Paintin’ Atmore ‘green’
Published 9:19 am Monday, March 21, 2011
Area children, from left, Lanasia Knight and Laasia Finklea of Atmore and Evan and Tiana Loewen of Walnut Hill, Fla. create shamrocks at a St. Patrick’s Day craft table during Paint the Town Green Thursday evening, while Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Allante Grant oversees the table. |Photo by Adam Prestridge
The streets of Downtown Atmore were flooded with green Thursday evening in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day as well as the city’s business community.
The Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored the “Paint the Town Green” event, not only encouraging residents and visitors to get decked out in green attire, but to also encourage shopping locally.
Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheryl Vickery said she was pleased with the response to the event.
“It went well,” she said. “It was not as large of a crowd as I had hoped for, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. From what I saw, the businesses got a lot of traffic. That is our mission – to draw people to local businesses. If you can get 150 people downtown on any given night, I think we have done our job.”
Many local businesses participated in the event offering one-day specials, entertainment, refreshments and arts and crafts. Vickery said she believes everyone “really” enjoyed the theme of the event.
“I think people enjoyed the St. Patrick’s Day theme,” she said. “I saw a lot of people wearing beads and green. Overall, I was pleased.”
Vickery added that she was unsure if participating businesses made many sales, but was confident that customers frequented their storefronts throughout the evening.
“I saw a lot of people walking the streets of downtown, fellowshipping, laughing and having a good time,” she said. That’s what it is all about, being a community.”
Country Charms co-owner Joe Brown said business throughout the day had been good.
“This has been a really good day,” Brown said Thursday evening.
Participating businesses included, Atmore Appliance, “Atmore News,” Barn Owl, The Bean Store, Carl’s Tot Shop, Central Farm Supply, Charis Community Church, Coley Petals & Parties, Country Charms, Edward Jones & Co., Greater Escambia Council of the Arts, Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union, Health Plus Chiropractic Center, Jus Because, Nancy’s Etc., Pintoli’s Italian Cafe, Roaster’s Gallery, Southern Gold Buyers, United Bank and Your Family Insurance.
Vickery said that the Chamber is planning other shop locally events in October and December. Exact dates and times have not been determined.
