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DOWNTOWN TURNAROUND: Temporary parklets will raise revenue for restaurants

Hoping to throw a lifeline to downtown Athens restaurants and retail stores, city officials have agreed to let restaurants temporarily block off parking spaces for use as outdoor dining space. By allowing restaurants to take the action over the next four to six weeks, restaurants could recoup losses suffered during the state shutdown to fight novel coronavirus. Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks is allowing restaurants to apply convert lots to outdoor dining. Athens City Council members approved the mayor's action during the council meeting Monday.

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Gadsden salon won't open until next week so owners can take extra precautions

GADSDEN, Ala. (WBRC) - Even though Governor Ivey gave the OK for salons to open Monday, the owners of one salon in Gadsden say they aren't ready to take that step yet. The Moxie Salon, located in the old Printup Hotel in downtown Gadsden, will remain closed until next week. Brad Norris, who co-owns the salon with his wife, says he wants to go above and beyond to keep his business safe for its customers.

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Alabama reopens: Is it worth it?

Alabama opened in ways Monday, tentative and halting and with varying degrees of enthusiasm. At the Fish Market in downtown Birmingham, where George Sarris has held court for 37 years, the restaurant opened for lunch, but served only about a dozen customers in the first two hours, he said. They ate off plastic plates, with individually wrapped condiments, on tables clean but far apart. It was dining out, but he admitted it lacked the typical “vibe.”

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Helping Small Businesses, Keeping Main Streets Viable

The mission statement is only four words: Creating jobs. Keeping character. The work of Main Street Alabama is crucial during normal times. Even more so during the pandemic. More than two dozen communities rely on guidance and support from the nonprofit organization. “Main Street Alabama has been extraordinarily proactive during the COVID crisis, sharing daily information, strategies, webinars and other educational programs,” said Paul Carruthers, a Regions banker and longtime board member of the statewide organization. “There has been a sharing of ideas on how to assist small businesses in Main Street communities, how to change and increase marketing efforts, and educating small businesses on how to increase sales via online avenues and promotions.”

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Jake’s relies heavily on support from community

One of the biggest things that has helped keep Jake’s on Broad afloat is the support of the community and organizations such as Main Street Alexander City. “If it wasn’t for this small community getting behind us, I don’t know if I would have made it,” owner Jake Mixon said. The locally owned and operated family restaurant, Jake’s has been a staple in the community for years and now more than ever Mixon is appreciative of the constant support. While Jake’s currently is offering only curbside pickup due to Gov. Kay Ivey’s restrictions, Mixon said business is still pretty steady.

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