ATHENS-Downtown Athens is more than historic buildings. It’s our city’s story, community traditions and family memories.
For the Capps family, it was a place to celebrate becoming a family when they adopted their son, Jason, on Aug. 5, 2014.
“My husband had to rush off to work,” Sarah Campbell Capps said. “We quickly walked down to the drug store (Limestone Drug) and got some ice cream as a new family. Now the drug store ice cream bar is a fun stop while in downtown.”
Preserving, promoting and supporting downtown Athens for future generations is the 
mission of the Spirit of Athens, a designated Main Street Alabama program that has been awarded national accreditation from the National Main Street Program. Athens is one of only seven Main Street programs in Alabama to receive national accreditation.
According to the National Main Street Program, this status is a prestigious designation. While every designated local Main Street program can work toward accreditation, not every Main Street program receives it. Main Street coordinating programs evaluate their local programs every year and submit their eligible programs to the Main Street Center. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking programmatic progress and actively preserving historic buildings.
“Spirit of Athens has been designated as an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Main Street Center,” said Patrice Frey, President and CEO of the National Main Street Center. “Each year, the National Main Street Center and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street programs in recognition of their exemplary commitment to historic preservation and community revitalization. These local programs work hard every day to make their communities great places to work, live, play and visit while still preserving their historic character.”
Spirit of Athens Director Trisha Black said being a designated Main Street Alabama 
Program and receiving national accreditation will provide Spirit of Athens and downtown Athens resources related to training, grant funding, promotion and support. For example, Main Street Alabama currently is working on a market study about downtown Athens to offer guidance for business recruitment, expansion and retention. Through education, training, case-studies, and peer-to-peer learning, the National Main Street Center can equip our community with the tools needed for long-term, comprehensive, preservation-based community revitalization.
Revitalization efforts are evident based on statistics from June 2014 to January. During those eight months, there were seven renovation projects and $329,035 of private investments made in downtown. In addition, 10 new businesses opened and 30 new jobs were created.
“Another statistic Trisha Black has shared that impresses me is the number of volunteer hours spent in our downtown,” said Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks. “We’ve had 2,560 volunteer hours that equate to $44,928. That shows you how much our citizens love what is happening in the heart of Athens and Limestone County.”
To promote today’s announcement, the Spirit of Athens asked Facebook users to share their favorite memories of downtown or what they love best about downtown Athens. In addition to the Capps family sharing the story of ice cream after their son’s adoption, Facebook users shared the following stories:
Ken Mitchell wrote, “My fondest memories are from the 1950’s era when downtown Saturdays were an all-day event. The sidewalks were full of shoppers, the street corners were full of knife traders and older people just hanging out. Christmas was a special time when the stores and city would decorate big time. I am so proud that Athens has made such a comeback from the deserted times and people are enjoying downtown again.”
Margie Hooie wrote, “My favorite memory is shopping in the 5 and 10 cent stores 
(Kuhn’s and Elmore’s, I believe they were) at Christmas time.”
Allison Calhoun Brown wrote, “As an Athens transplant, I love The Square. I grew up in Moulton, Ala., which also has a downtown square. To me, it is a symbol of home. I also enjoy the Haunted Walks in October.”
Patti Terry Hood wrote, “I’m an Elkmont transplant. I grew up in Moulton. I love The Square in Athens because it reminds me of where I grew up and the people are so friendly. Everyone is always saying hello. (Kreme Delite) is my favorite wonderful ice cream and just a great small town feeling.”
Ashley Romine Smith wrote, “The pep rally on The Square. Walking from school to Limestone Drug for a soda.”
Julie Frye Have wrote, “Always loved browsing in Crawford’s Gifts. I miss the personalized shops since moving back to Orlando. We only have chain stores here.”
Athens City Councilman Harold Wales wrote, “One of my favorite memories was working my first job at the 5 & 10 cent store known as Kuhn’s and seeing all the people shopping for their families on Saturdays.”
Misti Ladonna Fillingame wrote, “We love the family atmosphere and all the fun things to do! My favorite memories are of bringing my girls to Singing on The Square and them dancing and enjoying themselves.”
A glimpse at some of Spirit of Athens’ programs/events
● High Cotton Arts, a non-profit art incubator operated by Athens Arts League, a committee of SOA, that is offering affordable studio and gallery space for artists in downtown Athens as well as art programs for children through the Boys and Girls Club and Limestone County Department of Human Resources. Grand opening set for April 23, 24 and 25.
● Athens Saturday Market, a state-certified market offered every Saturday from June through August at the Limestone County Farmers Market.
● Grant program for façade improvements to downtown structures.
● Athens Grease Festival, held the last Saturday in September to celebrate the Greek origin of the city’s name and all things fried. The Spirit of Athens Board has designated $15,000 from the 2014 event toward downtown streetscape improvements.
● Christmas Open House, held in conjunction with the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce each November.
● Holiday related events such as Sippin’ Cider and Chocolate Walk.
List of Alabama’s nationally accredited Main Street programs
● Spirit of Athens
● Downtown Gadsden, Inc.
● Florence Main Street, Inc.
● Main Street Alexander City
● Monroeville Main Street
● Oxford Main Street
● REVBirmingham
photo credit/Jennifer Hilton-Sampieri
