Downtown Wetumpka

Provisions carries cheese and wine from more than 20 countries

STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH & PHOTOS BY JAKE ARTHUR

“We can, together.” A simple phrase; yet, highly impactful in the hearts of those who treasure the small town of Wetumpka.

A bustling city once again, Wetumpka has so much to offer those new, old and visiting. With her natural beauty, Wetumpka is a community determined to thrive, and an excellent place to put down roots.

In 2019, a tornado went through the heart of the small town, leveling a historic church and decimating everything in its path. The community, although totally heartbroken, rallied to build back stronger and, in the process, attracted the attention of HGTV’s Ben and Erin Napier. The Napiers decided Wetumpka would be a great revitalization project, and before the town even knew what was happening, Wetumpka was to become the first town on a new HGTV series titled Home Town Makeover.

Fast forward two years in the wake of the tornado and six months after HGTV finished its revitalization plan, and Wetumpka is stronger than ever. The community is growing and once again thriving. And with people coming from all across the nation to visit, there appears to be a bustling, prosperous future ahead for this tight-knit community.

So, we welcome you. Whether you are moving in from somewhere unknown to us or a current local, we urge you, step into the magic that is downtown Wetumpka and experience the “We can, together.”

A few places to visit when perusing the downtown corridor: PROVISIONS CHEESE AND WINE SHOPPE

Located centrally on E. Bridge St., in downtown Wetumpka, Provisions Cheese and Wine Shoppe offers over 100 types of cheeses and 200 wines from more than 20 countries. The shop also provides artisanal style gourmet gifts.

Owners Kate and Dustin “Lucky” Lawrence purchased the Fain Theater to revive an older building and give back to their small community. They decided to keep the original marquee intact during the renovations because of the rich history that the Fain Theater brought to Wetumpka.

“We really had the vision of a small building,” Lawrence said. “But this place just spoke to us. And I told Kate I thought we could find a way to make it work, so we dug in.

“We wanted to provide Wetumpka with something unique, and with our European experience, and my world travels, our affinity for cheese and wine, we thought, ‘why not?’”

Thus, Provisions was born, and the Lawrences began taking people along on a wondrous food adventure.

“Once we decided to do this, our mission became to prioritize fun, invest in the community and give people a place where they choose to be,” Lawrence said.

Since opening their doors, April and Jeremy Hunt have joined them as business partners and co-owners, growing the business to include imported chocolates, hand-painted wine bottles, live music, special events and so much more.

For more information or to attend an event, visit provisionscheeseandwineshoppe.com or follow them on Facebook.

Home Sweet Books is an indie bookstore with community in mind Nick of Thyme has a tasting bar where shop goers can try out oils and vinegars before purchainsg

NICK OF THYME, OIL AND VINEGAR

Nestled into a cozy little spot on Company Street, Nick of Thyme, Oil and Vinegar is a specialty shop that keeps in-house three to four high-quality extra virgin olive oils at all times, including infused and fused olive oils. The shop also offers traditional and flavored balsamic vinegars, as well as loose tea, salts, spices, pasta and gift items.

“I went on a trip to Sedona about three years ago, and I found a wonderful oil and vinegar shop. I had never experienced anything like it, and I knew it would be a great fit for Wetumpka,” said Nicky Godwin, owner of Nick of Thyme.

Godwin came across the available space that is now Nick of Thyme right before the pandemic.

“We signed the lease, and then we had to wait it out,” Godwin said. “But that was okay because I used those months to travel to California for training. So during that time, I was also able to sort out how the shop would be laid out.”

“We wanted to be able to offer a lot of varieties and flavors to our customers,” Godwin said. “And we are able to offer about 20 varieties of oil and vinegar on our tasting bar.”

Godwin enjoys that her customers have the opportunity to come in and peruse her shop while tasting each product.

“The tasting bar really gives the customer a chance to determine if an oil, vinegar or balsamic is right for them. They are able to sample it and then go home with the choices that they prefer,” Godwin said.

For more information about Nick of Thyme, Oil and Vinegar, visit the Facebook page. SWEET HOME BOOKS

Sweet Home Books is a charming, indie bookstore located directly on the downtown corridor in Wetumpka at 107 E. Bridge St. Whether you love to read, enjoy cozy shops or are in the market for new art supplies, Sweet Home Books is the place to visit.

Diane Castro opened Sweet Home Books with the community in mind. She carefully selects each title that comes into the store, as well as the other products Home Sweet Books carries.

“At Sweet Home Books, we hear and take part in discussions about what books people love and heate, and why, daily. Having what my customer's want on the shelves in important to me,” Castro said.

In addition, the store regularly offers specials on backlisted items with great discounts attached, and it never hurts to find a new favorite book on an older book list. And if you are in the market for the perfect gift, Sweet Home Books offers a selection of teas and diffusers as well as specialized tumblers.

“The Real Housewives of Wetumpka tumblers are very popular,” Castro said. “I’ve had people come in from other areas in the region and request that we carry more than just Wetumpka tumblers. So, we now carry Real Housewives of Elmore County tumblers, and those are very popular.”

Sweet Home Books also holds author signings and participates in local events and programs to continue community growth, like the pen pals program Castro formulated with another indie bookstore for Mississippi.

“The owner of Laurel’s Bookstore in the Window and I are compiling a list of kids and adults who are interested in writing letters to each other about life in our hometowns and what it has been like to see our towns on television,” Castro said.

To get involved in the pen pals program, message Sweet Home Books on Facebook with your name and age. And make sure to like and follow the page. Also, for more information about the store, to purchase or to see what is in stock, visit the website at sweethomebooks.com.

The shops mentioned above are just a couple of the unique places that downtown Wetumpka has to offer. There are also cute bistros, great restaurants and super stylish boutiques. So, as you and yours settle into your new home in Elmore County, make sure to find time to stop by this little treasure trove known for its natural beauty and can-do attitude.

We can, together!