WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-Russellville City Council considering restrictions on storefront churches
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By Elizabeth Gentle – bio | email
Posted by Dana Franks - email
RUSSELLVILLE, AL (WAFF) – A ban on storefront churches in downtown Russellville may happen soon. The City Council wants to revive and stimulate the city's lagging retail, and some say too many churches could be a deterrent to future businesses.
Business isn't what it used to be in downtown Russellville. The This and That Flea Market is one of only a handful of stores for people to shop. Their owners said they have just about anything one could want, but it hasn't been easy to turn a profit.
"Everybody I think is in a crunch right now," said owner Leila Moore. "We have hard time making ends meet do what we can to survive."
Popular shopping spots from years past have died out and have since been replaced with a slew of storefront churches. Almost a dozen denominations occupy commercial space downtown.
"Well, I'm Christian myself," Moore said. "I'm all for churches, whatever they get people coming in drawing people in. I would rather see it thriving retail stores here."
So would Russellville City Councilman William Nale. He said the takeover in churches won't stimulate downtown's lagging revenue. He said he supports a ban on anymore moving in.
"Its nothing against the churches," Nale said. "It's trying to utilize and bring the city back up wholesale and retail downtown."
The city is spending thousands to give downtown a major facelift in hopes of attracting business again. Some wonder if it will work.
"People just wonder what it is they are wanting," said Brenda Fretwell. "What it is they need to put in a business for?"
District 1 City Councilman Jeff Masterson emailed WAFF 48 News a statement, saying: "We need to look at designating our store fronts for business that will pay sales tax and give us a return on our investment downtown. I'd be in favor of grandfathering them in. We're not looking to misplace anyone."
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