Jerry Katz: Good things will come to those who wait

I was remembering when I first moved to Opelika about 13 years ago. The first big Cityscape project was under way downtown. Courthouse square was being formed, sod was being laid and utilities were moving underground.

I recalled these days gone by after attending the Alabama Preservation Conference in Auburn a few weeks ago. Several agenda items were discussed with awards being presented for several local works of the Black Heritage Council and statewide awards to Alabama’s 13 Main Street organizations. During the session I listened to directors of Main Streets from around the state talk about their success as well as projects that didn’t work for their towns. The printed program for the event even showed dogs in Halloween costumes, part of Opelika’s Howl’oween, as an example of downtown events that help bring our downtowns alive.

Attendees from around the state were able to take several tours over the three-day event, including a walking tour of Auburn’s North College Historic District, the Pine Hill Cemetery Lantern Tour and other historic items of interest in the area and Opelika. A prime example of a successful vibrant downtown that weekend, was Opelika’s “On the Tracks,” which drew hundreds despite the threat of rain. That event, although under partial sponsorship of Opelika’s Main Street now, is a prime example of what can happen when local business gets involved to start a project, before the bandwagon, as it were, gets involved. Many of us can remember “On The Tracks” as the effort of two downtown business owners, working with other business, to show what Opelika had to offer downtown.

Today, it doesn’t take a major event to have Opelika bustle with nighttime activity. I ran into some folks grabbing a birthday beverage at Sid’s Eight Street Café the other night. They marveled at what has taken place downtown saying “They had no idea …” Did you realize there are eight places to grab something to eat or drink downtown most nights?

One location, the Breezeway has been a foundation that entire time. It was fun to find Auburn Mayor Bill Ham at Café 123, or Sheriff Jay Jones and wife Judy with friends pilling into Jimmy’s the other night. The Brass Brassiere’s wine and meal offerings, Sid’s Veggie sandwich, the German taste of Alpin Café, a Saturday morning breakfast at Red Door June, a nightcap at Eighth and Rail.

And what’s around the corner? The Irish Bred Pub in 2010. Man, do I love their shepherd pie! And some of those new faces in downtown restaurants are doing more that eating downtown, they live there too. Several new apartments above the old Goodson’s building brought these new faces to the area.

Revitalization of an area takes time, but good things come to those that wait. And as you watch the calendar of upcoming holiday events, put downtown Opelika on your to do list. It’s one of the reasons, “I’m Home Now.” For more information on coming events: visit www.opelikamainstreet.org

Jerry Katz lives in Opelika and writes a column for the Opelika-Auburn News.