Paying to park your car in designated areas is not exactly commonplace in small towns like Paris, TX. Most people instead see parking fees in large cities like Dallas, Ft. Worth, or Houston. Yet what’s so uncommon in Paris is exactly what began recently.
The lot that once was home to the old YMCA building is now owned by Janet Grammer, who also owns Creative Candy Designs. Grammer is now letting people rent parking spaces behind her store in downtown Paris. For $30 per month, anyone who wants their own guaranteed parking spot downtown can pay for it.
Grammer said she acquired the lot two years ago since it came with the property she purchased.
“The purpose is to offset the cost of resurfacing, which we want to do,” said Grammer. “The taxes went up on it and the insurance that we’re required to carry.”
Of course, because it’s a private lot, there are some rules. Specifically, anyone who doesn’t pay gets towed, but Grammer hasn’t towed anyone yet.
“There’s nobody out there, so I haven’t towed anybody,” Grammar said jokingly, but then affirmed that she will tow people who do not pay for their parking.
Grammer said her employees also use the parking lot, and that she has some other ideas about using her building. Grammar also said she may convert the lot back to being a private lot and closing it off to the public.
Article and photo by Matthew Ablon