In Honor of Juneteenth: Q&A with a few of our African American Owned Businesses Downtown

by: Sydney Kate Watson, DHI Communications Intern

Do you shop vintage at the Goody Vault? Enjoy the cheesy goodness of Mac and Snacks? Have you redefined your look with a lash appointment at Lash Belle? All of these awesome Downtown experiences are brought to you by African American business owners! Since today is Juneteenth, we wanted to highlight the wonderful African American-owned businesses in our Downtown Core. If you are unfamiliar with Juneteenth, it is the annual celebration of emancipation in the United States. June 19 was chosen because, on this day in 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the Civil War was over and slaves were now free. In honor of the date and Granger’s announcement, the day became Juneteenth, and the holiday is also known as African American Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. If you’re looking to shop at and support African American owned businesses in the Downtown Core for the Juneteenth Holiday, here are some you should check out: Black Pine Boutique & Style Clinic, Dapper Dude, Dionicios Closet, Goody Vault, Huntsville Gear, Lash Belle, Paper Dollz Traveling Boutique, Laquience Boutique, Ron Pollard Photo, Scenethat Tours, and Trifecta Graphics and Personalization. Also, since yesterday was our Food Truck Rally, we want to give a shout-out to our delicious African American owned Food Trucks, Trailers, and tents: Betty Jo’s, Delicious, Forever Grateful, LLC, Happi Pappi Beignets, Mac & Snacks, O Taste & See BBQ LLC, and Regale Cupcakes. 

This past week we spoke with a few local African American small business owners: Ericka Edwards - Lash Belle, Lorna Roberts - Blackpine Boutique & Style Clinic, Bryan Cole and Shayquawn Austin - Huntsville Gear, and Emanuel Edwards - Goody Vault. By asking different questions, we discovered who these business owners are and the uniqueness their stores bring to Huntsville’s collection of diverse small businesses.

Erika Edwards - Lash Belle

Why did you decide to open your business? I became a Mom immediately following college. I couldn’t find a career that allowed me to have the flexibility to be with my children as much as I desired. Becoming a mompreneur has allowed me to be with my children as much as possible and connect with other women to not only make them feel and look gorgeous but we are able to share Motherhood tips!

What is unique about your business? Our quality of work, precision, cleanliness, and professionalism make us a unique, centrally located small business.

Tell us about yourself (hobbies, fun facts, connection to Huntsville, etc.)! I am a Mom of two (Zoë and Ace), I love crafting, laughing until my belly hurts, gardening, jogging, and reading.

What would be the best way for our community members to support your small business?

The best way for our community members to support Lash Belle would be to share your experience with us with others. We love word-of-mouth referrals!

Lorna Roberts - Blackpine Boutique & Style Clinic 

Why did you decide to open your business? Honestly, I always thought about opening a boutique and made every excuse why it wasn't TIME. It took going through financial changes during the pandemic for me to step out on FAITH and trust the Most High. 3 months into entrepreneurship and God has sustained me.

What is unique about your business? Blackpine Boutique offers an eclectic collection of modern and vintage statement pieces. My goal is not only to provide one-of-a-kind statement pieces but to help women understand there's power in clothes. When you LOOK good...you FEEL good. PERIOD!!!!

Tell us about yourself (hobbies, fun facts, connection to Huntsville, etc.)! The Black Pineapple (though not actually black in color) is the national fruit of Antigua, W.I ; the land of my parents and my ancestors. It is said to be the SWEETEST pineapple in the world. Blackpine Boutique is my contribution to fashion, to my culture, and my family.

What would be the best way for our community members to support your small business?

Currently, Blackpine Boutique conducts virtual live sales via our FB business page Blackpine Boutique & Consignment as well as offering specialized styling sessions via zoom and by appointment at our downtown studio.

Bryan Cole and Shayquawn Austin - Huntsville Gear

Why did you decide to open your business? We were having a casual conversation on the phone one day. When the topic of what Huntsville does not have came up, and we both laughed and started a full Huntsville Merchandise store. That's when Bryan pulled up some ideas that he once created months ago with Huntsville on every design. I guess you can call it divine intervention or faith.

What is unique about your business? We are Huntsville Alabama's first full branded merchandise line. Everything created has Huntsville as its main focus.

Tell us about yourself (hobbies, fun facts, connection to Huntsville, etc.)!

Bryan and Shayquawn are the true definitions of a dynamic duo, we each hone skill sets that are perfect for the new Huntsville Gear store. Bryan Cole is the genius behind marketing and branding, with a history of being a creative powerhouse behind many brands with products on the Oprah Network, Walmart, Ulta, Target just to name a few. He is committed to bringing a fresh outlook on branding the city of Huntsville. Shayquawn Austin puts the gear in Huntsville Gear with his resilient passion for bringing the community together wherever he places his feet, working as a youth pastor at the Rock Worship Center his mission for loving people and bringing everyone together is in a class of its own.

What would be the best way for our community members to support your small business?

By supporting the business and letting everyone know how much you love Huntsville by wearing some Huntsville Gear official t-shirts, hoodies, and other accessories and merchandise. Please visit us at 100 Jefferson St N Suite 105.

Emanuel Edwards - Goody Vault

Why did you decide to open your business? To pursue a goal of starting my own business.

What is unique about your business? Each garment is handpicked and curated in a way to inspire and uplift.

Tell us about yourself (hobbies, fun facts, connection to Huntsville, etc.)!

I love to fly fish, and I love to eat tamales.

What would be the best way for our community members to support your small business?

Come visit the shop, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @goodyvault, tell someone about the Goody Vault, and purchase our garments online at www.thegoodyvault.com.

So, next time you eat some O Taste and See BBQ or get style advice from Dapper Dude, make sure to remember the uniqueness of the African American Businesses Downtown and how their hard work continually improves our community. We challenge you to come out to Downtown Huntsville this Juneteenth and support these businesses however you can!

Introducing the Downtown Huntsville Craft Cocktail Trail!

It might be April Fools Day, but there won't be any tricks in this edition of the Downtown Explorer. The Easter edition of our Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale is happening this Saturday! Plus, we are so excited to announce a new Downtown Huntsville Trail! Keep reading to learn more!

Our Super Saturday Sidewalk Sales are a safe and fun way to shop in Downtown Huntsville!

Local restaurants and retail shops around the downtown area will be expanding their businesses onto the sidewalk outside of their doors, offering special deals and sales. Pop-Up Buskers will offer live music and a Pop-Up Art Walk with vendors will surround the downtown area.

For this Easter edition, 5 of our downtown businesses will be giving away a box of Maddie's Cookies from Maddie's Cookie Company! Plus, you can also join in on a fun "Easter PIE Hunt" in Downtown Huntsville. We are working with The Bakingtist to giveaway one Easter Pie to whoever can follow the clues (provided on our Instagram on Saturday) and find the pie! 

It's going to be a Super Saturday so RSVP on our Facebook Event Page for updates!

A new trail has been added to the Downtown Huntsville Trail Network! Downtown Huntsville Inc. is proud to unveil the Downtown Huntsville Craft Cocktail Trail! For this inaugural release, 7 stops are included on the Craft Cocktail Trail passport.

1. The Bottle

2. Phat Sammys

3. Purveyor

4. Stellas Elixir Lounge

5. La Esquina Cocina

6. Rhythm on Monroe

7. Ruth’s Chris Steak House

If you are interested in trying out the Craft Cocktail Trail, grab a card from any of the trail stops or the Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau and begin collecting stamps. Each stop has a featured cocktail you can order made specifically for the trail, or you can order your favorites. Once, you have completed the card, you will receive a free cocktail strainer!

The Craft Cocktail Trail is the fourth addition to our Trail Network which also includes the Craft Beer Trail, Craft Coffee Trail (presented by ValleyMLS.com), and the Secret Art Trail (presented by Polaris). To learn more about the Craft Cocktail Trail, please visit downtownhuntsville.org/craftcocktailtrail or follow us on our new Instagram page @CraftCocktailTrail.

Come out and see what this new Trail has to offer in Downtown Huntsville. Cheers!

---

Looking for Easter Activites and Brunch options? Check out last weeks Downtown Explorer here.

Q&A with 13 of our Women-Owned Businesses in Downtown Huntsville

by: Alyssa Lee, DHI Communications Coordinator

Do you enjoy grabbing coffee at Honest Coffee Roasters? Shopping the latest trends at Elitaire or Roosevelt & Co.? Have you grabbed a bite to eat from Big Oh’s recently? Well, you can thank the women business owners of Downtown Huntsville for all of that! Downtown Huntsville has an outstanding amount of women-owned businesses just within the Downtown Core alone, and without these strong women in our community, some of your favorite businesses would not be here today.

Recently, Mayor Tommy Battle declared March 30th women-owned business day in Huntsville and we want to celebrate these women not only today but every day. Learn more about some of these great ladies of Downtown Huntsville below.

Megan Powe- May Mays

Why did you decide to open your business? Downtown Huntsville was ready to go to the next level and there were no children’s stores. I wanted May May’s to not just be a place to shop but also a place to commune and a fun destination for children.

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? I honestly haven’t had any struggles due to being a woman. Huntsville has been extremely supportive and encouraging even in the face of a pandemic.

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? I love getting to meet everyone walking around town and also the support and love of all of the downtown business owners too! It’s a strong community.

What is your advice to young women in 2021? Follow your dreams and dream big! Always encourage each other!

Ericka Edwards- Lash Belle

Why did you decide to open your business? I opened Lash Belle to play an intricate role in making women feel beautiful and confident in themselves.

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? One thing I constantly struggle with, is how difficult it is to be a mom and entrepreneur. You want to be there for every moment of your child’s life but you also want to give your business every ounce of your energy to feel fulfilled. It’s a constant struggle with work/life balance.

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? I love being centrally located and the safety of being in a prime location.

What is your advice to young women in 2021? My advice to young women in 2021 is to be bold.

Rossina Boyer- Matices de Colores Arts

Why did you decide to open your business? While raising my 1 year old and staying at home, I started to feel eager to create new art. I started this adventure with the possibility of being a business and I was happy to quickly notice that this was my passion. I love being able to create and to bring happiness to people’s home.

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? I started this dream a little before Quarantine, so it was difficult to promote my art pieces. Having a toddler and staying at home gave me only few hours a day to work. I had to be very organized with my time to be productive, but I made it work!

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? I live Downtown and I love to be able to walk to my studio and work. Being part of Clinton Row shops has given me the opportunity to be part of events such as Sidewalk Sales and the Art Walk which has helped tremendously to my business.

What is your advice to young women in 2021? Embrace yourself, give yourself a chance and follow your dreams! Don’t wait any longer, 2021 is the year to flourish and let the world know the hidden talent inside of you!

Christy Graves- Honest Coffee Roasters

Why did you decide to open your business? I love the personal interactions you are able to have in a small business, and I wanted to be able to offer a place for people in the community to come together.

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? When my daughters were younger, balancing the constant attention running a business demands and time with my family always had to be my focus or the most important things in my life would not have gotten the “me” they deserve.

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? Definitely the vibe and atmosphere. Downtown Huntsville is exploding with energy and watching other businesses open and be successful is very exciting.

What is your advice to young women in 2021? I would encourage young women to have confidence in themselves, to go after their dreams, have a mentor they trust, and conduct themselves in business with a straightforward and honest approach. Owning my business continues to be rewarding and fulfilling in my life, and I would encourage any young lady with an entrepreneurial spirit, to go for it!

Angela Panzica- Stella’s Elixir Lounge

Why did you decide to open your business? In a city known for its science and engineering, I wanted to be a part of a growing food and art culture in Huntsville. I felt I could elevate the entertainment and nightlife while providing a little different atmosphere in Huntsville. Stella's should be a place where everyone feels welcome - posh but not pretentious!

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? Stella's was built from my imagination, but my partner was instrumental in helping my business plan grow legs. As we met with key players who would implement my vision, my male partner and I wanted to be sure the message was clear who was the decision-maker. It seemed innate for people in initial meetings to address him or shake his hand first, but he was aware of these challenges and deferred to me to lead. As we continued, people started recognizing me as the person in charge and stopped looking to him. Even though Huntsville is relatively progressive, there are some antiquated mindsets that can present a challenge, but I'm learning how to navigate them effectively.

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? I love being part of a culture that is on the verge of its Renaissance. I feel Stella's Elixir Lounge is giving people a "bigger city" feel even though it is a small, local, woman-owned business. Downtown Huntsville is an extremely welcoming and supportive community.

What is your advice to young women in 2021? Don't be afraid to bend the cultural norms. I have had so many people try to pressure me into something they wanted me to do even if it was against my best judgment. I have been told, "they won't like you if you do it that way." These are really baseless comments and hold no bearing on why you should not instill change. Stay strong to your authentic self. Other successful people will take notice and lift you up!

Meggan Crunkleton- Roosevelt & Co.

Why did you decide to open your business? Quite simply, we saw a need in our community for a men's specialty store. So many men were having to drive out of town in search of unique quality clothing. We also wanted to help spur the growth of retail in downtown Huntsville. Back in 2016 when we opened, there was not much retail to speak of, but we felt strongly about being apart of revitalization efforts to change that.

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? As a female in a male dominated industry, it can be challenging at times. I think at first a lot of our vendors didn't really take me seriously as a female opening a men's specialty store, but now almost five years later, I think our track record speaks for itself. Sometimes it just takes time to prove yourself!

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? Downtown has so much energy right now. We love all our neighbors and feel there truly is a sense of community.

What is your advice to young women in 2021? Be true to yourself. Know that you can do anything you set your mind to, and if things aren't easy along the way, that's okay. Just don't let the challenges get in your way.

Frida Morel- Silhouette

Why did you decide to open your business? I wanted the freedom of being in control of my own life and hopefully be an influence to other women thinking of making that same leap. I needed to do something that makes me happy and owning my own business does just that.

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? Luckily part of being my own boss, I haven't had to deal with too many obstacles. Instead I hope to use my position to empower other woman and give voice to female owned companies and brands.

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? What's not to like! The diversity of Huntsville is exciting. I love being part of a growing city. The kindness and support of the locals are in abundance. Their enthusiasm is vital to all of us small businesses in Downtown Huntsville. It's a great city!

What is your advice to young women in 2021? It is ok to take risks. If it is your dream to change your life, then work hard, be kind, be proud, be generous and humble. You have to realize your self worth and be confident to succeed.

Jeannie Gibson- Creative State

Why did you decide to open your business? My business partner and I had been selling at local art shows and wanted to have a storefront as an additional revenue stream, especially during the show off-season. We saw a need for locally handcrafted items from area artists and began adding their items to our shop. We now represent over a dozen different artists and makers from north Alabama.

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? To be honest, we haven’t experienced anything that was linked to being women. I do woodworking, and have occasionally been asked “who makes these for you?” I use it as an opportunity to let them know how many women have taken up power tools and know how to use them!

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? We love the “vibe” of downtown Huntsville and how they’ve planned, and are developing the area. When we first contemplated opening a shop, we attended a public redevelopment meeting and came away super-excited about the potential to tap into local and out-of-town shoppers that would be attracted to downtown as a destination to eat, play, and shop.

What is your advice to young women in 2021? If you’re starting a business, be prepared for it to take two years minimum to get established and profitable. If you’re already in business, make perseverance your mantra. Try new ways to do things, and don’t be shy to ask for help from your fellow downtown merchants.

Ashli Ingram and Michaela Maxey- AM Collective

Why did you decide to open your business? We grew up together but drifted apart over the years. When life brought us back together, we realized we had very similar interests, had both just quit careers, and were looking for something new.

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? I feel like as women we are sometimes not taken seriously, especially as small business owners of a very small retail store. Our industry is sometimes viewed as frivolous and unimportant - more of a hobby than a career or an essential part of the local economy and culture.

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? We love the people! Downtown is growing and home to a diverse crowd from all walks of life and we get to meet new people every day.

What is your advice to young women in 2021? Just do it! It sounds corny, but if you have a dream then go for it. A few years ago we would have never imagined we would own our own shop, but we took a leap of faith and it was worth every challenge that has come our way. Life is too short to be stuck doing something you don't love to do every day.

Kayla Adams- Elitaire Boutique

Why did you decide to open your business? Opening Elitaire has been a lifelong dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I think I’ve had the name since I was 18! Elitaire is French for “Elite” and all the clothing and shoe brands carried in our store can’t be found anywhere else in Huntsville. When we saw Downtown Huntsville being revitalized in 2016, we knew this would be the perfect spot for us!

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? While there are many, being taken seriously has been the biggest struggle. Now it doesn’t happen quite as much, but the first few years were so hard!

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? The community! Every business downtown is so supportive of one another and we really cheer on each other. There are also so many other women-owned business owners downtown and that’s so exciting to me. It truly is such an amazing community to be apart of!

What is your advice to young women in 2021? Coco Chanel said it best “If you want to be original, be ready to be copied.” Stay true to who you are and that will always shine through in the end!

Yeon Arnold- Big Oh’s

Why did you decide to open your business? Our family was always big on food and especially my dad. He loved to cook for people and that is his way to show affection and care for loved ones. While growing up and watching him, I wanted to open a restaurant that shared my family’s recipes with my own twist on Korean fusion. And we have been here over 5 years now! It makes me happy to see people who love our food and became regulars!

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? It is hard to believe but just simply being a woman, I found that there are still many people who don’t take me serious because I am a woman business owner. I feel like I have to work harder to prove to them I am capable of doing the same things as a man or better.

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? What is not to like about it? I love the people, environment, and all the support from downtown. I also love all the different events and creativity that bring people around.

What is your advice to young women in 2021? Work hard always, even if it is a small job or something temporary. It always goes a long way and building a good character from day one.

Nancy Micaela Guerrero Finnegan- Nancy Finnegan MUA

Why did you decide to open your business? I was newly divorced and needed to have a flexible job because a few of my kids have a rare life threatening disease. They needed medical attention at random times, plus to be more available for all 3. I had been working as a makeup artist at the mall, the hours were horrible and demanding . I didn't want to be a sales makeup artist and be pushed to sell items more than my craft.

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? My career has not caused any issues as a woman. I'm fortune that it's very woman friendly.

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? The ambiance. My work neighbors. Lots of places to go after work and to suggest my clients go. The location is the best!!

What is your advice to young women in 2021? Be your best you and be confidently flawed. We are not designed to be perfect. Get to know people of all walks of life and believe actions over words .

Ruth Astryd Roy  - Sassyfrazz Boutique

Why did you decide to open your business? I am part of Fashion 4 development and global creative initiatives to empower women, fight child trafficking and prostitution in third world countries through arts and crafts and business skills. I specialize in exclusive one of a kind handmade jewelry and wanted to explore the possibilities in Huntsville.

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman? Not much, I am surrounded by businesswomen from all walks of life.

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville? The serenity and affluence of the area.

What is your advice to young women in 2021? Go for your dreams, no one else can make them a reality for you!

Suzanne Ramsden- Maverick Training Center

Why did you decide to open your business?
I wanted to share the Martial Arts that I was learning in a different way.

What struggles have you had to overcome running a business as a woman?
I'm in a completely male industry. I'm in the Combat Athletics or fight industry. Most women do not teach men Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and/or Muay Thai. People used to come watch me to see if I knew what I was doing. At tournaments, when my students won, the opponent's coach wouldn't shake my hand or come to the podium because they were embarrassed to lose to a female coach. Some guys would ask where's the man? haha. I drove 7 hours per day, 2 days per week for my Jiu-JItsu training from one of the first Jiu-Jitsu World Champions. It took a long time to be taken seriously, but now I have the respect.

What do you like the most about having your business in Downtown Huntsville?
I think being in Downtown Huntsville we are in the center of everything! The energy and visibility is amazing!

What is your advice to young women in 2021?
Do your thing, take chances. There are no rules. Change is good.

So, next time you are strolling through the Clinton Row Shops or grabbing a cocktail at Stella’s, remember how much hard work has gone into making these businesses what they are. Support our local women-owned businesses by shopping and dining local in Downtown Huntsville.

---

“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.”- Michelle Obama

Here's a List of Easter and Spring Activities in Downtown Huntsville!

Happy Spring Downtown Huntsville! In this edition of the Downtown Explorer, we announce our St. Patricks Day Porch Parade winners, Easter events to attend, and Spring activities to enjoy in Downtown! As the weather warms up, come out and see what the Rocket City Center has to offer.

Our St. Patrick's Day Porch Parade ran from March 12th through March 21st with 8 residents and 6 businesses partaking in the decoration contest! After a close poll on Instagram with over 250 votes, we are so excited to announce our St. Patrick’s Day Porch Parade winners!

1st place: 227 Walker!
2nd place: 410 Newman!
3rd place: 412 Holmes!
Honorable Mention: 405 White!

Best Downtown Business Decorations: VanValkenburgh & Wilkinson, Realtors

Thank you to everyone who participated and voted in our Porch Parade Decoration Contest! Stay tuned to our social media channels for future Porch Parades and other competitions!

The Easter holiday is quickly approaching and Downtown Huntsville has many Easter events for you to enjoy.

Char Restaurants Easter Brunch: There are two ways to celebrate Easter with Char this year! Dine-in and enjoy their full brunch & lunch menus beginning at 10am on Sunday, April 4th. Or, celebrate from a distance! View their brunch family meal package here and call to place your order by Friday, April 2nd at noon for pickup Sunday, April 4th between 10:30am-3pm.

Burritt on the Mountain Easter Jubilee: Celebrate springtime with Burritt on the Mountain at their annual Easter Jubilee! Bring your favorite Easter basket to collect eggs and special treats, try your hand at panning for gems, make a fun Easter craft, and so much more!

Commerce Kitchen Easter Brunch: Enjoy a southern three-course feast with indoor or outdoor seating at Commerce Kitchen on Sunday April 4th from 10am-3pm. You can also enjoy this meal from the comfort of your own home by calling in your order and picking it up curbside. View the dine-in menu here, the take-home menu here, and make reservations here.

Purveyor Easter Brunch Buffet: Indulge in an Easter Brunch Buffet at Purveyor on Sunday April 4th from 11am-2pm. The buffet includes a raw seafood bar, small bites, a meat carving station, and sides. Make reservations online.

1892 East Restaurant Easter Brunch: 1892 East will be open for brunch from 10am to 2pm on Easter Sunday with their regular brunch menu. View the menu here and be sure to call to make reservations!

Rhythm on Monroe Easter: Friday, April 2nd through Sunday, April 4th, Rhythm on Monroe is offering a special Easter Menu. Learn more and make reservations online!

Ruth's Chris Steak House Take-Home Easter: Ruth's Chris is offering a steakhouse-inspired, carryout Easter dinner again this year! Complete with all your favorite dishes – including their signature Beef Tenderloin – this is a multi-course meal you can pick-up, reheat, and serve. Deadline to place an order is Wednesday, March 31.

Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale: Downtown Huntsville will be filled with local art vendors and buskers again on Saturday, April 3rd from 11am to 3pm. This Easter edition of our sidewalk sale is a great opportunity to find cute Easter baskets and gifts right before the holiday!

Cotton Row Easter Brunch: Sunday, April 4th, Chef James Boyce and his culinary team are preparing a holiday brunch! A three-course meal $42 per person.

Warmer weather is on its way, which means that getting outdoors is a must this week! Here are some activities to get you enjoying springtime in Downtown Huntsville:

Blue Bikes, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama: Rent a blue bike from one of the 11 stations in Downtown Huntsville and explore! There are 30 bikes, across the downtown area. This is a great physical activity to enjoy with friends and family while also staying outdoors. Plus, it only costs a simple $2 per 30 minutes of riding. Download the Movatic app to get started!

Secret Art Trail, presented by Polaris: With 19 "secret" art pieces and a brand new segment with 7 art pieces just added, the Secret Art Trail can be a great day activity for the whole family! Grab a card at the Huntsville/Madison County Visitors Center or print one off online and head downtown to find these unique pieces!

Downtown Parks: Looking for a new park in Downtown Huntsville? From playgrounds to tennis courts, our downtown parks have so much to offer! You can watch our Explorer Vlog Park Videos here to get a better look at what we mean!

Check out more outdoor activities on our website!

This Week in Downtown Huntsville: Gymnastics, Tailgating, and Porch Parades!

Spring is coming to Downtown Huntsville and we have some great outdoor activities for you to enjoy! With the Gymnastics Championship this weekend, we are excited to host a tailgating experience. Plus, you can also enjoy our St. Patrick's Day Porch Parade until Saturday! Learn more in this edition of the Downtown Explorer.

This Saturday the Von Braun Center is hosting the SEC Gymnastics Championship with 8 Women's Gymnastics Teams! This week, we have been sharing Gymnastics Trivia on our Twitter page as well as famous women gymnasts from each team on our Instagram page.

Join in on the fun on our social channels in celebration of this great event coming to Downtown Huntsville!

Join us on Saturday, March 20, 2021 for a tailgating experience! Right across from the Propst Arena where the Gymnastics Championship will be taking place, Big Spring Park will be set up with a tailgating area.

The Von Braun Center will be providing an outdoor bar area outside of the arena. University of Florida and Auburn University Alumni groups will have designated sections, along with an open area for other supporters, alumni, and fans to enjoy this tailgate experience in Downtown Huntsville!

The Downtown Huntsville St. Patrick’s Day Porch Parade is a walkable, bikeable, or drivable route through the Downtown Core and two of Downtown Huntsville’s historic residential districts: Old Town and Twickenham!

Our residential Porch Parade participants are competing in a decoration contest. Head over to our Instagram page to vote for your favorite house! Winners of the decoration contest will receive a gift card to a downtown establishment of their choice: 1st place ($250) 2nd place ($100) and 3rd place ($50)! Decorations will be up until March 21!

View the map and addresses here!

St. Patricks Week in Downtown Huntsville- Shopping, Dining, and Beer!

Downtown Huntsville is turning green! This Saturday join us for a St. Patrick's Day Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale and the Holmes Ave. Block Party! Also in this edition of the Downtown Explorer, we give you our picks for the best St. Patrick's Day Beer in Downtown Huntsville! You don't want to miss this lucky week!

This St. Patrick's Day edition of our Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale is going to be a special one!

We are so excited to announce that we are doing another giveaway with our Downtown Businesses this Saturday!!! If you want to win a Shamrock Key Lime Pie from The Moon Bakeshop here's how:

• Roosevelt & Co.: After making a purchase on Saturday, you will get a chance to draw a ticket. If you draw the winning ticket, you will get to take home the Shamrock Key Lime Pie!

• Caley Paige Home & Gifts: Make a purchase Saturday before 3pm and be entered into the drawing! At 3pm a name will be drawn to decide the winner of the pie!

• Indigo's Boutique: On Indigo's Facebook Page you will find a social media contest taking place. Enter to win your pie online and pick it up in person on Saturday!

• Creative State at Clinton Row Shops: Customers will throw their name and number into the green hat for a chance to win the pie on Saturday at participating Clinton Row Shops.

• La Esquina Cocina: La Esquina will be open all day (not closing for a break after lunch like normal) offering their entire menu. If you want a free slice of pie with your meal, all you have to do is wear green!

• Phat Sammy's: Eat at Phat Sammy's on Friday, and get your name entered to win a pie on Saturday!

• Elitaire Boutique: Make a purchase Saturday before 3pm and be entered into the drawing! At 3pm the name will be drawn to decide the winner of the pie!

• Green Bus Brewing: Stop by Green Bus on Saturday between noon and 4pm to register for the drawing. The winner will be announced at 4pm!

• Honest Coffee Roasters: Honest will begin their giveaway on Friday morning on Instagram. Go like, save, share, tag ( all the good stuff ) on the post for a chance to win. The winner will be announced on social media and contacted by DM on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

• Corner Pour: Check out Corner Pours social media accounts to be entered to win the pie. The winner will be announced on Saturday!

This event is going to have local art vendors, musicians, retail deals, giveaways, and contests! But, that's not all! After our Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale, join us on Holmes Ave. for a St. Patrick's Day Block Party! Don't miss out on any updates and RSVP to our Facebook Event Page!

Join us on Holmes Avenue on the 13th from 3-9 pm for an amazing St. Patrick's Day-themed Block Party!

Live music will start at 11 am and last all the way until 9 pm! Melt Huntsville will be offering a traditional Reuben made with corned beef and Reuben fries, drink specials all day, and street seating from 3-9 pm. Moes Original BBQ will have a delicious crawfish boil. La Esquina Cocina will be open all day with their entire menu and drink specials. Plus, finish off the night at Stellas Elixir Lounge where a DJ will start playing at 9 pm.

Vendors will line the street and there will be great specials all day long. We hope to see you there!

St. Patrick's Day wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without a glass of beer! Here are our holiday beer picks for this special occasion:

• Straight to Ale: Rocket City Red- a yearly St. Patrick's Day special brew. This Irish Red Ale- is light, malty, and sessionable at 5% ABV. And, The Cow Tipper is Straight to Ale's take on a traditional Car Bomb cocktail, featuring a shot of Shelta Cavern Spirits Whiskeynaut and Irish Cream Liquor dropped into a pint of Lily Flagg Milk Stout.

• Old Town Beer Exchange: Cahaba Brewing Irish Stout on Nitro and Black Warrior Irish Red

• Yellowhammer Brewing: The Kolsch- a light and crisp German-style beer that has been given the luck of the Irish with its whimsical green color, and The Barrel-Aged Wee Heavy- aged for 15 months in Willett bourbon barrels, this silky smooth brew gives you caramel and heavy malt with a warm bourbon finish.

• Green Bus Brewing: Green Omnibus Cream Ale - A traditional American Cream Ale served up Green for St. Paddy's Day. Dominant Red - A traditional Irish Red Ale, an easy-drinking red ale made with an imported Irish malt.

• Chandlers Ford Brewing: Red Bird - Irish Red Ale - 4.2% ABV, Palate Dry Irish Stout - 5.4% ABV, and Catarina Sour - Guavasteen - 3.5% ABV

• Innerspace Brewing: Paddy's Dry Stout, a traditional Irish Stout served on nitro, and the Pub Ale, a traditional English bitter meant to be enjoyed with friends in a proper pub environment.

• Liquor Express: All of the Guinness Family of Brands including the new Nitro Cold Brew Coffee will be at Liquor Express Saturday through St. Patrick's Day. Plus, get 10% off all sizes of Jameson and Proper Twelve Irish Whiskies. The Craft Bar will have $5 Shots of Jameson and Cahaba Brewing Irish Stout on Tap!

• Corner Pour: A Beer by Against the Grain Brewery & IPAcalypse Now by the Singin' River Brewing Company

• Purveyor: Luck of the Irish, Lepre "matcha" Chan, and Irish Sour

• Pourhouse: Irish Mule (Far Left), Guinness Draught, and Lucky Sour Appletini (Far Right)

Drink up Downtown Huntsville!

Date Night in Downtown Huntsville: Where to go this Weekend!

Spend this weekend in Downtown Huntsville! Starting Friday, the Von Brewski Festival kicks off. Saturday is the return of our Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale! On Sunday, treat your Valentine to a great date night! We feature all of that and more in this edition of the Downtown Explorer!

The 2021 Von Brewski Beer Festival is going to be spread out in 4 3-hour events this year, filled with plenty of beer on tap, live music, and pretzel necklaces! Beers will be served at each of the three bars in Mars Music Hall and will include over 70 taps including local, regional, and international brews! A cash bar will be onsite for non-beer drinkers and food will be available for purchase. Plus, a special treat this year, a different solo artist will perform live during each event!

Mars Music Hall Showtimes:
Friday, February 12, 2021 from 6 - 9 p.m.
Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 3 - 6 p.m.
Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 7 - 10 p.m.

Tickets:
$40 Pre-Sale Sample Ticket; $15 Non-Sampling Ticket
($50 Sampling ticket at the door)
Tickets available at the VBC Box Office or on Ticketmaster.
You must be 21 or older and have a valid ID to attend.

Learn more information through this Facebook Event Page.

This Saturday, enjoy the return of our Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale with this special Valentines/Mardi Gras edition!!! Shopping for that special someone is a tradition for most during this holiday and we want to be able to provide that for you in a safe way. This fully outdoor event will allow you to walk the streets of downtown to shop from local small businesses and art vendors. Plus, hear live music from our amazing local musicians.

To celebrate Mardi Gras coming up, DHI has partnered with our local small businesses and The Moon Bakeshop to giveaway 10 King Cakes at this event! 10 small businesses have been provided a King Cake from The Moon Bakeshop to giveaway during the event.

View our Facebook Event Page for a map of vendors and buskers, and a list of businesses participating in the King Cake Giveaway! Be sure to follow them to find out how to win a king cake from their business!

We can't wait to see you there!

Need a date night idea in Downtown Huntsville? We've got you covered!

Looking for a nice rooftop brunch or dinner with live music? Then Valentines at Rhythm on Monroe is the date for you! They will be serving a limited edition Valentines Menu for brunch and dinner on Sunday along with live music from Lamont Landers Band during brunch.

Looking for a quick snack to take with you while you walk around downtown? Visit Honest Coffee Roasters for their special collaboration with Maddies Cookie Company! The Honest Coffee x Maddies Cookie Company Valentines special comes with their limited-time White Chocolate Raspberry Mocha and a double chocolate cookie!

On Friday the 12th, Saturday the 13th, and Sunday the 14th enjoy Commerce Kitchen Surf N' Turf Dinner along with their regular menu. On Sunday they will provide their normal brunch menu from 10:30am-2pm and dinner will start at 4pm. Searching for a cocktail? Try their Valentines themed "cupids cocktail" and "pom of her heart". Similarly, you can also grab a Valentines Brunch & Dinner at Cotton Row!

Forgot to get a gift? Grab the Mason Dixon Bakery & Bistro Macaroon Gift Set! Complete with flowers and macaroons, date night is saved!

Another date night option in downtown is Dinner & Brunch at La Esquina Cocina. They will be serving a special Valentines Dinner on Saturday the 13th with items like Ribeyes and Salmon. Then on Sunday the 14th they will have a special Valentines Brunch menu featuring Eggs Benedict, Vegtable Omlettes, cocktails, and much more!

Once your stomachs are satisfied, consider taking a stroll through the historic square or visiting the Downtown Districts. Downtown Huntsville can be a pretty romantic place this time of year!

Super Bowl, Valentines, and Mardi Gras Oh My!

Super Bowl, Valentines, and Mardi Gras are quickly approaching! With an exciting lineup like this, you know Downtown Huntsville has you covered! In this edition of the Downtown Explorer, we list out some amazing Valentine's Day dining and shopping specials, show you some great ways to enjoy the Super Bowl, and announce an exciting giveaway taking place at our Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale!

Looking for a sweet treat or a nice dinner to enjoy this lovely holiday? Trying to find the perfect gift for someone special? Here is a list of some great dining and shopping options in Downtown Huntsville this week (or that require preordering/reservations)!

Dining
MELT- Limited Edition "Pink Panther" Cosmo with a twist
Honest Coffee Roasters- Limited Edition White Chocolate Raspberry Mocha
Pizzelles Confections- 5 piece, 12 piece, and 24 piece chocolate boxes
Mason Dixon Bakery & Bistro- Pick up and reheat 5-course dinner for 2 (preorder online)
The Moon Bakeshop- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes and Valentines Themed Lattes
Cotton Row- Valentines Brunch or Dinner (Reservations Required)
Canadian Bakin- Pretzel Bouquets (preorder online)
Rhythm on Monroe- Valentines Day Brunch or Dinner (Reservations Required)
Commerce Kitchen- Valentines Dinner (Reservations Required)
Char Restaurant- Fully Booked for Valentines Day, but order takeout Feb 12-14
Domaine South- February's Six Pack Wine set

Shopping
Mason Dixon Bakery & Bistro- Flower and Macaroon Set
Elitaire Boutique- Valentines Day Cards
Roosevelt and Co.- Shaving Kit Gift Package
In Bloom- Flowers, flowers, and more flowers
Silhouette Shopping- Gift cards
Indigos Downtown- Winter Sale 50% off
AM Collective- Handmade Valentines Earrings
Church Street Wine Shoppe- Valentines Day Gift Baskets

Make sure you view next week's blog for special Date Night Ideas in Downtown Huntsville to learn about even more Valentine's Day Dining and Shopping options!

Want to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday without having to cook your own game day meals? Commerce Kitchen is doing a Super Bowl Sunday Meal Kit specifically for that reason! You can pick up meals for 3, 6, or 10 at Commerce Kitchen between 2 and 3 pm and have them home just in time for kick-off!

Meal for 3 - 4 $42.00
-16 wings celery/carrots and ranch/bleu cheese
- 8 beef sliders
- Queso/salsa and chips

Meal for 6 - 8 $60.00
- 30 wings celery/carrots and ranch/bleu cheese
- 16 beef sliders
- Queso/salsa and chips

Meal for 10 - 12 $100.00
- 45 wings celery/carrots and ranch/bleu cheese
- 24 beef sliders
- Queso/salsa and chips

In case you haven't heard the news, Super Saturday Sidewalk Sales are back for 2021! During this event, local small businesses will extend their merchandise to the sidewalks with special deals and sales. Plus, we will have local art vendors selling their products and buskers providing live music.

On Feb 13th, this special Valentines/Mardi Gras-themed Sidewalk Sale will come with some exciting giveaways! 10 of our local small businesses have been provided with a delicious King Cake from The Moon Bakeshop, and they will randomly be giving them out to customers during the event! So, if your lucky you not only will be going home with a successful shopping trip, but you will also be going home with a King Cake to celebrate Mardi Gras with!

We hope to see you in Downtown Huntsville next Saturday from 11am to 3pm. Don't forget to RSVP to our Facebook Event Page where we will announce the list of businesses that will be giving out the cakes and we will also showcase our map of art vendors and buskers. We can't wait for this Super Saturday!

Downtown Huntsville's 2020 Year In Review

This unique and rough year has sure surprised all of us. 2020 has been a year of transformations and adapting for Downtown Huntsville. As we wave goodbye, we wanted to take a look back at this extraordinary year and what came out of it in this last edition of the Downtown Explorer for 2020!

As the lockdowns began, we strived to do our best to continue to support downtown businesses and provide activities and events for the community. With physical distancing in mind, DHI made significant changes to some of your favorite annual events.

This year, we offered physically distanced Friday Night Art Walks, presented by
Amanda Howard Sotheby's International Realty, Food Truck All Stars, presented by valleymls.com, Downtown Open Putt Putt, presented by Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate Group, and Tinsel Trail, presented by Facebook! These fan favorite events looked a little different this year, but nonetheless, were just as exciting as years past.

Along with these events, we also created a few new ones for 2020! Our downtown businesses placed their merchandise on the sidewalks of downtown in our Super Saturday Sidewalk Sales. This new event was a great way to enjoy shopping in downtown while remaining outdoors in a fresh air environment.

These changes and new events showcased how adaptable our community, local artist, and small business owners are. We plan on continuing to make downtown safe for 2021!

Staying outdoors was a priority in 2020 and Downtown Huntsville is a perfect place to take advantage of that!

This year, we relaunched our Blue Bikes bike share program powered by Tandem Mobility and sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. With 30 bikes across 11 stations its easier than ever to explore our downtown.

We also released a new set of our Explorer Vlogs showcasing some of the best parks around Downtown Huntsville. You can view the full playlist here.

Our 2020 Pop-Up Parks, presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union, were one of the major highlights of this year. All built by construction companies and architectures, these miniature urban parks included dog parks, physically distanced work spots, and many great relaxation locations.

Downtown Huntsville still has so much to offer outdoors including our Secret Art Trail, presented by Polaris Inc., and right outside the downtown core you can explore Monte Sano Mountain hiking, biking, and more.

Downtown's food and retail businesses sure took a hit this year, but they still have been able to adapt to these challenges.

DHI was able to launch a 7 week campaign known as the Super 7 in 2020! We asked the community to nominate and vote on their favorite breakfast items, food truck items, desserts, coffees, and beers within Downtown Huntsville. The results can be viewed here!

Our Craft Coffee and Craft Beer Trails are still an amazing way to get out and explore downtown while enjoying your favorite beverages. We even added a community favorite, Canadian Bakin, to our Craft Coffee Trail this year! In 2021 you can expect more exciting announcements regarding our trails, so stay tuned!

You can learn more about our downtown small businesses by watching our Small Business Profiles here. These short videos showcase what unique things these businesses bring to our Rocket City Center.

Although 2020 forced us further apart, it showed us how close together our community can be. Moving into 2021, lets continue to support our local community and businesses.

If you are looking for ways to enjoy a New Years cocktail safely this year, visit our Facebook or Instagram account! From all of us at Downtown Huntsville, Inc. we hope you have a great New Year!

Free, Outdoor activities to enjoy Christmas week!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Downtown Huntsville, Inc.! In this edition of the Downtown Explorer, we will share with you free, outdoor activities you can enjoy this week in Downtown Huntsville.

Tinsel Trail is quickly coming to a close, so be sure to visit this free, outdoor event before its gone! Tinsel Trail, presented by Facebook, is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week for you to enjoy at your own convenience.

Food trucks, hot chocolate, desserts, and pop-up Craft Coffee Trail tents are at Tinsel Trail almost every day! So, be sure to check out the special events happening at Tinsel Trail this year through our Special Events Facebook Event Page!

We can't wait to see you at the trail this season!

The Historic Downtown Huntsville houses are some of the most beautiful sites to see this year. Take a stroll through the downtown historic districts to enjoy these gorgeous lights in person. This is a great activity to enjoy with your family safely this season.

Plus, you can visit our DHI Instagram page to see the winner of our Holiday House competition!

Looking for ways to stay active after a big holiday meal? We have many options here in Downtown Huntsville!

Hike, bike, or ride the Monte Sano Mountain Trails! Monte Sano has the best views and fresh air on cool clear days.

Are you a runner? Join in on We Run Downtown Huntsville's outings. Join their Facebook group to post when you'd like to run, meet friends and activity partners, get a workout, and have fun! You can also check out Great Runs website for a comprehensive list of great places to run in and around Downtown Huntsville.

Want to take a quick bike ride around our Rocket City Center? Rent on of our Blue Bikes, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, around downtown at great affordable prices! Find out more information here.

If you are in search of a less intense outdoor activity, you can participate in the Lucky Duck Scavenger Hunt! The Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau has cleverly hidden 14 ducks around downtown Huntsville, and it’s up to you to find them all. And while you're looking, you can experience the sights and history that the heart of our city has to offer. Perceptive players who find all 14 ducks can stop by the Visitor Center and get a special prize.

More Holiday Markets and a Posh New Lounge to Close Out 2020!

There are some exciting new additions to Downtown Huntsville at the close of this year. In this edition of the Downtown Explorer, we invite you to our Holiday Night Market to celebrate the new lights over the Clinton Row Color Walk, and we invite you to the brand new Stella's Elixir Lounge in downtown! In addition, check out our list of local restaurants offering carry out, delivery, and dine-in holiday meals!

Friday from 4-6pm, visit the Downtown Holiday Night Market in the newly-lit Clinton Row Color Walk. 15 local art vendors will line the color walk selling one-of-a-kind merchandise perfect for gifting for the holidays! Come celebrate this new addition to our Color Walk as well as the upcoming holidays. See you soon in Downtown Huntsville!

Impeccably posh without pretension, Stella’s Elixir Lounge is THE place to meet after work, gather with friends, or impress your date. They will be serving your favorite libations on their rooftop in Downtown Huntsville on Holmes Avenue. After a successful grand opening last Tuesday, Stella's Elixir Lounge is ready for your visit! They invite you to experience their 4,000 square foot lounge boasting a comfortable mix of open air seating areas with cozy fire pits and a swanky indoor bar serving your favorite elixirs until 2 am every night. Visit them today in Downtown Huntsville located right next to Moe's Original BBQ.

Multiple downtown restaurants will be offering carryout, delivery, and dine in meals this holiday season! Don't stress over cooking a big meal this Christmas and order locally instead. Check out our list below!

Canadian Bakin Holiday Pre-Orders
Char Restaurant Holiday Catering
Commerce Kitchen Christmas Feast
Cotton Row Candlelight Christmas Eve Dinner
Fresko Grille's MEZZA Party Tray for the holidays
GrubSouth Free Delivery List
Mazzara's Kitchen Family Feast
Ruth Chris' Holiday Carryout Meal and Christmas Day Dine in

Shop then Drop in Downtown Huntsville!

Downtown Huntsville is truly a magical place during the holidays, and this year is no exception. Our downtown shops have the best gifts in stock for every member of your family! You can also stop in next weekend at Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment Center for their Winter Solstice Market, their largest market of 2020, and celebrate at La Esquina Cocina's Posada Hispanic Holiday Market! Shop local this year to support these small businesses and local artists!

Our downtown core shops have created an amazing Holiday Gift Guide for anyone and everyone you need to shop for! Go shopping in Downtown Huntsville soon to get these one-of-a-kind presents!

May May's
Stockings- $42
Toy Blender- $48
Truck Party Bath Squirters- $19
Kids Beanie- $26
Kids Pajama Set- $52

Caley Paige Home and Gifts
Pillow- $72
Woven Table- $130

Silhouette Boutique
Cork Yoga Mat- $107.00
Tamed Wild Flora Goddess Candle- $26.00
Crossbody Purse- $86.00

Harrison Brothers Hardware
Serving Platter- 65.00
Rocket Painting- $132.95,
Local Jelly- $8.95

Indigos Boutique
Hand Bag- $39.99
Set of Drinking Glasses- $34.99

Elitaire Boutique
Mamuye Whiskey Leather Bag - $168
Fozi Snakeskin Crossbody Leather Bag - $148
Navy Sweater Dress - $90

Wheelhouse Salon
Limited-Release Wheelhouse "Debbie" shirt- $15
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray- $48

The Huntsville Museum of Art Store
Frida Kahlo Vogue Tote- $42
“Women In Art” Puzzle- $16.50
Studio Roof Paradise Bird- $16

Earlywork's Children's Museum Gift Shop
Yoda- $45
Ornaments- $12.

Roosevelt and Co.
Sweater - $155
Shirt - $165
Jeans – $176 - $225
Messenger Bag - $198
Scarf – $95 - $195

This Friday, La Esquina Cocina is hosting a Posada, a traditional Hispanic Christmas festival with live music and vendors! This is a great opportunity for the Latin community to be able to experience this tradition and its a great way to educate yourself of the rich Hispanic culture, especially during the Christmas season.

Confirmed art vendors include:
Yala Avenue
A Cute Angle
Stucchi's Jewelry
Luna Moth Candle
Candies con Fuego
Havana Bama Cafe

Free hot chocolate (the infamous Abuelita chocolate) will be offered as well as some giveaways from local shops. Have fun hitting pinatas and...visiting SANTA at this Hispanic Holiday Market! This is a COVID-safe event, and it is family and pet friendly!

La Esquina Cocina is so excited to showcase this Hispanic tradition!

Can't get enough of these Holiday Markets? Neither can we!

On Saturday, December 19th, come to the largest artist market of the year at Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment Center! The Winter Solstice Artist Market is the perfect place to bring your out-of-town family members to show them the best local artist and makers North Alabama has to offer. Stroll through the socially-distanced vendor artist market throughout the grounds, and take a step inside to shop the fantastic studio artists in the building! The Winter Solstice Market is the perfect place to find any last minute gifts as you get ready to celebrate the holidays - and the end of 2020!

Holiday Markets and Gift Guides in Downtown Huntsville!

December has arrived and with it has come many holiday deals! Enjoy our last Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale, visit the brand new Holiday Art Marketplace and Hispanic Holiday Market, and learn about DHIs extensive Holiday Gift Guides all in this edition of the Downtown Explorer!

Come to downtown this Saturday from 10am to 5pm for our last Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale! Local art vendors and buskers will line the streets of downtown bringing handmade goods and live music. Our downtown retail shops will be bringing their merchandise out on the sidewalk to you offering the best deals and discounts!

Also on Saturday at the same time, visit the new Holiday Art Marketplace beside the Von Braun Center! This outdoor event will feature 50 area artists from a variety of mediums selling one-of-a-kind merchandise perfect for gift giving. The Von Braun Center will be hosting SEC Football Games in the Mars Music Hall and the NEACA Craft Fair in the South Hall. Then, end your shopping day at The Huntsville Museum of Arts skating rink and our very own Tinsel Trail at Big Spring Park.

So come out and enjoy a fun-filled Saturday!

On December 11th, La Esquina Cocina is hosting a Posada, a traditional Hispanic Christmas festival with live music and vendors! This is a great opportunity for the Latin community to be able to experience this tradition and its a great way to educate yourself of the rich Hispanic culture, especially during the Christmas season.

Free hot chocolate (the infamous Abuelita chocolate) will be offered as well as some giveaways from local shops. Have fun hitting pinatas and...visiting SANTA at this Hispanic Holiday Market! This is a COVID-safe event, and it is family and pet friendly!

La Esquina Cocina is so excited to showcase this Hispanic tradition!

If you are following along on our social accounts, you may have seen the beginnings of a few special series! DHI is helping you find the best holiday gifts in Downtown Huntsville with our Holiday Gift Guide series!

On our DHI Instagram account watch @alextrieslife shop at our downtown retail shops! From inexpensive stocking stuffers to grand presents, Alex has made a shopping guide perfect for every person and price range!

If you have some beer or coffee lovers in your life, you don't want to miss our Craft Beer Trail and Craft Coffee Trail Holiday Gift Guides! Every day of December, we will be sharing an item you can find along the trail perfect for gifting to that special someone in your life. Some gifts featured in our gift guide include: delicious pastries, 4-packs of the best local brews, book boxes, hoodies, and much more! Visit the Craft Coffee Trail Instagram and Facebook and the Craft Beer Trail Instagram and Facebook accounts to get this gift guide.

Happy shopping!

An Exclusive Sneak Peek of the Holidays in Downtown Huntsville!

The air is crisp and the holidays are quickly approaching! In this edition of the Downtown Explorer, get a sneak peek at what events are coming to downtown Huntsville this Winter. From the grand opening of Skating in the Park, the new 10 Nights of Santa, and of course our very own Tinsel Trail, this holiday season is guaranteed to be filled with cheer!

The Huntsville Museum of Art (HMA) is opening its ninth season of Skating in the Park this year! The outdoor ice skating rink will officially open at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20.

The Museum invites people of all ages to make their holiday season merry and bright at Skating in the Park. Skating in the Park has updated its health and safety policies. All patrons must wear a mask when inside Skating in the Park's boundaries. Guests should also practice social distancing. The rink is limited to 125 skaters at one time, and railings will be disinfected every 90 minutes.

The rink will close on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 8:00pm. Visit HMAs website for hours, special events, and pricing.

Amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic the organizers of Santa’s Village, a north Alabama holiday tradition, have decided to reimagine and relocate the family experience for this year. The 2020 edition of Santa’s Village will be called Ten Nights of Santa. The event will be held indoors December 13-23 at the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum. The new location will allow organizers to uphold safe capacity limits, social distancing and sanitizing protocols.

The reimagined program will offer several “safety inspired” twists, including Santa visiting with children while being protected by “Santa’s Magic Snow Globe.” Due to an accidental spill of “magic elf dust” at the North Pole, Santa has been confined in a “magic snow globe.” However, the jolly old elf is determined that his confinement will not impact his ability and desire to meet with children and spread Christmas cheer.

A limited number of tickets for the 10 night event will be offered online and will adhere to EarlyWorks and ADPH safety protocols. This will be a timed entry, limited capacity event to ensure the safety of all involved. Tickets for the 10 night event will sell out fast!

Tickets for the event must be pre-purchased online. Cost for Ten Nights of Santa is $10 per person (children 12 months and below are free and do not require a ticket). For more information visit online at earlyworks.com

Tinsel Trail 2020, presented by Facebook, is only a few days away!

This years lighting ceremony will be held on November 27th at 6pm as Mayor Battle will kick off Tinsel Trail in Big Spring Park East. After the lighting of the trees, enjoy a special appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Claus, as well as, food from Golden Years Ice Cream Parlor and Diner food truck, hot chocolate from Southerland Sno Depot’s truck, treats from Nothing Bundt Cakes tent, and coffee from Gold Sprints pop-up tent available for purchase.

This free annual event will last from November 27th until January 3rd! Visit Tinsel Trail’s Facebook or Instagram page for more information and a list of special events!

It's Shopping Season in Downtown Huntsville! Here's how to make the most of it!

Now that Halloween is over, we all know what that means... its shopping season! In this edition of the Downtown Explorer, we will be announcing our new Pop-Up Market Day at The Avenue, as well as discussing our next Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale, and the Harrison Brothers Holiday Open House!

DHI is proud to help host Pop- Up Market Days at The Avenue! As an addition to the Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale, the Pop-up Market Day along the sidewalk of The Avenue will feature local artists and artisans, live music, and great deals! From 10am to 5pm, visit Cookie Dough Magic, MELT, Zoom Indoor Cycling, Indigo's Boutique, Purveyor, May Mays, Wheelhouse Salon, The Moon Bakeshop, and Oshi Poke Bowl and Sushi for this special event.

Grab your friends and enjoy an outdoor shopping experience in downtown Huntsville! For more information about this event visit the Facebook Event Page.

Along with the Pop-Up Market Day at The Avenue, this Saturday, head over to Clinton Avenue and the downtown Historic Square for another Super Saturday Sidewalk Sale! This event features a Pop-Up Art Walk, Pop-Up Buskers, and merchandise for sale on the sidewalks of downtown Huntsville from 10am to 5pm.

The Clinton Row shops, The Garage at Clinton Row, Harrison Brothers Hardware, Greene Street Market, and many more retail shops will have deals too good to pass up! This is the perfect chance to get all of your holiday shopping done in one day! We hope to see you there!

'Tis the season for Harrison Brother's Hardware's annual open house. Come enjoy the festive window decorations including the vintage model train. Pick up a mug of mulled cider, peruse the hand-painted Huntsville themed ornaments by Sonya Clemons, and experience "Shop Local" at its finest.

Open Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Learn more about this event on their Facebook Event page!

It's Halloweek in Downtown Huntsville!

Ghosts, witches, and scarecrows have been roaming the streets of downtown Huntsville and now they have taken over our Downtown Explorer. In this edition of the Downtown Explorer, we will give you the exclusive on all the tricks and treats you can get in downtown this Halloweek! From daytime dress-up activities to evil evening plans, Downtown HSV has lots of physically-distanced and mask-friendly Halloween festivities. Even if you plan on having a quiet night alone (or so you think), we have a list of some chillingly good Halloween inspired menu items to enjoy this weekend. So, prepare for the fright of your life this week in downtown Huntsville!

You don't have to wait until the sun goes down to enjoy Halloween festivities in downtown Huntsville.

On Friday. Oct. 30th enjoy shopping at the Clinton Row shops for Freaky Friday! Special sales, deals, and food vendors will be there!

Saturday morning, you will see some witches riding through downtown. Don't be frightened, they have some candy to offer the little monsters on their way through! The Blossomwood Witches Ride is a fundraiser for Blount Hospitality House, in Huntsville - as well as an excuse for ladies to let out their witchy side! Their ride has been rescheduled for Halloween morning and we are so excited to see them riding their brooms (bikes) through our city center!

Want to enjoy trick or treating in a safe way this year? Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment is hosting a trick or treat parade! From 2-3pm on Saturday Oct. 31, load up your vehicle with costumed kids (or grown folks) and roll on through Lowe Mill for some sweet treats!

If you'd rather enjoy Halloween under the moon this year, downtown Huntsville has plenty to offer!

Halloween parties are being hosted at Stovehouse, Mars Music Hall, Palms Nightclub, and Sammy T's! Plus, live music is available at Rocket Republic, Furniture Factory Bar & Grill, Sidetracks Music Hall and The Bar at 805.

Straight to Ale will be hosting a Drag Queen Bingo on Friday night and a Horror Movie Trivia on Saturday night both at 6pm in their speakeasy!

You can also celebrate Dia De Los Muertos at La Esquina Cocina on Friday from 5:30-9pm. Live music, salsa lessons, an outdoor street market with local vendors and authentic Mexican food and drinks are provided for FREE!

If you would like a more active Halloween activity to enjoy with your friend group, consider booking the Rocket City Rover for a Boo's Cruise! 

Don't feel like partying for Halloween, enjoy a nice meal and cocktails instead! Here is an extensive list of the variety of Halloween inspired treats our downtown restaurants are offering!

Commerce Kitchen: Halloween cocktails: Black Magic Margarita, Candy Corn Martini, Poison Appletini, Witches Brew.
Humphreys Bar and Grill: Ghoulish brunch at 11am with Tim Cannon with $3 mimosas and $4 bloody Marys. Costume contest, Halloween themed drinks and much more. The Beasley Brothers play at 9pm! NO cover charge!!
Oshi Poke Bowl and Sushi: Spooky Sushi Roll, specialty Pumpkin Spiced Bobba Tea, candy for all,
free select sushi roll to guests wearing sushi themed costumes, streaming family friendly Halloween movies all day long, and $10 Hot Sake $1 off all Import Beer!
Pourhouse: Halloween cocktails: Old Kraken, The Candy Corn, The Raven, and The Cauldron.
Honest Coffee Roasters: The Hex Best Thing, spiced orange and vanilla latte with just a hint of activated charcoal.
MELT: A limited supply of delicious apple cider slushie! Kid-friendly for $3 or spike it with your favorite spirit!
Sam and Gregs: Spooky gelato!
Pane e Vino: Buy one get one half off on all pizza, kids eat free with purchase of adult meal, candy for all kids, Halloween movies all day, $4.99 Pumpkin Martinis $3 Bottle Beer $4 Draft.
The Moon Bakeshop: Cookies-n-ScReAm Cupcakes!
Cotton Row: Sleepy Hollow Cocktail.

Parade Season in Downtown Huntsville

We love this time of year because it means we’re in the middle of what we like to call “parade season” in Downtown Huntsville.  

What is “parade season”?  

It’s actually pretty simple: beginning in November with the Veterans Day Parade (the second largest in the country, by the way), Downtown Huntsville hosts what is typically five straight months of parades.

December brings the nighttime Christmas Parade, followed by the inspiring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in January.  Then in February and March, the Mardi Gras Parade and St. Patrick’s Day Parade, two of the most festive parades in the area, roll into the Rocket City Center.

Photo from WZDX

Photo from al.com

Photo from WZDX

Photo from al.com

While shorter than the others, the Downtown Huntsville Mardi Gras Parade still brings the party. Local groups create quirky krewes and floats with plenty of beads to be shared.  This year’s route will run down Green Street to Gates Avenue, follow Southside and Eastside Courthouse Square, and return on Washington Street and Jefferson Street to end at The Furniture Factory. And, while we love the beads, please note that they may be only thrown and received in designated areas with metal barricades.  Never fear though, as many Downtown establishments feature parade after-parties where the beads flow as freely as the fun.

Photo from Mardi Gras Huntsville

Photo from al.com

Photo from Mardi Gras Huntsville

Wrapping up Downtown Parade Season is the long-standing Huntsville St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Officially known as the Ellen McAnnely Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Parade, it brings throngs of green-clad participants to the Rocket City Center.  The route includes the traditional procession down Jefferson Street, where the parade is blessed by Saint Mary of the Visitation Church. Thousands of parade participants and onlookers prepare for a day (and night) filled with green memories and fun.

Photo from huntsville.org

Photo from WAAY TV

Photo from al.com

Photo from NicoleJonesAlabama.com

As you can hopefully see, November through March is an amazing time to experience a parade of almost every kind right here in Downtown Huntsville!