History:

The Spirit of Athens (SOA) began in 2006 as a non-profit organization dedicated to downtown Athens’s revitalization and future growth.  It was modeled after the Main Street approach, given Alabama did not have, at the time, an active Main Street State program to join.  SOA worked to promote and revitalize downtown Athens for the next several years.  In 2010, Alabama reinstated the State Main Street program and grandfathered SOA into the Main Street Alabama program in 2013 as Spirit of Athens Alabama Inc. dba Athens Main Street (AMS).  

Throughout the past 13 years, AMS has significantly contributed to downtown Athens, including establishing a Certified Farmers Market that operates each Saturday, June through September, and Tuesdays from May through August. AMS created the Athens Art League and the established High Cotton Arts, a downtown artist incubator, and incorporated several promotional events that have become highly anticipated and attended year after year, bringing new visitors to downtown. AMS performed a key role in the recently completed Streetscape project that improved walkability, provided more green space with grass and shade trees, improved lighting by installing historic lamp posts, and improved sidewalks to become ADA-compliant. 

Mission Statement:

The mission of Athens Main Street is to enhance downtown vibrancy, preserve its historic charm, empower its community of business owners, and foster a center of activity for the community.