So downtown simply amazes me with every passing week. Last weekend, I spent a little time over a few beers in front of the Irish Bred Pub with Dale Hurtt; owner of Jefferson’s talking about downtown business. He’s another believer that came to town, invested in a building and opened a great place for wings, burger and oysters. Who would have ever believed the old shoe shop would be filled with kids and their parents after baseball. Then a few old codgers like me and my friends that enjoy the attentive pretty little servers that work at Jefferson’s. Then there’s that circling the block a time or two to grab a parking space. Streetscape renovations have done a lot to add parking, but there still a few things that could be done to get ready for future growth. And I firmly believe that there is more growth on the way. There has been talk of another restaurant joining the party on Railroad Avenue.
The Event Center Downtown was also filled last weekend with a two act concert that kept people dancing to 1AM. Those cars were stretched from 6th to 8th along both North and South Railroad Avenue.
This weekend, as swimmers arrive from around the state, expect more people to find and discover all that Downtown Opelika has to offer. Friday and Saturday are the big days for those events held at the Opelika Sportplex and Aquatics Center.
Talk continues of the Downtown Entertainment District, which I agree with in principal if not all areas of the proposal. As a lifelong fan of beer, you may find it hard to believe, but I really don’t see a need for bars to remain open until 4AM or longer. Go home already!
From the Archives — originally published on the Opelika Daily News on July 24, 2012. View the original page.
