This one is a no-brainer. The Square is a great place to spend the day or to take visitors.

I don't usually walk about the square on Saturdays. Usually I park off the square, get my hair done at the Salons at the Ritz, dash down the back alley for some meat and cheese and Hamm's for the upcoming week of lunches, and then get the heck out of Dodge. But today, I had an hour to kill while David had his massage, so I checked out the Saturday square happenings.

The square was packed with people. It was great to see. I even had to dodge people on the sidewalk the entire time, Yeah!

My first stop, after leaving David at Diana's Healing Hands for a massage, was the Garrett Art Gallery. Here, one will find some wonderful artwork, including a bunch of Texas and McKinney art. I spoke with Gail Delger regarding the work she had on display. It was fun stuff, especially her bird art. There are also McKinney tee shirts available for purchase in the gallery, and they are nice.

After the gallery, I walked around the corner towards Hamm's. I decided to putter about the antique mall adjacent to the newly remodeled Herby's Soda Fountain. Herby's was packed, which was encouraging. There was even a group of cute Boy Scouts having lunch at Herby's. The burgers and fries looked huge. Maybe someday soon I'll have lunch there.

I continued to walk around the square, and was very surprised to see a new addition, "Loco Cowpoke", at 206 E. Louisiana Street. Take your out of town visitors here the day before they fly home so that they can buy some Texas condiments and tasty stuff to take home with them. This is the place for corn salsas, habanero sauce, dips for chips and vegetables, chili mixes, etc. Here you can also find various "pies in a jar" and other goods that look delicious. The owner's business card states, "country fixin's, salsas & jellies" and outside of the apostrophe abuse, he's dead on on his inventory.

Also new on the square is UPTOWN, which is a home store, full of kitchen stuff, bath towels, and a selection of furniture. It reminds me of Z Gallery a bit. I was a little surprised by the odd mix of a small section of utility and a large selection of decor. Yet, it is a nice store!

A walk along Kentucky Street highlights the new patio dining options for Landon Winery, Bob's Chophouse, and Mischa's.

A sharp left at Virginia takes you to Cafe Malaga or even Doll Haven, which is an interesting place if you like dolls. Especially if you like unusual dolls such as lifelike baby dolls, perhaps one of a kind. What caught my eye was a new in box Mrs. Beasley doll in a box signed by Cheryl Ladd of Charlie's Angels fame. What does Family Affair have to do with Charlie's Angels? I don't know, but the dolls were exquisite.

In general, the square was bustling with activity, and I was glad to see it. It was a relief to see the Pantry doing a hefty lunch business and to see that they had featured a breakfast menu earlier in the day. Spoons was packed with a waiting "crowd". The Londoner was sharing their music with the passersby. Cars were parked down the streets in all directions.

And of course, in the middle, is the MPAC, the McKinney Performing Arts Center and once the Collin County Courthouse, beautifully restored. Just last Saturday night, we were there, enjoying a night of female standup comics with a theater packed full of others. I heard the people behind me say, "I didn't know McKinney was such a happening place..." Well, as a matter of fact, it is. I doubt David heard the comment though, as he was off getting us drinks at the bar, which was shared by the art show downstairs. So, two groups were enjoying the MPAC on the same night.

So the McKinney Square is definitely on the top of the list for things to do.