1. Name & occupation?
I am Chip Hunt, Owner/Operator of 6th Street Antique Mall, Amarillo’s Route 66 Store, and GET Chip Hunt Properties
2. What led you to Amarillo? How long have you been here?
My best friend moved to Amarillo from Jacksonville, Florida in 1979 and was always asking me to join her and her family. I came here and visited twice in the early 80’s and fell in love with the city. Finally, in 1985 I moved to Amarillo, met my husband, and have been here ever since.
3. What is a memory you have about the region that is no longer here?
Amarillo has lost a lot of beautiful architecture in the old neighborhoods and downtown, plus old small-town friendliness.
4. What are some events that happened in your life that made you who you are?
Let’s just say things, were not easy for me when I was young. I always remember my Father telling me to pick myself up, dust off, and get back out there. He also said, “Never make excuses, find solutions.” I’ve been on my own since I was 15 and worked 3 & 4 jobs at a time while I was in school and still doing it today.
5. Where would you spend all your time if you could?
The Blueridge Mountains.
6. Do you volunteer or sit on a board? Is yes where? If no where would you want to?
I am not currently on any board, but I have sat on several and chaired a few in the past. I would be interested in being involved with a legitimate board that was concerned with the future of Amarillo or the re-establishment of old Route 66 back to where it needs to be in Amarillo.
7. What are you most passionate about?
History, Truth, Architecture, Politics, Antiques.
8. What is the strangest thing you've ever come across?
Some peoples thought processes.
9. What is something you can never seem to finish?
Dusting or having another project.
10. What do you wish Amarillo had or did not have?
It would be nice if the city leadership had the interests of the citizenry as its primary function as opposed to the promotion of financial interests of themselves and the old money in town. Since the downtown renovation movement started, how many elected city officials had to recluse themselves from certain votes because they had financial interests in the outcome? How many should have, but didn’t?
11. What direction do you think Amarillo is headed?
I feel Amarillo is losing sight of it’s core values, morals, and proud history. There has been a movement by city leaders for the last 25 years to prioritize growth and stimulus in certain areas of town owned primarily by a few wealthy investors (some elected leaders) and not letting the average citizens vote on it and on certain taxes. I want to see Amarillo grow, but not in ways that local government has been doing it.
12. What else should readers know about you?
I have been a very independent individual from a very young age and have learned most of life’s lesson on my own. I say what I think with no apologies, but I am open minded listener that respects other points of view with no malice. I am continuing to learn everyday and look at all points of view while forming my own conclusions.
