By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Coconut Girl Café and CC’s Fashion Accessories and Gift Shop both held a ribbon cutting ceremony the morning of Friday, Oct. 7.

“The only thing better than a ribbon cutting is two ribbon cuttings,” said Columbiana Mayor Stancil Handley. “It certainly makes the mayor’s heart soar like an eagle to have two businesses opening in the same place at the same time.”

The two businesses share a building at 104 South Main Street and have created an atmosphere where people can come enjoy a day of shopping and grab a bite of food.

“Someone called me last week and said ‘You guys finally have it in downtown Columbiana where people can come spend an entire day shopping and be entertained on Main Street,’” Handley said. “That’s what we wanted and needed.”

Coconut Girl Café officially opened earlier this year when couple Andra and Roberta Ahulani decided to bring the taste of Hawaii to Columbiana.

“Columbiana attracted me because it reminds me of my little hometown in Hawaii called Hilo,” said Roberta in an interview back in March. “Columbiana is historical and you can tell there are people here that care.”

The café uses the freshest of ingredients for their many different sandwiches, melts, salads and smoothies. They also offer Kona coffee, which is a popular Hawaiian type of coffee.

CC’s held its grand opening a little more recently on Sept. 1, and has added shopping to go along with the café.

CC’s offers many different kinds of jewelry, as well as ceramic pieces, candles and other decorations for the home.

“This is exactly what we had in mind for this building,” Handley said. “It wouldn’t be what it is without these two businesses and what they do. The kind of shops they have provided is exactly what we need here and I’m so thankful for their interest in Columbiana.”

Coconut Girl Café is open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, while CC’s is open from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday.