Posted by Rickey (anonymous) on September 19, 2009 at 1 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Mims -
I can only guess, but it seems that the businesses that moved near the Interstate (we call it a Freeway) are hoping to attract more business. Again, this is only a guess. BUT I, too, would like to see older buildings turned into something worthwhile. I know it all comes down to money, so maybe when the economy picks up, things will look more favorable. Thank you for your insight. and please keep writing.

Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I understand a business constantly making updates to better theirselves, but I don't understand the thinking behind the moving to the interstate bandwagon. I may be wrong, but I would think that local people are the majority of customers that buy cars from local dealerships. Local people generally travel on local highways to run an errand so wouldn't the chances of a local person seeing these car dealerships be better on 31 thus making them more appealing. I can't count how many times I have been with someone and they pull over at either one of these dealerships when they were still located on 31 just because they see a car they want to check into. We rarely travel on 145 or the interstate in that partcular spot as we live in Chilton County. We are either getting on or off the interstate before or after that location. Also, what about all the empty buildings in downtown? It just seems we could find more productive uses for such places instead of letting them dilapidate. Anyway, that's just my opinion.

Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did you say a shopping mall in Clanton, Ala. ??? Who in their right mind would shell out $50 million for a mall in a county of 40K? Locating their businesses closer to the interstate expands their market. It sounds a little better on radio and TV when you advertise that your business is visible from the interstate.

Posted by beentheredonethat (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All dealerships didn't move to I-65! There is still a forgotten dealership on Hwy 31. Contrary to looks and opinion, it is still open for business!

Posted by countyresident (anonymous) on September 28, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't like that there are empty buildings everywhere either. Everytime we pass the big brick building on 2nd ave just past the tracks on the left (from 31 going to west end), my daughter and I discuss how cool it would be to fix up that old building with two apartments on the top two floors and have a store like a boutique or something on the bottom floor. We would love to do that, but in this economy, who could?