By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The healthy state of Montevallo’s downtown district can be seen in the many new businesses that have opened or will open soon on Main Street.

“In 2019 alone, the Main Street District has seen the addition of six new businesses and 20 new jobs, with at least five more to come by the end of the year,” Montevallo Main Street Executive Director Courtney Bennett wrote in an Aug. 7 email. “Our historic downtown is vibrant, walkable and beautiful, and we are thrilled that so many businesses want to locate to our district. We owe a lot of thanks to our existing business community, as well as our city leadership and private citizens who have made the choice to invest in our downtown.”

Montevallo has experienced much growth since the city was designated as a Main Street Community in 2016.

Downtown has undergone improvements totaling $5.5 million in private funds and $6 million in public funds.

In a three-year span, 22 new businesses and 35 new jobs have come to the city’s Main Street district, according to Bennett.

New businesses that have opened since June 2016, and remain open, include Lucky Penny Boutique, Shampoochies Pet Spa, Elite Bail Bonds, Elite Private Investigation, Emma Gray, DRE FIT, Taco Bell, Frios Gourmet Pops – Montevallo, Deep Roots Apotheke & Clinic, Southern Vape, Kimble’s Boutique, Veda’s, C’s Cake & Coffee House, Team Lehman – Keller Williams Real Estate, JP Building Company, La Conchita Bakery, The Dive Bar, The Art Studio and The Nutrition Spot.

Businesses listed as coming soon include Slice Pizza & Brewhouse, at the corner of Ashville Road and Wadsworth Street; Montevallo Makers, at 730 Middle St.; Goliath Lending, at 610 Valley St.; and Scott Vaughn Owen Studio, at 619 Main St.

Several spaces available for sale or rent include: Office building for sale at 951 Island St., listed by Nathan Stamps, (205) 665-0095; lot on Island Street for sale or build to suit, listed by Bob Nesbitt, (205) 939-8219; 840 Main St. for rent, text Scott Reneu at (205) 229-1476; and 742-746 Main St., call Urmish Patel at (205) 982-9171.

“Main Street is a place where everyone belongs, whether you live here or are just visiting,” Bennett wrote. “Montevallo is the place to make your mark.”