Feb 4, 2009

Group suggests business ideas for downtown areaBy Bernie DelinskiTimesDaily.com

Tuscumbia – A place to purchase sewing material. A dress shop for mature women.

Gift shops for baby and bridal showers, a shoe store, hardware store and soup-and-sandwich shop.

Those ideas were among businesses a group of Tuscumbia women say they’d like to see come to the city, said May Woodie Christopher, one of the facilitators of an organization that, for now, calls itself Tuscumbia Retail Recruitment.

“They did a great job of coming up with suggestions,” said Christopher, who added that the complete list has additional ideas that even include specific businesses such as Mail Boxes, Etc. The group was formed by women in the city who want to see a retail boost downtown and throughout Tuscumbia.

Ninon Parker, another facilitator, said women do the majority of shopping, so their united voice could carry clout when speaking with someone who is thinking about starting a downtown business.

“These are property owners, business owners and a lot of other women who have concerns and interests in seeing this area add businesses,” Parker said. “A lot of positive comments are being generated by this group. There’s a lot of opportunity for dialog.”

The group has met twice, and has drawn interest from various entities. Parker said those attending have included Mayor Bill Shoemaker, Council President Robert Mitchell, Shoals Chamber of Commerce President Steve Holt, Craig Linhoss, project manager for economic development for the Tennessee Valley Authority’s North Alabama Region, and Colbert County Tourism Director Susann Hamlin.

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