The show "American Pickers" might have the market all sewn up on the History Channel, but if they come to Texarkana, they could have some fierce competition.
Her name is Cassie Page, and she thinks her store, The Best Ditches, has the best ditches around. Originally, the store did not have a "the," in its name, but Page decided to pull out all the stops when the store opened in November just down from TLC Burgers and Fries. So after diners enjoy mouth-watering hamburgers loaded with their favorites and french fries loaded with the famous red river sand, they can stroll on down to this eclectic nook to burn off some calories and find something they never even knew they needed.
While others might see an item to be discolored and worthless, Page sees it through an artist's lens. She sees what could be when love and imagination is applied.
An Army brat and veteran who has lived all over the world, Paige could live anywhere-she lived for years in Hawaii-but decided to move back to the place where she grew up because Texarkana has always been home.
Page said when she lived in more urban areas, she used to dress up in ball gowns and cover her shoulders with elegant wraps, but she has now bowed out of that role and has made it official by her body ink, which includes a tiger tattoo on her arm-a replica of her stepfather's tattoo he had in the Marine Corps. Page enjoyed the military's influence on her life and is proud of her service and those in her family, but she now gets to explore another aspect of her life which lets her creativity bloom like the fragrant magnolias that line the street in front of her store.
Page has been a remodeler of vintage finds before vintage came back in fashion. Her shop includes things that will not be seen anywhere else, such as the vinyl record bowls she artfully fashions in her back workroom.
"Selling items allows me to do all this," she said pointing to a vinyl Columbia record with a red label.
An award teacher at Liberty-Eylau by day, Payne heads downtown to discuss artists. He is serious about vinyl and warns paying customers that the products must be cared for.
"You can't leave these in the car if it gets hotter than 80 degrees because they will warp," said Payne, whose nickname is "Inspector Gadget" because he is such a sharp dresser.