In the Spotlight: Diggin' It
A New Business Highlight by Guy Giersch, Historic Preservation Officer, City of McKinney
Quite often I look at old buildings and dream about how they can be reused. One building that I have admired since I’ve been here is the former Greyhound Bus Station located at 507 N. Tennessee Street. This might seem an odd place for a bus station, but remember, Tennessee Street - at one time - was a highway.
The building is an Art Deco style gas station that had once been owned by a gentleman affectionately known as “Tubby” Moore. I wished I knew more about Mr. Moore; it seems many people thought very highly of him, and the station served as a focal point for community news.
Eventually, the gas station became the McKinney Greyhound Bus Terminal. Bus service at that location began in 1959. As late as 2006, I would drive by and see people waiting for the bus or witness happy greetings being extended to arriving loved ones. For over 40 years, the bus provided an important means of transportation for many people in Collin County.
After Greyhound left McKinney, the old “Tubby” Moore filling station was left vacant. The station sat silent for a few years until Tracey Collins opened “Diggin’ It” in July of 2010. The business has built on the joy and happiness that was created by “Tubby” Moore and all of the family greeting encounters at the bus station.
As soon as you arrive, you will be greeted by an overpowering experience of color. The visual feast is like walking into a wet Jackson Pollock painting: thick, gooey, and rich. You can hear Brody, the “Diggin’ It Dog,” waiting to greet you. This fun and funky bohemian place offers the finest in eclectic home décor.
Besides the eclectic home décor, you can also purchase plants. After all “Diggin’ It” is all about digging in it. This is the place to get quality herbs and flowers as well as information about how to start your garden. You can also take classes to learn how to grow your plants, establish an organic garden, collect rainwater, make a birdbath, or even learn how to cook the food you grow.
Yes, the old station is alive and well, demonstrating how buildings can be adapted to new uses that enhance our lives while promoting sustainability. Drop by to see Tracey, and make sure you scratch Brody’s belly.