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The Pride of Atmore announced Monday on its Facebook page that demolition of the Strand Theatre and the old hardware store next door will begin in February.

“The Pride of Atmore has reached the point where we begin the actual restoration process,” the Facebook post said. “The first thing is demolition beginning in February. Initially, demolition will be limited to historic exploration then on to a larger scale. Demolition will allow us to proceed on saving the Strand and making the Old Hardware Store a fun-filled historic destination in downtown Atmore.”

For years, the Pride of Atmore has diligently worked to raise the funds needed to begin its downtown revitalization effort. Donations and grants from local and area businesses and fundraisers contributed to PoA’s progress.