Florence Christmas Parade 2014 presented by First Southern Bank

'Ring in the Holidays' with theFlorence Christmas Parade Friday, December 12, 2014  7:00 p.m.

There's no better way to celebrate the holiday season than to 'Ring in the Holidays', this year's theme for 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 First Southern Bank (Alabama Street).  Parade line up will begin at 6pm 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 2014 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 reflectthe theme of the parade: 'Ring in the Holidays';however, no one is to be dressed as Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus. Any float having a human Santa or Mrs. Claus will be ejected from the parade. 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. Monday, December 1 is the deadline for return of entry forms and fees. This will be 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. More information is available from the Florence Main Street office by calling 256-760-9648.We thank you for your participation and look forward to seeing you at the 2014 Florence Christmas Parade.  Parade Entry Form 2014

The Secret Sisters Praise Downtown Florence

Star Traveler interviews The Secret Sisters on Fox News

Fall Fun Fest Press Release

FALL FUN FEST IN DOWNTOWN FLORENCE

Presented by Florence Main Street

You know Fall is here when the leaves start changing and you can feel cooler weather sweep through the Shoals. During this excellent time of year, Florence Main Street will bring you the first Fall Fun Fest in Downtown Florence Saturday, October 25, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.The event will feature a costume contest, trick or treating with participating downtown businesses, a spooktacular trolley ride decorated by American Red Cross of Northwest Alabama, and over 20 local charities providing Halloween-inspired children’s activities to the general public. The children’s activities will be located on the East and West 100 block of Tombigbee Street. There will be a costume contest for age categories of 5-13, 14-17, and 18 years old and up. The costume contest will be hosted by The Geek Gathering. They will judge ages 5-13 at 5:00pm, 14-17 at 6:00pm, and 18 years and older at 7:00pm. Each age category will have 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place prizes.“Start planning who or what you will be for the Fall Fun Festival. We invite everyone to come to downtown in their best costume with friends and get to know the local businesses and charities!” commented Christina Dorough, Event Coordinator of Florence Main Street.Local charities can register for a vendor space until September 25^th. Please email Christina Dorough at christinad@florencemainstreet.org and include what type of free children’s activity you will provide to the public.Florence Main Street thanks Downtown Florence Unlimited, the sponsor who helped finance this event.Florence Main Street is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of over 100+ businesses, community leaders, and residents working together 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 ###

Times Daily writes about Downtown Businesses - Sept. 8, 2014

Florence 'fabulous'

New businesses going up, opening in downtown area’s ‘unique space’Written by: Wayne Smith 

100 Things to do in Downtown Florence Brochure

Florence Main Street is creating a 100 Things to do in Downtown Florence Brochure. We want you to share with us what you think should be on the list of things to do.Examples:Check out a book from Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.Taste a new wine or beer from The Wine Seller.Have a romantic dinner at Sperry's Restaurant.Learn to knit or crochet at Unraveled Yarn & Gifts.Watch the sunset at River Bottom Grille while getting a bite to eat.Find out what art exhibit is installed at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts.Grab a coffee at Rivertown Coffee Company.Add something to the list by clicking on this link:100 Things to do in Downtown Florence Poll

Florence Main Street Launches Downtown Dollar Gift Certificates

Downtown Dollars Keep it LOCAL 

Can't make a decision on what to get a friend or family member for  their birthday, a holiday, anniversary, or just as a happy? Downtown Dollars are the perfect gift for all ages.  These gift certificates can be redeemed at many of our merchants throughout Downtown Florence.

Below we have provide a list of merchants who currently accept Downtown Dollars. However, please inquire at other locations. Even if they are not on list we will be happy to explain the program to new merchants and quickly add them.

Merchants interested in participating in the program should contact Florence Main Street atinfo@florencemainstreet.orgSubject Line: Downtown Dollars

It is truly the gift for everyone and every occasion! 

Alabama Outdoors / 119 North Court Street / 256-764-1809Art & More / 124 East Tennessee StreetCherry Tree Lane / 305 North Court Street / 256-767-4262Coats Clothing Company / 122 North Court Street / 256-760-0033CoCo’s Boutique / 106 West Tennessee Street / 256-349-2133Creative Jewelers / 216 North Court Street / 256-766-7650Dixie Garage / 110 East Mobile Street / 256-627-6545Edison Workshops / 110 East Mobile St / 256-299-9745FloBama Music Hall / 311 North Court Street / 256-764-2225Hidden Treasures / 417 East Tennessee Street / 256-366-4985Inga's Lashes & More / 413 East Tennessee Street / 256-765-7001Jimmy John’s / 101 North Court Street / 256-768-9994Legends Steakhouse / 201 North Seminary Street / 256-766-5072Lyon's Coffee Roasters / 218 North Court Street / 256-669-0266Mefford's Jewelers / 102 North Court Street / 256-275-7030On the Rocks / 110 North Court Street / 256-760-2212Printers & Stationers, Inc. / 113 North Court Street / 256-764-8061Reclaimed Spirit / 416 North Court St / 256-792-5816Rosie’s Mexican Cantina / 302 North Court Street / 256-767-5599River Bottom Grille / 1050 Clayborn Liles Drive / 256-768-1721Rivertown Coffee Co. / 117 North Seminary Street / 256-765-7128Shoals Takeout / 110 East Mobile St / 256-415-8472Stained Glass Artistry / 116 West Mobile Street / 256-765-2100Singin' River Brewery / 526 East College Street / 256-349-2294Tennessee Street Billiards /118 East Tennessee Street / 256-760-5300The Basement Gym / 115 North Court Street / 256-444-5492The Chicago Cafe / 106 East Mobile Street / 256-710-3607The Coiffure at 108 /108 East Tuscaloosa Street / 256-577-8391The Eclectic  / 411 East Tennessee Street / 256-718-7999The Pie Factory / 106 North Court Street / 256-275-3248The Spinning Spoke Hub Club / 221 North Seminary Street / 256-349-5302Wildwood Tavern / 108 East Mobile Street / 256-349-1239Wilk's Tire & Battery / 619 East Tennessee Street / 256-764-8551Ye Ole General Store  / 219 North Seminary Street / 256-764-0601Yumm Thai Sushi & Beyond / 117 North Court Street / 256-349-2074

Downtown Florence ROARS a Welcome to UNA

6:00-8:00 p.m. Visit with participating downtown businesses and enter to win Downtown Dollars & $1,000 UNA Scholarship

**Every time you enter your name the more chances you will have to WIN money!6:30-8:30 p.m.  Music on Mobile Street(Rain location 116 E Mobile)Rachel WammackFollow ApolloThe Bear & The Bride

   8:30 p.m.   WINNERS ANNOUNCED!Lion Night Stage on Mobile Street

9:00 p.m. Muscle Shoals Documentary, Shoals Theatre – Free to UNA students,  $5 for the public

Sponsors:Downtown Florence Unlimited – UNA Department of Student Affairs – UNA Office of Student Engagement –   Student Government Association – Shoals Community Theatre

SGA and Main Street invites all UNA students to Downtown Florence

Dirt Plate joins Florence Foodies at City Hardware

Dirt Plate compliments Jeff Eubanks, chef at City Hardware, and Steve Carpenter, farmer of Jack O' Lantern Farm on a fantastic Florence Foodies night dining in Downtown Florence.Read here about her experience with Florence Foodies.

4 Courses 25 Foodies and Sperry’s Slam Dunk

Read how Florence Foodies is making an impact with creative dishes, social dining, educating diners with local guest speakers, and foodie bloggers.The Brown Bag Review writes about Sperry's Restaurant

4 Courses 25 Foodies and Sperry’s Slam Dunk

Florence Main Street Announces Restaurant Week Charity Winner

Florence, AL – May 20 - Florence Main Street will announce the winning charity from their Restaurant Week promotion at 10am Thursday, May 22. The live press conference will take place at McDaniel Window & Door Company headquarters, 300 E. Tennessee St, Florence AL. The winning charity will receive a $5,000 check from Restaurant Week Presenting Sponsor McDaniel Window & Door Company followed by light refreshments. Restaurant Week would not have been possible without the generous support from our sponsors McDaniel Window & Door Co., Specs Downtown and Integrated Corporate Solutions, along with assistance from Florence Lauderdale Tourism and the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa.

Restaurant Week, held May 9 – 17, was a promotion to showcase the excellent independently owned and operated dining options available in downtown Florence and nearby. Fifteen restaurants participated in the Florence Restaurant Week promotion. To add an extra incentive to dine in the participating restaurants, local charities were nominated to be included on a ballot, where diners could vote for them to receive a $5000 check. “Most of the feedback we’ve received from the restaurants has been positive” said Teryl Shields, Florence Main Street Executive Director. “The only concern expressed was the anticipation of crowds for Restaurant Week on top of the known crowds for visitors for UNA’s graduation and Mother’s Day. Other than that, most of them seem pretty happy with the week. I’ve been told they’ve seen some good traffic.”A promotion of area restaurants was run previously by the Florence Lauderdale Tourism Board but their focus was more aimed toward getting out of town visitors to come into Florence. Florence Main Street’s Restaurant Week was all about getting local citizens that might not have tried the dining options in downtown, to see what all the excitement is about. “Kind of like a prophet isn’t recognized in his own town,  we want our locals to be proud of what an amazing food scene we have here in Florence, said Shields. Our out of town guests are always amazed at our restaurants, their variety of cuisine and the number of our options. Florence Restaurant Week was a way of showcasing our great food to folks in our area”.While the primary effort was attracting local diners, Main Street Event Coordinator, Christina Dorough wanted to make sure folks from all over knew about Florence and our culinary treasures, so she researched regional food bloggers and invited several to visit during Restaurant Week along with inviting local bloggers and writers to share their dining experiences also. “We invited food bloggers from Urbanspoon with highly rated blogs in the Southeast. Taking into consideration of specific writing styles, age, and experience, we narrowed them down to Grant Goggans of Marie Let's Eat from Atlanta, GA and Lauren Widelitz of Old Red Boots from Nashville, TN. They seemed very impressed with all we had to offer and Grant even commented that if one of our restaurants was in Atlanta ‘folks wouldn’t’ shut up about it’. We look forward to reading all of their reviews”.Florence Restaurant Week participating restaurants included Sperry’s Restaurant, The Pie Factory, City Hardware, Ricatoni’s Italian Grill, Rosie’s Mexican Cantina, The Chicago Café, Legends Steakhouse, Rivertown Coffee Company, Bookmarks Coffee Shop, Montagu’s Sandwich Shop, Frostbite Frozen Treats, Sweet Basil Café, Poplar South Deli & Grille, FloBama Music Hall and the Dish Gourmet Café & Catering.Charities eligible for the top prize include Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS), Scope 310, Hearts of Alabama: Save, Rescue, Adopt (HASRA), and Safeplace Inc.More information about the nominated charities and food reviews blogs can be found at eatoutflorence.com. For more information contact Florence Main Street at 256.760.9648.

Economic Development Specialist Visits Florence

Main Street Alabama hosted a nationally recognized market strategist, Todd Barman, in Florence Alabama this week. After meeting with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, City of Florence, and economic development professionals, Barman will conduct a market analysis to showcase existing and new market expansion opportunities in downtown Florence.   The study was requested by Florence Main Street’s Executive Director, Teryl Shields, as a tool to further develop their downtown.With more than 20 years of experience in the development field and more than 16 years firsthand Main Street experience, Barman’s expertise in market analysis is widely recognized.   As a national leader, Todd convenes discussion groups on ways to better approach market analysis and help communities put economic restructuring principles into practice more effectively.   Todd is known throughout the United States and into Canada for his work in downtown development planning and refining Main Street’s asset-based economic development strategies.  His areas of expertise include capacity building and evaluation of local Main Street programs, organizational and community planning, entrepreneurship, targeted market research, and commercial district market position.Mary Helmer, State Coordinator of Main Street Alabama, stated “we are pleased to bring this nationally recognized expert to Florence and sponsor the work he is doing for one of our designated communities.  A complete market study is one of the many items available to Main Street designated communities in our tiered program of services.  Such studies, paired with professional development, help bolster community efforts and position Main Street programs for success.”Main Street Alabama focuses on bringing jobs, dollars and people back to Alabama’s historic communities.  Economic development is at the heart of our efforts to revitalize downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

2nd Annual Florence Main Street Golf Tournament

Unpack your golf clubs and get ready to place your golf ball on the tee at Blackberry Trail this May.Florence Main Street is hosting our 2nd Annual Golf Tournament as our annual fundraiser.  We choose Blackberry Trail because of it's gorgeous 6,851 yards of rolling fairways and green side bunkers featuring accommodations like practice bunkers, chipping green, putting green, and driving green. We are recruiting teams of 4 to compete against one another for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners with additional competitions in longest drive, closest to the pin, and putting.Schedule of Tournament11:00 Lunch provided12:30 ShotgunClick here for a virtual tour of the golf course provided by the City of Florence.Our goal is to raise $10,000 to support restoration and revitalization efforts in historic downtown Florence. Examples of uses of funds are retail and special events to increase awareness of the downtown community, building facade improvements, downtown beautification, banners, gifts of public art, recruitment of new business.Fill out the Golf Tournament flyer 2014 and send back to Florence Main Street. We look forward to spending the day with you at Blackberry Trail.

2014 Florence Restaurant Week Press Release

Florence, AL – March 10, 2014 – Between April 1 and April 25, Florence Main Street wants you to nominate your favorite charity to win a $5,000 charity check from our Presenting Sponsor McDaniel Window & Door Company during Florence Restaurant Week.

From your nominations, five charities will be included on a ballot that diners will be able to vote on at participating restaurants during Florence Restaurant Week. Tuesday, April 1 through Friday, April 25th, nominate your favorite charity and tell us why they deserve $5,000. (To be considered, a charity must be a designated 501c(3) organization with the state of Alabama 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 number of nominations, impact on our community, and other factors.You can nominate your favorite charity three ways. Florence Main Street will have a poll on our Facebook page, on our website  or you can mail in your nomination. If you choose to mail in please include these items:First and Last NameEmail addressWhy you are nominating the charity?Contact information for charity.Then, from May 9-17, Florence Main Street will be hosting Florence Restaurant Week, and ballots with the five chosen charities will be available at participating restaurants. Every time you eat at a participating restaurants 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 from our Presenting Sponsor McDaniel Window & Door Company–money that will be used to do good work right here in Florence. Mark your calendars now for FLORENCE RESTAURANT WEEK–May 9-17, 2014! And please, help us do good where it counts by nominating YOUR favorite charity today!

Florence Restaurant Week 2014 May 9th - 17th

Stay Tuned for more details.

Exciting news is coming to you!

Dinner & A Movie for 2

Do you remember seeing movies at the Shoals Theater? Or do you just love the idea of small independent theaters?  Well, Florence Main Street wants to give you that experience again, with an intimate twist, in downtown Florence this Valentine's season. What could be better than treating your sweetheart to a romantic night on the town with Florence Main Street’s ‘Dinner & A Movie for 2’?We invite you to join us on Thursday, February 13 and pick your favorite restaurant in downtown Florence, then go see one of the most romantic and action packed movies of all time, Titanic, on the big screen at the Shoals Theater. This package deal is sure to please the romantic in you!Florence Main Street has partnered with 10 wonderful restaurants to give you a wide variety of excellent meals from which to choose.  Every Dinner & A Movie package includes dinner for 2 plus 2 movie tickets. In addition, you can also choose what time best suits your dining needs as most of the participating restaurants are offering seatings at 5pm & 6pm.  You’ll want to get your ‘Dinner & A Movie’ tickets quickly as the best dinner seats will go quickly!Dinner & A Movie packages are available for purchase by clicking on the logo to the left.ALL ABOARD... for a romantic night with ‘Dinner & A Movie’!***The Dinner & A Movie for 2 packages are no longer available. We want to Thank everyone who has supported this event and look forward to next year!If you just want to join us just for the movie, that’s ok too.  Tickets to see this award winning romantic classic are only $15 at the door.  So please join us for ‘Dinner & A Movie’, help support the Silver Screen project and win some points with your sweetheart in the process.The Silver Screen Project is a community fundraising effort led by Florence Main Street to install film projection equipment in the Shoals Theater. Follow the link above to learn more or call Florence Main Street at 256.760.9648.   

Florence Foodies Photo Contest

Fork it up Florence Foodies!Main Street wants you to share your love of food by sharing pictures of your favorite dishes when dining in downtown! Use Hashtag (#FlorenceFoodiesContest) on Instagram  in your meal pictures with a description of the dish, where you ate and why you love the dish before Thurs. Feb. 27 for a chance to win our Florence Foodie Photo Contest ! The winner's photo will be chosen on Friday, Feb. 28 as our photo of the month and will be featured on our website as well as in social media outlets.Instagram Account Name: FlorenceMainStreetClick on post to see the Winners.

Florence Foodies 2014 Announcement

Florence Main Street could not be more excited about the year ahead for Florence Foodies in historic Downtown Florence. Last year's success set off a wonderful  dining experience that no one really expected. Because of such high demand and the absolute love of food, Main Street and downtown restaurants have worked very hard to set a full 10 month calendar of events just for you! We have expanded from having 8 foodie venues to 20 foodie venues plus some extra surprises along the way.If you haven't had a chance to attend a Florence Foodies event, let us explain how the program works. Each restaurant creates a hidden menu of a 3-4 course meal never before seen on their year round menus. Everyone arrives for dinner at 6:00pm and by the time you have completed the meal you will have tasted new recipes and different examples of how food can be prepared with a local flavor. Plus each restaurant will have a special guest speaker to talk about an important topic going on in our community.Monday, January 6th was the RELEASE of the Spring Seasonal Tickets and tickets for Dale's Steakhouse and Poplar South Deli & Grille ONLY. Tickets will only be available online through Main Street's website for each event. Stay glued to our website for release dates and purchase times for the rest of Florence Foodies events.Please check out the entire Calendar of Events for Florence Foodies 2014 by clicking on the logo located on the right hand side.

2014 Historic Downtown Florence Calendars

 For many years, the Design Committee of Florence Main Street has published an annual calendar devoted to various aspects of historic downtown Florence.Some calendars highlighted historic commercial buildings; many focused on historic private residences, while at least one centered around historic houses of worship.The handsome 2014 calendar is entitled simply “Historic Downtown Florence.” It includes structures such as Wesleyn Hall on the UNA campus (built in 1855) and the recently-constructed law office of John Harris on South Court Street which is an excellent example of sensitive infill architecture. Also featured are beautiful stained glass windows at First Presbyterian Church and Ferdinand Sannoner’s 1852 map of Florence done in granite and embedded in the sidewalk at the intersection of Court and Tennessee Streets. All photographs are the work of local photographer Glenn Bevis.So, for just $5.00 a person receives an artistic calendar with 13 beautiful black-and-white photographs and a written history of each of the 13. It easily becomes a keepsake or a gift to a special friend or family member. The purchase of 50 or more reduces the price per copy to $3.00The 2014 calendar is available at the Kennedy Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E. Tuscaloosa Street or contact Executive Director Teryl Shields by phone at 256-760-9648 or by email at: tshields@florencemainstreet.org .2014 Calendar Press Release

Downtown Florence Christmas Parade

The 2013 Florence Christmas parade has passed and Florence Main Street would like to thank all of the businesses and community groups who participated for helping to make this one of the largest parades we have had. We had over 90 entries, including floats, bands, performing groups, antique cars, emergency vehicles and fun costumed characters. The judging as to who was ‘best’ was very difficult! But we are proud to announce the winners from the 2013 Florence Christmas Parade…Best Band – Brooks High School “Pride of the South” marching bandBest Performance Group – Muscle Shoals TwirlersBest Commercial Float – Fashion Exchange, Inc.Best Non-Profit/Community Group Float – City of Florence Park & Recreation Dept.And none of the fun we have at the parade would be possible without the generous support of our sponsor First Southern Bank! Thank you to First Southern for your unfailing support of our community!The extra work these groups put in on their floats and performances was evident and they (along with many others) are deserving of the ‘Best in the 2013 Parade’ title. Many thanks to everyone who entered the parade for their hard work on their floats and performances.So much work goes into the planning and coordination of the Florence Christmas Parade and there are many to thank for their tireless efforts. Many thanks to the University of North Alabama ROTC who coordinated the parade line-up and to the UNA and Florence Police Departments who were responsible for the parade as it went along its path through downtown Florence and lastly to the Florence Fire Department for a last minute rescue of Santa and Mrs. Claus. All of these folks deserve our thanks for the hard work and extra effort they put into producing such a great parade for our community!

How you can Win the Window this Christmas

Florence Main Street presents Win the Window CampaignNovember 1st  - December 7thThis holiday season, Shoals shoppers can earn chances to win an estimated $6,200 in merchandise and gift certificates through Win the Window, a campaign by Florence Main Street. Between November 1 and December 7, shoppers can enter to win by spending at least $25 at any of the 38 participating businesses in downtown Florence. The prize windows will be unveiled during  Downtown Christmas Open House on Saturday, November 16, and winners will be announced at the end of a Last Chance Shopping Blast on Saturday, December 14.“We will have two windows on Court Street filled with valuable merchandise from local shops, restaurants, and service providers,” said Christina Dorough, Program Coordinator at Florence Main Street.  “One window will be geared toward female shoppers, while the other will target male shoppers.” Shoppers will earn entries to win the entire male or female window.The windows will be covered until the unveiling at the November 16 Christmas Open House. “By unveiling the contents of the windows, we hope to build anticipation and get people excited about winning some great prizes,” said Florence Main Street Director Teryl Shields.Shoppers will get an entry for every $25 they spend at a participating business, and there is no limit to how many times individuals can enter. Participating shops and stores will have entry forms, and tables at participating restaurants will have information on how diners can use their receipts to enter.“We all have a lot of shopping to do during the holidays, and this promotion gives people the opportunity to win valuable prizes just by choosing to do their shopping in downtown businesses,” said Jennifer Butler Keeton, chair of the Main Street Promotions Committee. “We think people will discover that they can do most  of their holiday shopping in locally owned businesses. Downtown Florence has plenty of options for men’s and women’s clothes, art, jewelry, and home décor, as well as great food, salons, and more.”This project is a collaborative effort between Florence Main Street, business owners, and volunteers. Approximately 38 downtown businesses are participating. The prize windows will be displayed at 205 North Court Street. For more information on the Win the Window contest, call Florence Main Street at 256-760-9648.