An urban hot spot ... here? Believe it. By Janet Van Vleet November 5, 2006 Abilene is a friendly town, surrounded by wide open spaces, full of great people and things to do and see. Metropolitan, cosmopolitan and urban it's not. But those who get a craving for a taste of big city living without having to drive to Dallas/Fort Worth or Austin, the T&P Events Center offers just the thing. Sisters Lisa Bailey-Cedillo and Jamie Bailey-Walker decided to bring a metro trend to Abilene - welcome to The Warehouse. About two months ago, the sisters opened a smoke-free martini bar in the events center on Thursday nights. The weekly event features live entertainment beginning around 9 p.m. and no cover charge. ''We get college students to working professionals - a little bit of everything,'' Jamie said. The crowd of about 40 to 50 people on a recent Thursday night backed her up. Young hipsters rubbed shoulders and shared smiles with distinguished-looking gray hairs. The news of this cozy little nook of urbanity spread mostly by word of mouth, Jamie said. The flickering candlelight from chandeliers and votives, the music by guitar smith Vincent Dawson and the fun and funky seating set-up immediately transported me and my companions straight out of West Texas into New York or Los Angeles. The conversation and laughter bubbled softly around the room, as couples talked quietly at small tables and groups of friends gathered around larger ones. Set in the eastern half of the large, brick-walled events center, unusual seating and lighting set this place apart. The sisters debated and planned opening The Warehouse for the better part of a year, Lisa said. The downtime between events was a waste of the fabulous space, especially since the sisters had a liquor license. When the two siblings finally decided exactly how and what they wanted to do, they went to their carpenter and had special seats and tables designed. ''Everything's on casters,'' Lisa said. The mobile furnishings allow them a touch of whimsy. ''It changes from week to week.'' So do the drink specials. The Thursday before Halloween had orange martinis with gummy fangs and green ones with gummy eyeballs and plastic spiders, to which two of my companions gave enthusiastic thumbs up. A blue frozen margarita received approval from another friend. The openness of the building, the brick walls and exposed ceiling structure feel like a New York City loft - exactly the sisters' goal.
