Comments on: Flying Possum Leather set to reopen in new location on Block Avenue

By: Karen Heberling

Karen Heberling — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:05:17 +0000

Don’t see it mentioned in the article, but Bob actually made boots and sandals for years in Chico, CA back in the ’70s, and was known for making a durable and comfortable custom-made product that was formed to the individual’s foot. He was sorely missed by many when he moved to Santa Cruz in 1979. Most comfortable sandals I ever owned, and I wore them for a decade! Resoled twice or three times, I think.

By: BiggieRat

BiggieRat — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:04:51 +0000

You go, Robert ! I’m glad to hear that you are returning to AR and carrying on the tradition of the Flying O’Possum Leather in Bruce’s memory. Keep us posted on the progress.

By: Oswald Copperpot

Oswald Copperpot — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:34:18 +0000

What about the dog?

By: glutenfree

glutenfree — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:30:37 +0000

I think you oversimplify it. The issue was that the business couldn’t get a ruling from the city allowing them to “restore” the sign. It was a choice of “leave everything as is” or don’t have the mural because restoring it after repairs wasn’t allowed under the ordinance.

By: Hal Jordan

Hal Jordan — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:31:05 +0000

Yessssssssss

By: Bartender

Bartender — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:50:10 +0000

Word is that another bar is coming which is going to be owned by the same owner of Ryleigh’s and Sideways

By: Mr. Dooley

Mr. Dooley — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:41:37 +0000

I agree that an exception should have been found or an amendment made for restoring the sign under the ordinance, but the city did not cover over the Coke ad. That was a business decision by the owner, finding it cheaper to spray that gunk over the bricks rather than repoint the wall and seek an amendment for the sign. It might have been nice if those of us who wanted to keep it had lobbied the owner and the council, but I found it easier to complain, as do most of us.

By: ©_©

©_© — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:21:05 +0000

Isn’t Fayetteville supposed to be a “preserve history” town? If so, then why don’t they do it! Everyone I’ve ever talked to has fond memories of the old flying possum store & are so happy to hear it returning! I would think the city would want to try to keep such an iconic business in one of its most known areas of the city a fond memory for all even though its relocating! I’m betting that the old sign wont even make it in from what I know of the city’s restrictions! I wonder if it would be possible to grandfather it in somehow if it doesn’t, or even the mural since the store had been around for 35 years or so? That’s a long time to not get some kind of leniency somehow!

By: glutenfree

glutenfree — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:23:16 +0000

I think it all boils down to whose idea it is. They can’t grant a variance for a historic, old Coke Ad, but they can get propose a variance for a tree covered in Christmas lights….. Just doesn’t seem sane or equal.

By: Justin

Justin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:51:31 +0000

Yeah, that’s what I thought. As long as it isn’t a “commerical.”

Not letting them restore that Coke ad was ridiculous. I couldn’t believe it.

By: glutenfree

glutenfree — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:38:47 +0000

I don’t think the sign ordinance prohibits murals. I think the problem with the old ad on the building being repainted was that it was a “Coke” ad, and the sign ordinance prohibits advertising products that are not sold on that premises.

If there was a ban on murals, there wouldn’t be one at Teatro Scarpino, or the recently installed on over by Jammin Java.

We need a ruling from a city person, and then we need some artists, and then we need to give those artists a little money, and boom…mural.

By: Oswald Copperpot

Oswald Copperpot — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:26:15 +0000

What about the dog? I really hope he is gets to chill in the new leather shop all day like he used to.

By: Mr. Dooley

Mr. Dooley — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:40:05 +0000

Are you sure? I thought the sign ordinance just prohibited commercial ads not murals of a more general nature.

By: Tony Wappel

Tony Wappel — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:20:42 +0000

so sad about no murals. Fayeteville’s sign ordinance really stifles creativity.

By: Tonya

Tonya — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:15:59 +0000

No mural guys. Fayetteville had an ordinance against them. Not too long ago they painted over a 100yo Coke ad.

By: d

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:45:21 +0000

Dickson St. gave up on being Dickson St. I think Block Ave is the new Dickson St. Long live Block Ave.!

Five bucks says the old Flying Possum with be another bar.

By: JosephM

JosephM — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:52:24 +0000

I do understand the parking problem of daytime business on Dickson, but Block and the Square are retail and restaurant areas!! I am sure that this will help bring more business, but the upswing for this area has been in the works for more time than this article!

By: Sandy Atkins

Sandy Atkins — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:07:36 +0000

Great Idea!

By: ©_©

Mural, love the thought! It’s an ideal location for it! An opportunity to preserve a little bit of the city’s history while helping towards the success of a new local business owner continuing on a new chapter! I think a mural of the old flying possum somehow would be very nice, but imagine the City would never go for it or allow it! I’m thinking that the sign restrictions are tough to work around for something like that! I wonder if the original sign from the old Dickson St. store will be used! That’d be nice to see again!

By: Emma

Emma — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:09:59 +0000

This post brought tears to my eyes. Happy to see Bruce’s legacy living on. He shared a particular distaste of the Dickson Street Parking situation, which many Fayetteville residents echo. Block is truly the perfect location to re-open this store. Now maybe the Square will be up-and-coming retail and restaurant area. Makes me curious if Dickson will become primarily bars and nightlife? Hard for businesses to sustain themselves when customers have to make a dedicated effort to buy from places that require you pay to park your vehicle outside, then pay again for the product.