Opelika's historic downtown district is renovating, renewing and making efforts to recruit businesses to fill the remaining storefront vacancies.
The area has recently welcomed several new stores and restaurants. Historic buildings are getting fresh coats of paint, and the roads are getting a touch-up.
Pam Powers-Smith, director of the Opelika Main Street organization and co-owner of Flip Flop Foto, said she has seen a dramatic change in the area since her business arrived in 2001.
"It's a completely different downtown," Powers-Smith said. "Because we are adding things so often and getting new things, I think sometimes people come down just to see what's new."
Powers-Smith said Opelika Main Street receives government funding and allocates it to businesses to support building improvements.
Barbara Patton, president of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, said the funding comes from a community development block grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
In addition to grants, the Opelika Main Street organization is partnering with the city of Opelika to continue the Streetscape project, an initiative working to improve the appearance of the downtown area.
The project began in the early '90s and has continued in small segments when grants are available.
"In downtown Opelika we have these old pavers," said Lori Huguley, economic development project manager for Opelika.
"They've actually pulled those up and are redoing the street which makes it more friendly for traffic.
"They also have an outdoor music system so that you can hear music."
The Streetscape project also added streetlights to improve public safety.
"We're finally seeing it come to fruition, which is really nice," Powers-Smith said. "It makes downtown cohesive, so it looks like we all belong together."
Silverstone coffee shop, Frou Frou floral and gift company and Sips n Strokes art studio are some of the businesses that have recently moved downtown. A yarn and fabric store is also coming soon.
Martha Venable, owner of Venable's Sweet Shoppe on South Ninth Street, said opening her business downtown was an easy choice.
"It's been overwhelming," Venable said. "We're just tickled pink."
The Event Center Downtown--a 33,000 square foot, former Coca-Cola warehouse--has been converted into a venue for weddings, sorority formals, parties and other events.
Lisa Beck, co-owner of The Event Center Downtown, said she and her husband made sure to include "downtown" in the name of their business.
"The word 'downtown' was included to help with further economic development for the downtown area," Beck said.
"Anytime somebody receives an invitation or nonprofit fundraisers announce an event and you see 'Event Center Downtown,' people know that that's downtown Opelika, so it will continuously be on people's minds."
The revitalization efforts in downtown Opelika have increased interest in the existing businesses.
"It's amazing if you come down here on a Friday or Saturday night," Huguley said. "You're going to see cars and cars and cars in downtown Opelika."
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