New businesses are coming to Montevallo and others are changing locations or offering new services. These businesses are important to community life and the local economy.

Jack’s opened at the old Hardee’s location on Jan. 28. They are a welcome sight to the fast food crowd.

The Geranium moved from Pelham to the building next to the Baptist Church in November. Owner Patsy Tidwell serves a delightful lunch with a variety of sandwiches, salads and quiches.

Phil, Suzanne and Phoebe Hurst are opening Montevallo’s first art gallery, Blue Phrog on Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. They have turned the building, formerly occupied by Dr. Crunk, into a beautiful showcase for paintings, ceramics, pottery, statuary and woodworks.

Springtime brings weddings and Montevallo is now the home of a specialty shop catering to brides. Stephanie’s Brides and Kimberly’s Wedding Designs are located on Main Street. They offer dresses, fresh flowers and a catering service, as well as consignment clothing. They are open Tues.-Sat. from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

The talented Marcia Scott designs and makes women’s clothing. Her new shop, Marc’a Couture, is located across Vine Street from the Movie Gallery and open Thurs., Fri. and Sat. from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. She also carries consignment clothing.

Fitness enthusiasts are in luck. There is a new fitness center, N-Shape, with personal trainers, in the Spinks Center. Two others, Chris Crenshaw’s next to Bank Trust and Karate Do, both on Main Street, have enlarged their services. Crenshaw is offering FasTrax Fitness, a new women’s accelerated fitness/weight loss program. Karate Dojo has moved to a larger building on Main in order to accommodate more classes.

For those who like to look as though they have just returned from the beach, Nick Mims has a new tanning salon in the Spinks Center.

The construction in progress across from Piggly Wiggly is for Auto Zone. Projections are for an opening in the spring.

Two businesses have changed locations. The Type Shop, has moved from Highway 25 to Main Street next to the old Strand Theatre and Sheep to Shawl is now located at Moore’s X-Roads just off the intersection on County 22 East in a beautifully remodeled house with plenty of room for needlework classes and other gatherings.

Please remember that when we shop locally we support our home city and the county that provide the services we need and enjoy.

Catherine Legg can be reached at clegg2@bellsouth.net.