This isn’t the first article written about the Sunday afternoon event at Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe, but if you haven’t been able to attend yet, you have to wait until next year. Nov. 29 was the 2015 finale of this Car Show, and 56 vehicles showed up to pack the parking lot in front of the popular coffee and sandwich stop in downtown Gallup.
The event will pick up again the Sunday following income tax day, April 15, and likely will not run as long as it did this year. The weather did turn a little frosty during the last couple of weeks and the fall winds didn’t make it any better.
“I don’t think we’ll run it this late next year,” said Camille’s owner James Rich. “Maybe October at the latest.”
Not that Rich or show organizer Fitz Sargent were disappointed with this year’s overall turnout, the first full year for the Sunday event. Averaging about 20 cars and trucks every Sunday brought others downtown for a look and a quick cup of coffee, a wrap, a small pizza or a delicious sugary treat.
“We had been closed on Sundays because we had nothing else to offer,” Rich commented. “With this added offering, we slowly worked up to actually making a profit, and also introducing new customers to what Camille’s offers.
“We appreciate the support of the Business Investment District, too. It was a nice mix of young kids and older seasoned veterans that put this over the top. They were helping each other and it became a very positive experience quickly.”
Fitz Sargent was given full credit by Rich for making this his brainchild, but Sargent has always been a car person and lives downtown as well.
“I’ve always been interested in doing things,” Sargent responded to the praise of Rich. “ People enjoy it! There is so little community fun!”
Maybe by next spring, other downtown businesses will have thought of ideas of their own to have a new influx of visitors during otherwise slow times. Put your brains to work, and see what you can come up with!
Story and Photos
by Tom Hartsock
Sun Correspondent
