Dine Downtown - The Pie Factory

By Stephen EdmondsCustomers know it makes a notable difference when a restaurant has every part of their business fine tuned to the molecular level.  Such a feat entails consistently nailing the aspects specific to your storefront and in the Pie Factory’s case they do so with ease.  Everything from the gourmet pizza to the rustic décor and the beautiful historic building that ties it all together is down to a science.  As an added bonus, this business is part of the impressive armada of storefronts on Court Street in gorgeous downtown Florence Alabama.  With all of this in mind, it’s obvious that the list of pros and cons is stacked heavily on the positive side when it comes to deciding whether or not to eat here, and that definitely explains why everyone loves the Pie Factory. From the moment you open the door and see the cute hand crafted banjo made out of a pizza box hanging on the wall, anyone with common sense can tell this experience is going to be a good one.  The rural charm is evident from the decorative entryway to each mason-jar chandelier that lights the beautiful wood floors of the interior.  The Pie Factory even boasts a scenic outdoor patio area that is pet friendly during the summer.  An important area of high-end restaurants that is often crowded, strained, and cluttered is the bar; but once again, this is an area where the Pie Factory excels.  Sporting a wide array of drink options and presented in a layout that’s uncluttered and easy on the eyes, the bar area aesthetically adds to the overall ambience of the establishment which isn’t an easy thing for restaurants with high in and out traffic to do.  It’s really the small things like this that let you know that a restaurant really has their business down to a science.  Now we come to the cornerstone of all great restaurants, the food!  In the Pie Factory’s case, their unique pizza recipes have captivated their hometown’s residents for years.  Ask anyone on the streets of downtown Florence what their favorite Pie Factory pizza is and they will all have a unique answer.  My personal favorite is the ranch based El Guapo because I love that rich heat, but I won’t even waste time going into detail on each of their pizzas because my words simply can’t do any of them justice.  Simply put, there’s something for everyone at this extraordinary eatery; you’ve got to try it for yourself!  

Chocolate Crawl 2018 Recap

 Just a bit more than a week before Valentine's Day, Florence Main Street hosted our 4th Annual Chocolate Crawl! This year was just as great as the rest with delicious chocolate treats that were to die for and new businesses to visit as well as our returning favorites!Tickets this year sold out 3 days before the event and even though it was cold out, we had a great crowd!  We saw so many new faces and heard a lot of positive feedback from the patrons.  Many of them said it was the best year yet!On top of that, ticket holders enjoyed 15% off their purchases as well as a chocolate treat at participating businesses. Grier Insurance even gave away dinner for 2 at Ricatoni's to one lucky winner!This year's chocolate treat winner was Cloth & Stone with their Chocolate Wine Cake!  Great job to the Cloth & Stone team, we heard crawlers raving about that treat and the store it was in all day.A very close second was Miss Beth's Tailoring and Alterations with their Oreo Bon Bons!  Miss Beth’s was a first time participant in the crawl this year and nearly clenched the victory, so congratulations to all involved; everyone seemed very impressed.  A few honorable mentions this year were North Alabama Chiropractic's Chocolate Covered Bacon, Jack O' Lantern Farm's Mocha Turnovers, and Printers and Stationer's Mini Cannoli's, but there were many more amazing treats as well that were very well made and well received. We can’t thank the participants enough.  The bar had already been set high by the previous years and the ball was still knocked out of the park by each and every one of you!  If you missed out this year, don't worry; there's always next year! If you love bacon, be on the lookout for our Bacon Fest in June that will include our annual Bacon Crawl!

Downtown Florence, Your Valentine's Day Destination for Fun!

By Stephen EdmondsWhether you dread it or anticipate it, Valentine’s day is almost here!  There is no better way to spend this day than with the people you love; and that still applies even if you are not in a romantic relationship with this person or persons.  Family, coworkers, good friends; all of these relationships deserve to be celebrated on February 14th this year, so why not spend it with us in beautiful downtown Florence?  Here are some fantastic reasons why you should!The biggest reason why downtown Florence deserves your business this Valentine’s Day is because there is something for everyone here.  The Shoals is full of an eclectic mix of people and the local business owners have adapted to that excellently by offering many different forms of entertainment.  If you’re looking to have fun while you and your family, friends, or loved ones participate in games and puzzles, we eagerly recommend Escape Room Florence and Paradox Challenge Rooms Florence.  These two escape room businesses have put their originality to work in creating interesting scenarios and rooms full of puzzles for your enjoyment!  A varying number of people can participate at once, so this is ideal for a medium to large party of participants.  This experience is so much fun, you’ll be talking about it for a little while afterwards making it a perfect thing to do before dinner.  Just you and your loved one?  Head over to Spinning Spoke and rent a couple bicycles for an hour!  This is a greatway to get to know the downtown, parks, and UNA areas.  To top it all off, the cycles they rent are a guaranteed smooth ride. Another great idea to combine with dinner or a show afterwards; this will create a well-rounded evening experience leaving all parties satisfied.  To keep the options coming, downtown Florence is also home to a host of museums.  These establishments are rich in the culture and history that made our town what it is today.  Whether you try Pope’s Tavern, the Indian Mound, the W.C. Handy Home, or all three; these interesting locations are full of info and history that really drives home a sense of belonging and can reignite anyone’s love for the Shoals.  Each of these museums can accommodate groups of multiple sizes and, once again, these visits can be combined with dinner or a livelier activity to create a well-rounded and memorable evening. For the citizens interested in the arts, there is absolutely no better place to go than downtown Florence.  The Shoals has always been a landmark for music in America and that is still true today.  With the multitude of swanky music venues that call our downtown home, fans of any genre of music will find the electric atmosphere of establishments like The Mane Room, 116 E Mobile, and Singin’ River Live undeniably irresistible.  Similarly, downtown boasts an armada of theatre venues where plays are held regularly.  Such notable places include The Z (Historic Zodiac Theatre), Shoals Community Theatre, and the UNA Theatre.  No matter what your cup of tea is, there is a venue here for you.  These locations are perfect for groups of varying sizes and the stellar atmosphere of downtown Florence’s artistic side will be sure to create an evening for the books. No evening out is complete without a great meal.  Any of the activities suggested so far can easily be coupled with dinner from one of our fine eating establishments.  Yumm Thai Sushi and Beyond is a Florence fan favorite while the calm and intimate atmosphere at City Hardware is perfect for a one on one date.  Going out earlier in the day?Trowbridge’s is a perfect spot for lunch or a snack with their  menu that features savory meals and sweet desserts all at ideal lunch sized portions.  Want to sample Florence’s nightlife?  Wait till late and head over to FloBama, or On the Rocks.  There’s almost always live music going on in these bar and grille establishments.  Wildwood Tavern and Tennessee Street Billiards & Grille are also notable spots for deliciously creative food, tasty drinks, and active nightlife.  One more noteworthy mention on this list would be Chicago Café that stays open late to make sure you have a snack right when you need it.  No matter who you are with, these spots make a perfect end to a long day, or a flawless beginning to a long night.At Florence Main Street, we know Valentine’s Day is about love specifically, not just dating relationships; so, don’t get bummed out if you don’t have a significant other this time around.  Instead, focus on the ties that you already have with your family, friends, and possibly even coworkers.  These relationships often get pushed to the side because of the popular notion that Valentine’s Day is strictly for dating couples, so I challenge you, reader:  Don’t let this Valentine’s Day be a source of sadness or disappointment; let it be a night to remember in a place that you love with people that you love even more.

Dining Downtown - Ricatoni's Italian Grill

By Stephen Edmonds Florence is a small, but busy college town with many choice places to eat that I believe do not get the recognition they deserve, so I wanted to take a minute of my time to write about my experience with one of our favorite restaurants.  This past week, Florence experienced a rare amount of snowfall keeping my wife and I cooped up for a few days on end, so when we were finally able to emerge from our hole and stretch our legs the first thing we wanted to do was enjoy a meal at one of our favorite local downtown spots: Ricatoni’s.  This is one of our favorite places to go for quite a few reasons.  First and foremost, before the great food is even brought into consideration, their atmosphere is so pleasant and relaxed.  Employees interact with each other in such a way that encourages guests to loosen up and enjoy their time in the establishment.  The décor adds to the previously mentioned atmosphere in a very subliminal way, making anyone who steps in the door to dine more at ease and more susceptible to a good time.  Even their menus seem to draw you further into the atmosphere.  In my personal opinion, a business’s food is their strongest weapon for convincing customers to return, and in Ricatoni’s case this is doubly true.  From a purely statistical standpoint, the portions are perfect and their food tastes like it should cost more than the affordable prices they have on their menu, and buying good food at affordable prices will make any restaurant goer feel like they are scoring a great deal.  From a personal opinion standpoint, their entrees, appetizers, and desserts are appealing, fun, and they taste great.   I feel like a blog post review of a restaurant needs to have at least some valid criticism, but after racking my brain and thinking about all my past experiences in this establishment (all the way back through high school!) I can’t find a single instance where I was anything less than satisfied.  The track record of this restaurant speaks for itself; the food is great, the mood is great, and more than anything else, Ricatoni’s is a consistent dining experience that delivers time after time. 

Starting off the Year with Florence Main Street

Do you have any new goals for 2018?  If so, downtown Florence Alabama has what you need to chase those goals!  Whether you aspire to be stronger, faster, healthier, dress better, or anything in between, the city of Florence has a local business to help you reach those goals.  If you want to take your body to a new level physically, you’ll want to check Florence’s great fitness and health businesses.  These are great options to have whether you need training and individual attention from an experienced instructor at the Fit Facility, OR, if you’ve already got a workout regiment and need a clean community environment to execute it in like The Basement Gym.  For those of us who aspire to learn while they work out, Contender Boxing and Grit Fitness have boxing, yoga, and cycling classes that help us get into shape while learning new techniques!  Add that on top of our Jack-o’-Lantern Farm and Valley Health Foods businesses that can help anyone make sure that their diet healthily compliments their lifestyle, and there’s no way that getting healthier will stay on the list of unchecked resolutions. As far as fresh and stylish clothing go, Florence AL has got you covered there as well.  Whether you find your ideal style in Coco’s Boutique, Karen’s Corner, Harper Clothing Co., or Jar & Co. it is all a part of what the brilliant shop owners of Florence have to offer.  Find an amazing piece of clothing that’s just barely out of your size range?  Take it to Miss Beth’s Tailoring and Alterations and have it sized up or down to suit your needs.  If more exotic clothes catch your eye, head over to The Eclectic for interesting and rare finds!  With all of these businesses ready and standing by to help put you in your ideal clothes and help in any way they can, becoming a savvy, experienced, and thrifty shopper is easy.These are just some of the ways our thriving town can help you with your New Year’s resolutions.  Since there’s no way anyone can cover every advantage to shopping in Downtown Florence on one simple blog post, I’ll stop here; but if anyone has any questions about businesses and services offered in the downtown area, feel free to call us at 256-760-9648 OR contact any businesses directly on their Facebook accounts!  We all look forward to another great year of serving you.

2017 Christmas Open House

So many exciting things happening at the Christmas Open House! Plans in the works for the Downtown Christmas Open House include:Christmas Cookies - 10am - 12pm; Decorate a FREE cookie provided by Bookmarks Coffee Shop by Alabama Bliss, located in the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.Selfies with Santa - 12pm - 2pm; Santa will be visiting downtown Florence and visitors can take FREE photos with him! He will be set up in front of Court Street Market and if it rains he will be inside the market (218 North Court Street) Holiday Hopscotch - all day; Play Hopscotch with us and visit participating downtown stores! Completed games and purchases could win you prizes! Our registration tent will be in front of Court Street Market. If it rains we will move inside. (218 North Court Street)Letters to Santa - all day; PSI Printers & Stationers, Inc. will have a letter writing station for little ones to post their wish lists to Santa.Candy cane hunt in downtown Florence! Find sweet treats for both kids and parents (candy for the kids; coupons for the parents) in downtown stores. (Begin at our registration tent in front of Court Street Market)Best Window Display contest - Vote on your favorite window display in a downtown store! Voting will take place via Florence Main Street's Facebook.Family Movie Night - 6pm-8pm; Enjoy a FREE family Christmas movie at Singin' River Live Sponsored by Singin' River Brewing Company

Lion Night 2017

 

Lion Night is an upcoming event for UNA students and their parents to become aware of #DowntownFlorence businesses in a fun and interactive way! Students and their parents have an opportunity to win a weekend getaway in downtown Florence filled with gift certificates and more fun surprises!

How it works:You will receive a bingo card along with a map at the beginning of the night. You will then visit all participating businesses to receive a sticker on that business's bingo slot. For every bingo you get, you enter to win a weekend getaway! But wait, there's more! If you make a purchase at any of the participating businesses, you get a gold star. For every gold star you get, that's another entry for a chance to win a weekend getaway! You have from 4pm to 7pm to visit all participating businesses and return your bingo card to the registration tent.

Participating Businesses:CoCo's BoutiqueUnderground Art & SoundMiss Beth's Tailoring, Alterations and Custom SewingYe Ole GeneralTennessee Street Billiards & GrilleInga's Lashes and More #Florence LocationReclaimed SpiritHarper Clothing Co.Perennial Supply Co.Singin' River Brewing CompanyParadox Challenge Rooms FlorenceThe Basement GymBookmarks Coffee ShopEscape Room FlorenceFloBama DowntownLegends - FlorenceArt & MoreThe Spinning Spoke Cycle HubThe Coiffure at 108Jack-O-Lantern FarmShoals TakeoutStudio 23Alabama OutdoorsHistoric Zodiac PlayhousePSI Printers & Stationers, Inc.On The RocksThe Pie FactoryVictory Bridal's & Alterations, LLCand more TBA!

Taste of Downtown: Riverside Restaurant

Riverside Restaurant is a southern diner located right in downtown Florence. Decorated with photos from old westerns and cowboy accessories, this small local owned restaurant even includes a jukebox full of country classics. The restaurant was built somewhere around 1959 and has been in the possession of the current owner for 25 years. Just walking through the front doors takes you back to the year it opened, complete with the mild scent of cigars smoked by their loyal patrons as they enjoy their morning coffee. Children ran and chattered about as their parents spoke cheerfully to someone they hadn't seen in a long time. It captured the era it was built in perfectly and did not leave anything to be desired or lose any of the downright friendly behavior you would expect from a restaurant of this caliber.Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you can find a classic southern breakfast such as country ham or, if you're in the mood for supper, could go for a juicy burger. My husband and I went for brunch so I opted for the classic gravy and biscuit combo while he ordered the blt; however, that was no easy choice! There were so many great foods to choose from including top favorites such as catfish or the ribeye steak, I had to work hard to keep my husband from drooling all over the menu. We both got sweet tea and yes, it is as sweet as your grandmother's. They are open Monday through Thursday from 6:00am to 10:00pm and Friday and Saturday from 6:00am to midnight. You can find them at 111 East Limestone Street in Florence, Alabama. 

Sweet Home FloAla: TVA Trails

For as long as I can remember, my family has always loved being outside. Thankfully, Florence and the Shoals area have no shortage of hiking trails and paths for adventurers with all levels of experience. Last spring, I went with my family to the Rockpile Recreation Area to enjoy the sun and the river.One of the coolest parts of the trail was passing under the Singing River Bridge that connects Lauderdale and Colbert Counties.  However, there’s also a beautiful waterfall and view of Wilson Dam, a plethora of challenging trails, and picnic areas and playgrounds for families with younger kids or those just looking to experience some of the natural beauty that the Shoals area has to offer.

Sweet Home FloAla: Date Night

Since my boyfriend and I both go to school in Tuscaloosa, nights out at home can be few and far between. For that reason, date nights almost exclusively begin downtown. I’ve already expressed my love for Trowbridge’s as the perfect lunch spot. However, since the beloved soda fountain closes at 5:30, it always comes down to Ricatoni’s, City Hardware, and Rosie’s for dinner dates. I am classically indecisive, so narrowing down my options to these three choices sometimes makes things easier...but not always. Ricatoni’s, my all-time favorite restaurant and the location of our first date in 2013, wins me over easily with Fettucine Alfredo and Ravioli Ricatoni. However, City Hardware’s Crab Cake Sandwich and Rosie’s Pollo Loco are also mouth-watering options, and all are so equally tempting that we’ve had to “pick a number between one and three” many times. Thankfully, neither of us is ever disappointed in the winner of that game.After dinner, Carson and I like to walk down Court Street, often seeking out live music (which is thankfully abundant in the Shoals) or simply enjoying the peacefulness of downtown before finishing out the night with dessert and a $5 movie from Target. Date nights downtown are one of our favorite traditions, and downtown Florence has so much to offer when it comes to delicious dining and local talent.Emily Strickland, Communications Intern

Sweet Home Flo-Ala: Trowbridge's

Until August 2015 I’d lived my whole life in Lauderdale County, so when I entered my freshman year at the University of Alabama I was faced with the prospect of learning an entirely new city. This experience has been important not only because it has been one of my first forays into the independence of adulthood, but also because it gave me a renewed appreciation for the Shoals and the hometown that I love--Florence. Tuscaloosa has no shortage of meat-and-threes, trains, or championships. One thing Tuscaloosa doesn’t have, though? Trowbridge’s. The bustling, classic diner has been a Shoals favorite for over a century, and one of my personal favorite downtown spots for as long as I can remember. You’ll come for the chicken salad and pimiento cheese, but you’ll stay for the deliciously iconic desserts. My personal favorite has to be the Coke float, but the restaurant’s really known for the orange pineapple ice cream (a recipe developed by Mr. Trowbridge and later sold to Purity) and the Oh My Gosh (a brownie sundae big enough for your whole party that truly lives up to its name.)I’ve yet to find an equal to the gem that Trowbridge’s is, and it’s always one of the first spots I and my other out-of-town friends hit as soon as we’re home.

Sweet Home FloAla

Hey there!My name is Emily Strickland, and I’m a guest blogger and communications intern for Florence Main Street. I am entering my Junior year at the University of Alabama pursuing a degree in Journalism with a double minor in Economics and General Business.In my time at UA, I’ve completely fallen in love with Tuscaloosa and all it has to offer. However, I’ve also learned that nothing can make one appreciate her hometown more than spending some time away.That’s why I was so excited to have the opportunity to work with Main Street promoting the city I love. I’ve lived in the Shoals area my whole life and jump at any chance I get to sing its praises. Throughout my internship, I’ll be keeping up a series called “Sweet Home FloAla,” highlighting all of the parts of Florence and the Shoals that I love the most.My hope is that readers would fall in love with this area just as much as I have. Thanks for reading!Emily

America's Main Street Contest

Florence Main Street has the chance to win $25,000! All it takes is one click to vote for #DowntownFlorence to win. You can vote once a day, now through April 23rd. We ask that you please take two seconds to vote and then share with your friends! Think of all the amazing things we could do for our downtown!

VOTE HERE!

Florence Main Street 3rd Annual Downtown Chocolate Crawl

FLORENCE MAIN STREET 3RD ANNUAL DOWNTOWN CHOCOLATE CRAWL

Downtown Florence boutiques, salons, and other businesses are turning into Chocolate Shops to help you get in the mood for Valentine’s Day! So grab your sweetheart or your best shopping buddy and join us in downtown Florence for the 3rd Annual Downtown Chocolate Crawl presented by Florence Main Street, on Saturday, February 11th from 10am until 3pm (or until treats run out).

“The beginning of the year can be a very slow sales time for our downtown Florence businesses. The Chocolate Crawl is a fun way to get folks downtown for sweet deals and to treat them to chocolate samples of all kinds. This is a great opportunity to check out our unique stores, their winter styles, end of season sales, and maybe some new Spring fashion collections,” said Teryl Shields, Executive Director of Florence Main Street.Tickets for the event are $10.00 each and can be purchased online (click here)or at the Main Street office, 301 North Pine Street, in downtown Florence. There are a limited number of tickets available, so early purchases are encouraged. Anyone purchasing a ticket before February 1 will be entered into a drawing for $25 Downtown Dollars that can be redeemed at participating stores. Downtown Dollars spend just like cash and will be given to winners at the beginning of the event.

On Saturday, February 11th, ticket holders need to check-in at the Florence Main Street tent, which will be located on the corner of Court and Tennessee Streets, to receive your wristband, map and goodie bag. Then you’re off to follow the balloon trail to participating downtown businesses, where you will enjoy a variety of free chocolate samples (while supplies last) and take advantage of a 10% OFF discount or other special offers at each location. Only ticket holders can sample the variety of chocolate and take advantage of the special discount. Once you have visited all businesses, return to the Main Street tent by 2:30pm and cast your vote for the best chocolate item of the day.

“This is such a fun event that allows adults to treat themselves to a day of shopping and chocolate with family and friends, all while helping our wonderful downtown community thrive economically” said Molly Austin, Event Coordinator for Main Street.

Anyone participating in the Downtown Chocolate Crawl is encouraged to park at the public parking garage at the corner of Tennessee and Pine Streets.

Florence Main Street, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to working with business owners, community leaders, and residents toward the common goal of revitalizing Downtown Florence culturally and economically. For more information about us or any of these efforts, please contact Florence Main Street at 256-760-9648 or info@florencemainstreet.org

3rd Annual Downtown Chocolate Crawl

 Do you love chocolate and sweet deals? Then this is the event for you! Downtown Florence boutiques, salons, and other stores will be turning into Chocolate Shops for one day only and they want you to come see them! Make it a date or bring your friends for a day full of shopping and fun! This event is known as 'trick or treating for adults" and "a wonderful time had by all, sampling sweets and exploring all the great stores in downtown Florence"!Each business will be showcasing their current styles, specials, and services along with a bite-sized sample of a chocolate treat. During the Chocolate Crawl, shoppers will also get 10% off their purchases at participating businesses.Tickets for the 3rd Annual Downtown Chocolate Crawl will go on sale Monday, January 16th at 10:00am! Only 350 tickets will be sold for this event. Tickets will be $10 at the office and $11 online ($1 will be added as a processing fee)Check back here for more details!

Florence Main Street Presents the 2016 Florence Christmas Parade

‘Have a Holly Jolly Christmas’ with the Florence Christmas Parade on Court Street in Downtown Florence. Friday, December 9, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays and to ‘Have a Holly Jolly Christmas’ (this year’s theme) than to attend the Florence Christmas parade! You are encouraged to theme your float, performance or musical group in costume, decoration or musical selection. Get creative & have some fun!Florence Main Street is once again responsible for coordinating the Florence Christmas Parade and as always, there are rules to be followed. These rules and regulations are to improve safety (following state laws and city ordinances) and provide increased enjoyment for participants and spectators.VERY IMPORTANT…The Parade route will follow Court Street from the north end at Rogers Hall on the UNA campus to the southern end at Alabama Street. Parade line up will begin at 6 pm on Pine Street between Irvine and Cumberland Streets. Your exact time for line up will be determined by your placement in the parade. That information will be sent to you the week before the parade.Please remember with the Parade line up being on Pine Street and ending on South Court Street at Alabama Street to arrange your drop off and pick up locations to match those areas.The following are the guidelines set forth for the 2016 Florence Christmas Parade:There will be awards for Best Decorated Float (Commercial & Non-Profit), Best Band and Best Performance Group.Each entry is limited to four (4) units. For example, the XYZ club will be allowed four cars in their entry.Entries MUST be decorated or dressed to reflect the theme of the parade:‘Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!’;No un-decorated vehicles will be allowed! There’s nothing more boring than watching a bunch of cars driving down the road!Santa is a special guest and has his own float. No Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus impersonators allowed in or on any parade entry.Motorcyclists are required by Alabama state law to wear helmets at all times. Motorcycles which are not designed and licensed for public streets will not be allowed to participate in the parade.Alabama state law prohibits ATVs from public streets; therefore, ATVs are not permitted in the parade.Vehicles not allowed on public streets, according to Alabama state law or City of Florence ordinance will not be allowed to participate in the parade.Participation is contingent on Police Department approval.Horse units will not be allowed. Other animals allowed only with permission from Florence Main Street. All animals must be cleaned up after by the group bringing them.Wednesday, November 30 is the deadline for return of entry forms and fees.This is stated on the entry form and will be strictly enforced. Any late entry will be at the sole discretion of FMS, and may result in an additional $50 late fee being charged.CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION FORMCLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORMMore information is available from the Florence Main Street office by calling 256-760-9648 or email us at events@florencemainstreet.org.We thank you for your participation and look forward to seeing you at the 2016 Florence Christmas Parade.

Announcing the Florence Restaurant Week Charity & Restaurant Winners

Congratulations are in order for the following:First Place Charity: Room in the Inn ShoalsSecond Place Charity: "Sidney's Safe!" FoundationFavorite Restaurant: The Pie FactoryBest Dish: Tied between Woodpecker Cafe and Rivertown Coffee Co.We would like to again thank our sponsors: McDaniel Window & Door, Alabama Outdoors, and Blue Olive!

Florence Main Street Announces Nominated Charities for Florence Restaurant Week 2016

For the last four weeks Florence Main Street has been collecting on-line and mail-in nominations from the community for their favorite charity to be on the Restaurant Week ballot.  After sorting over 750 nominations submitted between September 15-October 13, Florence Main Street finally has the top three most nominated charities and the two wild-card picks who will compete for the coveted $5,000 from our Presenting Sponsor, McDaniel Window & Door.Last year, Presenting Sponsor Mike McDaniel awarded the $5,000 check to winning charity Shoals Sav-A-Life, and this year he is looking forward to making another charity very happy.This year, we are thrilled to announce a second sponsor – Alabama Outdoors! During restaurant week be sure to go and visit Alabama Outdoors to see their fall inventory and cool specials. When you make a purchase show them your receipt from a participating downtown restaurant and they will donate 10 percent of your Alabama Outdoors purchase toward a check for the second place charity!  In no particular order, the five charity finalists are: Room In The Inn, Salvation Army, Heart of Alabama Save Rescue Adopt, Meals on Wheels and Sidney’s Safe Foundation.  All five charities will be competing for the communities’ vote during Florence Restaurant Week, October 21st - October 30th. Whether you buy a cup of coffee from Rivertown or have dinner at Odette, every purchase will come with a ballot for the opportunity to vote for the charity of your choice.Join Florence Main Street for our preview of Florence Restaurant Week during the Taste of Downtown event on Tuesday, Oct. 18th at Singin’ River Brewing Company! Get to know the nominated charities you will be voting for from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, while tasting samples of dishes prepared by all participating restaurants. Admission: $10 in advance and $15 at the door (while supplies last). Tickets can be purchased online at www.dineoutflorence.com and www.florencemainstreet.org or at the Florence Main Street Office ~ 301 N Pine Street.FLORENCE RESTAURANT WEEK IS OCTOBER 21st-30th. Please help us do good where it counts by voting for one of the five charities by dining at any of the participating downtown restaurants and shopping at Alabama Outdoors! Participating Restaurants: On the Rocks, Pie Factory, Woodpecker Café, Wildwood Tavern, Rivertown Coffee, FloBama, 306 BBQ, Odette, Legends, Ricatoni's Italian Grill, City Hardware, Singin River Brewing Co., and Rosie's Mexican Cantina.Florence Main Street is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to working with business owners, community leaders, and residents toward the common goal of revitalizing Downtown Florence, culturally and economically. For more information about us or any of these efforts, please contact Florence Main Street at 256-760-9648 or info@florencemainstreet.org.

Florence Restaurant Week 2016 Charity Nomination Phase

Contact: Molly Austin or Teryl Shields FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tel. 256-760-9648

Email: info@florencemainstreet.org

FLORENCE RESTAURANT WEEK 2016 CHARITY NOMINATION PHASEFlorence Main Street

Florence, AL – September 14th – Between Sept 15th and October 13th, Florence Main Street wants you to nominate your favorite charity for the opportunity to win a $5,000 check. Last year during Florence Restaurant Week, Presenting Sponsor McDaniel Window & Door owner Mike McDaniel presented the $5000 winning charity check to Shoals Sav-A-Life and he’s looking forward to making another charity very happy this year.  “Presenting the $5000 check to Shoals Sav-A-Life was not only an honor, but a privilege for myself and staff. It was exciting to see our local businesses thriving, while our community came together to raise awareness for so many wonderful charities. McDaniel Window & Door is excited to be the Presenting Sponsor again for 2016 Florence Restaurant Week, and I personally challenge all our local businesses to get involved and support this great event,” said owner, Mike McDaniel.  Selected from the community’s nominations, five charities will be placed on a ballot for guests dining at participating restaurants to vote on during Florence Restaurant Week in October. Thursday, Sept 15th through Thursday, October 13th, nominate your favorite charity and tell us why they deserve this prize.  (To be considered, a charity must be a designated 501c(3) organization and have an office in the Shoals.) The three most nominated charities will automatically be included on the ballot, and Florence Main Street will choose two wild-card charities based on input from our Presenting Sponsor, number of nominations, impact on our community, and other factors. Shoals Sav-A-Life will be excluded from this years’ nomination phase because they were the winners of Florence Restaurant Week 2015. You can nominate your favorite charity four ways. Florence Main Street will have a poll on our Facebook page, on McDaniel Window & Door’s Facebook page, and on our website (www.dineoutflorence.com) or you can mail in your nomination. If you choose to mail in a nomination please include these items: Your First and Last Name

Your Email address

Name of CharityWhy you are nominating the charity?

Name of Executive Director at the charity.

Contact info for the charity. (Address & Phone Number)

Then, from October 21st - 30th, Florence Main Street will host Florence Restaurant Week 2016. Ballots will be available at participating restaurants.  Every time you eat at a participating restaurant during Florence Restaurant Week, you will have the opportunity to vote for one of our five local charities. Every time you eat, you get to vote! Florence Restaurant Week is not only a showcase of our best local eateries, but it will also help to shine the light on some of our best local charities. The charity with the most votes at the end of the week will walk away with a check for $5,000 that will be used to do good work right here in the Shoals.  

Mark your calendars now for FLORENCE RESTAURANT WEEK–October 21st - 30th, 2016! And please, help us do good where it counts by nominating YOUR favorite charity today!Florence Main Street is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to working with business owners, community leaders, and residents toward the common goal of revitalizing Downtown Florence, culturally and economically. For more information about us or any of these efforts, please contact Florence Main Street at 256-760-9648 or info@florencemainstreet.org

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Vote For Your Favorite 2016 Bacon Crawl T-Shirt Design

The top 5 designs have been selected by our panel of judges and now it is time for you to vote for your favorite! Voting ends July 30th, 2016 and the winning design will be announced on July 31st.To place your vote click here.