Cheers to Abilene

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name

And they're always glad you came

You want to be where you can see

Our troubles are all the same

You want to be where everybody knows your name.

Visitors to Abilene often comment about how kind and welcoming everyone is, but as a local, I love how everyone knows not only my name but what I like.

Last week my husband and I traveled out of town for a funeral. Before we left, he offered to pick up coffee while I finished packing. As he walked into Amanda’s Bakery & Bistro, he pulled out his cell phone to read my order, but the staff told him what I wanted before he ever said a word. 

Other times, I’ll stop by Sips or Ortus Café in the morning and the same thing happens. It always makes me smile when we exchange nods and smiles knowing that we both know my order.

When going to lunch at M&R Grill or The Farmhouse, the staff asks if I want the “usual”. 

For my birthday, a friend called Cypress Bridge to order my gift. After she told them who the gift was for, they were able to tell her which scents I liked. It worked out perfectly and my home now smells amazing! Other friends call the Flower Box and let them choose the flowers for the arrangement because they know what I like. And it's always helpful when Aksent Boutique messages me with pieces they know I'll love!

For travelers, their first introduction to our community is our front-line hospitality and retail workers. When they hear staff greet customers by name, know their order or what they like, they smile and take note of our community’s small-town charm. 

Abilene frequently makes the news as the best small town, but it’s our community’s residents, employees, and volunteers who truly make Abilene a great community. While these are only a few examples, I challenge you to share experiences of superior customer service with others. This personal touch is one of the many reasons why I love Abilene. 

-Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene CVB Director