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Tere Richardson
ATHENS-Athens Main Street’s Holiday Letter from Executive Director Tere Richardson.
Athens Main Street Friend,
On behalf of the Athens Main Street Board of Directors and our downtown businesses, I want to wish you happy holidays and a very, merry Christmas.
Our focus in 2021 continued to be helping our merchants and restaurants recover from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Our businesses adapted well, made changes where necessary, worked hard to provide stellar customers service, and reaped the benefits of strong community support.
One of Athens Main Street’s major objectives is to attract people into downtown. In 2021, we were again able to host all of our patrons’ favorite events including Chocolate Walk, Fridays after Five in conjunction with Tourism’s Singing on the Square, Athens Saturday Markets, Christmas Open House with the Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce, and Sippin’ Cider. We had record visitors to downtown as a result of these events.
Athens Main Street welcomed several new businesses this year including Athens Alehouse and Cellar, Limestone Legends Billiards, Liz & Co., Driftwood Dragonfly, Southern Belles & Beaus, and Revive Cafe to our downtown Athens business family. We encourage patrons to stay tuned as we will have more exciting announcements in 2022.
This year, we also embarked on a year-long alley renovation project. The Merchants Alley committee put in hundreds of hours to renovate an alley-way that will leave a lasting impact on the heart and spirit of downtown Athens. The alley will be used for years to come for impromptu musical performances and for a place for patrons to gather with loved ones and friends to eat lunch or just relax in downtown Athens. We sincerely appreciate the organizations, businesses, and individuals who invested in our alley project to make it a reality. The recognition the alley has received so far has been remarkable. The Merchants Alley was named the Project of the Year by the Alabama Mountains, Rivers & Valley RC&D Council and was one of the major factors in Athens Main Street receiving the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association’s Organization of the Year award.
Athens Main Street was recognized by Main Street Alabama during the 2021 state conference for our excellence in public/private partnerships for our downtown outdoor dining, excellence in economic impact for the creation of the The Square Arts & Entertainment District, and excellence in promotion for the Brittany Howard Mural Live Art Event.
We would also like to thank our key stakeholders who are critical in funding our mission. City of Athens, Alabama, Limestone County Commission, Optimal Geo, Regions Bank, Pepper Johnstone, & Company, Egypt Bluff Properties, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, LLC. Maudlin & Jenkins, Cast Products, Inc. Martin & Cobey, Dream Key Real Estate, Ming Commercial Real Estate Group, Bank Independent, Morell Engineering, Lang Chiropractic Center, and First National Bank.
We have plans in the works for an Alley Music Series beginning in the spring. Look for upcoming details. The future is bright for Athens Main Street and, as always, I want to encourage you to shop and dine local in downtown Athens.
Tere Richardson
Athens Main Street Executive Director
