Good morning Fairhope! Mardi Gras and strong winds are now behind us and the weekend is just ahead! Take some time to catch your breath and wander through Downtown Fairhope and the bayfront parks to enjoy the beautiful tulips. One of the things that makes our town so unique is the Fairhope Horticulture & Landscape department and we appreciate them!

Your Mid-Week Funny: “I try not to tell dad jokes. But when I do, he thinks they’re really funny.”

Now grab your hot tea or coffee and dive the FN Newsletter. And if you decide to share this with your friends and neighbors at FairhopeNow.com (or click the big blue button below), you’ll be entered to win a $25 gift card to Kind Cafe! Just email us at [email protected] to let us know, and we’ll add your name to the raffle. From Anne Dorman and John Oldshue.

– Anne Dorman & John Oldshue

Today’s Fairhope Now Newsletter

1. Watch Your Step: Sidewalk Detour Downtown

2. Have you tried out the “Taste of Fairhope” yet?

3. Meet & Greet: Learn about Impact 100

4. Almost Here: Fairhope Arts & Crafts

5. Fairhope Adoptable Pets: Meet Velma

6. Quick News from Around Fairhope

Old Hardware Store Decay Visible

Be aware when working and playing in Downtown Fairhope - the awning of the old Fairhope Hardware store has begun to fall. Gulf Coast Media reported a few months ago: “Plans to turn Fairhope's 94-year-old historic building and old hardware store building into commercial space is being held back by a lingering issue that both the city and property owners are looking to resolve.

There are hopes to turn Fairhope Hardware, located on 301 Fairhope Ave., into a new building that includes a retail and restaurant space on the first floor and a hotel on the second and third floors. However, parking is what is currently holding the project back from becoming a reality.

Locals part of the group investing into the project spoke about the parking issue during Fairhope's city council meeting on Dec 9. The development company behind the project, FST Sildi LLC, sought a special exception from the Board of Adjustments to build a hotel within Fairhope's Central Business District, zoned B-2…

"I have clients here willing to make a huge investment on Fairhope," said Matt McKinney, the architect behind the project who expressed his frustrations during the city council meeting. "That is dead corner. Atrocious building. It's dangerous. It needs to be torn down. We got a solid project. My clients are more than willing and ready to make something happen. We need some help."

The 0.2-acre site, on which the building was constructed in 1922, has housed various stores and outlets over the years, including department stores, a Piggly Wiggly and, more recently, Fairhope Hardware. It has been designated as a "contributing" building within the Fairhope Downtown Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was sold in an auction in March 2023 for $1.6 million.

"We are not trying to build the Trump Tower," said Tamala Prickett, co-owner of a real estate firm who is also part of the group involved in the project. "We are trying to meet the need that is beneficial for the city…”

During the discussion, several possible solutions were brought up to address the parking issue, which include seeking approval from the parking authority to use 27 spaces in an adjacent existing parking garage, leasing private property for the purpose of more parking, building a new lot on vacant city property or even the creation of a "parking fund" to help finance more parking areas within the downtown area…” Read the full December 2024 article here

Rendering of the Potential New Building:

Taste of Fairhope

We have enjoyed a local walking food tour with the Taste of Fairhope and highly recommend it! The Fairhope Foodie tour will take you on a journey through six stops, where you’ll enjoy an abundance of tastings over three hours. Discover the stories behind the food and the restaurants that created them, adding a whole new layer to your culinary adventure.

With plenty of opportunities to mingle with other locals and guests, our tour is perfect for those who want to have fun while enjoying great food. And if you want to take your experience to the next level, add on our cocktail package, featuring three delicious cocktails served by the restaurants. Private tours are available also. Learn more here

Interested in Impact 100?

Impact 100 Baldwin County is a nonprofit organization comprised of women with a desire to make a difference in the lives of others and to make Baldwin County, AL a better place to live. Membership is open to all women who embrace the same goals.

Both members and prospective members are invited to gather at The Hope Farm in Fairhope. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and appetizers while you network and learn more about how we make an Impact in Baldwin County. A grant recipient will discuss their transformational Impact 100 grant.

Our membership events are free and open to all women 18 and older. You do not need to be a member or know a member to attend. We do ask that you please register by using this link: Impact 100

Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival

Just ONE WEEK away! For over 70 years, our flower-lined streets have proudly hosted the Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival which takes place every third weekend in March. While it has grown and evolved throughout the years, it remains a familiar family tradition for so many. 

During this three-day event, our population of 25,000 swells to nearly 300,000 as our downtown streets come alive with creativity, showcasing the best in art, food, and entertainment in our blossoming community, full of southern charm.

The 73rd festival theme is "Paint the Town" and we mean that literally. The festival is unveiling something truly unique — a mural that will be created downtown, celebrating the festival and honoring its 70+ year tradition. 

The mural will be located adjacent to the Fairhope Welcome Center on Section Street. Our featured artist Hannah Legg will begin work on the mural in early March, with plans to do some live painting during the festival, allowing visitors to experience the creation process firsthand. Read All About It Here

Fairhope Adoptable Pets: Meet Velma

Introducing Velma, the sophisticated orange, black, and cream torti cat with a brain as sharp as her wit and a charm that's impossible to resist! Named after the brilliant and resourceful character from "Scooby-Doo," Velma brings her own brand of feline detective work to the home. With her striking tortoiseshell coat and thoughtful demeanor, she's always on the case, whether it's uncovering the mystery of the missing sock or solving the puzzle of the perfect napping spot. Velma's keen intellect is matched only by her affectionate nature, making her a cherished companion and the go-to expert for all things cozy and curious!

 Learn more about Velma and other adoptable pets by clicking through to The Haven.

Quick News from Around Fairhope

1. Fairhope Weather: Clear today, Rain again Saturday

2. Check out Rouxster Catering Lunch Options

3. Bill E’s Bacons, Burgers, & Bikes Event

4. Spring Fever Chase is on March 15th

5. Red Carpet Runway Pet Adoption

6. The Haven Benefit Concert

7. WABF, Fairhope’s Local Radio Station, Live Streaming Here

8. WABF Recent Local Interviews

Want to stay up to date on even more local events? Check out Let’s Go! Fairhope .

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