Connections & Growth

The Dadeville Community inspires action among entrepreneurs

STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH & PHOTOS BY SIRI HEDREEN

Left: In the past year Dadeville has undergone a new business evolution around the downtown square; Right: Raven Tolbert opened Mahogany Masterpiece, bringing dance to the Dadeville Square

Let’s talk about growth. Dadeville has been on a roll. 2020 brought in several new businesses, but 2021 has taken the cake. According to the Dadeville Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jim Cahoon there have been 15 ribbon cuttings this year, and at least 30 new members added to the chamber.

Chamber President Peggy Bullard confirmed the record and added there were more to go in the year.

The data is not scientific – ribbon cuttings used to be for chamber members only, Bullard said, but are now done for everyone – local business owners speak to the trend.

Mitzy Hidding, co-owner of event venue Zazu’s Verandah, points to all the new ventures just within the courthouse square – the Miller Hotel building, shuttered since the ’80s, is being flipped into a restaurant, B&B and snack bar; Dadeville Performing Arts Center has moved in next door to the old hotel; Dadeville High School graduate Raven Tolbert has opened Mahogany Masterpiece, a dance studio, on the corner; Tallapoosa Nutrition celebrated the grand opening of its new location on the square recently; The Yarn Shop Around the Corner has moved into the old one and not directly on the square but cattycorner; Lake Martin Boutique has opened its doors, specializing in chill and relaxed lake life garb.

“With all of those, you’re hearing openings,” Hidding said. “You’re not hearing so-and-so is

Above: Lake Martin Boutique carries comfortable but stylish lake life gear; Below: Miss C’s Sweet Treats offers an assortment of delicious goodies

closing. It’s fantastic.”

In addition to the businesses that have opened in the heart of Dadeville, plenty has opened just around the corner, too such as, La Thrift Shop on Bryant Street, Miss C’s Sweet Treats and Me Mama’s Grub Hub on South Street.

Still in the pipeline is the Dadeville Pole Company, and Guthrie’s Fried Chicken will find its new home out on state Route 280.

What we see happening in Dadeville is not indicative of the 4.5 percent decline in population from 2010 to 2020, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Not captured in that decline is the presumed pandemic-driven growth since April 2020. Nor the explosion of Lake Martin homeownership; developer Russell Lands reports its waterfront property sales up 75 percent from 2019 to 2020. Lake Martin second homeowners are not counted in the Census, and most of that growth lies outside Dadeville city limits. City limits do not bind the Lake MartinDadeville Area Chamber of Commerce, so they have celebrated growth in the Blue Creek area this year. Jim’s Pharmacy at the Lake opened its doors, and Knect Fitness followed. They are located just off of state Route 49. Since these openings, other businesses have also opened in the shopping complex. Then, at county Road 34, Lake Martin Creamery opened its doors, beckoning locals and guests to come to try a frozen custard treat. They also sell nostalgic candies, gift baskets and hostess gifts.

Clockwise from top left including Facing Page: Patrons enjoy live music at the Dadeville Performing Arts Center; Lake Martin Creamery brings frozen custard to Dadeville; The Yarn Shop Around the Corner offers an assortment of crafts and colors; Knect Fitness brings community to fitness

In addition, new businesses and construction are popping up all over the Blue Creek and Union communities, from pullup gas tanks to full-blown minimall construction.

New business applications in Tallapoosa County soared in 2020 with 353 applications. The number has more than doubled its 2013 low point of 156. Numbers for 2021 are unknown, but according to the chamber, it has been a record year in Dadeville for new businesses to open.

“We’re inviting all these new businesses into Dadeville,” Bullard said. “And we’re welcoming them, and if they want to turn around and join the chamber, we would accept them. But Dadeville is growing. Dadeville is growing so fast right now. So it’s hard for us to keep up with them.”