We have finally had a good break in the weather so I took this opportunity to get out and take a bunch of pictures of all of the venues. While you may notice in some of the pictures there are a few areas of landscaping that need a little bit of polish but all and all the crew did an amazing job of meeting the Dec. 1st dead line. Every staff member that I have spoken to is very up beat and excited to be a part of Country Crossing. The teams are already getting into rhythm and the first few days have gone remarkably smoothly.
The whole facility especially the Bingo Pavilion has been quite busy. Each night the parking lots have filled up and the whole place is a buzz. There has already even been a $10,000 Bingo winner!
If you were not in the Worley Bird Saloon on Tuesday night you missed a very special treat. Grammy Award nominee Jamey Johnson got up on stage and played a number of song for a very appreciative crowd. That is what is truly great about Country Crossing you never know who you could be sitting next to at one of the restaurant or who is going to happen to take the stage.
John Anderson's Cafeteria is already getting a reputation for great food and friendly service. When I walked in on Tuesday and saw Mr. Anderson he was beaming as he was shaking hands and enjoying his new restaurant.
Lorrie Morgan's Hot Chicken is most definitely some of the hottest chicken in the south. But don't worry, for those of us with more sensitive taste-buds the chicken comes in 4 different intensities including mild.
The Possum Holler Bed & Breakfast has already had a number of guests including many of the stars that were at the opening. I have to say that it is breath-taking all decorated up for Christmas. When I stopped by the other night, there was a women and her 78 year old mother celebrating her Birthday by relaxing by the fire and enjoying a stay at the Bed & Breakfast. They where so happy to be there and really enjoying the luxury that is Possum Holler. Feel free to stop in and say "hi" to the staff and look at all of the wonderful pictures and memorabilia from George Jones.
Bluegrass Hollow RV park has even had its first guest. The setting back there is very relaxing and all of the finishing touches are being made to get ready for what is expected to be a very busy weekend next week. The booking system is expected to go live very shortly.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Country Crossing is OPEN!
The media event to open the doors of Country Crossing was star studded. Ronnie Gilley was surrounded by friends, family, investors and some of Country's musics biggest stars. Even Ronnie's 78 year young mother made it out for this big event and there were more then a few moist eyes in the crowd Ronnie expressed his love and gratitude to his mother and the team that has stood strong behind him over the last couple of years. Other highlights include Randy Owen and all of the other music stars singing "My Home's in Alabama." It was concluded with a very nice prayer and blessing on the future of Country Crossing as Ronnie dedicated this project to the good of the Lord.
Once again, thank you for dreaming big and including Houston county in those dreams Ronnie.
Once the doors were open the public quickly filled the Bingo Pavilion. While the preparations may have gone down to the last minute the reviews of the facility and staff have been terrific.
Once again, thank you for dreaming big and including Houston county in those dreams Ronnie.
Once the doors were open the public quickly filled the Bingo Pavilion. While the preparations may have gone down to the last minute the reviews of the facility and staff have been terrific.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
December 1st is here!
Country Crossing opens its doors at 3pm TODAY! The Bingo Pavilion, Lorrie Morgan's Hot Chicken, John Anderson's Cafeteria, The Worley Bird Saloon, Possum Holler Bed & Breakfast, and Bluegrass Hollow RV Park are OPEN FOR BUSINESS! The First Concert is scheduled for the Celebrity Station Amphitheater for December 12th.
Our phone lines are now open and all calls into Country Crossing can be made to:
1-877-507-7779 or 334-615-8600.
If you have any question or to make reservation etc. can be handled at the switch board and will be routed to the appropriate person or venue.
The Possum Holler Bed and Breakfast had it's first guests last night and RV's are starting to arrive to the RV Park. Many of the stars are here today for the event and for photo opportunities.
These pictures were taken over the weekend. As one could figure things have been very crazy as the new staff moves into their spaces and as the construction crew quickly finishes up all of the different projects around the property. Things will continue to be polished and shined over the next few weeks, but for the time being we are running full speed ahead.
Bingo Pavilion
Bed and Breakfast
Amphitheater
Our phone lines are now open and all calls into Country Crossing can be made to:
1-877-507-7779 or 334-615-8600.
If you have any question or to make reservation etc. can be handled at the switch board and will be routed to the appropriate person or venue.
The Possum Holler Bed and Breakfast had it's first guests last night and RV's are starting to arrive to the RV Park. Many of the stars are here today for the event and for photo opportunities.
These pictures were taken over the weekend. As one could figure things have been very crazy as the new staff moves into their spaces and as the construction crew quickly finishes up all of the different projects around the property. Things will continue to be polished and shined over the next few weeks, but for the time being we are running full speed ahead.
Bingo Pavilion
Bed and Breakfast
Amphitheater
Friday, November 27, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
I hope that everyone is having a very enjoyable day today. I took some pictures yesterday of the site. With only a handful of days left the detail keep coming to make this project complete.
All around the property there are landscaping teams working feverishly to get it all covered and looking great. Others are cleaning and still others are getting all of the safety signage up.
All of the restaurants in the Bingo Pavilion are really starting to look like a finish venues. They all have decorations on the wall and furniture on hand. While some have the furniture in place the other are just waiting for the final cleaning of the floors before they can be set up.
Down at Possum Holler Bed & Breakfast is all about landscaping and finishing the decorating inside. They have a bunch more George Jones art work to go on the walls that will make this a truly unique place to stay.
I have been told Friday is going to be a huge day because much of the staff gets to take control of the offices and more training will take place on site.
All around the property there are landscaping teams working feverishly to get it all covered and looking great. Others are cleaning and still others are getting all of the safety signage up.
All of the restaurants in the Bingo Pavilion are really starting to look like a finish venues. They all have decorations on the wall and furniture on hand. While some have the furniture in place the other are just waiting for the final cleaning of the floors before they can be set up.
Down at Possum Holler Bed & Breakfast is all about landscaping and finishing the decorating inside. They have a bunch more George Jones art work to go on the walls that will make this a truly unique place to stay.
I have been told Friday is going to be a huge day because much of the staff gets to take control of the offices and more training will take place on site.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Total new jobs created by Country Crossing now exceeds 1,100!
As the date to open the doors draws closer, the excitement is building on the Country Crossing site. Now there is not only the construction crews working tirelessly to finish the project, but there are also employees from the different venues getting trained and are eagerly anticipating the day that they can take possession of their respective locations.
I quickly took some shots of some of the exterior details being completed on the Bingo pavilion.
The Celebrity Junction Amphitheater also continues to move forward. The lights were added today to the right side of the wall and the stone on the ticket booth gives it a very nice rustic look.
I quickly took some shots of some of the exterior details being completed on the Bingo pavilion.
The Celebrity Junction Amphitheater also continues to move forward. The lights were added today to the right side of the wall and the stone on the ticket booth gives it a very nice rustic look.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Progress as of 11-22-09
I would like to start of apologizing to the staff of HEDA. I told them I would have some employee specific pictures up yesterday and due to car problems the picture were not taken until this morning. Congratulations to all of the new hires!
WE are getting down to the wire so I decided to break the pictures down a little bit more so we can see where each venue is at. We will start with the Bingo pavilion. They are putting in the floors in the entryway and finishing off the desk areas. Most of the office furniture has arrived and the HEDA employees are expected to move in later this week. The MANY MANY chairs have been delivered and are ready to be placed at all of the electronic bingo machines.
Lorrie Morgen's Hot Chicken is getting the really cool memorabilia put up on the walls. The restaurant is looking so complete I would expect to see furniture delivered soon.
John Anderson's Cafeteria is getting cleaned up so the carpet can be installed. The kitchen equiptment is in place and the serving line is looking ready to take care of hungry guests.
The Worley Bird Saloon Has all of the TV mounts up and the bar is ready for the counter tops. The flooring is in and and I would expect to see decorations on the walls and furniture in place this week with no problems.
The Possum Holler Bed & Breakfast also got some really cool George Jones memorabilia put up. The patios have been stained and the walkways and drive ways were being poured today.
And finally the Celebrity Station Amphitheater. I know I have said this before but the stage is AWESOME! It really makes a statement looming so large with the beautiful backdrop of woods behind it. The lighting has been put up and the buildings are making good progress.
WE are getting down to the wire so I decided to break the pictures down a little bit more so we can see where each venue is at. We will start with the Bingo pavilion. They are putting in the floors in the entryway and finishing off the desk areas. Most of the office furniture has arrived and the HEDA employees are expected to move in later this week. The MANY MANY chairs have been delivered and are ready to be placed at all of the electronic bingo machines.
Lorrie Morgen's Hot Chicken is getting the really cool memorabilia put up on the walls. The restaurant is looking so complete I would expect to see furniture delivered soon.
John Anderson's Cafeteria is getting cleaned up so the carpet can be installed. The kitchen equiptment is in place and the serving line is looking ready to take care of hungry guests.
The Worley Bird Saloon Has all of the TV mounts up and the bar is ready for the counter tops. The flooring is in and and I would expect to see decorations on the walls and furniture in place this week with no problems.
The Possum Holler Bed & Breakfast also got some really cool George Jones memorabilia put up. The patios have been stained and the walkways and drive ways were being poured today.
And finally the Celebrity Station Amphitheater. I know I have said this before but the stage is AWESOME! It really makes a statement looming so large with the beautiful backdrop of woods behind it. The lighting has been put up and the buildings are making good progress.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Major milestone today for Country Crossing
Houston Economic Development Association (HEDA)The non-profit that is running the Bingo portion of Country Crossing had a major day today. 241 members of the newly hired staff met today to fill out their employee information and begin training for their new positions. While some of the leadership has been working for a little while now today was the first official day of work for the majority of the staff. Next week they will continue training in preparation for the opening of the facility on December first. All that were in attendance were very excited and thankful for their new jobs. Karen D. Head of HR for HEDA told the group, "you are the cream of the crop. I have had to send out over 23,000 denial letter and you are the ones that we have chosen to fill these positions." This is a big step for Country Crossing but it represents only a portion of the over 6000 jobs that will be created over the next 5 years.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Progress as of 11-18-09
As each of the venues get closer to winding up the landscaping and plantings are ramping up. There are several parking areas that are now complete with grassy islands and trees, lines painted, and lights up. Even down in the RV park the areas in between the pads are getting grass and trees planted now.
The Bingo Pavilion continues to move forward and will be ready in less then 2 WEEKS! It was really neat to walk into the building and hear music through the PA system and the techs were doing PA checks in the different areas. The restaurants have the finish trim up, they continue to get the food service equiptment ready, and are even getting the TV's up.
The Bed and Breakfast now has a roadway around it so they can finish the walkways and get the landscaping in. The new manager has been hired and they are busily working on setting up the website and booking systems.
The stage at the Amphitheater is HUGE! It is looking so good and I can't believe how fast it is going up. The concession/bathrooms are bricked and roofed and they are working on all of the internal systems. You can also see all of the post points for the entryway and front wall. Our little "train station" is getting national attention already. In just over 3 weeks we will be getting together to enjoy our first of MANY MANY concerts.
The Bingo Pavilion continues to move forward and will be ready in less then 2 WEEKS! It was really neat to walk into the building and hear music through the PA system and the techs were doing PA checks in the different areas. The restaurants have the finish trim up, they continue to get the food service equiptment ready, and are even getting the TV's up.
The Bed and Breakfast now has a roadway around it so they can finish the walkways and get the landscaping in. The new manager has been hired and they are busily working on setting up the website and booking systems.
The stage at the Amphitheater is HUGE! It is looking so good and I can't believe how fast it is going up. The concession/bathrooms are bricked and roofed and they are working on all of the internal systems. You can also see all of the post points for the entryway and front wall. Our little "train station" is getting national attention already. In just over 3 weeks we will be getting together to enjoy our first of MANY MANY concerts.
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