ALEXANDRIA — This year’s Christmas parade will include twinkling lights and merry characters, but it will also feature the debut of three new businesses in downtown Alexandria.
Church Street Gallery, Art of the Child and Fab-You-Less will each host their official grand openings during the festivities Saturday.
Beverly Collins of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce said the debut of the businesses are further evidence that Alexandria is turning a corner.
“It’s really thrilling to think that something is finally happening.”
While other towns are facing empty storefronts as the economy struggles, Alexandria is debuting a total of five new businesses this season, she explained.
J & J Distributors and Studio 115 Salon opened in the last two months.
Judy Wallace runs J & J Distributors and said the new consignment shop will offer Alexandria shoppers a variety of bargains on anything from socks to toys and housewares.
She’s excited by the progress in Alexandria’s downtown district. “It seems like a lot is coming to Alexandria. A lot of people come to this town from Marion, Elwood, even Farmland.”
Joyce Rigney, who is debuting the Fab-You-Less women’s clothing consignment shop on Saturday, attributes the town’s success to a collaboration between citizens and the city.
“Honestly, I think it’s the dedication to the town — The mayor and the chamber of commerce backing business owners to try and help them out.”
Mayor Jack Woods said volunteers, citizens and town officials, including Director of Economic Development John Dockrey and Clerk Jan Lynch, have helped promote the downtown business district.
Sharon Hobbs is encouraged by the new businesses springing up around town. “We have a lot of citizens that are just interested in Alexandria. We want to see it come back to its ‘Small Town U.S.A.’ flavor. It just used to be such a wonderful town. It’s just great to walk around and see this.”
Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
Local News
Alexandria parad to feature several new businesses
Church Street Gallery, Art of the Child, Fab-You-Less host grand openings
- Local News
-
-
NCLB loses grip on Indiana
Indiana is one of the first 10 states in the nation to receive a waiver from President Barack Obama’s administration for certain requirements within No Child Left Behind. That spells change for local districts.
-
Mayor, department managers fire 36
Since being elected and taking office in January, Mayor Kevin Smith has terminated 30 employees, and his department heads have fired an additional six more.
-
City seeks $2.45 million for salaries, pensions
The city needs additional funds to pay for slight increases in firefighter salaries, as well as $2.35 million for the fire and police pension funds. Thursday night at a city council meeting, a funding suggestion was proposed for the latter, but no solution was determined for the first.
-
Police report human remains in Grant County
Human remains were uncovered by police Thursday morning in Grant County.
-
Police: Man stabbed by brother
Police responded to the report of a stabbing early Thursday morning.
-
Scattered snow showers
Scattered snow showers are in the forecast today.Steady bursts of snow may quickly cause some slick roads.
-
Poll question for Friday, Feb. 10
Vote dai8ly in The Herald Bulletin poll. Today's poll question can be found at the bottom of the homepage on the right side.
-
Local Briefs: Feb. 10
A compilation of news items of local and statewide interest as published in the Friday edition of the Herald Bulletin.
-
What's Where: Feb. 10
Local meetings and activities are planned Friday.
-
Arrest log: Feb. 9
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County Prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
- More Local News Headlines
-
