The Corner Pocket: 
A downtown mainstay since 1975

Kim Everett / May 17, 2010

The Corner Pocket Sandwich Shoppe has been a downtown fixture since it opened in 1975 at the corner of Sixth and Main Streets, the current site of Synergy Bank.  It has changed ownership several times and moved to the corner of Sixth and State Streets, but it continues to be a downtown favorite.

Owner Mark Zigler, who bought the restaurant in 2004, has been told that it was called The Hip Pocket in the early days and that the current location has also served as a post office, appliance store, and dance studio.  There was also a sandwich shop called the Emporium there for a while.

Zigler, who has lived in Garland since 1981, owned a restaurant called The Upper Crust in Olla Podrida from 1982–1991.  When he sold it in 1991, he went to work for one of his suppliers.  The Corner Pocket was one of his customers, and in 2004, when he found out that it was for sale, he decided to make an offer.

He enjoys being a part of the downtown community. “It’s a hometown atmosphere where you get to know everyone.  It’s like a family.  People are not just customers, they are friends, and they support you,” Zigler said.

“We were shut down by a fire caused by a lightning strike for five months in 2005, and I figured we lost most of our customers, but that first day we re-opened, it was great, everyone was back and so happy that we were open again.”

He has noticed a definite increase in business since buying the restaurant and cites several reasons.  People feel welcome and comfortable and enjoy the homey atmosphere that the restaurant offers.  “The big chain places don’t know their customers by name.  I appreciate my customers very much, and they know it,” Zigler said. 

Manager Vickie Rogers contributes to the success of the restaurant as well.  “She has been here for several years and everyone loves her,” Zigler said.

In addition, the product quality is superior because everything is fresh and made on site.  Long time menu items such as the MAC, a mushroom, avocado, and 4 cheese sandwich with chicken or tuna salad, are still favorites, and he has also added some new menu items.  One popular addition has been the custard, which comes in many flavors and is loved by many.

Zigler feels that more unique businesses are needed to attract more foot traffic to the downtown area.  “It takes time.  The apartments look great, and we just need to move it this way,” he said. He also believes that a dry cleaner and maybe an independent drug store would be great additions, but he understands that the downtown population has to grow for these types of businesses to be successful.

The restaurant owner would like to see more large events held downtown so that more people will come to the area and see what’s there.  He finds it surprising that there are many people who are not aware that Garland has a downtown square.  “Downtown is coming along – we still have some empty buildings, but the merchants are working to get things done down here,” he said.

He feels that the First Saturdays event is a great idea and would like to see more family-friendly activities – like the Wild West Roundup, which is scheduled for September.  “It was great last Year, and they are planning some new things for it this year.”

“This is one of the oldest sandwich shops in Garland – maybe the oldest.  It’s been here since 1975.  There are also antique shops, a quilt shop, a book store, gift shops, furniture stores, a coffee shop, and other restaurants,” Zigler said.  “Vickie and I invite you to come see what downtown is all about and stop in for a free custard.”

Garland resident has dreams for downtown

Kim Everett / June 4, 2010

Garland resident and businesswoman Margie Sloan is on a mission to bring both attention and visitors to downtown Garland.  Her dream is to get all merchants working together to attract people of all ages to the area.  One of the projects that Sloan and several other downtown merchants are currently involved in is the First Saturdays Marketplace, held on the first Saturday of each month in downtown Garland.  Merchants have sidewalk sales, various vendors are invited to participate, and the Garland Animal Shelter is on hand for pet adoptions.  More activities are being added each month.

Sloan has a vision of a family-friendly event where families can come on the first Saturday of each month to enjoy a variety of fun activities for children and adults alike.

And she sees a downtown neighborhood where the merchants make a good living, have a deep a community spirit, and work together to help each other succeed. 

“I’m trying to ignite some excitement.  We talk a lot about McKinney and Plano, but this is Garland – let’s be unique, let’s find our niche, and let’s work together to accomplish it – all for one and one for all,” Sloan said.

She believes that everyone is so busy these days that people have splintered off in too many directions.  “Downtown is technically a small town within itself.  We’ve got the restaurants, businesses, city offices, entertainment, so it’s like a small town, but our lifestyles have changed so that everyone is disconnected,” she said.

“I’d like to get that changed and get it back to that old neighborhood feeling.  We’ve got the foundation right here.  This is where Garland started.  I’d like to see that warmth re-established.” 

Sloan was born and raised in Garland and has only lived outside of the Garland/Sachse area for 12 years when she lived in Dallas.  “Garland is my home.  We have property here, residential and commercial property,” she said. 

Until a couple of years ago, Sloan was happy to keep the books for their real estate leasing company, take care of her family, and help wherever she could, but in December 2008, she realized that she wanted to do more.  God was pushing her toward helping out in the downtown area.  “I got a message telling me that He planted me in Garland, and that He wanted me to sow and water in Garland,” she said.  “And since then, I’ve been doing everything I can for the downtown area.”

She is excited about what is happening, the new development, and the improvements that the city is making.  “The 5^th Street Crossing Apartments are great, and we have a variety of businesses.  What I feel like we need in downtown is more entertainment, more for kids to do,” she said.  “And we need to enhance what we already have.  My desire is to build up downtown, and my vision is growing all the time.”

Come home to
historic downtown

Kim Everett / April 30, 2010

Downtown Garland, in addition to being a unique and charming gathering place, is a tribute to the city’s history.  Buildings dating back to the late 19^th century stand together with the urban living style 5^th Street Crossing apartments, the recently opened Richland College campus, and freshly constructed municipal buildings to prove the city’s ability to appreciate its rich history and handle progress simultaneously.

The area, which is currently undergoing several positive changes, has a lot going for it according to District 2 Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Laura Perkins Cox.  One of the most important is the square.  “One of the biggest assets is that we actually have a real square.  We’re pretty unique in Dallas County that we have a real square,” she said. 

Cox refers to downtown as a “growing, happening, exciting place to be and encourages everyone...more to visit the area and see all the positive things that are going on.

She does not deny that the revitalization of the area could be difficult.  “We have some challenges, certainly; the vacant buildings are a challenge.  But remember, two years ago if we were sitting in this building [The Generator], we’d be sitting on a dirt floor with brick piles, but here we are,” Cox said.

“Somebody had a vision to create a unique business that would draw people.  It appeals to a different variety of folks.”

Attracting foot traffic and adding more entertainment venues are two of the most important things that must be accomplished.  To get more people to the area, more must be available for them to do and see.  “We have opportunities with some vacant buildings where we can try to work with the business owners and think about what would be interesting and unique and generate foot traffic,” Cox said.

“We need to work to get businesses down here that will draw people to the square because of what they are.  I love the antique shops…and Suzy’s Quilt Shop draws people to the square from all over East Texas because of what it is.  That’s the kind of unique businesses we ought to have on the square.”

Entertainment venues are also important.  “Vetoni’s recently added a comedy night, which is doing great, and we need more opportunities like that,” Cox said.

The 5^th Street Crossing development has attracted residents to the downtown area, and the units are currently 50 percent leased.  A small store, Fifth Street Marketplace, will open soon.

The city is currently studying redesign proposals, which Cox believes is key to the area’s success.  “The square needs to be redesigned and redeveloped…It is clearly not a functional space right now,” she said.  “The general plan is to bring it all up to street level and turn it into a plaza.”

The current design was implemented 1970s, and it was a parking lot before that.  “The water feature is beautiful, but it takes up a lot of usable space, and there are maintenance issues, too," Cox said.

“First Lady Rosalyn Carter came to the dedication, and it was a big deal.  It was great for the time, but it has outlived its usefulness.”

Cox believes that everyone’s views – business owners, residents, and people that visit the square, need to be considered in the redesign.  She said that redesign plans should be finalized within this budget year. 

Currently, funds that were allotted in the capital improvement program are being spent to make the streets more walkable and provide a more attractive look - trees, paving, planting, for example.

Construction of the new buildings – the Charles E. Duckworth Utility Services Building at 217 N. Fifth St. and the Utility Services Remote Payment Drive-Thru at 717 W. State St. – should be finished, and the buildings should be occupied as of June 7.

The Utility Services Building will house Customer Service, Tax, and GP&L Administration.  The Remote Payment Building will house the drive-thru payment personnel, meter readers, and field services.

 

Carole Harkins was raised in Garland and has worked in the downtown area for 14 years.  Since 1986, she has enjoyed helping people decide on the right hairstyles and color.  She recently had the honor of doing the hair of the contestants of the Ms. Senior Garland Pageant.

Corner Pocket Sandwich Shoppe, Garland owned and operated for 35 years, offers a wide range of choices for lunch and dinner.  It’s most famous for its pocket sandwiches, homemade frozen custard, and homey atmosphere.  The Corner Pocket has long been a favorite meeting/dining place of Garland residents.  Catering, business lunches, and delivery are available.

Paw Paw’s Sweet Shop & Café is the place for anyone with a sweet tooth.  Homemade pies and cakes and malts, shakes, and sundaes made with Blue Bell Ice Cream, tempt diners to have dessert before lunch at this 1950s style soda shop.  Paw Paw’s serves sandwiches and salads, along with other lunch fare.  Catering and boxed lunches are also available.