Downtown Alexander City

A Vibrant City Center

STORY BY LONNA UPTON

Since 1990, Main Street Alexander City has been making things happen downtown. Executive Director Stacey Jeffcoat has worked with the Main Street board of directors since 2019 to facilitate major changes in the downtown area, including grants for façade improvements, live events, boost grants to benefit member businesses and directional signage, among many other enhancement ideas.

“We are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that has been blessed with local foundations that donate generously, a city allocation that benefits our businesses and members in the business community who donate money to be used for advertising, marketing, grants, decorations and events. Besides salary and rental fees for office space, every penny goes back into the city,” Jeffcoat said.

In the last 15 years, Main Street has invested more than a half-million dollars into making downtown Alexander City shopping friendly and visually appealing. Businesses join for $100 per year, which gives them the benefit of Main Street’s advertisement, marketing and social media. Member businesses are also eligible to apply for boost grants up to $1,000 to boost their businesses. The grants could cover expenses for everything from shelving to point of sale terminals, anything that will help them grow their businesses, which will then indirectly impact all businesses in Alexander City, as well as shoppers. Façade grants are matching grants to improve the exterior of business spaces in the downtown area.

“We work to maintain the integrity of downtown by refreshing and improving the look of the buildings and signage. We have a quaint downtown, and we want to keep it that way. The updated storefronts are inviting and exciting,” Jeffcoat said.

Main Street’s lighting project in the trees, creating a festive look year-round, has been a plus for nighttime visitors, and newly installed wireless speakers on the light posts will add music to the streets for all special events. The organization has replaced garbage cans, added tables and umbrellas and provided potted plants that beautify the sidewalks and welcome residents and visitors alike to the city.

Events that bring people downtown are part of Main Street’s mission. Making that happen year-round is exhausting, Jeffcoat said, but fun. October includes trick-or-treating downtown and a great pumpkin patch. Christmas has special shopping days and festive décor, which this year will include Christmas music on the street through the new speakers. Throughout the year, monthly Bingo Under the Stars and Third Thursday shopping nights with live music keep customers coming to the downtown streets.

“Our restaurants are a great draw. Most people don’t realize that we have become very diversified in our food choices downtown. For example, Carib Kitchen and Taqueria Avita make it happen by only serving fresh food, made daily. We have wonderful Italian at Castellucio’s. And we have great variety of American fare, including wings at J.R.’s and steak at Jake’s,” Jeffcoat said.

Jeffcoat is an ambassador of sorts for the businesses that operate downtown. She believes that Alexander City’s smalltown businesses provide customer service that is second to none. She also praises the unique downtown shops that carry items customers won’t find in the big box stores. Helping those businesses succeed keeps Jeffcoat and Main Street Alexander City working hard to make things happen.

Lighting adds a festive atmosphere year round Main Street Alexander City hosts street concerts downtown