Alice, like many cities around the country, used to have a bustling downtown. It was the place businesses, residents, and tourists gathered to eat, shop, attend concerts, and watch movies. A place by the community, for the community.
Unfortunately, with the rise of big box corporate stores in the 1980s, many downtowns, including Alice, slowly and quietly declined. Businesses left, residents and tourists stopped visiting, and they no longer functioned as the hub of the cities.
Thankfully, this era of decline appears to be over, even in little ol’ Alice, Texas. With the hard work and determination of local business owners and community leaders, Downtown Alice is once again becoming the beating heart of the city.
Many Alice residents believed that the good old days of driving downtown to eat, shop, and engage with the community were in the past. But now, residents can once again enjoy a tasty meal, listen to live music, and shop along Main Street.
The Alice Downtown Ambassadors have played a key role in this revival. The organization is comprised of downtown business owners and other local residents who spend their own time and money on beautification and other improvements.
From beautification to infrastructure improvements, these leaders have completely changed the fabric of Downtown Alice in just a few short years. It will be interesting to see what other improvements and changes are made in the months and years to follow.