Velinda Wheeles: Main Street Opelika holds its own

Velinda Wheeles
Columnist
Published: July 29, 2008

‘The grass is always greener on the other side.’ That is true in some instances, but I have figured out that sometimes you have to venture out and find that maybe what you are doing is OK, that there is always room for improvement and you should be open to change. Are you wondering where I am going with this?
I have just returned from a week of traveling visiting other towns with Main Street programs. After 1,600 miles, a bag full of valuable brochures and flyers and speaking to fellow event coordinators and Main Street directors I have come to the conclusion that we are doing a pretty good job and should be very proud of our downtown; but … I did see several things that we could improve on and the first being that we have got to get signage on the interstate to let people traveling know that we are here.

I stopped in Anderson, S.C., because I saw their sign (small but I saw it) on the interstate. Now granted I had to hunt for the downtown area once I exited because they dropped the ball and did not have any other directional signs leading me to them. Anyone else would have given up after about ten minutes, but I was determined to find them and I did.

One thing I noticed first and in every other town I visited is that everyone has outside dining areas. I know right now with the humidity I wouldn’t want to eat outside, but during the spring and fall it is wonderful to be outside. In Greenville, S.C., I noticed lots of outside dining opportunities … lots of dining opportunities period. Their downtown is a destination anchored by tree lined streets with benches inviting people to stop and stay awhile. That is exactly what I saw.

People sitting outside with their iced coffee reading a book or visiting with a friend. I want to see that for us. I also saw a lot of downtown residential living. Loft apartments everywhere. After many, many pictures taken and wheels turning … I left Greenville heading for the next town. Days later I returned home tired from the travel, but ready to put some of what I learned to use. Two things that I noticed are that we are the most colorful downtown that I visited and no one else has outside music playing. We are very eye appealing and inviting.

I want to take a moment and thank our sponsors for the Summer Celebration that was held July 11. Thank you to Wright’s Foods, Wal-Mart Distribution, Flowers Baking Company, Opelika-Auburn News, TransAmerica Printing, Niffer’s and Niffer’s At The Lake, DJ Ozz, Auburn-Opelika Tourism and Qantum Communications.

Join us this Friday for First Friday’s ‘Sizzlin’ Summer Sidewalk Sale’. The restaurants will be waiting to serve you so call a friend and tell them to meet you downtown. The Bayou Catering Company on Railroad Avenue will be open for dinner serving a full seafood buffet.

Velinda Wheeles is director of Opelika Main Street and writes a column for the Opelika-Auburn News.