days in the cities and municipalities we serve.
A Waffle House run before Pelham City Council. Playing nine at Timberline. Watching March Madness at Chelsea’s Buffalo Wild Wings location. These are all attainable moments that create a shared appreciation for the spaces and cities that Shelby County holds.
But it’s not just the spaces that make the place, it’s the people as well. I have noticed a quiet contentment amongst the residents of Shelby County. Yes, progress and change is a constant theme, but there is a rising sense of pride in every city I’ve covered so far. That pride, that sense of community, is infectious.
As the months, and perhaps years, crawl ahead, I plan to continue to seek out spaces in Shelby County to enjoy life. It is slowly becoming home to me. A home I could have never possibly expected, but welcome greatly.
No, Shelby County doesn’t have the big city charm of a Birmingham or Atlanta. But that’s OK. In fact, it’s welcome. There’s something beautiful about having a set routine in a small town or county. And in Shelby County, I’m learning to love the ordinary days.
I invite you to find that third space in the city you’re in. Shelby County has plenty to offer, if you’re willing to dig deep and find the joy in the ordinary.
