The past summer opened doors to a number of surprises for returning UNA students, not only on campus, but in downtown Florence as well.

Students and faculty returning to UNA for a new school year may notice several new restaurants, shops and other places of leisure that opened up during the summer break. Some new shops include dining, dessert, men’s and women’s fashion, banks and a new bicycle shop.

“We have almost everything that any downtown community would want,” said Teryl Shields, director of Florence Main Street. “We have had a lot of growth in the past year in the downtown community.”

Florence has been known for its certain uniqueness that differs from other cities in Alabama, which might have effects on the kinds of new businesses that open, officials said.

“What we see in downtown is more of a collective mix,” said Melissa Bailey, planning department director for the city of Florence. “We like the fact that the nuance of downtown attracts the less typical type of development.”

Students who stayed in Florence during the summer may have felt a little discomfort as visitors to downtown have taken parking spaces, but Shields suggests that the construction and renovations of most businesses have been minimal.

“It hasn’t been a problem like major streets had to close down for long periods of time or anything like that,” she said. “Most of the businesses that have opened in the last year have gone into existing buildings.”

Shields said UNA’s downtown location has a great advantage. It helps students living on campus have better access to new activities and resources that the city has to offer.

“Just about anything that a student would need is in the downtown area,” she said. “And for students who do not have cars, I think that is a real bonus to them.”

The proximity of the campus to downtown seems to cause the city to seek student satisfaction and comfort, according to Bailey.

“Having the university’s presence keeps Florence fresh,” she said. “When you have the constant presence of students, there is a certain vibrance that comes into a city. I think that is why we start to see some of the more unique types of development that happen downtown.”

Another local activity that the Florence community has is First Friday, a public arts display that occurs the first Friday of every month from March to December.

“It’s a great environment for students to come down and pick up a nice piece of art work or a cute trinket,” Shields said.

Many students at UNA enjoy what the downtown community has to offer, including eating at new or old restaurants, shopping at nearby stores or experiencing different festivals such as First Fridays and others.

“I haven’t been to Mackadoo’s or the cupcake place yet, but I would like to go some time,” said UNA student Kendra Higginbotham.

UNA student Katlyn Johnson loves First Fridays.

“First Fridays are the best with a capital B,” she said.

According to city officials, student insight is important to any of the developments of downtown Florence, and the city is also open to suggestions that UNA would like to bring to light to further improve the city.

“We encourage students to get involved within city government,” Bailey said. “We have public meetings to discuss the future of Florence in terms of development. They are always welcome and we would like to hear their ideas.”