It's all about downtown Alexander City boasts a prosperous downtown with shopping, dining and numerous events STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & CLIFF WILLIAMS
Enjoy Third Thursdays downtown when shops stay open late and live music fills the streets
S
et in the heart of Alexander City, the Historic Downtown District is the lifeblood of the community. Annual celebrations of the community’s rich history, culture and artisanal talent highlight the calendar. In addition, the downtown corridor plays host to nearly every community event throughout the year as people from all over join together in celebratory fashion no matter the occasion. Patrons may peruse the shops or select to dine at one of the many restaurants located on the downtown corridor. From Caribbean cuisine to the best wings in Alexander City, everyone can find something to satisfy their taste buds. And when mealtime is over, the locally owned shops are ready for exploration, shelves brimming with new discoveries each visit. “All of our locally owned businesses offer shopping and dining options that are one-of-a-kind to Alexander City,” said Main Street Alexander City Executive 12 | 2021-2022 THE SOUTH'S BEST KEPT SECRET
The Square in downtown Alexander City makes for a beautiful location to host events or spend a Saturday afternoon perusing the shops
Director Stacey Jeffcoat. “We try to provide people with something to do to spend their time and money downtown.” In addition to a rich history, cute, whimsical boutiques and delicious cuisine, Main Street works to forge a downtown atmosphere where everyone knows everyone’s name and people want to stick around. “Main Street hosts events year-round that cater to a wide demographic, so there is something for everyone. My job is to bring people downtown and showcase what we have to offer,” Jeffcoat said. Many events attract people from surrounding areas, including second-home owners at Lake Martin and families that visit the area for the day or weekend. Last fall, trees belonging to the downtown corridor were professionally wrapped in LED lights. The lights work on timers and turn on at night year-round, not just during holidays or special events.
