Main Street Alabama held its 11th annual Awards of Excellence Banquet at the Community House in Monroeville Thursday, Aug. 15, to celebrate the successes of local programs and honor its “2024 Main Street Hero.”
Main Street Alabama’s president and state coordinator Mary Helmer Wirth, and assistant state coordinator Trisha Black, recognized projects and individuals that contributed to their communities. The Awards of Excellence program highlighted these honorees’ impacts in respective areas.
“Last night’s event was a heartwarming celebration of the remarkable achievements of our local Main Street programs,” Wirth said Friday. “The inspiring success stories shared at the event truly highlighted the essence of community spirit and collaboration. It’s a testament to the effectiveness of Main Street’s Four-Point Approach in fostering economic development and preserving historic areas.”
The Awards of Excellence recognized winners in Capital Campaigns, Public/Private Partnerships, Volunteer Development, Promotion, Marketing, Business Promotion, Business Development, Placemaking, Property Activation, Non-Historic Building Design, Historic Rehabilitation, Planning and Public Spaces.
“We are thrilled to be honored for our organization’s contributions to the growth and vibrancy of our downtown,” Athens Main Street executive director Tere Richardson said. “Thank you to the city of Athens, the Limestone County Commission and all our business and individual donors who have supported our efforts.”
Programs and awards
— Local Main Street programs Thursday selected a “Main Street Hero,” which honors an individual, business or organization that makes an outstanding contribution to their program. The hero was recognized at the Toast to Heroes Reception before the awards banquet.
Athens Main Street selected Tiffany Pack, owner of Dream Key Real Estate, as the 2024 Main Street Hero.
“In addition to contributing her time and considerable marketing talent as a Promotion Committee member, Tiffany and Dream Key Real Estate sponsored several of our events,” Athens Main Street Promotion Committee Chair Michelle Williamson said. “Making it possible to promote our retailers widely and uniquely feature our restaurants.”
— Excellence in Business Development: This award recognized outstanding efforts by a local Main Street organization to improve the business climate and support, strengthen, retain and attract businesses in the district.
— Restaurant Boom: In 2019, the Athens Main Street Board designated adding more restaurants downtown as its top priority. This goal aligned with the city of Athens 2040 Comprehensive Master Plan, Main Street Alabama’s Board Refresh Research and Real Estate Redevelopment findings. All of which identified a significant leakage of restaurant business to surrounding counties. After four years of efforts to improve the business environment, the downtown has seen the opening of five independent upscale restaurants since October 2023.
— Excellence in Promotion: This award recognized outstanding special events that promote the Main Street district by creating a quality, authentic event that generated traffic for the district.
— Fridays After Five 2.0: Fridays After Five takes place outside the Limestone County Courthouse in the heart of Athens’ Main Street District. This event draws more than 4,000 attendees to enjoy free live entertainment, extended shopping hours and delicious food from local restaurants/food trucks on the last Friday of April, May, June and July.
— Excellence in Fundraising: This award recognized a Main Street Program for outstanding local fundraising activity, displaying creativity and success in securing funds for the district program or specific project.
— Investor Recognition: Athens Main Street wanted to increase the visibility of supporters and encourage others to become supporters, increase fundraising dollars and promote business at the same time. The program has seen a 100 percent increase in business investors and a 30 percent increase in stakeholders.
— Excellence in Building Design: This award recognized completed design projects, including facade and/or interior renovation efforts and infill construction. Old Black Bear Brewing Company expanded its brewing operation and opened a second location in Athens, the first for the community. They purchased an abandoned, dilapidated warehouse off the downtown square and hired a local architecture firm, AMBL Studios, to solidify their dreams for the space.
— Reinvestment Award: This award was given in recognition of Main Street Alabama programs that have reached significant milestones in their district revitalization efforts. Economic impact numbers reported monthly by each local program were used to calculate this recognition. Athens Main Street’s district reinvestment of more than $40 million was recognized.
Main Street Alabama has 33 Designated Programs and 29 Network Communities, including Athens.