Columbus, Texas: Industrial Country Market (Gone)

Closed permanently in Oct. 2018.

When you first enter the store you are either greeted by an employee or the owner, who asks if this is your first visit. Since this was our first time there, she explained that the whole complex is "off the grid," powered by numerous solar panels. She also said that in addition to the store that in the back was a model train layout, a greenhouse, a pond, and an outdoor "art garden" and we were more than welcome to visit them.

The "store" had all kinds of odds and ends, handcrafted items, old magazines, and toys. All reasonably priced. Although the model train only ran on the last Sunday of the month during the winter (you can still view the layout), the other places were very interesting. This is a place for adults and kids alike and expect to spend at least 45 minutes to an hour seeing everything. The owners and all the employees were very courteous and helpful and you also get a free bottle of "off the grid" water.

People at the Industrial Country Market are awesome and very friendly. They have a great model train running in the back art shed.

An eclectic compound of stuff run completely off the grid. The general store, a menagerie of overstock merchandise, is in the main building. I bought a couple journals made of recycled cow poop as well as some yard art, a purse and a few other funky items. In back of the store, there are composting toilets, greenhouses, gardens, an industrial art yard and an art gallery. It appears to be a work in progress and everything is run on solar power, they are 100% self sustainable. Solar panels are everywhere. They also offer classes on how to get off the grid and go green. I'd say it's well worth a visit.